In this episode, host Pete Waggoner goes in-depth with Kathleen Helgeson and Amber Miller about the topic of secondary loss and caregiver grief. They discuss the smaller subsequent losses that happen after the death of a loved one, and how a loss can impact one’s roles and routines. They also delve into how to cope with the challenges that come with being a caregiver, as well as the grief it can bring before and after the death of the patient.

This episode is full of helpful tips and resources for those struggling with loss, as well as for those supporting someone through their grief journey.

Continue reading “Coping with Secondary Loss & Caregiver Grief” →

In this ‘scintillating’ episode of the Good Grief podcast, Mike O’Connell and Amber Miller of O’Connell Funeral Homes join Pete Waggoner to discuss funeral etiquette. They get into the nitty-gritty of the do’s and don’ts of attending a funeral–from the proper attire, to the conversation topics that may be off-limits or offending to the grieving family. The two also share about the real-life scenarios they have encountered in their years of experience and how to best handle each situation.

The podcast offers an insightful and retrospective look into the essence of funerals and the proper way to honor the deceased while also providing comfort to the bereaved loved ones.

Continue reading “Funeral Do’s and Don’ts: Funeral Etiquette 101” →

In this episode of The Good Grief podcast, Mike O’Connell and Amber Miller get into cemeteries’ important role in providing a final resting place for people’s loved ones. They discuss the process of creating these final resting places, from deciding on the type of burial to personalizing the space to create a meaningful and lasting tribute. They also dive into the details of securing a cemetery plot and what one can expect when visiting a loved one’s final resting place. This episode provides listeners with an informative and compassionate look at the role of cemeteries in the grieving process.

Continue reading “How Cemeteries Make Resting in Peace Possible” →

Losing a friend or a loved one is one of the hardest things a person can go through. The process of grieving can be long and difficult, and it can be hard to find ways to cope. And while finding closure and moving on are necessary, none of us would ever want to forget the people we’ve lost.

Fortunately, keeping the memories of our loved ones alive has now become a lot easier with all the options available such as creating necklace pendants with their ashes, planting trees in their memory, and even getting tattoos. Continue reading “Healing Through Tattoos: How Getting Body Art Can Help With Grief” →

To better accommodate Western Wisconsin communities, specifically Pierce County, as well as to offer a complete range of grief services, the locally owned and operated O’Connell Family Funeral Homes are merging their St. Croix and Pierce County locations in Hudson, Baldwin, Ellsworth, Prescott, and River Falls. The Pierce County funeral homes, previously owned by Tom & Mike O’Connell and a partner, will now be run solely by the O’Connell Family and their dedicated staff. Each site will remain open and, with their unification, will now have the benefit of streamlined operations and consistent offerings, including on-site cremation. Continue reading “O’Connell Family Funeral Homes merge St. Croix and Pierce County locations to better serve local communities” →

Today, it’s not unusual for obituaries to go viral. The reasons are often the tone (poignant to acerbic), length (War & Peace-type tomes to extreme brevity), or content (move-you-to-tears recollections to the airing of family grievances). Which begs the question: who is responsible for penning the sensational piece? Was it the deceased themselves or a well-meaning family member? Recently, a pair of brothers included the following in their father’s obituary, “In lieu of flowers, please place an irresponsibly large wager on Nebraska beating Iowa.” The brothers cited their dad’s love for the Cornhuskers and gambling as their reason for their request. Continue reading “The Final Say – Writing Your Own Obituary” →

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It’s natural for people to instinctually shy away from afterlife planning. If they do give it a go, the focus tends to be wills, estate plans, and end-of-life directives. That’s a good start, but according to Legacy Concierge, a personal information storage company, the average person under the age of 70 has more than 160 Continue reading “Your Digital Legacy: Passwords Need A Plan” →

With O’Connell Family Funeral Homes, pre-planning your funeral is simple, easy, and personal. The process, which may seem slightly morbid, can actually be a great way to grow together as a family and put together a beautiful celebration.

However, as you approach the pre-planning process, there are a few things you may want to avoid. Watch out for some of these common mistakes:

Continue reading “Don’t make these funeral pre-planning mistakes” →