Chapel of the Chimes - A Lifemark Group Property

Factors to Consider When Buying Flowers for a Funeral

Flowers have become an established part of funeral proceedings around the world. Three factors that you should consider when purchasing flowers for a funeral are the deceased’s faith and culture, age, and personality. The color and shape of each type of flower provides its own unique expression and significance.

This video describes the different types of flowers that are appropriate for a given faith or service. To learn more about picking the right flowers for a funeral arrangement or about sending flowers to a friend as a sign of sympathy, watch this video.

Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward can provide beautiful and tasteful floral arrangements to match any family’s needs and desires. To learn more about the funeral arrangements and services offered by Chapel of the Chimes, call (866) 475-9407.

The History and Meaning of the Cremation Process

Saying goodbye to a loved one is a difficult experience. When choosing a way to honor the deceased, cremation can be a part of the process. For thousands of years, people have used cremation as a means of laying loved ones to rest. Read on to learn more about the rich history and meaning behind the cremation process.

Origins Evidence of cremation has been found that dates back as early as 8,000 B.C. Though cremation has been used by many cultures with a variety of spiritual meanings and implications, it was most commonly practiced throughout the Iron Age and Viking Age as a last rite for the deceased. By 1050 A.D., Christianity had become more widespread and cremation became virtually unheard of, particularly in Western society. Modern cremation was popularized in the late 19th century with the development of more practical cremation technology. Today, cremation is chosen across the globe by people from a variety of faiths and backgrounds.

Meanings There are a variety of spiritual meanings associated with cremation. Some religions view cremation as a necessary ritual for all followers, as it is believed to help usher the deceased’s soul into its next life. Many families choose to preserve the ashes of the deceased after cremation. Some families elect to keep the ashes stored in a safe place, while others scatter the ashes in a location of particular significance. Ultimately, the meaning of cremation is established by those whom the ceremony is connected to—the friends and family of the deceased.

Regardless of how you choose to say goodbye, Chapel of the Chimes can make the arrangements for your loved one’s passing as easy as possible. We know how difficult it is to let someone go, and can provide a variety of funeral services, including cremation, to fulfill the needs of you and your family. For more information, call Hayward’s Chapel of the Chimes at (866) 475-9407.   

Visit These Sites For Funeral Planning Advice

Planning a memorial or funeral can be an emotionally challenging experience. Read over the information on these sites to learn more about funeral planning and memorializing your loved ones.

• If you are considering scattering your loved one’s ashes, take a look at this article from The Wall Street Journal to find some advice.
• FuneralAssistant.com offers additional information about cremation memorialization options.
• Visit this page from the National Funeral Directors Association to learn more about the ways that you can pre-pay for your funeral service, saving your family from the financial burden of paying for your funeral.
• This article offers funeral service pre-planning tips to prepare for your family’s time of need.
• USA.gov provides more helpful tips and information on planning a funeral.

For help with planning in the San Jose area, contact Chapel of the Chimes at (866) 475-9407.

Dealing With Grief After the Death of a Loved One

There is no way to guess at the amount of grief you will feel after a loved one’s death. Whether the death comes suddenly and unexpectedly or at the end of a long illness, it is important to remember that feeling grief is entirely natural.

As this video explains, it is important that you take the time to grieve at the time of your loss. You may feel a mixture of feelings, from sadness to anger to relief. There will come a time when you are able to live with your loss, but all of these emotions must first be felt in order for that day to come.

At Hayward’s Chapel Of The Chimes, we can provide a number of services to help you and your family during this difficult time, including funeral services, funeral pre-planning, and cremation. If you have any questions, contact us today at (866) 475-9407.

A Look at Your Cremation Memorialization Options

If a loved one chooses cremation services instead of burial for his or her final wishes, memorialization may be a concern for you. At Chapel of the Chimes, we offer several options that will allow you to visit a place, leave mementos, and create a lasting legacy to the deceased. Some of your cremation memorialization options include:

• A Bench Estate
  A beautifully carved granite bench offers a wonderful way to memorialize a loved one. You can sit on the bench and reflect on the memories that you had with that person. Benches can be simple and elegant, ornate and detailed, or fun and interesting. Purchasing a memorial bench is a beautiful tribute to the life of someone you cared about.
   
• A Pedestal
  Another monument choice for cremation memorialization is a pedestal. You can incorporate water elements, planters for your loved one's favorite flowers, or a special resting place for the ashes of the deceased. A pedestal offers a place to come and remember your loved one while adding stately beauty to the memorial garden you choose.
   
• A Niche
  Indoor and outdoor niches are available and they offer a safe, secure place to leave your loved one's ashes. A niche provides a place to visit and reflect. An indoor niche will allow you to leave pictures and other items to memorialize your loved one. There are many different styles of niches, and you can choose the one that will best honor the deceased.
   
• A Tree
  If you'd like a more natural memorialization option, consider planting a tree and spreading your loved one's ashes among the roots. As the tree grows, you'll have a visual reminder of the love and the life the deceased had, and part of him or her will live on in the tree. You'll also be reminded that there is a season for every part of life as you watch the tree bud and bloom, lose its leaves, and start the cycle over again.

The caring funeral planners at Chapel of the Chimes can help you select the right cremation memorialization option for your loved one. To learn more about the tributes and memorials we offer, call (866) 475-9407.