THE STORY OF MASSEY BROS. FUNERAL DIRECTORS BEGINS THREE GENERATIONS AGO IN THE 1930S.
Our History
Family-owned and managed by the second and third-generation descendants of the company’s founders.
Remembering Freddie Maguire
(1947–2025)
In May 2025, we lost not only our dad, mentor, colleague, and chairman, but also a true guiding light for Massey Bros. His journey with Massey Bros. began in 1972, when he joined the family-run firm and helped shape it into the compassionate, community-centred organisation it is today.
Taking the helm in the late 1970s, Freddie combined vision with hard work. He led the transformation from a modest funeral parlour to a respected city-wide provider, overseeing the opening of multiple branches across Dublin. Yet, growth for Freddie never meant sacrificing personal care - each expansion reflected his unwavering belief that every family deserved genuine empathy, respect, and dignity.
He believed deeply in leading by example: you could see it in the way he greeted each family, sat quietly during service preparations, and always offered a reassuring word. He embedded the company’s core values - trust, compassion, and humility - into every chapter of growth.
One phrase defined Freddie’s mission: “Honouring Life.” To him, this meant doing more than delivering funeral services. It meant caring for the deceased with tender attention, supporting bereaved families with empathy, and actively enriching the communities where Massey Bros. has a presence.
“I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith”
Freddie Maguire
Under his direction, the company became a sponsoring partner of youth sports teams, an advocate for hospice fundraising, and the host of community coffee mornings and social events. Freddie believed we had a duty not just to our clients, but to the places and people around us and he made community-building a genuine commitment, not just a marketing strategy.
His colleagues, friends, clients, and even competitors used the same word to describe him: gentleman. Those who worked with him remember his quiet dignity, his always steady presence in the branches and his unwavering support for both staff and families alike. No one ever doubted that his kindness was sincere - he lived it every day.
Freddie’s passing has left both a void and a legacy. His daughter, Susan Guinan, leads as Managing Director. His sons, Peter, Robert and Andrew Maguire, continue as Directors, with his son William Maguire maintaining the Massey Bros.’ fleet to the highest standard. They are joined by their mother, Aileen Maguire, also a director, who quietly ensures that every last detail is in place across the branches. Together, they’re determined to carry forward the values their father nurtured: caring first and always, and honouring lives through action and presence.
Though he is deeply missed, the company he shaped remains true to his values. Every service we arrange, every community event we support, every grieving family we accompany - that all happens because of the foundation he built.
This is our way of honouring Freddie’s memory: living our mission with both dedication and compassion.
The story of Massey Bros. Funeral Directors begins three generations ago in the 1930s.
Butchers by profession, the family ran a number of shops throughout Dublin.
Patrick and Lawrence Massey, along with their sister Annie (Cissie) decided to establish a funeral business in response to a growing number of suggestions to do so by customers of their butcher shops.
The company’s office at 129 Thomas Street was Massey Bros’, first premises and included stables for the horses and space for motor vehicles and carriages. This was a time in history when funeral homes as we know them today did not exist.
In the beginning, business progressed slowly and the family continued to also maintain their butchers’ shops. Over time, differences of opinion on the direction of the business led to a split in the company with Patrick Massey starting his own funeral business in The Coombe in 1945.
The Massey brand continued to grow in popularity and demand with the children and nephews of the founders taking over the business now with the involvement of their own children.
In 1972, Freddie Maguire (son of Cissie and Patrick) joined the business. He quickly realised that to secure the family business's expansion, growth was required.
And so, the first ‘Funeral Home’ came into being, located on the upper floors of their Thomas Street premises, followed by funeral homes on Cabra Road, in Templeogue and in Finglas.
Today the company has ten funeral homes which include spaces created in response to increased demand for an alternative to a traditional church funeral, especially by families who have no particular religious affiliation.
“When my mother alongside her brothers established the company more than 80 years ago they did so out of a desire to support and care for local bereaved families. That support and care still lies at the heart of the company today.”
Freddie Maguire
(1947–2025)
Our Values
Since the company was first established in the 1930s, three generations of the Massey family have dedicated themselves to looking after families and their loved ones all over Dublin and throughout Ireland.
Respect
We deal with everyone in all we do, no matter how difficult, with the greatest of respect and compassion at all times.
Go the Extra Mile
No matter what the request, we are committed to going the extra mile, so that families can create their own fitting tribute to their loved one in their own unique way.
Trust
The trust the families we take care of place in us is something we value greatly. It is met with a level of openness and transparency on our part that ensures that individual wishes are respected and met at all times.
