Chapel of the Chimes - A Lifemark Group Property

You never want to say goodbye to someone you love.  But in time, we have to.  Death is a part of life.  So when my dad passed away, I was mentally prepared, though emotionally less so. Still, I was grateful dad and my mom prepaid for plots here at Chapel of the Chimes for that awful day when passing from this life.  That decision was an act of love - it was one less major worry.  We could grieve and support each other more easily during the crisis. Dad had a crazy sense of humor.  He always joked that in lieu of the money spent for a classy funeral, he as a Navy man, wouldn't have minded his body being thrown into the sea.  Then maybe, he'd be eaten by a shark, and thus possibly we would buy and cook the shark and end at our dinner table.  Uh - sorry dad, mom wouldn't let you have it done that way.  Thankfully, Dad also agreed to do whatever mom wanted. Chapel of the Chimes counselors did a great job accommodating our requests. You can actually do everything here - from the mortuary services to the viewing and memorial service, and then take a short drive or walk to the loved one's final resting place.  Ours was more complicated. My dad's mortuary//viewing was at a Catholic run mortuary in downtown Hayward, his funeral was one of the local Catholic Churches, and we made the 3 mile parade of 100 cars here on a weekday. My dad was a military man courtesy of the Navy and Army,  got his 21 gun salute, flag ceremony and playing of Taps. Chapel of the Chimes did a nice job coordinating everything, including the paperwork. I am still stunned by the custom of watching your love one getting buried.  It's our Filipino tradition to throw flowers onto the grave as it is being lowered.  (By the way, it's an extra \$500 to have this done).  My mom nearly fainted in sadness, with sobs abounding, we knew in body my dad was gone. But in the subsequent days and weeks that followed, my mom, the family, and friends who have visited there have said, "what a bright and relaxing place, definitely a classy tribute to those who have come and gone before us." I was stunned by how bright and beautiful the grounds are kept.  Lots of people have silk flower on their loved ones resting places.  With tall trees and the Hayward Hills as a backdrop, this is a place where people can go and meditate and have quiet time with those resting here. So thank you Chapel of the Chimes.  I guess I'll be seeing you whenever I'm in town.