• Burials Throughout History: The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

    Funeral Home Oakland

    Mausoleums are commonplace in today’s cemeteries. They are used for above-ground burials, and they are found all over the world. Mausoleums date back to 377 B.C. and the ancient ruler Mausolus.

    Mausolus was the ruler of Halicarnassus, an ancient city that is now Bodrum, Turkey. After Mausolus died, his wife—and sister—Artemisia wanted to honor him by building the most extravagant tomb anywhere in the world. The structure was made of white marble in Greek, Egyptian, and Lycian styles and was so closely associated with Mausolus that this style burial tomb was named after him—mausoleum. Named one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the tomb was eventually destroyed by the Crusaders. Some of the works held in the mausoleum were spared and eventually uncovered by an archeologist. They are now displayed at the British Museum.

    Chapel of the Chimes Oakland offers indoor mausoleum spaces for buria l as well as private family estates. Whether you’re funeral pre-planning for yourself or need to explore your options for a lost loved one, our funeral home can help. Get more information by calling our Oakland funeral home at (510) 654-0123.

  • Planting a Tree in Honor of Your Loved One

    After losing a loved one, doing something special to honor their memory will bring comfort to you and your family. Working with your funeral home to create a personalized service that truly reflects your loved one is the first step. After the initial stage of saying goodbye has ended, a longer-lasting tribute, like a tree, can be a great choice.

    Watch this video to learn how to plant a tree that serves as a memorial to your loved one. Although there are no rules for what kind of tree to choose, try to pick one that is suited to your climate and that has a sentimental value for you.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland , our funeral home can assist you in all stages of funeral planning, from choosing between burial and cremation to designing a memorial service. In your time of need, call our funeral home in Oakland at (510) 654-0123.

  • Reinventing Yourself After a Loss with Mindfulness

    Funeral Home Oakland

    When you lose a loved one, grieving is not something that ends when the funeral service is over. Grief can be a palpable part of your life for years, and many people eventually need to seek grief counseling to help them learn to cope with their feelings. For people living with a loss, mindfulness can be a way to move forward. By being mindful of your feelings and proactive about finding a new way to approach life, you can learn to control your grief rather than letting it control you. Here are some ways to practice mindfulness as you deal with a loss.

    Be Reflective
    Take time to consider other painful experiences in your life and how you managed them. Think about the strategies you used to cope, and ask yourself if any of those efforts could help you now. You should also think about how you felt as you were recovering from past hardships and if there were any signs you can recognize that you were turning a corner in your recovery. Seeing that you have faced pain in the past and that you did recover can give you the confidence that you have the tools to get through this as well.

    Stay Centered
    It’s inevitable that overwhelming feelings of sadness, regret, and helplessness will strike you as you’re grieving. These feelings may come out of nowhere when you think you are feeling strong. Rather than trying to block these feelings, acknowledge them and experience them, but then practice meditation or try deep breathing. These practices ground you and anchor you to the present, so you can be in control of your feelings.

    See the Future
    Set time aside to focus on the kind of future you can see for yourself. It may be helpful to look for a way that you can engage with some of your interests and honor your lost loved one at the same time. By seeing a future for yourself, you can see a way to manage your feelings.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, our compassionate staff is here to assist families who are making decisions about funeral services, burial, and cremation during difficult times. Find out how we can help you by calling our funeral home in Oakland at (510) 654-0123.

  • Pre-Planning Your Secular Funeral

    Funeral Home Oakland

    Funeral pre-planning ensures that your final wishes are honored and relieves your loved ones of the burden of making difficult decisions at an emotional time. When you pass, your plans can simply be put into action by the funeral home, allowing your loved ones to focus on their grief and comforting each other. If you wish to have a secular funeral service, then pre-planning can be even more important, because it allows you to state your wishes explicitly. Here are some tips for pre-planning your secular funeral.

    State Your Wish for a Secular Service
    Even if your friends and family know you to be a non-religious person, don’t assume that that means that they will know you want a secular service. Without specific instructions, some family members may plan a religious service for you out of tradition, while others may do so because they believe strongly in the importance of a religious ceremony. Your funeral plan should specify clearly that you want a secular service, so that there are no questions about your wishes. Likewise, don’t rely on stating that you want a secular service in your will or other estate documents, as they will usually not be read until after the funeral.

    Choose Readings
    Considering choosing readings for your service during the pre-planning process. This will take this responsibility off the shoulders of your family, and it gives you an opportunity to choose secular pieces that speak to you. You may also wish to do the same for the music included in your ceremony.

    Find a Service Location
    For religious funerals, the place of worship is usually where the funeral services are held. With a secular service, you have more options. The funeral home that is assisting with the planning process can help you find a location for your service that is experienced in holding secular funerals.

    Chapel of the Chimes Oakland is adept at accommodating the beliefs and preferences of all of the families who come to us. For assistance with funeral pre-planning in Oakland, please call (510) 654-0123.

  • Explaining Death to Young Children

    For a young child, death is not an easy concept to understand. After a loved one passes away, in the midst of dealing with your grief, it’s important to explain the death clearly to the young people who are affected by it so that they too can grieve the loss in a healthy way. Even if you decide it’s not appropriate for your children to go to the funeral home, you may still want to take some time to explain death to them.

    Watch this video for advice on explaining death to young children. When doing so, remember to use honest language and avoid euphemisms, like going to sleep or going to a better place, which can create fear and confusion.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland , our compassionate funeral home staff understands how overwhelming funeral planning can be, and we are here to support you every step of the way. When you need our services, call our funeral home in Oakland at (510) 654-0123.

  • Visiting a Loved One’s Gravesite or Mausoleum

    Funeral Home Oakland

    After funeral services have ended, your connection with your loved one doesn’t. Visiting your loved one’s gravesite or mausoleum is a good way to keep that connection and revisit your memories. Unfortunately, some people shy away from visiting cemeteries, because they aren’t sure what to do there, even when visiting their loved one could help them in the grieving process. Don’t let these concerns keep you away from honoring your loved one and the relationship you shared. Consider these visitation ideas when you go to the cemetery.

    Bring Flowers
    Bringing flowers to a cemetery might seem like a cliché, but the reason so many families do it is because it is comforting to leave something bright and beautiful at the headstone, which is typically in a somber color. You can bring flowers that you know your loved one adored or simply choose a seasonal bouquet that demonstrates how much you still care for your loved one. Check with the cemetery to find out what their gravesite decorations rules are and their policy for cleaning these items up.

    Go with Family and Friends
    When family and friends go to visit a cemetery together, they can use the time to share favorite memories and talk about things that are happening in their lives today. Many people find comfort in talking about their challenges and major decisions they’re facing at the gravesite or mausoleum of a loved one. It’s OK for friends and family to enjoy the time, joke, and have fun together as they share cherished memories.

    Pack a Lunch
    Bring a snack or a lunch and enjoy it on a nearby bench, or perch on the ground near your loved one’s gravesite. Some families choose to do this on special days, such as their loved one’s birthday. Doing so can make you feel especially connected to the person you lost.

    Visiting the cemetery can play an important role in the grieving process. At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, we offer grief support services in Oakland to help in your time of need. For more information about our funeral home , call (510) 654-0123.

  • Chapel of the Chimes Voted Best Funeral Home in Oakland

    Funeral Home Oakland

    Oakland Magazine has named Chapel of the Chimes to their annual The Best of Oakland list under the category “Best Funeral Home”. Chapel of the Chimes was proudly voted #1 by the magazine’s readers.

    Chapel of the Chimes was founded in 1909 and has become the Bay Area’s most desired mausoleum. Much of the columbarium was designed by world-renowned architect Julia Morgan who is also known for her work with Hearst Castle in San Simeon, CA. Julia’s inspirational touch can be seen in the intricate stonework, generous skylights and peaceful interior gardens that reflect her architectural training in Paris and her love for California pottery.

    Over 100 years of caring and the wide variety of service options have helped Chapel of the Chimes become the best funeral home in the Oakland area. General manager Marcie Russell explains, “We want our community to know we are here to serve them in a personal way and to get to know them. Our goal is to provide families with the best customer experience through our helpful staff, our beautiful facility and unique ceremonies.”

    The Chapel of the Chimes Oakland has always been community aware and involved. Public events and concerts, including an annual Jazz series, help create healing experiences for the community. Schedule a tour of Chapel of the Chimes Oakland and find out for yourself why it was voted Best Funeral Home. Or call 570-379-5200 for more information.

    The Best of Oakland edition is published annually each June and celebrates local and independent businesses. Oakland Magazine reaches 65,000 readers per issue and is distributed at fine stores, businesses, and hotels in the Oakland area.

  • A Look Back at Our Historic Beginnings

    Funeral Home Oakland Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland was established as a columbarium and crematory in 1909, and it’s one of the most beautiful historic buildings in California. We offer many end-of-life services, but we are a highly-desired cremation venue in the Bay Area, as well as one of the top cremation service providers in Northern California.

    A columbarium is a building designed for storing and honoring cremated remains, and they typically consist of indoor, above-ground cremation niches. At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, our historic columbarium contains niches that offer space for the cremated remains of individuals, couples, or families. Architect Aaron Green was hired to create 6 additions to the columbarium in 1959, making us one of the comprehensive venues for cremation and end-of-life services in the region.

    If you’d like to discover more about our funeral home and memorial park in Oakland, then please call Chapel of the Chimes Oakland at (510) 654-0123.

  • Honoring Life with Unconventional Choices for Cremated Remains

    Funeral Home Oakland

    Have you selected cremation for a loved one who has passed on and do you wish to perform a unique ceremony with the cremated remains? If so, then continue reading to discover some unconventional choices for cremated remains.

    Scatter by Air
    If the deceased was an adventurous individual or enjoyed flying, sky diving, or bungee jumping, then scattering his cremated remains from the air could be a fitting send-off. Similarly, some fireworks manufacturers will incorporate cremated remains into a fireworks display.

    Bury at Home
    When it comes to keeping cremated remains at home, many people think of a cremation urn that’s stored in a special spot. A less conventional alternative to this option is to bury your loved one’s cremated remains at home. If you own your home and have a yard, then this is a possibility that may be worth considering, particularly if the deceased enjoyed being outside or had an outdoor area on your property that he enjoyed spending time in. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to dig up and take the remains with you or declare the presence of human remains on the property if you should decide to sell your home.

    Send into Space
    If a trip into space was a dream that your deceased loved one had, then sending his cremated remains into space could be a perfect tribute. You can find various packages available, some of which involve sending the cremated remains into orbit, and others that direct the memorial vessel into deep space.

    Plant a Memorial
    If your deceased loved one enjoyed nature and being outdoors, then consider creating a living memorial for him by planting his cremated remains in the ground along with tree seeds. You can find specially made, biodegradable urns that contain seeds for your tree of choice.

    At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, our funeral home offers a broad selection of cremation services in Oakland, as well as columbaria, cremation burial plots, and glass, granite, and marble-face niches. Please call (510) 654-0123 to learn more.

  • The Dos and Don’ts of Funeral Etiquette

    Funeral Home Oakland Today, the standards of proper funeral service etiquette are often more relaxed than they were in the past. However, there are still several things that you should and shouldn’t do when attending this type of event. If you’ve been invited to a funeral home for a service, then keep the following dos and don’ts in mind:

    Do Check the Dress Code
    For most funeral services, wearing all black and formal attire is not necessary. However, before deciding what to wear, look over the invitation to learn if any specifications about attire are included. If not, then choose clothing that is clean, neat, and respectful, and that is not too flashy or revealing.

    Don’t Leave Your Phone On
    Even if you leave your phone on silent, there is a good chance that you’ll be tempted to check it for messages or to read emails during the service. This behavior is more noticeable than you might imagine and is considered disrespectful, so it’s best to turn off your phone or leave it behind in the car.

    Do Express Your Sympathy
    When arriving, be sure to express your condolences to the surviving family members. It can be a challenge to find the right words to say to someone who is grieving, but a simple “I’m sorry for your loss” can be enough to show your sympathy. Also, bring or send flowers or a gift. If specified, you can make a charitable donation, instead.

    Don’t Allow Your Children to Act Out
    Deciding whether to bring your kids to a funeral is a personal decision that depends on your preferences. However, if your children do not wish to attend or are likely to be a disturbance during the funeral, then leaving them with a babysitter may be the best option.

    If you’re searching for experienced and compassionate funeral services in Oakland, then look no further than Chapel of the Chimes Oakland . For information about what we offer, please contact our funeral home by calling (510) 654-0123.