Chapel of the Chimes - A Lifemark Group Property

How Your Funeral Home Can Help You With Your Will

The word “will” usually refers to one of two documents. First, there is the living will: a written declaration of one’s preferences pertaining to medical treatment should you no longer be of sound mind to give consent or refuse. The second and more common type of will is a document that outlines how and to whom you would like your estate to be allocated following your funeral. To learn more about what the latter should contain, keep reading.

Executor’s Name An executor serves to ensure that the terms of your will are carried out in accordance with your written wishes. The executor must be an adult who is of sound mind. This person may be a friend, a family member, a lawyer, or member of a trust or foundation. As your executor will represent you in the dealings of your estate after your death, you will want to choose someone who is both reliable and trustworthy.

Beneficiaries and Property Division From residential property to that tiny yet valuable trinket you picked up traveling abroad 20 years ago, you may use your will as a medium for transferring ownership of any property you possess to designated heirs.

Payment of Debts Should you have any debts at the time of your death, you should use your will as a space to outline how these debts are to be paid off. For instance, you might specify that funds from an emergency account are to go toward your debts.

Other Important Considerations Do you have children or teenagers under the age of 18? What about pets? You should indicate in your will who will serve as guardian or caretaker of dependent loved ones after you have passed on. Speak to this person in advance, and consider allocating monetary assets to this person to assist with caretaking expenses.

Your will must be signed by a notary, two witness, and yourself. Most reputable funeral homes have a public notary who can authorize your will and answer any questions you have about the will-writing process. To speak with a caring and dedicated funeral service provider in the East Bay about pre-planning your funeral and writing your will, call Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward at (866) 475-9407.

Explore These Resources For A Look At Funeral Traditions In Other Cultures

Funeral traditions vary widely throughout the world, but all of them carry the same purpose: to honor the memory of the deceased. For more on diverse funeral traditions, look to the following resources.

• Mausoleums have been used throughout history to honor the deceased with permanent, elegant structures. Click on this link to learn more about the world’s most famous mausoleum, the Taj Mahal.
• The Encyclopedia Britannica has more information on the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
• Firmly ingrained in the American funerary tradition, modern-day bagpipes originated in Irish and Scottish folk music. Learn the history of bagpipes at Bagpipes.co.uk.
• Familiarize yourself with ways to care for a grieving friend with this useful guide from Psychology Today.
• Music is an central component of funerals across cultural traditions. Learn some of the most common funeral songs and hymns by reading this article from the Co-Operative Funeral Care.

Chapel of the Chimes provides end-of-life services according to the ethnic and cultural traditions of the diverse families of the East Bay. Call (866) 475-9407 or visit us online to find out more about how we can help you and your family.

Your Funeral Planning Checklist [INFOGRAPHIC]

Funeral services allow family members and friends to reflect on the person’s life, celebrate memories from the past, and come together for support. In the days after someone you love passes away, coping with your loss while facing the responsibilities of funeral planning can be very difficult. It’s important to be prepared to make decisions on behalf of the deceased and the rest of your family, though funeral home staff members can help you with these decisions. Take a look at this infographic, which can help guide you through the challenges of funeral planning. Use this helpful checklist to prepare for your funeral planning responsibilities and ensure you don’t miss any important steps. If someone you know could use help after losing a loved one, please feel free to share this guide with them.

Tips on Offering Support to Those in Grief

If your friend or significant other has recently suffered the loss of a loved one, being a compassionate, understanding presence will be indispensable in their time of grief. Offer whatever comfort you can, but remember to avoid giving unsolicited advice. You cannot fix your friend’s pain, but you can be a listening ear and a helpful hand.

Beyond providing genuine sympathy, offer to help your friend with everyday tasks. Help handle phone calls, buy groceries, and provide assistance with final arrangements if needed. For more tips on caring for a grieving friend, watch this video.

At Chapel of the Chimes, we provide compassionate support to families during their time of need. From estate planning to funeral arrangements, we are a trusted resource to help families honor the memory of a recently departed loved one. You can find out more about our highly respected services by calling (866) 475-9407.

The History and Significance of Mausoleums

Since the dawn of human civilization, cultures around the world have built mausoleums in memory of the deceased. Originally reserved for political leaders and the aristocracy, the structures are now available to a wide range of people seeking to honor their loved ones with permanent monuments. Read on for a guide to the history of these dignified structures.

The Ancient Era The Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, Chinese, and Indians all built mausoleums to honor important leaders throughout the ancient era. The structures get their name from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, a tomb built between 350 and 353 B.C. in present-day Turkey. Built to honor the governor Mausolus of the Persian Empire, the mausoleum was considered a triumph of architecture, identified by Antipater of Sidon as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The structure is now in ruins, but its name lives on to define above-ground burial chambers to this day.

The Middle Ages By the Medieval and Renaissance eras, the use of mausoleums had spread around the world. In Europe, the landed nobility and wealthy merchants favored mausoleums for burials. Famous structures such as the mausoleum of Genghis Khan and the Taj Mahal were built during this time. Constructed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to honor his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is perhaps the world’s most famous mausoleum.

Present Day Today, people throughout the world build mausoleums to honor their deceased loved ones. In the United States, public mausoleums with above-ground space for urns and caskets are widely available. In addition, family mausoleums can accommodate multiple generations of a family in a more private setting. Mausoleums can be custom-designed, catered to the preferences and budget of a grieving family.

At Chapel of the Chimes, we provide custom-designed private mausoleums for families throughout the Bay Area. We will work with you directly throughout the design process, ensuring that your structure meets all of your unique specifications. To learn more about how we can help you and your family during your difficult time, call us at (866) 475-9407.