Why Preserving Family Artifacts Matters: Lessons from a Mortuary Childhood with Kevin O’Connor

Ever wondered how preserving family artifacts could deepen connections across generations? In this episode of Buried in Work, host Adam Zuckerman chats with author and family historian Kevin O'Connor about his one-of-a-kind upbringing above his family’s mortuary. Kevin’s memoir, Two Floors Above Grief, offers an intimate look into his Victorian childhood home, a place where life and death intertwined daily. Growing up in a family-owned funeral home shaped Kevin's views on grief, family, and the profound significance of preserving history.Join us as Kevin shares his journey of organizing family letters, artifacts, and heirlooms and offers tangible tips for anyone wanting to preserve their family’s legacy. You'll hear his insights on handling grief, respecting family history, and the value of physically organizing letters, photos, and mementos. Kevin also explains the emotional impact of saving these treasures and how they can offer comfort, understanding, and a unique perspective on life.Whether you have boxes of old letters in the attic or want to build a family archive, this episode guides you through the process of creating a meaningful family history. Kevin’s journey serves as a touching reminder that preserving our past can offer solace in the present and guidance for the future.In this episode, you’ll discover:• Why preserving family artifacts can create a powerful legacy• Kevin’s personal journey growing up in a mortuary and how it shaped his understanding of grief and family• Practical steps for organizing family letters, photographs, and artifacts• How to catalog and sequence family history for future generations• The unique emotional value that comes from physical artifacts versus digital recordsGet in touch with Kevin O’Connor:• Kevin’s Website: https://www.kevinoconnorauthor.com/• Order his book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMZ5P3RF• Kevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmoconnor/• Kevin’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.oconnor2Social media:Buried in Work YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buriedinworkBuried in Work on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buriedinworkBuried in Work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buriedinwork/If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing to Buried in Work, leaving a review, or sharing it with a friend. For more estate planning resources, visit buriedinwork.com. Your support helps us continue bringing expert insights to help you simplify estate planning and secure your financial future.