About Us
The Chapel of the Chimes Difference
Chapel of the Chimes Oakland has been honored to deliver funeral, cemetery and cremation services to the Oakland community since 1909. We serve the unique needs of every family by guiding them through life's most important moments.
Our pledge
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    We’re here to give you care and comfort as we help guide you through the planning journey.
                    We treat you and your loved ones as if you were part of our own family, providing the support you need when you need it the most.
                    We go the extra mile to ensure that families are given the compassion they so desperately need during this time.
                    We are your trusted guide in times of immediate need, as well as when you're ready to make funeral and cemetery plans for the future.
Our Story
We've learned a lot about caring for families over the years. We realize that we aren't just caring for a loved one, but the entire family. People come to us during their most difficult times, and we respond with kindness, understanding and expertise. Our goal is to make everyone feel at home as we work with them to create a memorable service in honor of a beautiful life.
                1909
With a proud tradition of serving area families since 1909, Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services is an architectural gem with great historical significance.
                1928
Redesigned in 1928 by renowned architect Julia Morgan of Hearst Castle fame, it was conceived as a haven of peace and tranquility with an innovative array of gardens, cloisters, alcoves, stairwells, fountains and chapels that rose toward vaulted ceilings and were illuminated by soothing natural light. The project is considered by some as Morgan’s master work.
                1984
Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services’s funeral home was established in 1984, offering families a beautiful setting in which to come together to honor loved ones.
                The resting place of legends
This meticulously maintained property is an exquisite setting in which to celebrate life. It is also the final resting place for some of the area’s most notable residents, including blues legend John Lee Hooker, explorer Harriet Chalmers Adams, U.S. Congressman John A. Elston, Oakland Raiders legend Al Davis, and baseball greats such as William Frederick “Bones” Ely and Dick Bartell.
                One-stop convenience
Known for its dignity, peace and serenity, Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services offers the one-stop convenience of an expansive funeral home and on-site crematory as well as cremation memorialization and above-ground entombment options.
                Quality, sincerity & trust
Having provided exceptional service for more than 100 years, we’re proud of the reputation we’ve built on quality, sincerity and trust, with services that celebrate the life of each individual and respect the wishes of every family. Today, we are leaders in our profession, caring for families from all faiths, traditions and cultures with integrity and genuine compassion.
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32K+
Legacies Honored
113
Years in Business
1.7M+
Moments Remembered
Our team
We're members of the local community who have many years of experience caring for families from all backgrounds and all walks of life. Families know they can count on us to provide them the comfort they need when they need it most.
                    Mark Frattini
Family Service Supervisor
                    Jon Sioxson
Family Service Advisor
                    Denise Davis
Family Service Advisor
                    Fred Schulz
Family Service Advisor
                    Grace Marie Figueroa
Family Service Advisor
                    Leslie Morgan
Funeral Director and Operations Lead
                    Cynthia Aguirre
Funeral Arranger
                    Cecilia Montoya
Funeral Arranger
                    Nicole Encinias
Funeral Arranger
                    Sam Caparros
Funeral Support Supervisor
                    Deb Halland
Staff Associate
                    Lema Armstead
Staff Associate
                    Scott Heissenbuttal
Staff Associate and Crematory Operator
                    Yolpie Kaiser
Staff Associate
                    Noah Conklin
Embalmer
                    Daniella Marcantoni
Cemetery and Funeral Home Office Manager
                    Sherri Brown
Sr. Administrative Specialist
                    Monica Kelsey
Sr. Administrative Specialist
                    Trixie Baker
Funeral Administrative Specialist
                    Santos LaRose
Administrative Specialist
                    Vanessa Wilson
Receptionist
                    Jeremiah Spiller
Superintendent
                    Dennis Tavares
Facilities Maintenance
                    Jim DeWan
Cemetery Gardener
                    Mariela Rivera
Cemetery Housekeeping
                    Art Galvan
Cemetery Caretaker
                    Dennis Carroll
Cemetery Caretaker
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              Cary Boisvert
Managing Partner, Operations
Cary, a former Bay Area resident of 16 years,  joined the Chapel of the Chimes location in Oakland in July 2019 as Managing Partner, Operations.  Cary is a proven leader with over fourteen years of experience in operations leadership and team development.  
As a leader of multi-functional teams, he emphasizes nurturing a service culture mentality and continuous process improvement in order to achieve the highest satisfaction for the families being served.
He has been involved in several nonprofit organizations throughout his career, including the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce and at the Living Desert Zoo in the animal rehabilitation department. He also loves cooking, cycling, RPG gaming and is an amateur mixologist. 
              Ed Brail
Funeral Home Manager
Ed serves Chapel of the Chimes Oakland as the Funeral Home Manager. He has been a licensed funeral director/embalmer since 1996, serving families in Chicago and Los Angeles.  
As the location manager, it is his quest to bring the highest quality customer service to our families in the Bay Area. "Hearing a family tell me that I made the most difficult time in their life easier means more to me than a paycheck," Ed says. "Our goal is to achieve this with every family we serve."
"We will strive to make the beautiful, historical and architecturally amazing Chapel of the Chimes Oakland a true pillar of our community," he says. "I’m a firm believer in sharing this significant jewel as an asset for our community. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by for a cup of coffee and enjoy this amazing Chapel of the Chimes with me." 
CA Funeral Director 3787/CA Embalmer 9388
We illuminate paths to peace with personalized ceremonies and memorial tributes that honor your loved one.
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
                Families find comfort knowing their loved ones remain in our care throughout the process with onsite funeral, cemetery and cremation services, making the process seamless and worry free.
                
                
                Awards
                  2023
What Families Are Saying
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!
Author: Cjoyinnertainment Sharifah Ihsan-Wilson rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My husband Enrique and I highly recommend Chapel of the Chimes and Mrs. Donna Matthews for your prearrangement needs. She was very professional and pleasantly accommodating. Two thumbs up!
Author: Deborah A Wanzo (Deb) rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Cynthia and Fred were amazing, they took such good care of us. We enjoyed their professionalism but also their ability to make us smile and laugh.
Author: Jennell Belt rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Cynthia was kind and very professional and did her job with a smile. She was very Genuine and not scripted like a movie. Thank you Cynthia
Author: Basia Szlachta rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Very helpful and informative. Thank you
Author: Stacy rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I highly recommend working with Cynthia Aguirre She was very professional and understanding. She also help us to get things done in a short period of time, great customer service.
Author: Matias Bentancur rated with 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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News & Events
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Join us
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    We offer a healthy work/life balance and invite ideas and innovation. Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services is where our team members' purpose and passion unite.