Ask the Funeral Director – Who Decides if an Autopsy is Performed and Why?
An autopsy is a medical examination conducted to determine the cause of death. Unlike the polished portrayals on TV shows like CSI, real-life autopsies are often far from serene. Deceased individuals arrive directly from their place of death—whether it be a home, highway, workplace, or remote area—with disheveled appearances, open eyes, or unclosed mouths. Describing […]
Why Are Bodies So Hard, Cold, and Darker Looking in a Casket?
The answer lies in a mix of facts and perception, often influenced by myths and fears we’ve picked up over time. First off, embalming is meant to temporarily preserve the body, giving loved ones and the community time to say goodbye in a safe way. But embalming is also an art—some funeral directors are like […]
Ask The Funeral Director- What Are Bodies Capable of After They Die
What Are Bodies Capable of After They Die? Do bodies move or make noise after they die? That’s probably the most popular question I’ve been asked throughout my career. So, let’s put aside the myths and give you the facts from my point of view. First question: Do bodies sit up after they die? The […]
To Give or Not to Give: The Importance of Blood Donation
O’Connell’s has been a preferred partner of the Red Cross for many years. How does a funeral home become a chosen companion of the Red Cross? By being a civic-minded leader who is always geared towards giving back to the greater community. So, I ask you to challenge yourself: Would you give of yourself to […]
How Positive Affirmations Can Help The Grieving Process
Losing a loved one is one of the most significant and stressful life events that all humans must experience. Navigating grief will be different for each person but it can be really helpful to validate the sadness before trying to move through it. Affirmations are a helpful tool for dealing with intense feelings of grief […]
Should I donate my body to science? – new podcast
Listen to our latest Good Grief podcast, where we talk about the specifics of body donation, such as the different types of body donation, how the process unfolds, if we can choose where our body is going to be used for, etc. Please share this with a friend that you think would benefit from it.
A bucket list PDF download for you
When it comes to our health and wellness, sometimes we get stuck in a routine that might not always be the best for us. We care about you and want you to make healthy choices, so we put together a bucket list of ideas for you to inspire you. 1. Download the PDF 2. Print […]
Hospice care and end of life decisions with Kate Garza, a social worker at Moments Hospice
Listen to our latest Good Grief podcast where we talk to our guest Kate Garza, social worker at Moments Hospice, about the specifics regarding hospice care. Resources mentioned in this podcast: 12 questions for the holidays (free PDF): 5-days of grief & the holidays (free meditation video series): Moments Hospice – (763)-205-3600 Moments Hospice serves […]
Honoring all lives lost to overdose
Losing a loved one to addiction and overdose hurts terribly. It leaves us with many questions, but not many answers. However, coming together with family and friends to honor the life of a loved one, share stories and support one another can help us begin the grief journey. O’Connell Family Funeral Homes can gently guide […]
Funerals should celebrate the life of our loved ones and the best funeral directors make it happen!
When someone dies, we have a funeral because it helps us. It’s for those of us who are still here, who need to grieve. It doesn’t need to be like the funerals we’ve experienced before. It can be a beautiful reflection of a life well-lived. O’Connell Family Funeral Homes is honored to help families pay […]
A Message to the Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic
For anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing has been more than just an inconvenience – it has limited your options for gathering to mourn, reflect and say goodbye. During this challenging time, there is one constant. O’Connell Family Funeral Homes is here, to help you, […]
Coronavirus: Stay safe and healthy
O’Connell Family Funeral Homes are preparing for Coronavirus The Coronavirus has overwhelmingly engrossed our lives. It’s hard to miss it. Wherever you go, it’s the center of the conversation. A few weeks ago we joked about it. People joked that it was merely a hangover from too much Corona. But the humor in it is […]
