At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we are continuously growing our funeral home and looking for new ways to help meet your needs for funeral pre-planning, grief support, funeral services, and more. Another example of our service is the Chapel of Light East. Housed on the top floor of our mausoleum, this beautiful addition provides even more memorialization options for your loved ones.

The Chapel of Light East is accessible from the Howe Street Balcony and Piedmont Avenue entrances. The peaceful space offers beautiful, natural lighting and surroundings for your loved one’s memorial and is a calming place for family members to visit.

Find out how to reserve a space in the Chapel of Light Eas t by contacting Chapel of the Chimes Oakland today. We are also available to answer your questions about funeral planning, cremation, our mausoleum, and funeral pre-planning in Oakland. For more information, call us at (510) 654-0123.

Visitations give family members and friends a chance to support each other and spend time together before a funeral service . Unlike wakes and viewings, which are typically held in funeral homes, visitations are usually held in the home of a family member or close friend of the deceased. These occasions can leave many non-family members wondering about the proper etiquette of attending a visitation. Here is what you need to know.

Understand the Parameters
Depending on the customs of the family, visitations may take place over several days in the run-up to the funeral, or there may be a single visitation with a set schedule on one day. In some cases, this information may be included in an obituary, or the family may spread the word about the visitation to specific people. If you are in doubt, contact the funeral home, who can often answer questions about the arrangements, so you can know when and where to go.

Take Cues from the Family
Visitations can vary widely depending on the preferences of the family as well as their cultural customs. Take your behavioral cues from the atmosphere of the event. If the visitation is upbeat with people sharing stories about the deceased, then feel free to join in. If the mood is somber, follow suit. You may wish to pay your respects and offer your condolences before leaving. How long you stay may depend on your closeness to the deceased and his or her family.

Introduce Yourself
It is common for a person who had a relationship with someone who has passed away to have not met his or her family. When you attend a visitation for someone whose family you have not met, introduce yourself and describe your relationship with their loved one. Some people in the family may want to talk to you more about your relationship and get to know you, while others may prefer a briefer meeting. Simply follow the lead of family and remember that your gesture of support is always welcome and appreciated.

When you lose a loved one, Chapel of the Chimes Oakland is here to assist with funeral services, grief support, and much more. Contact our funeral home in Oakland when you need our help at (510) 654-0123.

Funeral pre-planning is one of the most important gifts you can give to your loved ones. It frees them from the burden of guessing about your wishes and making decisions while trying to cope with the impact of losing you. When you choose cremation, your loved ones may have some additional questions about your wishes, especially if your family has traditionally chosen burial in the past. Although having a conversation about funeral pre-planning and your wishes for cremation may seem overwhelming, it can ultimately provide great comfort to your loved ones. These steps can make the discussion easier.

Choose a Good Time
Discussing funeral planning can be emotional, so pick a time for your conversation in which you and your loved ones don’t feel rushed or pressured. Avoid starting the discussion at the end of a long day or right before a stressful event. Set up a time in which your loved ones can ask the questions they have and you can discuss your plans in full, without interruption.

Consider Your Reasons
If you choose cremation and your loved ones are surprised, be ready to discuss your reasons for your choices. For some people, cremation is appealing as an affordable option, while other like the environmental benefits. Some people choose cremation because it gives flexibility when it comes to choosing a date for the funeral or memorial service. Consider your reasons for preferring cremation and how you will explain them to your loved ones if they ask. If you anticipate your loved ones having questions about cremation and your religious beliefs, prepare yourself with the information you wish to share.

Discuss the Complete Picture
Choosing between cremation and burial is only part of the funeral pre-planning process. Address the other aspects of your pre-planning, including your musical choices, preferences for readings, and other aspects of the service you would like to have. You may also wish to discuss any financial arrangements you are making for the funeral and where your loved ones can find your pre-planning documents.

If you are ready to begin funeral pre-planning in Oakland , call Chapel of the Chimes Oakland today. We are available at (510) 654-0123 to answer your questions.

Contact:
David Cumpston
Landis Communications Inc. for Chapel of the Chimes Oakland
415.902.4461
cumpston@landispr.com

Chapel of the Chimes Oakland provides end-of-life services to families from diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. We have been a part of the community for more than 100 years and are deeply saddened to learn about the tragic fire that occurred in Oakland overnight. We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the victims’ families and are committed to providing our full support and assistance in any way possible.

From 5-7 p.m. tonight, we will hold an interfaith vigil service in our Chimes Chapel that is open to the public.

We are opening our Meditation Chapel for anyone needing a place to mourn and reflect. It will be open tonight until 8 p.m. and will reopen again on Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m.

We also have memorial books available inside our lobby for anyone to stop by and leave words of condolences for the families. These books will be given to those families

According to Marcie Russell, general manager of Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, “This is a devastating loss to our community and our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected.”

Chapel of the Chimes Oakland

4499 Piedmont Ave.

Oakland, CA 94611

(510) 379-5200

ABOUT CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES OAKLAND

Chapel of the Chimes Oakland provides end-of-life services to families from diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Established in 1909 as a crematory and columbarium, Chapel of the Chimes Oakland is a leading cremation service provider in Northern California. Chapel of the Chimes is part of a family of cemeteries, funeral homes and crematories with locations throughout Northern California. For more information, visit www.oakland.chapelofthechimes.com .