• Supporting Grieving Loved Ones

    It’s not always easy to know how to support a family member or friend who has lost someone close to him or her. There are many ways you can be helpful, from dealing with funeral homes and other arrangements to simply listening. This video offers some advice.

    When offering your support to someone who is grieving, it is important to resist the urge to try to fix what is unfixable. Instead, be a good listener and provide practical help with things like funeral planning and everyday household needs. If your loved one needs professional grief support, contact the funeral home for resources.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland , we’re committed to making funeral planning as simple as possible, with comprehensive support as you make decisions about cremation, memorials, and more. When you need help with funeral planning in Oakland, call us today at (510) 654-0123.

  • The Chimes Chapel and Bible Cloister: A Brief History

    Funereal Home Oakland

    The Chapel of the Chimes Columbarium and Mausoleum is a historic landmark and indoor cemetery that is in operation to this day. The location was founded by Willian A. Wishart and several civic-minded undertakers in 1909, and it was called The California Columbarium at the time. Later, in 1911, a young casket salesman by the name of Lawrence E. Moore was hired to direct the columbarium and, with his guidance, it grew to be one of the largest worldwide.

    In 1926, the legendary architect behind the design of Hearst Castle, Julia Morgan, was contracted to undertake the renovation and remodeling of the Chapel of the Chimes, and it was dedicated in 1928 on Memorial Day. Visiting the Chapel of the Chimes, you can glimpse her dazzling influence throughout the cloisters, gardens, and chapels and experience a place of remembrance that will leave an unforgettable impression.

    Chapel of the Chimes Oakland boasts stunning and well-kept grounds in a cemetery that was designed to be unlike any you have seen. If you would like to learn more about this one-of-a-kind funeral home location in Oakland, please call us today at (510) 654-0123.

  • Pre-Planning Your Cremation Choices

    Funeral Home Oakland Planning ahead for your cremation services is an excellent way to remove some of the burden from your surviving family after your passing and to help ensure that your funeral arrangements are carried out in the way that you prefer. Continue reading for tips on pre-planning your cremation choices.

    Explore your cremation options.
    It’s a common assumption that choosing cremation means that you can’t also have a traditional funeral when, in truth, you can arrange funeral services that are to be followed by cremation, rather than a burial. You can also choose to hold a memorial service following the cremation. Finally, you can elect to have your cremated remains entombed, buried, or scattered afterward.

    Understand your options for ashes.
    As already mentioned, you can arrange to have your cremated remains buried much in the same way that a casket would be buried. You can also choose to have the funeral urn entombed in items like benches and boulder, or in a niche or mausoleum. If you wish for your ashes to be scattered, learn about your local regulations regarding the scattering of ashes before selecting a location.

    Consider your religion.
    If you are planning to observe cultural or religious traditions, then it’s important to learn more about any opinions about cremation that they might have. Some religions require cremation, while others forbid it. If you have questions about this, speak with your local cultural or religious leader.

    Talk to your family.
    Whether you have made a final decision about how you would like your cremation handled following your passing or not, it can be beneficial to speak with your family about your options and any plans that you’re making. Including them in the process can help you come to decisions and, by letting them know how you want your cremation handled, may make things less stressful when the time comes.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we offer several cremation ceremonies as well as helpful resources for pre-planning your funeral. To find out more about our cremation services near Oakland, please give us a call today at (510) 654-0123.

  • Preparing for the Reception

    Funeral Home Oakland

    Following the loss of a loved one, you may find yourself facing several difficult decisions as you make arrangements and alert friends and family to the person’s passing. If you are planning to have a reception following the deceased’s cremation or funeral service, then consider the following when preparing for the event:

    Number of Attendees
    The first step in planning a funeral reception is to determine how many people you expect. If the number is more than your home can handle comfortably or if you are not located near the funeral location, then consider renting a space for the reception or making restaurant reservations. Doing so can help ensure that you have plenty of space and can leave you with less cleanup afterward, which can be important during this difficult time.

    Assistance from Others
    If possible, reach out to friends and family while you are preparing for a funeral reception. Place one person in charge of choosing a location, such as someone’s home, a church, or a restaurant. Then, place another person in charge of making and receiving any phone calls from and to friends and family of the deceased to help spread the word about where and when the reception will be held. Doing this will help free up some of your time for making additional funeral arrangements.

    Food and Drink
    If you are handling most of the arrangements on your own, then opting for catering services can be a smart decision. Preparing for a reception can involve a lot of planning and, while you are grieving, can be particularly difficult. For these reasons, arranging for catering or asking everyone to bring a dish or drink is a good way to have plenty of food and refreshments at the reception.

    Are you planning funeral services in Oakland ? If so, then contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. In addition to funeral and cremation services, we offer conveniently located reception areas and assistance with reception planning. For more information about our funeral home, please give us a call at (510) 654-0123.

  • Spotlight on Baika Pratt-Heaton, Volunteer Services Manager

    Hospice Care Month Oakland In recognition of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, Chapel of the Chimes Oakland wishes to acknowledge Baika Pratt-Heaton for her accomplishments. Baika is the Volunteer Services Manager of Kaiser Oakland Hospice and has worked in the hospice profession for 18 years.

    Challenges
    Baika says that her greatest challenge is staying present for family dynamics. It takes personal strength and awareness to be present for every concern and to stay respectful and compassionate. She says that she strives to refrain from forming judgments and to start fresh with every family.

    Motivation
    Baika became interested in the field of hospice care, because she realized that when people care for those who are gravely ill, they become their “deeper selves”, meaning that they develop honest connections and compassion for one another. She continues to stay motivated by the needs of others. She truly enjoys a life of service.

    Advice
    When asked what advice she would give someone considering hospice, Baika says that “hospice is about life”. Although hospice is normally used for the end of someone’s life, it brings comfort and care to their life, showing that all stages of life are valuable.

    To learn more about Baika and hospice care in Northern California, contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland online.

  • Arranging Your Loved One’s Memorial Service

    After the death of a loved one, many people choose to celebrate and honor the life of the deceased with a memorial. If you are planning a memorial service to follow a deceased loved one’s cremation or funeral service, then watch this video for some tips on making the arrangements.

    Start by considering the personality of the deceased and thinking about what type of service the person would have wanted. Next, determine how many people will be attending and choose a venue that can accommodate everybody. Then, decide on a time and date that will allow time for guests to arrange for travel.

    If you are planning a funeral near Oakland, then please contact us at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. We offer a broad range of resources and funeral, cremation, and memorial services . Please call (510) 654-0123 to learn more.