Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services

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

Here’s a shorter, powerful Google-friendly version: ⸻ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ During one of the hardest moments of our lives, Cynthia was a true blessing. My mom and I were overwhelmed with grief after losing my sister, and Cynthia guided us through every step with compassion, patience, and dignity. She made an unbearable situation feel a little lighter and ensured we felt supported and understood the entire way. We are deeply grateful for her kindness and care. Highly recommend.

To the amazing and wonderful staff at Chapel of the Chimes. My family and I want to share our deepest appreciation for your kindness, professionalism, and going above and beyond in making sure we felt accommodated with schedules, clothing, and reviewing information. Cynthia was exemplary in how she guided us through the very difficult process of making funeral arrangements. Grace showed patience, compassion, and was at all times professional in allowing us to tour the facility and offer feedback. Noah went above and beyond in assisting with making sure that my mom’s clothing choices were appropriate for her and allowing us to view her at the end of our time with the staff. We absolutely love and would highly recommend Chapel of the Chimes to anyone in consideration of their services.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Cynthia and the entire staff at Chapel of the Chimes for their kindness, compassion, and care during such a difficult time. They were all wonderful, very accommodating, and treated my husband with the so much respect and dignity. Cynthia went above and beyond to make sure everything was beautiful and peaceful. She allowed me to have a special moment with my husband that I will treasure forever. He looked so peaceful, as if he were just asleep. It’s never easy to accept God’s plans, especially when it means losing someone you love so deeply, but thanks to Cynthia and the team, this painful moment was handled with so much love and grace. I will always be grateful for their support and compassion. 🩷

I want to thank my girl Cynthia Aguirre, she’s the best!! From the beginning she was so sweet and very straight forward, she helped in every way and explained everything with details she took her time to make sure we understood and helped us understand. She always communicated with me & the family & always made sure that we were pleased with the outcome. She’s really the best she has such a great heart and is so sweet she even helped me with my baby girl while she was being wild lol Cynthia you did your thang girl🤏🏻💞 I really appreciate you & all you’ve done!🩷 you do your job so well they should be so thankful to have someone like you🫶🏻 you really understand I’m glad we came to you🫶🏻 you really have a great heart🩷 you were there for me & you always knew when I needed a hug🥺🫶🏻your a really good person, I hope we can keep in touch🫶🏻 thank you Cynthia for everything your the best🥺🩷 keep doing what your doing girl may god continue blessing you🙏🏻🙌🏻🫶🏻 Thank you. Love, Rosa🫶🏻

Fred Schultz went more than beyond what is required of him. He met me, my sister and my family in the hospital and one of our hardest times ever. He was gracious, kind, considerate, and thoughtful. He walked us through everything at our pace, not his. He showed empathy and care and it was authentic. Thank you so much Fred! Nicole Encinias went beyond what was required of her as well. She did not Rush, she did not show any type of irritation when we ask questions or ask the same questions over and over. She moves with Grace and she moved with Care. She is absolutely the best. Both of these exceptional people did an absolute incredible job for me and my family and one of our toughest times of our lives. I am absolutely grateful. And because of their movements, there are a few people that want to now be late to us at Chapel of the Chimes and they’re gonna sign up for it. Thank you again so much.

The service was excellent! Much respect for Ms. Elizabeth who supported my niece’s choice to personally bathe and prepare her mothers body for her family viewing. It was a most sacred moment and Elizabeth Guided us without judgement but with shared joy. She was on her third day of working at The Chapel… Job well done. Thank you!

I would like to give high kudos to Nicole and Fred for an outstanding job in taking care of the arrangements we had to make for my sister. It’s always a difficult journey that has to be done but the both of them made it so easy to navigate through. Nicole and Fred was so professional, comforting, and showed so much empathy towards my family. It’s always comforting to have people like Nicole and Fred to assist in making something that is difficult to do. A loss is never easy but working with Nicole and Fred made it easy to complete the arrangements we had to make. Keep up the good work Nicole and Fred! Chapel of the Chimes has two wonderful people as staff members! Again, thank you for your great service!

"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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

When I die, and I will die, I'd like my vessle to be taken to the desert. I'm not certain that I'd like to be handled as basically as Edward Abbey, who is rumoured to have been taken intact and laid out as a late afternoon feast for the birds and beasts that had been his company and material for all those years before. But as I'll be dead perhaps it won't matter. Take me there and do something useful. Presently I'm sitting next to a dozen urns, with dozens more to my back. A seated paradox, in the sunshine typing to you on my Blueberry. I've not taken an afternoon on the upper deck here before, just off Howe at the gate to the Olmstead treasure that was my original destination. But there was a chair in the shade that turned to face the sun and with a notebook and a head full of things to write I am seated in said chair, penning for now with my thumbs instead. A warm-up, as it were. I don't know from the business, other than its penchant for opening the facility for the enjoyment and contemplation of more than immediate friends and family. Perhaps the practice flows from a recognition that the semi-permanent residents enjoy the company, the concerts, the Halloween spookfest. I've grooved on all these affairs at the COTC in an ambulatory way; if I were dust in a bottle perhaps I'd groove on them that way as well. Feeling contemplative? Desiring for some quiet time removed from the always doing hustle bustle rest of your life? Need a little colour to diminish the winter pale? Come join me then here. There's a spare chair.

Chapel of the Chimes is indeed a beautiful place for a funeral or memorial service for the dearly departed ones. It is so pristine, quiet and serene. I arrived about 20 minutes late for a funeral service for my sister's mother-in-law this past Monday. Not knowing where to go, I asked one of the ladies at the front desk. She was helpful and guided me in the right direction. Her fellow employees were very professional, kind, respectful and understanding. Despite a bit of sadness, I felt uplifted, and in my heart, an inner peace and comfort at this chapel. I can only rejoice that my sister's 100 year old mother-in-law has gone home to be with her late husband. (Peace be still.)

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.

Gorgeous buildings, inside and out! Plus - they are not just in the business of funerals: Chapel of the Chimes hosts concerts - that's right - live music! Not just some old dirges or organ concerts, either. They have a hot jazz performance coming up on March 18, 2012 at 2pm - $15 cash at the door. There is plenty of parking across the street - I can only imagine that the acoustics are fantastic - see you there!

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!

Thank you for the peaceful ceremony for my Mother in Oct 2018. .

Beautiful landscaping, columbarium, however, really poor customer service through lack of return of calls or proper follow up. Inability of internal communications to confirm whether requests were completed or what documents were necessary for a service.

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