054 What Obituaries Teach Us About Living a Life That Actually Matters | The Obit Lady Mary McCreevy

Episode Overview

In a culture obsessed with achievement, titles, and appearances, obituaries quietly tell a different story.

In this deeply moving and surprisingly joyful conversation, Steve Harris welcomes Mary McGreevey, the woman behind the viral project Tips From Dead People, to talk about what thousands of obituaries have taught her about life, legacy, empathy, and meaning.

Rather than focusing on famous people or polished lives, Mary highlights everyday individuals — complicated, funny, flawed humans — and shows why those stories resonate most.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why the best obituaries make you wish you’d known the person

• What really matters at the end of life (hint: it’s not resumes or awards)

• How reading obituaries can increase empathy — for others and ourselves

• Why sharing imperfections may be the most loving legacy for kids and grandkids

• The surprising healing power of honest storytelling during grief

• How grandpas (and grandmas) can use stories to connect across generations

• Why “zig‑zag lives” are not failures — they’re often the richest stories

Memorable Moments & Ideas

• “The little things are the big things.”

• Why we’re all likely forgotten in three generations — and why that’s freeing

• The power of love/hate lists as a storytelling tool

• Why honest obituaries can be healthier for grief than polished tributes

• How stories create empathy across political, cultural, and generational lines

About the Guest

Mary McGreevey is a writer, speaker, and creator behind Tips From Dead People, where she shares powerful lessons from everyday obituaries. Her work has been featured in Reader’s Digest and beyond, and she speaks to organizations about individuality, empathy, and storytelling.

Follow Mary:

• Instagram / TikTok: @tipsfromdeadpeople

• Mary's Substack\

• Intro Video about Tips From Dead People

About The Grandpa Channel

The Grandpa Channel is a podcast about capturing the good stuff — stories, wisdom, humor, and hard‑won lessons worth passing down. Hosted by a real grandpa, it’s for kids, parents, and grandkids who believe stories matter because people matter.

📘 Free Resource: Steal Our Best Plays — 10 legacy‑level ideas to help grandpas show up in ways that matter 👉 www.thegrandpachannel.com/playbook

Closing Thought

If this episode made you laugh, cry, or rethink what really matters — share it with someone who needs a reminder that their story counts.