• The World’s Most Famous Mausoleums

    When planning a funeral for a loved one, you have a choice of burying him in a burial plot at a cemetery, or having him entombed in a mausoleum . Mausoleums have long been used around the world by different cultures for entombing bodies or cremation remains. Here is a look at a few of the world’s most famous mausoleums.

    The Egyptian Pyramids

    The Egyptian pyramids are some of the oldest, largest, and most recognizable mausoleums. The majority of the pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs and their aides during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods. Egyptians developed and advanced the technique of embalming, which allowed them to preserve the bodies of the dead for funeral services and entombment in mausoleums.

    The Taj Mahal

    The Taj Mahal is an enormous mausoleum built between 1632 and 1653 in Agra, India. This mausoleum was built in memory of the favorite wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is incredibly well preserved, and very important architecturally. The Taj Mahal is the centerpiece of a large complex, which, in addition to the mausoleum, also includes a mosque, reflecting pools, ornamental gardens, and a guest house. Muslim customs forbid any elaborate decoration on or around burial plots or graves, so the bodies of Shah Jahan and his wife reside in a plain crypt within the mausoleum.

    The Terracotta Army

    The Terracotta Army, located in Xi’an, China, is one of the country’s most-visited tourist attractions. The Terracotta Army surrounds the mausoleum of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, and it was once buried underground. The mausoleum and tombs have not been unearthed, and many of the figures in the Terracotta Army are also still underground.

    If you’re looking for a funeral home near Oakland because you’re planning a funeral, burial service, or cremation, come see us at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. We operate a funeral home and crematorium, and have onsite mausoleums, private family estates, columbariums, cremation gardens, and a memorial park. To learn more about our funeral and cremation services, call us today at (510) 654-0123.

  • Is a Mausoleum the Right Choice for You?

    Mausoleum Oakland

    Purchasing a mausoleum for your family can provide a lot of emotional security for both you and your loved ones. If you’re planning ahead and have hesitations about a burial plot, consider the key differences that make mausoleums unique and whether they better suit your desires.

    A mausoleum allows family members to visit as often as they’d like, at their convenience, in a private, climate-controlled building that is comfortable. The entire structure is indoors and above ground, and provides complete privacy. You can be certain the site will remain dry, which can be a concern with underground burial. By purchasing a mausoleum, you ensure your family can remain together after death and also bring honor to your family name.

    If you would like more information about mausoleums near Oakland , please call us at (510) 654-0123. Chapel of the Chimes Oakland is staffed with caring, compassionate individuals ready to lead you through the process of deciding what final resting place best meets your needs.

  • 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.

  • Distinguishing Between a Mausoleum and a Columbarium

    The terms “mausoleum” and “columbarium” are frequently used interchangeably. However, the actual purpose of each of these memorial buildings is distinct. If you are planning a funeral near Oakland , continue reading to learn about the differences between a mausoleum and a columbarium.

    History

    The origin of the word columbarium is the Latin word columba , meaning dove. The first columbaria were used in Ancient Rome and had nothing to do with human memorials. Instead, they were homes for groups of pigeons and doves. Those columbaria had thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of small shelves designed to house birds. Today’s columbaria have a similar design, except the shelves are used to house cremation urns. Columbaria were not associated with human memorials until Buddhists in ancient Asia built elaborate columbaria for cremation urns. Mausoleums have always been associated with human memorials. The first mausoleum was designed for the ancient Persian King Mausolus and his family members. The tradition became so popular that the term “mausoleum” came into standard use.

    Purpose

    Both a mausoleum and a columbarium are permanent public memorials for large groups of people. Both memorials can house dozens or even hundreds of remains. Mausoleums, however, are designed for entire bodies. On the other hand, columbaria are designed to hold cremation urns .

    Modern Usage

    Many modern memorial buildings are designed to house both bodies and cremation urns. In many cases, mausoleum is the term used for these modern memorial buildings. Columbarium is sometimes a term reserved for elaborate memorial structures. Many cemeteries and religious structures have a columbarium built into the grounds. Both mausoleums and columbaria do not have specific religious connotations; in fact, many of them are designed to hold the remains of people from many different faith backgrounds.

    If you have recently lost a loved one, you do not have to go through the funeral planning process alone. For help in planning a funeral ceremony , call Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland at (510) 992-6984. We offer cremation services, funeral planning, grief support, and more.