Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home
Audible Logo Your audiobook is waiting!
Enjoy a free trial on us
$0.00
  • Click above for unlimited listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection — yours to keep (you'll use your first credit now).
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $19.95
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

Two Floors Above Grief: A Memoir of Two Families in the Unique Place We Called Home Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 146 ratings
See all formats and editions

As a child in the 1950s, Kevin O’Connor knew his house was different than his friends.

A stately, three-story 19th-century Victorian. His bed tucked next to a stage in a former ballroom. His uncle and aunt lived with their three daughters on the floor below. A large electric organ in a bay window of the first-floor mortuary business. Stacked caskets and an embalming room in the basement.

Nobody had a house like his.

Set from the 1920s to ‘80s, Two Floors Above Grief is full of fascinating details and anecdotes about life as a funeral home child, brought to vivid life through a compelling collection of letters written by O’Connor and various family members, who lived and worked together at the O’Connor Funeral Home in Elgin, Illinois. Blending the 24-hour business of death and its constantly ringing phone with the joy experienced by his families through music, pets, backyard basketball games, co-parenting, faith, and celebrations, O’Connor offers a reflective love letter to the affirmation of family love and embracing life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Previous page
  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 45 minutes
  2. Author
    Kevin O'Connor
  3. Narrator
    Frank B. Iwan Jr.
  4. Audible release date
    September 29, 2023
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    18th Floor Publishing
  7. ASIN
    B0CJZ75V9Y
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next page

Read & Listen

Switch back and forth between reading the Kindle book and listening to Audible audiobook.
Add the audiobook for a reduced price of $7.49 after you get the Kindle book as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 45 minutes
Author Kevin O'Connor
Narrator Frank B. Iwan Jr.
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date September 29, 2023
Publisher 18th Floor Publishing
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0CJZ75V9Y
Best Sellers Rank #150,323 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#278 in Cultural & Regional Biographies (Audible Books & Originals)
#2,148 in Parenting & Families (Audible Books & Originals)
#4,258 in Relationships (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
146 global ratings
A Life Worth Reading
5 Stars
A Life Worth Reading
Knowing Kevin from my teaching and theater days, I knew his book would be sensitive, thoughtful, and a true depiction of his life two floors above his family’s Elgin Funeral home. I was delighted when he returned to Elgin to share his book with his friends and family; I truly enjoyed reading of his life experiences and meeting his family (they’re characters!) via the written word! It’s a great read!!!
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Jimmi Stevens
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary family connections, shared with love
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
Firstly, I ordered this book because I knew the author from a volunteer event. Secondly, I ordered it because it sounded intriguing.

Until a few weeks ago when I did 23 and me, I knew nothing about my heritage or family history and had never been very curious. Just minutes into this book, I felt hyper-invested in the O’Conner family, of whom I’ve just been introduced. The introduction alone led me to pour over the family tree. Then throughout the read, I kept returning to the family tree to trace the members and keep track of where they were on the tree.

I love a book that paints a picture, and I absolutely felt like I’d been inside the house on Division Street by midway through the book. The detailed description of the woodworking, staircases, stories, made we feel like a docent was walking me through in person.

Some endearing moments were visualizing the sugar bowl flying off the lazy Susan, milk being poured over heads, comparing the grandparents moving journey to that of the Beverly Hillbillies, haircut arguments, Checkers’ train ride, Mildred’s raisin cake, and the description of parents’ lives being a choreographed dance.

Some relatable, but tense moments were the generational misunderstandings between mother and son in regards to activism and the Vietnam War and the time the funeral procession went to the wrong cemetery.

My father passed away in June of 2021 and my stepfather in the fall of 2022. This book helped me feel more grace in their processes of dying. Two special takeaways the author had from his father were the value in chiropractic care and yoga, both of which were ahead of their time. From my dad I took away a love of travel and stepdad a love of politics and education. This book led me to find silver linings in my parentage.

In short, it’s an artfully written tale of two families interconnected more than most, thriving in a mansion under the same roof as funeral parlor, and a decades-long coming out story. Although before reading the book, I would have said no thank you to living above a mortuary, I found myself envious and in admiration of most all aspects of this family. Their connectedness and shared culture was special.

And finally, I love the chapter about serendipity and I love when moments lead us to connections. My serendipitous moment, while reading this book, happened in the Toronto Airport. I was mid-way through the chapter about Catholicism when, on the loud speaker, they started announcing a Catholic mass that was about to take place in the airport. Everyone was invited. Whoa! I’d never heard of a religious service taking place in an airport before, and what are the chances I’d be in that particular chapter when the announcement was made? Thanks for the serendipitous moment. The book was wonderful! I highly recommend it!
13 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Liz Kofsky
4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing change from what I normally read
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
Kevin did a wonderful job in his book Two Floors Above Grief. I felt like I was right in the house with the families who lived their. Such a different read from my normal books, enjoyed very much. A feel good book
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Maria (.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Heart-warming true story about two related families sharing a 3-story house and business
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024
Verified Purchase
This author humbly encourages the reader to read what is of most interest, acknowledging reader differences.

I was intrigued with how the two brothers and their wives got along so well in one house, at least in front of the children. I also have fond memories of cousins or childhood friends who feel like siblings at times.

Kevin O'Connor's book, Two Floors Above Grief, answered my questions about how Funeral Home professionals manage continuing to work with grieving customers. Kevin also gave some examples of how they dealt with death when it got up-close and personal, like Kevin's young grade school pal.

The chapter: Record your Own Family History was inspiring; and the whole book showed this by example. Including the handwritten Raisin Cake recipe and the timing of receiving this birthday cake over-seas was both heart-wretching, loving, and amazing like many family memories can be.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
no name
5.0 out of 5 stars great journey to another family
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed being a part of Kevin’s family as I read this book. It was a great visit getting to know his parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins and all. To part of such a loving group and to see all the interconnections was eye opening. I loved reading his mother’s letters and the supportive environment of his home. I recommend it particularly if it helps you reflect on your own family. Thanks Kevin for sharing the journey.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
LYNN L. KONIOR
3.0 out of 5 stars Slow reading
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Nothing great and I was disappointed.
Helpful
 Report
Enid Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars Nobody Had a House Like His…
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
As a child of the suburbs I remember the most elegant home in every new neighborhood was a big white Victorian that invariably turned out to be the town’s funeral home. I shuddered thinking about what happened inside. Years later, HBO’s “Six Feet Under” dramatized the business in a zany hilarious way. Now along comes “Two Floors Above Grief,” (perfect title), Kevin O’Connor’s loving, charming and amusing memoir of his reality, his upbringing as a funeral home child. It will open your heart to a family business that gave comfort and reassurance to its devoted community while simultaneously finding joy and normalcy among themselves. You’ll be uplifted, entertained and even a little envious of this remarkable family.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Cynthia Morimoto
4.0 out of 5 stars A book worth reading !
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2023
As you read Kevin's book, you'll wish you, too, had grown up as "a funeral home kid", and been part of the Division Street family in Elgin, Illinois. The book is full of lots of memories and joyous occasions in the musical O'Connor family. It's a tribute to his parents, and an inspiration for all of us to keep nurturing relationships over the years. Written with humor and love, this book is a lovely read. Thanks, Kevin. P.S. I'm sorry that I never got to experience the "party barn".
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Dorothy Rosby
5.0 out of 5 stars Great storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
A lovely memoir of an unusual but happy home life. This book paints a picture for the reader of a world most of us couldn't possibly be familiar with. I enjoyed it very much.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Micheline Harvey
5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky, warm, delightful!
Reviewed in Canada on February 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
First, how could I not be attracted by the story of a family who owned and lived in a funeral home? I thoroughly enjoyed this quirky, warm, delightful story of a unique, and yet very relatable family. I feel as if I met each and every member of the family. It's a good read.
Report