Good Grief

About Good Grief

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.

Publisher

O'Connell Funeral Homes

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Jan 2020

Latest episode

16 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

61 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Sept 2026

   What Really Happens During Cremation

   What actually happens when someone is cremated? It’s a question many people have wondered about but may feel uncomfortable asking. In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, Mike O’Connell takes listeners behind the scenes and explains the cremation process step by step, beginning with the first call after a death and continuing through identification, authorization, preparation, cremation, processing and returning the cremated remains to the family. Mike also explains why there are waiting periods before cremation, how a loved one’s identity is carefully tracked throughout the process, what happens to jewelry and medical implants, how trained crematory operators manage each cremation, and the many meaningful options families have afterward. It’s a straightforward, respectful look at a process that is often misunderstood, with one goal in mind: replacing uncertainty with knowledge. RESOURCES O’Connell Family Funeral Homes (https://oconnellfuneralhomes.com/) Learn More About Cremation (https://www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com/services/countryside-crematory-cremation) Pre-Planning Information (https://oconnellfuneralhomes.com/pre-planning/)

2. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Pre‑planning: one less burden on your family.

   What if one of the most meaningful things you could give your family is a plan? In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, Mike and Emma O’Connell talk about why pre-planning a funeral is less about death and more about taking care of the people you love. They discuss the decisions families face after a death, how money and grief can quickly create conflict, why even a simple cremation deserves a deeper conversation, and how planning ahead gives families more room to focus on remembering rather than deciding. Emma also explains what happens during a pre-planning appointment, how funeral expenses can be funded ahead of time, and why you do not need to have every answer before starting the conversation. Most importantly, Mike and Emma challenge the idea that planning your funeral is morbid. Instead, it can be one final way to care for your family. RESOURCES O’Connell Family Funeral Homeshttps://oconnellfuneralhomes.com/ (https://oconnellfuneralhomes.com/) Pre-Planning Informationhttps://oconnellfuneralhomes.com/pre-planning/ (https://oconnellfuneralhomes.com/pre-planning/) Upcoming 2026 Pre-Planning Seminars: River Falls, WI: Wednesday, September 9 at 10am or 3pm Ellsworth, WI: Wednesday, September 9 at 6pm, or Thursday, September 10 at 10am Prescott, WI: Thursday, September 10 at 6pm Spring Valley, WI: Thursday, September 10 at 3pm Hudson, WI: Wednesday, September 30 at 10am, 3pm, or 6pm Baldwin, WI: Thursday, October 1 at 10am or 2pm Seating is limited and these fill up fast, so please RSVP by calling.

3. 

   28 Jul 2026

   The Biggest Myths About Cremation

   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 episode of The Good Grief Podcast, Mike and Emma O'Connell take an honest look at the biggest misconceptions surrounding cremation. They explain why cremation has become the choice for many families, what options are available, and why meaningful ceremonies continue to play an important role in the healing process. Whether you're planning ahead or simply want to better understand your options, this conversation offers practical guidance, compassionate insight, and reassurance that there is no one "right" way to honor a loved one. What matters most is creating a meaningful experience that supports the people left behind. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS 00:00:12 – Why cremation has become the choice for many families 00:01:16 – The myths and misinformation surrounding cremation 00:02:36 – Why people choose cremation and the many options available 00:04:16 – Does choosing cremation mean you should skip a viewing? 00:08:58 – "You can't run faster than the speed of hurt." 00:09:09 – Mike's powerful broken leg analogy for understanding grief 00:13:06 – Is cremation always less expensive? 00:15:50 – Why personalization creates lasting value for families 00:17:37 – Why families often focus on price instead of value 00:18:25 – The question Emma asks that changes people's perspective 00:20:03 – Mike explains why funeral directors sometimes "push the hard conversations" 00:24:00 – How funeral service has evolved beyond selling caskets 00:27:39 – Why many families choose cremation for flexibility 00:30:05 – Is it ever too late to hold a memorial service? 00:31:14 – Cremation and religious traditions 00:31:43 – A fascinating story about Hindu cremation customs 00:35:06 – Common misconceptions about cemetery space 00:36:14 – Questions families ask during pre-planning 00:39:03 – Why funeral directors are grief professionals 00:41:02 – Emma's final thoughts on honoring every family's wishes KEY TAKEAWAYS Cremation is becoming more common, but many misconceptions still exist. Choosing cremation does not mean giving up the opportunity for a meaningful funeral or celebration of life. Viewing a loved one can be an important step in the healing process for many families. Cremation is not always the least expensive option because services can be highly personalized. The value of a funeral isn't measured by what you purchase, but by the healing it provides. Cremation often gives families more flexibility to gather when loved ones can be together. It's never too late to hold a memorial service if your family feels something is missing. Every family's journey is different, and there is no single "right" way to honor someone you love. RESOURCES MENTIONED Learn More About Cremation and Funeral Planning O'Connell Family Funeral Homes (https://www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com/) Pre-Planning Information (https://www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com/plan-ahead/funeral-preplanning) Resources (https://www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com/resources1) Have a question about cremation? (https://www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com/about-us/contact-us) Mike, Emma, and the O'Connell Family Funeral Homes team welcome your questions and are available to help you understand your options, whether you're planning ahead or making arrangements for a loved one.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 15 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

17

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32