• Reasons to Pre-Plan a Funeral

    The time of bereavement can take a heavy toll on a family, especially when tasked with navigating through the process of figuring out all of the details of funeral arrangements. One way to ease the burden on a grieving family is funeral pre-planning in Oakland.

    This video offers tips on making funeral pre-planning an easy process. The first step is to find a funeral director that can guide you through the process and help you make informed decisions about your arrangements.

    When you are ready to begin planning ahead , Chapel of the Chimes offers a full range of services. To learn more, or to schedule a visit, call (510) 654-0123.

  • A Guide to Mausoleum Burial

    Funeral Home Oakland

    Being put to rest in a mausoleum is extremely desirable. If you and your family can afford a mausoleum burial, it is well worth the benefits it provides. If you are planning a burial with a funeral home in Oakland, a mausoleum burial is a wonderful option. Read on to learn more about this type of burial.

    A mausoleum burial allows loved ones to visit the deceased in a private and beautiful space. If your loved one is placed in the ground, the memorial process takes place in a public area for family and friends. However, if the deceased is placed in a mausoleum, people can grieve as they need to—in their own way. A family mausoleum allows for the highest form of privacy and peace for the deceased and grieving. Whether you are a couple or a family of many, family mausoleums allow you to rest together in a dignified setting.

    If you are considering funeral pre-planning or wish to learn more about a mausoleum burial , contact Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at (510) 654-0123. We have been helping families plan burials for over 100 years and we look forward to helping you.

  • What Are the Advantages of Funeral Pre-Planning?

    Funeral Planning Oakland

    Thinking about one’s passing is never easy, and pre-planning a funeral can be difficult to think about, but doing so has many benefits for you and your loved ones. Not only will you ease the stressful planning and financial burden on your loved ones, but you will also get the funeral you want. If you are considering funeral pre-planning near Oakland , continue reading to learn more about the advantages of planning ahead of time.

    Eased Burden for Your Loved Ones
    Leaving your wishes left unknown when you pass can cause stress during an already trying time for your family and close friends. However, when you pre-plan a funeral, you can be sure that your family members know your wishes and that they will not need to worry about making guesses. When you plan your funeral ahead of time, you are really giving your loved ones and yourself a gift—the gift of peace of mind.

    Eased Financial Burden for Your Family
    When you choose to plan your funeral ahead of your passing, you are ensuring that a financial burden is not placed on your loved ones. Being prepared allows you to pay for your funeral arrangement beforehand so your family does not have to bear the financial weight. Funerals can be simple and inexpensive or lavish and cost a bit more. Whether you want a lavish or simple funeral, when you plan it before your passing, you will be able to pay for it yourself. If you choose not to pay for your funeral in advance, you may still be able to secure a low price for your final arrangements.

    Finals Wishes Granted Correctly
    Oftentimes, people already have some idea of how they wish to go out of this world. Pre-planning your funeral is a way to be sure your wishes come true. Working with a funeral director prior to your passing will allow you to make all of the decisions about how your life is remembered and celebrated.

    If you want to take advantage of the benefits that pre-planning your funeral offers, contact Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at (510) 654-0123. Our experienced staff can walk you through the pre-planning process so you can have the funeral you want, while easing the financial and emotional burden on your loved ones.

  • Choosing Funeral Flowers

    When planning a memorial service at a funeral home or crematorium in Oakland, flowers are oftentimes the main aesthetic focus. Watch this video to learn more about choosing funeral flowers.

    White is often thought as a memorialization color. White lilies and white roses are both beautiful choices to honor your loved one. A funeral home can help you to arrange the flowers. A florist will create a flower arrangement to your liking. When working with white roses, it is important to remember they need more water than other types of flowers. Using a piece of foam that can hold water, your florist will build the arrangement with greenery first.

    If you are planning a memorialization of a loved one, call Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at (510) 654-0123. For over 100 years, our funeral home has been helping our community plan memorials and funerals.

  • Deciding Between Cremation and Burial

    Funeral Planning Oakland

    The choice between cremation and burial is a personal one. Today, many people are choosing cremation for their final arrangements due to the fact that it can be more affordable than other options. Although affordability is something to be considered, there are many other details to think of as well. Funeral pre-planning can help to make sure your cremation or burial wishes come true. With help from a funeral home in Oakland, you can decide how you like to be placed to rest. Read on for some information that will help you choose between cremation and burial.

    Process
    A burial places the body of the deceased in a casket, and is the preferred option for many religions. It offers a permanent way to be laid to rest, and can be personalized through the choice of the casket. The cremation process only lasts a few hours, and is often thought to signify reverence for the deceased.

    Economics
    Choosing cremation can be a smart decision for you and your family economically, as direct cremation is an affordable option when compared to other burial options. Direct cremations do not require embalming or a casket like traditional burials. However, if you choose to have a viewing or funeral with the body before the cremation, the costs may be comparable to those of a traditional burial.

    Memorialization
    Both traditional burials and cremation allow for memorial services to take place. A traditional burial allows friends and family to come to the gravesite to pay tribute, both during the memorial service and for decades afterwards. After cremation, the deceased can be memorialized with a traditional service or a ceremony during which the ashes are scattered. The ashes can also be kept in an urn at the family’s home or entombed.

    If you and your family are interested in learning more about cremation , contact Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at (510) 654-0123. Since 1909, we have been serving the Bay Area as a crematorium and columbarium. Our expert staff will help you decide on the correct final arrangements for you or your loved one.

  • A Guide to Arranging Funeral Services

    Funeral Planning Services Oakland

    When the loss of a loved one occurs, arranging a funeral service can seem daunting. There are many decisions you will have to consider. Working with a trusted funeral home in Oakland can help you sort through all of your options. Having the proper information and know-how ahead of time can help to make funeral planning an easier process to go through. Read on to learn about how to arrange a funeral service.

    Burial Method
    Each individual and family has a unique preference about the internment method. The first step to arranging a funeral is deciding whether the deceased will be cremated, entombed, or buried. If the decision to be cremated is chosen, it is a good idea to consider what will be done with the cremains. In some cases, they are buried or entombed, while other times, they are scatted at a location that has meaning to the family or the deceased. Cost can be a deciding factor when considering burial methods , but it is important to also remember the deceased’s personal preference.

    Ceremony Type
    Once the burial method has been chosen, it is pertinent to think about how you and your family would like the ceremony to go. At this time, you will decide whether to have an open viewing of the casket or a memorial service in honor of your loved one. Deciding where to hold the ceremony is crucial to planning the rest of the funeral. Oftentimes, the ceremony is held at a family member’s home, a funeral home, at the graveside, or at a religious institution. Once you know where the funeral or memorial service will be held, deciding who will take part in the ceremony and adding your personal touches to pay tribute to your loved one will be simpler.

    If you have decided that cremation is the best burial method for your loved one, call Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at (510) 654-0123. We have been serving the Bay Area as a columbarium and crematorium since 1909. We also have a cemetery and offer funeral planning services.

  • Reasons to Consider Funeral Pre-Planning

    More and more people are interested in planning ahead for their funeral service or cremation. Funeral planning can be done at any time, but the sooner you begin your preparations, the easier and less expensive it will end up being. There are many benefits to funeral pre-planning—continue reading to learn about a few of them.

    You Can Relieve Your Family of the Burden

    One of the most difficult responsibilities to assume after the death of a loved one is planning the funeral or memorial service . Before your family’s time of grief, you can ease their suffering by taking care of the details of your funeral, memorial, or cremation in advance. Funeral pre-planning allows you to save your family from added tension, stress, and disagreements during an already difficult time.

    You Can Assume Financial Responsibility

    Most families don’t have a budget set aside for funeral or cremation costs, so when a loved one dies, it can often be difficult to determine how to pay for the funeral home, cemetery, crematorium, or burial plot. If you arrange your funeral or cremation service in advance, you can pay for these costs yourself. You may even be able to pay for the services in installments, or set aside the money in a trust that can be accessed at the necessary time.

    You Can Ensure Your Wishes Are Followed

    When a loved one dies, family members often don’t know what his or her last wishes were. Planning ahead allows you to make your wishes clear, ensuring that the funeral home or crematorium understand exactly how to put your plans into action. This can prevent stress and arguments among your family members that could otherwise result from trying to guess what services you would want.

    Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland is ready to help if you’re interested in pre-planning a funeral . We provide a number of pre-planning resources to the community, and our compassionate staff can walk you through the steps of planning your funeral or cremation service. Visit our website or call us today at (510) 992-6984 for more information.