Life Amongst The Departed: Growing Up In A Funeral Home

In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast hosted by Dave Roberts, guest Kevin O'Connor shares his life experiences and insights from growing up in a family-owned funeral home. Kevin discusses his book Two Floors Above Grief, which captures the unique living and working environment of his family. He delves into the intricacies of funeral directing, the impact of a supportive family dynamic, and the influence of handwritten letters. Kevin also touches on the role of nostalgia in grieving and the importance of respecting each individual's grief journey. We cover additional topics such as resilience, family bonds, ,the unseen emotional labor of funeral directors.,the beauty and individuality in the grief process and t the profound impact of those who provide essential services during times of loss.Kevin's Bio And Contact InformationIn addition to writing and publishing Two Floors Above Grief, Kevin O’Connor enjoys chronicling the stories of families and friends through tracing genealogical histories, writing and picture collections. His prior writing includes personal letters, articles in professional publications, dissertation, anthologies and presentations delivered at conferences, seminars and webinars. He brings people together personally and professionally. Collaborating with friends and relatives, he plans family and class reunions. He has performed in over 30 theater productions since the 1970s. He has been active with SMART Ride, a bicycling group that rode annually from Miami to Key West, raising funds for HIV awareness, treatments and education. He was an elementary teacher, principal, professor and curriculum coordinator in California, Illinois and Florida from 1973-2020. In his final educational position, he authored content and provided training in areas including support LGBTQ advocacy, and Sexual Health/Family Life. He resides in Ft. Lauderdale with his husband, Leon. Their family includes five sons and seven granddaughters. He references further connections to this book, continues his stories, and highlights perspectives about his interests at www.kevinoconnorauthor.com. and on his Instagram site @thegriefnavigator.Additional Contact InformationE-mail: [email protected]: 8 1 5 -5 4 6- 1 0 7 6Social Media : In addition to Instagram, Kevin can also be found on Facebook, Linkedin and PinterestThe Teaching Journeys Podcast can be found on Apple, Spotify and other podcast platforms. To find out more about Dave, go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com