• What Is Anticipatory Grief?

    Funeral Home Oakland

    If you’re planning a cremation service for a loved one or pre-planning a funeral, you may experience anticipatory grief. Anticipatory grief is a form of grief that can occur when a loved one is elderly, ill, or injured, and you know that he or she will soon pass away. As you begin planning ahead, you may want to seek grief support services from a grief counselor through your funeral home or crematorium.

    Anticipatory grief often encompasses the same five stages of grief that are present after a death: Denial, bargaining, depression, anger, and acceptance. Most grief counselors do not consider anticipatory grief to be earlier symptoms of typical grief, however. Anticipatory grief can make you feel isolated, anxious, and angry, particularly when paired with the stress of pre-planning a funeral ceremony or planning a cremation ceremony.

    If you anticipate the death of a loved one and are in need of a funeral home near Oakland that offers grief support services, come see us at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. Our compassionate funeral home staff can help you pre-plan a funeral or cremation ceremony, and offer access to grief counselors in your time of need. To learn more about our funeral services, call us today at (510) 654-0123.

  • A Look at Our Historic Funeral Home

    At the Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, our experienced funeral home staff pride ourselves on providing compassionate, comprehensive funeral services and cremation services to our diverse community. We are able to accommodate specific needs when planning cremation ceremonies and funeral ceremonies for community members of all religions, cultures, and personal beliefs.

    Watch this video to learn more about our historic funeral home, crematorium, columbarium, and memorial park. You will get a private, virtual tour of our Oakland funeral home, including the elegant spaces in which funeral ceremonies or cremation ceremonies may be held.

    If you’re interested in speaking to someone at our funeral home and crematorium near Oakland , feel free to stop by for an in-person tour. We can help you pre-plan a funeral or cremation ceremony that truly honors your loved one. Call us today at (510) 654-0123 for more information.

  • When Should You Scatter Ashes?

    Cremation Oakland

    Everybody grieves differently. Planning a funeral can be an emotionally tiring experience, but you don’t have to scatter any ashes immediately after a cremation. Instead, wait until the time is right and devise the perfect plan for scattering the ashes of a loved one. Keep reading if you are wondering when you should scatter the ashes of a deceased friend or family member.

    The right time to scatter ashes depends on a multitude of factors. However, there are a few elements to keep in mind when deciding on the appropriate time. As is the case with traditional burials and funeral services, people will have the opportunity to visit their lost loved ones and pay their respects after a cremation. Since the departed may have loved ones all over the country—or even the world—it is possible that not everyone can make it to the funeral services. Before you scatter the ashes of your loved one, make sure everyone has had a chance to pay their respects and say their goodbyes.

    Are you ready to learn more about cremation services or funeral planning near Oakland? Contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland today. We offer funeral pre-planning, grief support , and much more. Give us a call at (510) 654-0123.

  • Explaining Cremation to Children

    Grief Support Oakland

    Death can be a difficult concept for children to wrap their minds around, and the aftermath can be just as tricky. If a close family friend or loved one undergoes cremation , your kids might have a slew of questions. Try not to shy away from your kids’ questions, and have funeral services so that they can pay their respects. Continue on for more on the process of explaining cremation to children.

    Learn about cremation.
    Conversations about life and death can be tough, especially when it comes to children. This is why it is important that you learn about cremation yourself before you try to explain it to your kids. Fortunately there are plenty of different ways that you can go about enhancing your knowledge of cremation; you can find resources online, talk to people you know who have had loved ones cremated, or even visit Chapel of the Chimes Oakland to learn everything you want to know about this option.

    Engage your child’s curiosity.
    There are countless things that spark children’s curiosity, and the last thing you want to do is shut them down. It is perfectly natural to wonder what is happening when a loved one passes away, and children are not the only ones who feel this way. If your child has questions, you should do your best to answer them. Never ignore your children’s curiosities and concerns when it comes to death, especially regarding someone close.

    Have a memorial service.
    Cremation can be a difficult concept to understand for kids. In some cases you can make this easier by having a traditional memorial or funeral service. This will give your kids a chance to pay their respects, and it might give them the closure they need to help them get over their loss. The specific type of memorial service you hold is up to you, but the right one can be helpful for your kids.

    Chapel of the Chimes Oakland offers cremation services near Oakland. You can learn more about cremation services and other funeral services that we offer by calling us today at (510) 654-0123.

  • Tips for Writing an Obituary

    Funeral Planning Oakland

    Funeral pre-planning entails a handful of different elements, from seeking grief support to choosing a funeral home. The obituary is another important factor to consider after the passing of a loved one. It’s important that you write one that honors your loved one. Keep reading for a closer look at these tips for writing an obituary.

    Paint a picture.
    When you write an obituary for a loved one, think about the qualities that made the person so special. An obituary gives people a chance to see a deceased friend, family member, or acquaintance in the same light in which their closest loved ones saw them. Take this opportunity to write kind words about your deceased loved one; talk about what he or she liked to do, discuss prevalent personality traits, and mention a few things that the person considered important in life.

    Name surviving family members.
    In addition to describing the deceased, obituaries will commonly name surviving family members. You can mention any kids or grandkids the departed may have had, and you can also talk about his or her parents. Think about the people whom your loved one was closest with; you don’t necessarily have to limit your mentions to immediate family. Family members will appreciate being included in the obituary of their cherished friend or relative. People who read the obituaries might not necessarily know your friend or relative’s name, but they could recognize yours and extend their condolences to your family.

    Offer details about memorial services.
    One of the most practical purposes of an obituary is making people aware of memorial services. Wakes, funerals, and cremation services typically happen shortly after a person passes, and people have busy schedules. There may be people who care for your lost loved one who were not otherwise aware of his or her passing; an obituary can allow these people to attend the funeral services.

    If you want to learn more about writing an obituary or planning a funeral near Oakland, contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland . Give us a call at (510) 654-0123 to get more information about our funeral planning and grief support services.