Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services

During one of the hardest times of our lives, Chapel of the Chimes funeral home treated our family with incredible compassion, patience, and respect. From the very first conversation, Ed guided us through every step with compassion and professionalism, making a difficult process feel manageable and dignified. Ed, Sarah and Sam truly listened to our wishes and honored my father in a beautiful, meaningful way. Every detail was handled thoughtfully, and nothing ever felt rushed or impersonal. They are truly kind, attentive, and genuinely supportive people, which meant more to our family than words can express. Because of them, we were able to focus on remembering and celebrating my father’s life instead of worrying about logistics. We will always be grateful for the grace and humanity they showed our family, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone in need of funeral services. Thank you for helping us say goodbye to my father and start our healing journey.

I am deeply grateful to Cynthia Aguirre for the exceptional support and heartfelt sympathy she offered during my family’s funeral arrangements. Her compassion, patience, and understanding made an incredibly difficult time easier to bear. Navigating these details while grieving my mom's passing was difficult, but her professionalism and genuine care guided us through every step with comfort and confidence. She took the time to listen to my wishes and offered thoughtful guidance, ensuring everything was handled with dignity. Every step of the way, my family and I felt supported and reassured that my mom's final arrangements were in good hands. Thank you for everything you did for our family! Regards, Alicia T.

My experience with Chapel of the Chimes was nothing Short of Grand Cynthia Aguirre and Mr Fred Schulz made the arrangement process smooth an stress FREE... They both provided STAR TREATMENT very informative and satisfactory! I know my Dad is in GOOD hands an will be given the BEST service for his Homegoing! I Thank both from my Heart I Pray God continue to Bless them in providing the Best service to Families that seek their services! I highly Recommend them to those who can use an appreciate their Services Definitely Top Tier A+! Thaaaaaanxamillion Cindy and Fred We really appreciate all you did to assist us for my Dad! ~ VENUSBENICIA

Exceptional Care at Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland, especially Cecilia and Ed. From the moment we walked in, we were treated with genuine care, respect, and compassion. Every detail was handled thoughtfully, and the staff made a very difficult time feel lighter. Cecilia was incredibly compassionate, sensitive, kind, attentive and prompt in every interaction. Her warmth and understanding brought comfort during a very emotional time, and made it feel a bit easier for which I and my family are truly appreciative . She and her staff ensured the entire process was handled with dignity and grace. A special thank-you as well to Ed, the director, who genuinely went the extra mile. His professionalism, guidance, and attention to every detail made all the difference. They guided us through every step with patience, answered all our questions, and made sure our loved one was honored beautifully. Their warmth, dignity, and attentiveness meant more than words can express. Chapel of the Chimes provided exceptional support, kindness, and respect throughout, and I am deeply grateful. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking compassionate care during such a difficult moment - Loretta Machado and the Machado family

There are not even words to describe the display professionalism and Heartfelt feelings we had From Cecilia Montoya Before, during, and after our appointment with her .. 5 Stars all of the way !! Thank you, Cece …..

My mother passed on back in April of this year (2025). She was put to rest at Chapel of the Chimes, where my parents had purchased a resting place along side my grandparents. Fred was our primary contact for this process, and must I say, thank God! Fred was exceptionally kind, considerate, thoughtful and in general a calming presence for our family during this difficult process. He truly was an angel and certainly stood out from all other employees. Without his presence, the process of dealing with laying my mom to rest would have felt like a cold business transaction. We will be fortunate if he is still around when the time comes to bring another family member to rest. He was truly a comfort.

I can't imagine a better experience! Nicole, and everyone else at Chapel of the Chimes, took excellent care of us from the first call to the beautiful service. Nicole checked in with us everyday and not a single detail was left to chance. She helped us with the priest, the lovely musician Sarah, and the amazing singer Liz. The service was spectacular. On the day of the service, everyone, including the cute guy helping out front with parking, and Denise, made us so comfortable that everything would go smoothly. Thank you!

I highly recommend “Chapel of the Chimes”. My Beautiful Mothers ashes are here. Provisions were made for a very nice Service right after the pandemic in 2021, while taking all necessary safety precautions. Everyone at Chapel of the Chimes make you feel very comfortable while treating you like family. The Staff is very friendly and thorough at all times. My mother is in the garden and it’s kept exceptionally clean at all times. I am there at least once a month and the grounds inside and out are immaculate. I am confident that I made the right decision by choosing “Chapel of the Chimes”.💐✝️

Fast response. Good and personal service. Reasonable price. My dad's funeral was held here. My uncle's funeral was also done here years later.

I've had the pleasure of working with Denise and Mark on preneed arrangements. They made themselves available, answered all my questions, and addressed all my concerns. This location holds a special place in my heart because of their care of my mom. They do tremendous upkeep and the place always looks well cared for. Definitely recommend.

"We are forever grateful for the exceptional care and compassion shown by Cynthia M. Aguirre who is the Funeral Arranger of Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland, in planning and executing my mother's memorial service. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and empathy helped us navigate a difficult time with dignity and grace. From the initial planning stages to the service itself, every aspect was handled with kindness and precision. Their dedication to honoring my mother's life and legacy was evident in every detail. We cannot thank her and the staffs enough for their support and service. They truly went above and beyond, and their work will always be remembered. Our heartfelt thanks for helping us celebrate my mother's life in such a beautiful way." I highly recommend Cynthia Aguirre of Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland for your loved one's funeral and memorial service arrangements. For the costs of the service, it is worth it. You will get what you pay for....excellent service and great package options.

Came here recently for a funeral service, honestly didn't know what to expect because it was my first time, but overall it went well. The inside of the chapel is nice and the staff were good.

The staff at Chapel of the Chimes helped make a terrible time for my family a little more bearable. Everyone we talked with was kind and compassionate. They listened to our wishes and didn't try to push us into anything we didn't want to do. Nicole Encinias was our funeral arranger and was extremely organized and quick to respond to all of our questions. She helped make it a smooth experience and took some of the stress away from this hard time.

I had a very bad experience with Chapel of the Chimes. I dropped off the urn for my late husband, and when I picked up his cremains - they had put him in the wrong urn. I knew something was wrong but I was shaken when I picked it up so didn't notice right away. I called and they confirmed so I had to go back a second time. They were very unapologetic, just handed it over to me in the lobby like they were handing me a loaf of bread. I expressed my distress and they explained that they were a bit disorganized because there had been "a death in the family" of someone who worked there. Really??? Me too! I moved to another city and decided to have his remains buried in the new place. I called and asked that the permit be changed to reflect the new cemetery. I was told that someone would call me back. No one did. So just to be safe, I drove 60 miles and spoke to the receptionist in person. She had no record of my ever having called. No problem, we would start over. She took my information including my new address. I also asked them to fix my name, as they had put my maiden name instead of my married name. I paid the fee and was told I'd get it the permit in the mail in 7-10 days. A few weeks went by. I called and again, no one had any record of my ever having called. They didn't know what I was talking about. They finally gave me someone in the office who did help me, and she took the information and eventually did email me an electronic copy of the permit. To give her credit, she was very nice and helpful. The address and the name were still wrong, but she said it would take too long to fix it a this point. I was glad to have the copy, but I emailed her and asked that I be sent an original copy of the permit, with the right name and address, just as I had paid for. She replied that she would refer my request to someone else. That was four days ago and no one has contacted me. So if you are willing to put up with a bureaucratic nightmare with a business that does not seem to have successful internal processes, then call Chapel of the Chimes. If you are experiencing grief and need people who can handle the arrangements for your loved one with compassion and efficiency, call someone else. I also handled the arrangements for my father and my brother, so I know the difference.

Yes, would recommend as a final resting place for any Bay Area lifetime residents. Also, recommend a visit just to experience the solicited and beauty of this Julia Morgan masterpiece. Say hi to my Mom and Dad when you visit.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to The Chapel of the Chimes and the exceptional team of Denise, Fred, Nicole, and Vanessa. Your professionalism, compassion, and guidance during this difficult time were invaluable to me. From the initial consultation with Denise, to the final arrangements with Fred and Nicole, you all demonstrated a genuine care and understanding that provided comfort and support, especially the sweet lady at the front desk Vanessa. COTC has such beautiful surroundings and take great commitment in the care of creating a peaceful place for your loved ones. Personally I had a very rough road towards the end of my mothers path in life when overseeing all the difficulties that came along. That experience has changed me in many ways good and bad. Even when overwhelmed and not quite myself these 4 people managed to make me feel better. Thank you so much ! Helen Kolak

This is were my family is inturned. This has to be one of the top locations in California. The staff has been great in helping us go through the process. It has been 30 years since my aunt purchased her ninch. Thankfully she planned ahead. The price nowadays is so expensive. Im happy that her and the rest of my family chose such a historic and beautiful location for their final resting spot.

Just completed my pre-need planning with Chapel of the Chimes this week. As an Oakland native, I can't think of a more beautiful final resting place. Working with Donna Mathews and the team at Chapel of the Chimes has been a pleasure and I greatly appreciate Donna for all of her guidance, patience and professionalism throughout as I explored options and made decisions. Many thanks to Donna and the team!

My great, great grandfather John McCoy and his wife Sara are inside the dome portion of the columbarium. My dear Mother passed away last year and luckily we were fortunate enough to be able to get a spot inside the same slot. The ceremony went well and the service was handled appropriately thanks to Mr. Saxon. The gentleman that works the grounds gave me some history and will lightly engrave my Moms box @ no extra charge, thank you sir! The grounds could use some upkeep and maintenance. Overall, it's a very quiet, serene spot that feels like entering a time capsule from the early 1900's. My brother and myself along with my niece will be bringing flowers by to this beautifully crafted piece of history.

They were kind, efficient, responsive and reasonably priced. The woman who handled our account there Oakland was lovely.

I had one of the greatest experiences at a funeral I ever had ever had ( as strange as that sounds) Two outstanding members of the team Amanda and Helena were just the bestest! Thank you ladies you are so appreciated and I know Chapel of the Chimes must think so too!

I keep waiting for Meryl Streep or maybe Cate Blanchett to star in a sprawling historical biopic of architect Julia Morgan. After all, she was the first woman architect licensed in California and designed over 700 buildings over a lengthy career. That meant she dealt with a lot of alpha males who grew to respect her talent like William Randolph Hearst. Amazingly she designed his castle in San Simeon at the same time she designed this crematory and columbarium next to the Mountain View Cemetery (review: https://bit.ly/3uzxz0W). From the ornate exterior, I didn't expect the labyrinth of crypts connected by winding walkways and terraced indoor gardens. It bears a design similarity to the Moorish Gothic style you would find at the Alhambra in Granada and yet, this is Piedmont Avenue. There is a multitude of niches in various shapes and sizes, some quite elaborate, and somehow Morgan's meticulous approach makes them feel consistent like a large library with specialty rooms and a lot of natural light. RELATED - Exploring Piedmont Avenue? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2I0RAHj

This place is incredible. It felt a little funny just walking in there but once inside your pulled into the history of all the people that reside there. Please be respectful. It's very quiet in there, so if your or your friend is someone that always giggles a lot or just doesn't know how to whisper, honestly don't event go. If you're sensitive to spirits you just might feel something. I burst into tears for no reason walking into one of the rooms. Still loved every minute of it!

Lovely spot for a memorial service. Good acoustics and peaceful space. Staff are exceedingly helpful.

My in-laws are interred in a niche on the top floor, easily accessed from the Howe Street entrance. We have never had an issue here before. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. Today, my wife wanted to put some flowers on the niches of her parents and those of other close family members. While she was cutting flowers, I walked in with our dog on a leash. Our dog is a Shiba Inu, a breed that rarely barks. As we were heading toward the family niche, the dog of another person began aggressively barking. I immediately brought my dog back and went another direction. At this time, an employee walked in from the outside. I greeted him and he said hello. As we were making our way to the family niche again, the other dog saw us and began barking again. My dog never made a sound. As we continued walking, the other dog stopped barking. But I heard a loud voice yelling. I couldn't quite understand what was being said because of the echo in the building. I turned around and saw the worker and heard him saying that there was a funeral going on. I calmly replied that it was not my dog barking and he replied that he didn't care whose dog was barking. Of course, the owner of the offending dog didn't utter a word. He was out of sight around the corner where he was visiting someone. The reason that I brought our dog in was simple. My wife finds her comforting. Her parents loved dogs and in the spirit of "family togetherness", I brought her in. There were not any signs prohibiting dogs and as I said, she very rarely barks. Shibu Inu were bred as hunting dogs and barking would be counter-productive to her "job". The people who work at Chapel of the Chimes work hard to keep the facility looking good. They were always very kind to my mother-in-law when she visited her husband. The staff was also kind to my wife, when my mom-in-law passed. We expect that 99% of the time, they are courteous to everyone who visits. It was rather unfortunate today that the man jumped to the wrong conclusion. I appreciate that quiet is the norm in a place of peace and reflection, especially when a service is in progress. However, when an infraction occurs, it would be much better to investigate what's going on instead of yelling at someone's back. Especially when it's the wrong person.

MOORISH-GOTHIC inspired architectural delight. Amazing 1928 design work by Julia Morgan, the first woman to graduate from the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. She was also the architect for Hearst Castle. The Mausoleum in back was designed by a student of FLW, Aaron Green and melds interestingly with the front. I see my parents about 5 times a year and on a recent visit they didn't even bat an eye when I told them I was going to take them to a mortuary. Chapel of Chimes is infrequently visited and most times you'll only find caretakers and 2-3 other groups of people exploring this amazing building. It is much larger than you think, occupying about 1.5 city blocks. Inside, there is a calm silence, made beautiful by the sounds of the interior fountains burbling, skylights letting in natural light, and interior gardens with ferns, birds of paradise, and even fruit bearing trees. You often forget there are 200K urns and a couple caskets housed within. There is something new and wonder-filled around each corner, some rooms feel like a gothic-victorian greenhouse, others have deeply religious vibes. Even going up some stairs you might stumble on singing canaries in a cage. In my head Fugue in D Minor is playing on repeat. Two notable internments are John Lee Hooker, Blues Musician, and Al Davis Raiders GM for 39 years! Lot's of local Raiders fans and you'll find people leaving advertisements for their businesses at his crypt. Hooker + Davis are right next to each other.

I can not thank Leslie Kieffer enough for helping our family say good bye to our 95 year old Dad/Grandpa. She was very professional, balanced, caring and thoughtful; very responsive as well to our needs. The rest of the team members were all helpful every time we were there. They helped us navigate through a very difficult journey one often does not do. With that said, this is where you need a professional as you want the right environment to receive closure. We had done it another way with my Mom which was frankly traumatic due to the environment we went through for viewing. Here at the Chapel of the Chimes, the property is quiet, serene and peaceful. It is a place you can go to for your final goodbye. There are many options for you to choose from and you do not feel pressured. Leslie had all the answers and reminded us. I highly recommend Chapel of the Chimes so much so that this would be the place I would choose for myself when the time comes.

DO NOT send flowers for your deceased loved ones! Very disappointed that I never saw my floral arrangement at the service, that was delivered a day early for the viewing. Chapel of the Chimes was not willing to accommodate or refund me after confirming they were delivered. The florist stated flowers have been left in their flower room a few times before, when other families complained about this same issue. Is this how they treat the bereaved families...WOW! Shame on you Chapel of the Chimes! I will no longer send referrals to them.

No respect for the dead! Garbage can junk and boxes placed in front of loved ones remains.

I love this venue. We recently had a service where we paid $600. There was another service scheduled an hour before our service. They were late, so their service was conducted at the same time as ours. The participants were loud and were yelling during our entire service so we had a hard time hearing our Chaplain. We paid too much to hear so much yelling. When they were done they walked through our service laughing and carrying on as if they were the only people in the building. Since they were an hour late they should have been asked to wait until we were done. We were on time. We were disrespected.

Quite nice of a service for my neighbor's wife who passed away too soon at the age of 38. She did live life to the fullest regardless of the pain she suffered while on dialysis for 17 years. After the service, she was brought to the cemetery next door on a horse drawn carriage. Doves were released after the service. It was very nice how it was presented here.

I officiated a service here during the COVID-19 crisis and the staff was awesome. Even with social distancing they were companionate. The encouraged us all to wear our masks but still gave us space to grieve. The architecture was stunning and I wish I could have captured more pictures. However, do to the circumstances it would have been disrespectful. If you have a loss and are looking for a place to celebrate your loved one's life, consider this business.

My Beloved Mom battled cancer for the past 15+ years and recently passed away. We've always trusted Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland. We utilized their services for my Beloved Mother and Law, Father and Law, and Brother and Law too. Once again, Chapel of the Chimes exceeded our expectations. Marvalyn and Jaquae are Fabulous artisans and my Mom looked Absolutely Gorgeous! Thank You with all of my heart, ladies. Although the planning, administration, and sales team members for my Mom's funeral were not as seamless and professional as our prior experience with my in-laws, my Trust in Chapel of the Chimes Oakland remains strong. Thank you so very much. - D. Davis.

I hope you aren't scrolling Yelp reviews for an infant loss but if you are, this review is for you. Our daughter was stillborn at full term and we had no idea where to start with honoring her. We called chapel of the chimes on a weekend at a very late hour and they responded immediately, guided us through what to do, and honestly there wasn't a lot to do because they did it all. They worked directly with Kaiser to handle the transfer of remains, and we came to them a few days later for the logistics. There we had a private room and plenty of space and permission to sob. Cynthia treated us with such compassion. Burial and cremation services can be so so much, and Chapel of the Chimes waived many many fees which is their standard practice for infants. Cynthia let us know every step of the way what was happening with our daughter. We picked out an urn there but then found one that fit our needs better, and Cynthia was so kind about this pivot. The cremation process cost $500 (which is insane, cremation is typically thousands) due to the fees they waive for infants. We also selected chapel of the chimes because on site cremation was important to me-- most places don't have the infrastructure for that and I didn't want my daughter transferred several times. I hope you don't ever have to cremate your baby, but if you do-- I can't recommend chapel of the chimes enough.

The Chapel of the Chimes is open to the public, and it's definitely worth it. The columbarium is set up in a Moorish style labyrinth full of urns. The urns are organized in a way to resemble large bookcases. Some urns even look like books! Hours to visit the columbarium are everyday from 8:30-5 or maybe 9-5. I saw two different times on the website. There is also a cemetery, but it's only open for visitors Wednesdays and Saturdays.

This place is wonderful and historic. We purchased a niche here last year in the section designed by Julia Morgan. We had gone on a tour of the Chapel prior to our purhase. This June, we attended the annual Solstice musical event, Garden of Memory. Chapel of the Chimes is actively involved in the community and the arts. The staff are also very helpful, and although we're in no hurry to move in, I feel reassured that they will handle everything with style. Chapel of the Chimes is a great place to explore and wander through.

Very professional and personable. Offer support and assistance during the hardest times. Very clean amd COVID safe Beautiful Grounds. Very patient, understanding and supportive staff.

When I was younger, I used to enter the Chapel of the Chimes from the front on the lower level. Where upon entering it always felt like I was transported to some special place. I always enjoyed walking up the stairs and choosing whether I wanted to go left or right when doing so. They have beautiful landscaping and architecture throughout- everything is so peaceful here; I'm almost certain I would hear birds chirping from inside the building. Tip: Try to bring your own flower shears if you can. The ones they supply have gotten quite dull which have damaged the ends of my flower stems when trying to make a fresh cut. I like how they have stations where we can create our floral vases and add water to them. They have a couple elevators on site. I prefer taking the stairs because it allows me to remember where to go by adding in that visual representation. There is also a back entrance from the upper level with street parking. There is also an outside cemetery at the end of this street. I've also been here for services. The room was of good size for my family and the set up was really nice. They have restrooms, but they are dated and frankly, sometimes scare me. I've used them before, but on my most recent visit I chickened out and decided that I could try to wait until I got home.

Upon a sad day for a friend of ours, we are NOT reviewing the staff nor the general facility, which is quite nice. However, this review IS a critique of the overflow area...specifically the Video/Audio feed that is supposed to allow those gathered to hear, and see, what is transpiring in the main Chapel. It was very bad, to almost useless. Whoever is in charge at the Chapel should be ashamed, as the overflow gathering we were a part experienced very bad buffering Video and often inaudible Audio. Being a Video Producer myself, I was shocked how bad the set up is. It is not a hardwired feed, but rather a Bluetooth level feed that fails much more than is successful. I am sure the Chapel charges for this, and if they read this, should fix it ASAP. It was very sad to miss so much of the service because the Video/Audio feed did not work. In addition, it would take very little effort to set up a 2 camera switch, that would have a wide view, and the second camera to show a close up of the speakers... basic live Video. And PLEASE fix the audio! This will make for a truly memorable experience for those who lose their friends.

I always hit up a bar by here and never knew this place is open to the public because it looks so nice from the outside until I overheard my bartender giving out places to check out. So I finished my drink and went straight to Chapel of Chimes. Wow! That place was amazingly beautiful! Indoors felt like being outdoors if you get my drift. Such a bright and vibrating resting places for love ones. If you're a person who is comfortable with places like this, check it out! And please respect those that are resting.

What a nightmare I can't tell you how many times this place try to screw me over for more money the people there are so greedy. It's unbelievable. They tried everything they can to make things difficult. I needed receipts and contracts for victims of violent crime, and i got denied because they can't process things on their end I had to send the body out of the country and they said they needed to have the paper checked out and it was going to cost me $500-$1000 to do it. I did it myself for free and found out. I didn't even need to come out there. It was just a phone call, you cannot trust these people super lazy, super greedy. Nobody really cares at all about helping you. It's just sad

Thank you Chapel of the Chimes and Cynthia Aquirre! I cannot thank them enough. Cynthia was amazing! She was not only professional but compassionate. I felt like she was always looking out for the good of our family. She made the entire family feel at ease. Even when complications arose, she was very attentive and helped us through them. Her service was above and beyond my expectations. Thank you, Cynthia and the entire staff!

Several generations of my family are laid to rest here and I'm sure generations to come. The grounds are beautifully kept and the mausoleum is immaculate! The only meh, is that 1) it's always freezing inside and 2) the water doesn't always work in the flower cutting rooms. But the bathrooms are always clean, so that's a plus! As I mentioned, the grounds are beautiful and during the spring they have a gorgeous array of tulips. In fact, several times of the year, they will have concerts performed here. Even if you don't have family that is laid to rest here, it's a great place to walk. It is dog friendly, just please, pick up after your dog. Often times during the summer the place is packed with families out on a stroll. There are benches located throughout to rest or reflect or both. And if you're like me, who loves visiting old cemeteries, it's a great place to meander and check out some local history. The cemetery was established in 1863 and hosts some pretty cool crypts, some of which belong to the founding families of Oakland and San Francisco! (I'll have to remember to take pictures of those next time). It's a beautiful place to take a stroll, reflect, learn or simply pay your respects.

I can't say enough good things about COTC. MY EX-husband died suddenly and they were very kind and accommodating on working with a limited budget. He was cremated but they do allow you to view the recently departed in a nice, comforting room for a short time if you can't afford a formal service. Cynthia and Ed, in particular, were very nice and gracious during a very difficult time for me and my family. I cannot recommend them highly enough. They brought comfort in a time of storm.

This Chapel is very helpful, professional, and clean. With the unexpected last minute request, they were able to accommodate and expedite our family's matter needs. The staff are amazingly wonderful and welcoming. They always asked if we needed any assistance and was very informative throughout the process. This was our first and hardest time. I am thankful by the recommendation (word of mouth referral) that led my family to this Chapel. Also, I understand during the hardest time commonly people are sadden and stressing about the cost factors and scheduling. Their service prices were very reasonable and scheduling was very accommodating. After everything was completed, I felt the heaviness and sadness lifted. Thank you so much, Ed, and your entire staff.

My nephew my sisters only son passed away unexpected recently. The Chapel of the Chimes employees were very empathetic to her situation, very professional and took their time with my sister and made the process very simple for her, thank you for making this difficult time less stressful.

Such a cool little secret in Oakland. Loved and enjoyed walking through the place and seeing how beautiful and well kept it is. Def a cool spot to check out if you're looking for something new to see or do in Oakland.

We laid both of our parents here to rest here. It's a very beautiful, serene venue. Staff is very friendly, but not always quick to respond. Especially with death certificates which we needed urgently to handle some legal matters, it's been difficult getting anyone to follow up. Also during our most recent internment, the staff stood and gave us very obvious body language that they wanted us to hurry up and leave, which sort of dampened the moment for us. We knew we had limited time, but the majority of time was spent watching the workers seal the crypt. They said it would only take 5-10 mins, but took around 20-25 mins leaving us very little time to speak. Would have been nice if they didn't make us feel pressured, especially since there was no groups scheduled behind us. It's still a nice place and friendly staff though, so I'll keep it 4 stars.

Generations of my family are laid to rest here. I remember as a little boy coming here each week with my father to bring flowers to my grandma and grandpa every Saturday. I was always amazed this massive crematorium. Never scared, but a little bewildered by the size and scope of all the small rooms that became the resting place for so many. On this visit, I was struck by the beauty and peacefulness. The use of natural lighting, even in the tiny area my grandparents are in, was amazing. I've come to find out the famed Julia Morgan created this memorial. My parents are located in the newest section of the complex. Again, natural lighting streaming through, casting a restful melancholy feeling as I visited and reflected my feelings. I pulled up a chair and just sat by my Mother and Father. It was a good moment.

Chapel of the chimes runs a business geared towards belittling making you feel worse than you do after you've lost a love one my brother died of natural causes they told me that they could not embalmed the body they took the money they gave it back they call me daily with many mistakes they won't certify they're rude abrupt disrespectful heartless uncaring and racist towards Black people

We recently had a funeral service held and Cynthia Aguirre was very professional and responsible! Return calls promptly to alleviate our concerns. Great funeral support team. Thank you so much! Highly recommend COC.

Our first two experiences with Chapel of the Chimes were perfectly fine. The last experience was disappointing. We purchased a plaque for my mother's crypt in mid-October. Due to staff turnover, the order was placed late and the plaque arrived a month later than promised. My calls to order the plaque were returned promptly. Staff took a lot more time to respond when I called or emailed to inquire about the status of the order. We're pleased with the plaque and my brother was less annoyed by the slow service that I was.

We had an Indian / Hindu service for my dad. The location is beautiful and staff were all professional and helpful. I would highly recommend the Oakland site while the Hayward location might be more experienced at Indian services - staff in Oakland Cynthia, Ed and team members were all helpful and made this time as comfortable as possible. My family takes solace at being able to visit the facilities for year to come in remembrance of my father.

It was a beautiful day in Oakland and after enjoying the incredible view at the top of Mountain View Cemetary we decided to briefly pop into Chapel of the Chimes. (I wasn't sure it was open to the public, but it is!) My friends thought I was crazy for wanting to visit a mortuary (especially after coming from a cemetary), but I convinced them that anything designed by Julia Morgan (California's first licensed female architect and designer of Hearst Castle) and was worth a stop. We were all pleasantly surprised at how peaceful and beautiful the experience was. Each room has a special theme, is filled with light, art, and love. I can't say enough about the jaw-dropping awe we experienced walking from vestibule to vestibule, then, as luck would have it, we ran into Suzanne Lander, family service advisor. She had only been working there 5 months, but the information she shared about the history of the place, its people and the priceless artifacts housed here made the trip truly unforgettable. Suzanne's excitement about this special place is contagious! I know, I know, I know it is so weird to be so excited by a mortuary, but it is a historic and happy place. You must stop in! They are even starting to host yoga classes at nearby Pacific Plaza.

My family and I are in mourning due to my Auntie who passed away on July 3, 2021. To this day, this corporation has not cremated her, even though she paid over $25,000, they claim due to covid, but this isn't true. getting the run around and lame excuses are not acceptable, nothing worse than a loved one passing and not putting her to rest is devastating. So I want all to know how they conduct business. They take your money and do nothing. We can't be at peace until they honor what they were paid to do. Very BAD business, I would not recommend to anyone. Beautiful facility, but not professional in handling business!

This place my families been go for many yrs n friends. They all very please happy there Service can say more respectful come to love 1 part everyone life have to go thru. God bless

Words will never describe the warmth I experienced from the team at Chapel of the Chimes...Mylo! Shauniece! Ms. Rogers! Mr. Lockhart! and Ms. Pamela! I felt like I had assistance from my family in working with all of you. Thank you so much for walking me through the process and sending my Dad off in the most peaceful way. Forever Grateful-Bailey-Bryant Family