Helping plan funerals with honor. O'Connell funeral homes staff, along with guests, give guidance on topics like, how to write an obituary, preplanning for your funeral, funeral arrangements, as well as how to personalize funeral services. The podcasts also include advice on how to manage grief, what you can do for loved ones who are grieving, and what additional resources are available to you, including self care. Welcome to the Good Grief Podcast.
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The Biggest Myths About Cremation Answering the Questions Every Family Has Is cremation really less expensive? Does choosing cremation mean you skip the funeral? Can you still have a visitation, memorial service, or celebration of life? These are some of the most common questions funeral directors hear, and they're often based on myths that have been passed from one family to another. In this…
What happens after someone dies? Are the signs people experience after loss simply coincidence, or something deeper? In this deeply emotional episode of The Good Grief Podcast , Mike O’Connell, Emma O’Connell, and Father Jerry Harris explore the mysterious moments that often follow grief: cardinals appearing at the perfect time, vivid dreams, unexplained peace, near-death experiences, and stories…
After the service ends and the casseroles are gone, families are left with something no one really prepares them for. The quiet. And then… the stuff. In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, the conversation turns to something deeply personal and often overwhelming—what to do with a loved one’s belongings after they pass. From a father’s coffee mug to a worn sweatshirt that still carries their…
Most people think pre-planning a funeral means preparing for death. But in this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, Mike and Emma O’Connell challenge that idea completely. They explain that pre-planning isn’t about dying. It’s about living with peace of mind, knowing your family won’t be left with hundreds of decisions during one of the hardest moments of their lives. Through real stories and…
In this powerful and unexpectedly uplifting episode of The Good Grief Podcast, Mike O’Connell and host Pete Waggoner sit down with Minneapolis tattoo artist Carlen Gil to explore one of the most personalized memorial options available today: incorporating cremated remains into tattoo ink. From the history of tattooing to the science behind cremation ink refinement, this episode blends artistry,…
In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast , hosts Pete Waggoner and Michael O’Connell sit down with St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knutson to talk about a growing threat facing older adults: scams that prey on kindness, trust, and fear. From grandparent scams and fake tech support calls to government impersonators and gift card fraud, Sheriff Knutson shares real-world examples from his thirty…
In this episode, Mike O’Connell joins Pete Waggoner for a deeply insightful conversation about monuments. They explore why headstones matter, how design choices tell a story, and what most families don’t know about the planning process. From costs to colors, Mike shares decades of wisdom to help you approach monument decisions with care and creativity. Whether you’re preplanning or honoring a…
This heartfelt episode features a candid conversation between Mike and Emma O’Connell, father-daughter members of O’Connell Family Funeral Homes, as they reflect on legacy, loss, and growing up in a family funeral home. From prom pranks to life-shaping grief experiences, they share the emotional realities and quiet joys that come with serving others in their most tender moments. Episode Highlights…
A single sentence can haunt a family for years. “Just cremate me and throw me out back.” It’s said casually, often meant with humility, but can create lasting pain and confusion for those left behind. In this heartfelt episode, funeral director Mike O’Connell opens up about why these words are his “kryptonite,” the emotional cost of skipping a ceremony, and how reframing our final wishes can…
What You'll Hear in This Episode In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, Christa Walz from Adoray joins us to talk about the power of home health care in helping families age with support, safety, and dignity. Here's a quick look at what we covered: [00:00] Christa reflects on 20 years with Adoray and how she got started in home health care. [02:00] What home health care includes—and how it’s…
