Chapel of the Chimes Oakland provides end-of-life services to families with diverse religious, ethnic and cultural traditions. The original structure was a small columbarium that contained the first electric crematorium in the world".

In 1911, a young visionary named Lawrence F. Moore was hired to manage the business and engineer its growth. In 1926, he took the step that would insure the future of his business when he commissioned prominent Berkeley architect Julia Morgan to design and expanded facility.

Morgan had established herself as one of the finest architects of her generation, with credits ranging from the Campanile at Mills College in Oakland to Hearst Castle in San Simeon. She conceived the new facility as a haven of peace and tranquility. Form this vision, she designed an innovative array of gardens, cloisters, alcoves, stair wells, fountains and chapels that rose toward vaulted ceilings and were illuminated by soothing natural light. The project is considered by some as her masterwork.

On Memorial Day in 1928, the new columbarium and chapel were dedicated as "Chapel of the Chimes" – a name derived from a set of chimes or "carillons" installed in its tower. Morgan was retained to consult on new additions as the facility grew in popularity and expanded to an area covering one-and-a-half city blocks. Other prominent architects have contributed to the structure over the years, including an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright, Aaron Green, who integrated the mausoleum areas into the facility.

In late 1999, the City of Oakland designated Chapel of Chimes Oakland as a Distinguished Landmark.