Tag Archives: Oakland CA funeral homes

Oakland, CA funeral homes

The Benefits of Intimate Funerals

Even if a small service at an Oakland, CA funeral home is not what you had originally planned for your lost loved one, you can still have a meaningful and memorable day. Many people think large funerals with tons of guests are the best ways to honor and remember a lost loved one. But small services can be just as good, and here’s why:

  • The Most Important People – While you love your Great Aunt Muriel from Australia, she’s not really a big part of your life. So, does it really matter if she’s not at the memorial or funeral for your lost loved one? Having a smaller service means your time, money and attention are only going to the most important people in your life, whether that means immediate family or close friends. Plus, you won’t have to worry about meeting some guests for the first time – like your cousin’s random plus one or your boss’ wife who you’ve never met.
  • Less Work – If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed about the work that comes with planning a big service, a small one might be for you. With less people and fewer moving pieces, smaller memorials or funerals are a lot less work and take a lot less time to plan. This means you can spend more time remembering your lost loved one and processing your grief.
  • Budget – A smaller memorial or funeral means less guests, and less guests means a lot less money. Think about all the savings on food and alcohol, not to mention how much money you could save on getting a smaller venue. These are some of the biggest costs when it comes to a service, so it would free up a lot of money in your budget for other things, like more flowers, or simply put more money back in your pocket.
  • Time for Everyone – When you have a big memorial or funeral with lots of guests it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to speak with or hang out with everyone. While it’s OK for the bereaved greet guests only briefly in a large service, wouldn’t it be nice to have the time to really connect with everyone? What’s more, the less people you have to greet the more time you and your family can spend remembering and honoring your lost loved one. You won’t believe how often the bereaved don’t get to sit and eat the meal they planned because they’re too busy greeting guests. Also, another bonus, no awkward small talk!

The last few years have made people really think about what’s most important. And, for many, having a big service for a lost loved one just isn’t a priority anymore, and there’s nothing wrong with that. While it might not be exactly what you pictured, a small service can actually be incredibly beautiful and special. We are here to help if you want more tips on planning a service at funeral homes in Oakland, CA. Call or visit us today.

Oakland, CA funeral homes

Fascinating Funeral Home Superstitions

Our funeral, cremation, and death traditions at Oakland, CA funeral homes have come a long way from where they first started thousands of years ago. Are you curious about outdated traditions and superstitions that most people don’t practice anymore? Here are some of the most interesting.

To begin, we used to have extended mourning periods. When someone died in the Victorian era, families would stop all the clocks in their home, cover mirrors with fabric, and hang a wreath with black ribbon on the door. These changes would last for four days or more, which is much longer than most formal grieving periods in modern times. A widow and oftentimes the entire family would also wear only black for an entire year.

Historically, death and mourning have carried many superstitions that are no longer believed. For example, it used to be back luck to wear anything new to a funeral and many funeral attendees believed spirits would enter their mouths if they yawned during a funeral. Others thought that if rain falls during a funeral procession or if there is thunder during a burial, it’s a sign the deceased is entering heaven. Still more believed that if they heard three knocks but no one was at their door, it was actually death that was knocking.

We also had in-person death notifications. For a very long time, death notifications were delivered in person on a piece of paper with a black border that listed the service details. Someone from the bereaved family or someone hired by the bereaved would go from house to house of everyone the deceased would have wanted at the service to make the death announcement and provide service details. These days, it’s more common to receive service particulars in an email from the family, read obituaries online, or post social media remembrances.

What about more modern ones? Expedited by the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual funerals and memorials are becoming more and more common. They are often held via FaceTime, Zoom, or other platforms so people can attend in person or virtually, depending on their and needs or preferences. People are becoming more open to less traditional, more personalized funeral services. Instead of standard hymns and readings in churches, services can be almost anything the deceased and the bereaved want, from celebrations of life to gatherings with slideshows, photos, and more. Per longstanding funeral customs, a headstone would only list the deceased’s person’s name, birthdate, date of death, and perhaps a memorial message. Today, however, thanks to modern technology, headstones can include photos, personal inscriptions, and even screens that display photo montages, holograms, or life story videos.

These days, there are many different ways to plan a funeral or service that speaks to you, your lost loved one, and your family traditions at a funeral home in Oakland, CA. You don’t have to be tied to outdated traditions or superstitions anymore. At the end of the day, what you believe or do doesn’t matter as long as you feel comfort after a loss. Call or visit us today to learn more.