• The Funeral Traditions of Chinese Christians

    Are you planning to visit a funeral home for the funeral service of a Chinese Christian individual? If so, then you may benefit from knowing more about Chinese Christian funeral traditions. Commonly, Chinese Christians believe that a person should be at home at the time of death, so dying individuals are often brought home from hospice centers or hospitals for their passing. Mirrors are removed from the home when a death occurs, which is a tradition said to help minimize the family’s sorrow.

    On the day of the funeral service, the family gathers before the casket and prays. Then, the casket is transported to the burial site, traditionally with the eldest son. The family remains in a state of grieving for 100 days after the funeral, and a piece of colored cloth, the hue of which depends on the family member’s relationship to the deceased, is worn on the sleeve for this period.

    Are you planning a Chinese Christian funeral ceremony near Oakland ? If so, then please contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123 for information about our funeral home’s services.

  • Practical Tips for Scattering Cremated Remains

    Cremation Oakland

    Today, many people opt for cremation over a traditional burial, and one reason for this is that cremation allows for the scattering of cremated remains. Are you planning to scatter the cremated remains following the funeral service of a loved one? It is a good idea to consider the following practical tips for carrying out this practice.

    Know What to Expect
    It’s common for people to expect cremated remains to look and feel like soft ashes when, in fact, they are coarse and contain bone fragments. Also, the cremated remains of an adult male typically weigh about 6 pounds, and those of an adult female weigh around 4 pounds. Understanding these facts beforehand and knowing what to expect can help prepare you and anyone else who will be participating in the ceremony.

    Understand Your Options
    Before you select a location and scatter the cremated remains, think about what options you have. Some people choose to scatter the cremated remains once and in a single location, others scatter them in several locations, and still others opt to scatter some and keep the rest stored in an urn.

    Stand Upwind While Scattering
    Before you begin the ritual of scattering the cremated remains, position yourself according to the wind. If you’re standing downwind of the direction you plan to toss the cremated remains, then the wind will send them back in your direction. For this reason, it’s important to stand upwind.

    Bring Along a Camera
    Scattering the cremated remains of a deceased loved one is a ritual that you may want to look back on in the future, and one way to do this is to take pictures of the location. Also, capturing photographs during the ceremony will allow you to share the event with friends and relatives who are unable to be there in person.

    Chapel of the Chimes Oakland can help you with cremation and funeral services when you visit our funeral home in Oakland. Please call (510) 654-0123 for more information.

  • What to Expect from a Grief Support Group

    If you recently visited a funeral home for a deceased loved one’s funeral service, then you are probably going through many emotions as you cope with your grief. If you’re considering joining a grief support group, then watch this video to learn what you can expect.

    A bereavement or grief support group is a group that can offer support and therapeutic benefits for someone who has suffered a loss. These groups offer a safe space for you to open your heart and share your pain and emotions while knowing that what you are experiencing is okay and normal.

    Chapel of the Chimes Oakland offers funeral services and other services such as grief counseling in Oakland . Please call (510) 654-0123 to find out more about the services that we offer at our funeral home.

  • What Every Caregiver Needs to Know About Dying at Home

    Cemetery Oakland

    If you are a caregiver that is helping a failing loved one with funeral pre-planning , then you may benefit from knowing more about handling the person’s impending passing. Continue reading to learn a few important facts about dying at home that caregivers should be aware of.

    It may help to offer permission to go.
    As a person nears death, vital systems shut down one by one. This process is a natural one and is the body’s way of coming to a stop, and it usually requires no invasive measures or medical interventions. However, it’s common for a dying person to instinctively hold on to life. Reassuring the person that you’re caring for that the people she is leaving behind will be alright and that it is okay for her to let go may make this process less difficult.

    It’s normal to cry during goodbyes.
    In the last days of a person’s life, family members tend to gather and make personal goodbyes. Holding the person’s hand, lying in bed with her, and saying what you need to are all excellent ways to say goodbye and support your loved one as she nears the end of her life. Also, know that crying is completely normal and does not need to be hidden or apologized for.

    Preparing in advance may be helpful.
    As the person that you are caring for enters her final days, consider discussing with other family members how you will handle the death once the time arrives. Taking these steps now can make the process of handling the death less stressful when the individual passes. After the death has occurred, take your time with the steps that come next and be patient with yourself and your emotions.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland , we provide cremation and funeral services at our funeral home in Oakland. If you would like to learn more or have questions about our services, then please give us a call today at (510) 654-0123.