How much does a funeral cost?

Costs vary by the services selected. A direct disposition is typically the most affordable option, while a full-service funeral with viewing, ceremony, and transportation costs more. Our team can walk you through pricing for your specific choices.

What is the difference between planning ahead and funding a plan?

Planning ahead means documenting your wishes for future services, while funding a plan means setting money aside now to lock in pricing and relieve your family of that cost later. You can plan ahead without funding, though funding provides added financial protection.

Do I need to plan a funeral in advance?

Planning in advance is not required, but it allows you to record your preferences clearly and can ease the burden on your family when the time comes.

Planning Ahead

Funeral Planning FAQs for Oakland and East Bay Families

When our Oakland families have questions about preplanning, we have clear answers. We’ve been answering questions and helping plan services for more than 100 years.

Planning ahead often starts with a few simple questions.

We’ve collected the most common funeral planning FAQs from Oakland and East Bay families on this page to help you learn how planning works and to understand your options. From there, you can make decisions at your own pace.

Funeral Planning Basics

Never thought about funeral planning before? Start with the basics of planning ahead.

Planning ahead means you decide what you want for your funeral arrangements. Then, you record these plans for your loved ones to use when the time comes. You make your decisions now, so your loved ones won’t have to make them for you.

Making Your Plan Then Funding It

Two terms cause the most confusion: making a plan versus funding a plan. Here’s the difference.

Making a plan means documenting your wishes in some way. Funding a plan means knowing how you’ll pay for it. You can even arrange payment ahead of time, which locks in current prices and protects your family from dealing with inflated prices. You can always document a plan without paying for it. It costs nothing to send your family or attorney an email outlining your preferences.

Plan Ahead at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland

Some questions that apply specifically to planning at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland.

We offer planning for nearly every kind of funeral service, from simple to elaborate, at our Oakland home. You can even request no service at all. Our options for services, cremation and cemetery arrangements are all available in one place so you don’t have to coordinate multiple providers.

A final note

Plan Ahead Today and Protect Tomorrow

In the Oakland area and ready to plan ahead? We’re here to help.

Funeral Planning FAQs for Oakland and East Bay Families

Planning ahead often starts with a few simple questions.

Funeral Planning Basics

What does it mean to plan a funeral ahead of time?

What is preplanning, and is it the same as prepaying?

Is it too early to start planning ahead?

Who should think about planning ahead?

Making Your Plan Then Funding It

What’s the difference between making a plan and funding a plan?

What decisions can I document when I plan ahead?

Do I have to pay for everything upfront?

Can I change my plans after I make them?

Plan Ahead at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland

What planning options are available at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland?

Do I need to live in Oakland to plan ahead here?

How do I start planning ahead?

Plan Ahead Today and Protect Tomorrow