Chapel of the Chimes Oakland Reviews

I've been visiting the site for many, many years. Was so happy to find that it is still open during the pandemic. I always feel so much peace and calm walking thru these rooms and hallways.

This building is a hidden gem of the East Bay. It is a labyrinth of private nooks perfect for contemplation and remembrance. They welcome visitors both to admire the architecture, designed in part by Julia Morgan, as well as to memorialize their loved ones. Additionally, they host musical performances in conjunction with local arts groups that both feed the local culture and, I think, celebrate the residents.

I was a little worried going there my first time as I wasn't sure if it would seem disrespectful to come here just to look at the beautiful building, but it seems that visitors are welcome and the building is well worth a visit. Make your way up to the second story and you'll find a veritable labyrinth of rooms that only grows more serene and gorgeous the further you go in.

I purchased a niche for my mom Nov 2019. She passed of covid on January 12. Chapel of chimes told me that they had sold my moms niche. I have the deed. They offered another and eventually picked a new one. For weeks I was told that I would receive documents and quit claim to sign. Finally I had to talk to a supervisor on Feb 17 who told me the paperwork was at the main office. My mom arrived at chapel of the chimes on February 12.
When I finally received the documents and had the quit claim notarized I sent them back certified mail. They received them on March 1. I was told when they received them she would be placed. Well called on March 9. Told they are really busy and has not been placed. Then told this week. Well my mom has been there since February 12. This is so upsetting. She needs to be laid to rest. This has been the worst experience during a very hard time losing my mother.

There was a Jazz Concert in there. It was nice. And also Chapel is well organized place.

Had what appeared to be discrepancies on billing end. Representative Cynthia Aguirre's professionalism and patience was refreshing indeed! She went through great lengths to answer my questions and allay all of my concerns. Good listener and determined to make everything clear. Good service over the years by this storied company.

Chapel of chimes has been very insensitive about my family needs during our time of grief.....they called us 30 mins prior on Sunday to having a service on Monday to tell my family that the casket we ordered a week prior is not available. To tell her son that is burying his mother is so insensitive. He is so stressed put and he was already grieving and now this has put so much on him. Shame on you Chapel of Chimes. The person Kenny Johnson seemed so insensitive. Do not deal with them and if you do do not deal with Kenny Johnson.

This is one of my favorite places of all time. I love its beauty and its serenity. I love all of the chapel's parts. Others like only the Julia Morgan parts.

Not everyone has serene/peaceful feelings here, so don't push your travel companions to join you if they are hesitant.

My wife Patricia passed away and I used them to pick her up from the nursing home and staying there and To deliver her to the grave site because of the good review and their price guarantee. To my shock that they wanted me to pay $4500 while Mt View Cemetery only charge $2400 for the same service, after we questioned, they only agreed to reduce by $780 , they are preying on the grieving family, I paid them but do not appreciate the way they conduct their business! I talked to the general manager, he said he ll look into it, but never heard from him again!

My dad passed away when I was a child, so I have been coming to Chapel Of The Chimes for over 50 years. In 2017, I lost my beautiful mom and my brother. I visit here very often, because it gives me peace as I am still grieving. Lately, there has been an issue. When I place items along with flowers on my mom and dad s combined niche, they are being taken.The first time this happened was Mother s Day 2020, and has now happened 3 more times. I know the items are taken, because my sister or sister in law always put flowers for the holidays a few days after I do. Four times now, they have told me the items I put in the niche were gone when they went there. I just couldn t believe that this keeps happening. I spoke to a staff member after this occurred after Easter this year and asked her about security or cameras. Denise, the staff member, very rudely told me they don t have security and have no intention of adding security. I than spoke with the General Manager Cary, and told him the situation. I explained I understand if wilted flowers are removed from the staff, but other items should not be removed. Also, the quickness in which the flowers have been taken between my visits and my sisters, I don t think the flowers would be wilted. Anyway, I told him that I didn t think it was staff and that something else is happening here. He said he realizes it s a metropolitan area and things will happen. He gave me lip service and said he would tell staff to watch out more. Now two weeks ago, for Morhers Day I placed flowers and a love you mom balloon and when my sister went there a few days later, everything I placed was gone yet again. I was livid at this point. I left a message over the weekend for Cary to call me, it is now Wednesday and I have not heard from him. The bottom line is that this staff does not give a damn! I have a call in to the newspaper to let them know about the lack of security at this beautiful, historical building.