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 […]
Distracted driving affects us all
Life can change in a matter of a second. Just ask Tom and Wendy Goeltz of Hudson. On February 29th, 2016, their young, beautiful and full of life daughter, Megan Goeltz was tragically killed in an auto accident. To make matters worse, it could have and should have been prevented. Distracted driving due to a cell […]
You’re grounded. No electronics for a couple of days!
Do the winter months have you in a funk? Do the cold mornings feel cold to your core? Does it seem like the sun rarely is out? I’m not a meteorologist, nor am I a magician who can change the weather. Rather, I’m a realist and mortician who spends most of my day dealing with […]
2019, a year to remember and what’s up for 2020
As I wrap up the year at O’Connell’s, it brings so many feelings, both positive and those not so positive. First, I will be forever amazed at the love and genuine support of the community. March 2, my life changed as my mentor, idol, and Dad died. He was given a righteous send off, thanks […]
Helpful advice for grieving during the Holiday season
Holidays are filled with traditions, but when someone you used to share those moments with has died, managing grief during the holiday season can be particularly challenging. Mental and physical preparation are your best tools for managing the feelings that may accompany holidays. While family members, particularly children, may want things to be as they’ve […]
4 reasons to pre-arrange a funeral
O’Connell Family Funeral Homes knows families have the best intentions when having to plan a funeral, but sometimes people have different opinions on what they think their loved ones might have wanted – thus causing conflict. Intense emotions, personality conflicts, and financial pressures to pay for services can bring additional stressors. Pre-arranging your funeral assures […]
Woman are helping lead the way in the funeral business
The funeral industry is built with rituals and consistency. Funeral rites are as old as the human race itself. But today, the funeral industry is one of constant change and trends. An exciting trend happening is women entering the field to become funeral directors. Several decades ago, it was very uncommon for women to be […]
You Can Save up to Three Lives in Just Fifteen Minutes
The O’Connell Family Funeral Homes Blood Drive The O’Connell family has a long and proud history of serving the communities of Hudson, Baldwin and the greater St. Croix Valley. That’s why we are so excited to host a Red Cross blood drive on August 28th at our Hudson funeral home; 520 11th Street South. But […]
Thank you for helping us celebrate Dad’s life
This month was very special and very difficult at the same time. We said goodbye to our patriarch, Thomas ‘Tucker’ O’Connell. After 91 years, his body was tired, his mind gave all it had, and he missed mom more than life. But it wasn’t until after the funeral and seeing the wonderful tribute, that I […]
Buy from your local flower shop.
Buy from your local flower shop. When it comes to getting flowers for your loved ones, it seems like ordering online will save you a few bucks. But in the end, you will be more satisfied with flowers purchased from a local flower shop. Time and time again, we see boxes of flowers left outside […]
It’s time to rethink the stages of grief.
Five stages of grief?? I think not! The Kubler Ross stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance), also known as the 5 stages of grief, were first outlined in 1969, when Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s book “On Death and Dying” was published. Her work was a reflection of the grief process of patients who had been diagnosed with terminal illness. Her work would become the […]
