In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, hosts Pete Waggoner and Michael O’Connell sit down with St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knutson to talk about a growing threat facing older adults: scams that prey on kindness, trust, and fear.

From grandparent scams and fake tech support calls to government impersonators and gift card fraud, Sheriff Knutson shares real-world examples from his thirty years in law enforcement. The conversation explores why these crimes are so hard to track, why many victims never report them, and how families can take practical steps to protect their loved ones.

This episode is about awareness, education, and breaking the silence around scams so fewer families are harmed.

In this episode, Mike O’Connell joins Pete Waggoner for a deeply insightful conversation about monuments.

They explore why headstones matter, how design choices tell a story, and what most families don’t know about the planning process. From costs to colors, Mike shares decades of wisdom to help you approach monument decisions with care and creativity.

Whether you’re preplanning or honoring a loved one, this episode will help you understand the value behind these lasting tributes—and how to avoid common mistakes.

Episode Highlights (Timestamps):

• [00:01:00] Why cemeteries are peaceful places for reflection

• [00:02:00] Partnering with Melgard Monument for creative, affordable designs

• [00:04:00] Understanding size limitations, layouts, and regulations

• [00:06:00] Granite types, color families, and weather durability

• [00:08:00] Rules about markers vs. upright monuments

• [00:10:00] One cost includes installation, engraving, delivery, and more

• [00:11:00] Companion vs. single monuments and modern trends

• [00:13:00] Clip art, symbols, etchings, and personalizing a monument

• [00:16:00] The permanence of engraving—and how to avoid errors

• [00:22:00] Polished finishes, contracts, and sign-offs

• [00:26:00] Flower vases, solar lights, and weather risks

• [00:28:00] Cleaning and caring for your monument (toilet bowl cleaner, really!)

• [00:30:00] Resetting and cemetery liability

Takeaways:

• Monument design is an extension of storytelling—your legacy in stone.
  

• One size doesn’t fit all. Style, size, and cemetery rules matter.
  

• Mistakes in engraving are permanent—always double-check before signing.
  

• Trust funds and prepaying can simplify everything for your family.
  

• Adding personal artwork, quotes, or symbols captures who someone really was.
  

Memorable Quotes from Mike O’Connell:

• “If it can be drawn, it can be blasted.”

• “You bought it. It’s yours. The care and cleaning of the monument belongs to the family.”

• “We’re not just marking a grave, we’re honoring a life.”

This heartfelt episode features a candid conversation between Mike and Emma O’Connell, father-daughter members of O’Connell Family Funeral Homes, as they reflect on legacy, loss, and growing up in a family funeral home.

From prom pranks to life-shaping grief experiences, they share the emotional realities and quiet joys that come with serving others in their most tender moments.

Episode Highlights (Timestamps):

• 00:01:00 – The rich family history behind OCFH

• 00:03:00 – How funeral homes evolved from furniture makers

• 00:06:30 – The threat of corporate consolidation in funeral care

• 00:08:00 – Emma’s winding journey to joining the family business

• 00:10:55 – Memories of growing up around the funeral home

• 00:14:30 – Mike’s pride in watching Emma comfort grieving families

• 00:16:30 – Childhood stories (yes, a scooter crash is involved)

• 00:27:00 – Honoring a Pearl Harbor veteran

• 00:32:00 – How grief changed Mike after his brother’s death

• 00:35:00 – Emma’s personal take on compassion and legacy

• 00:41:30 – The values Emma hopes to pass on to the next generation

Takeaways:

• Funeral service is not just a profession, it’s a calling.

• Legacy is built one story, one act of service, and one person at a time.

• Grief, when met with community and compassion, can shape a life of meaning.

• The little moments, like scooter crashes or meatball dinners, often leave the deepest marks.

• Family-run funeral homes offer a level of personal care that corporate chains cannot replicate.

Memorable Quotes

Emma O’Connell:

• You never know what someone’s going through. That’s why compassion matters.

• Grief doesn’t scare me, it unites people.

• My job is to offer comfort in the storm.

• Church basement dinners? A core memory!