We understand that this may be a very difficult and uncertain time.
You may be trying to understand what happens next, what decisions may need to be made, and how best to prepare without feeling overwhelmed.
This guide is here to give you a simple overview. You do not need to have everything decided. When the time comes, our arrangers will guide you through each step with care, clarity and kindness.
The most helpful first step is often a conversation.
Speak with one of our arrangers or arrange a time to visit your local Massey Bros. funeral home.
Speak with an Arranger
Every family is different.
A short conversation with one of our arrangers can often bring great reassurance. We can answer your immediate questions, explain what happens when someone passes away, and talk you through the choices that may need to be made.
You do not need to have all the answers before you call.
We are here to guide you gently, one step at a time.
Understanding Funeral Costs
We understand that costs are an important consideration for every family.
Some families want a full funeral service with repose in the funeral home, music, flowers, printed booklets, limousines and personal touches. Others prefer something quieter and more simple.
There is no right or wrong choice.
Our role is to help you arrange a funeral that feels appropriate for your loved one, while also respecting your family’s wishes and budget.
Funeral Costs Typically Include
The choices that make up the funeral itself:
- •Burial or cremation arrangements
- •Funeral location and logistics
- •Hearse and professional transport
- •Choice of coffin or casket
- •Repose at home or in the funeral home
- •Flowers, music, notices and service booklets
Disbursements (Third-Party Fees)
Fees paid to other providers as part of the arrangements:
- •Cemetery or crematorium fees
- •Church or celebrant offerings
- •RIP.ie and newspaper notices
- •Musicians, soloists and florists
- •Printing of memorial stationery
- •Doctors’ fees where applicable
We will explain these costs clearly, what is included, what is optional, and what is paid to third parties, so you are never expected to make decisions without understanding the costs involved.
Massey Bros. offers a high standard of care, facilities and service, while remaining competitively priced. We will work with you to make choices that fit within your family’s budget.
Visit the Funeral Home
If you are considering having your loved one repose in the funeral home, we would encourage you to visit us if you can.
Seeing the funeral home for yourself can be very reassuring. It gives you the chance to see the rooms, understand the privacy available, and get a sense of the atmosphere.
Our funeral homes are designed to feel calm, warm and welcoming. They offer families a comfortable place to gather, spend time together, receive visitors and say goodbye in their own way.
For many families, seeing the space makes the decision much easier.
You are very welcome to arrange a visit to your local Massey Bros. funeral home.
When Someone Passes Away
When your loved one passes away, you can contact Massey Bros. and we will guide you from there.
Depending on where the death occurs, whether at home, in hospital, in a nursing home or in a hospice, there may be different practical steps involved.
We will explain what needs to happen and liaise with the relevant people where needed.
The usual steps are:
- 1Call Massey Bros.
- 2We guide you through what happens next.
- 3Your loved one is brought into our care.
- 4We arrange a suitable time to meet with you.
- 5Together, we plan the funeral.
There is no need to have everything decided before you call. We will help you through each stage.
Decisions That Can Wait
Please do not worry if you are unsure about any of the details. Many decisions can be made later, with the guidance of your arranger.
These may include:
- The date and time of the funeral
- Whether your loved one will repose at home or in the funeral home
- Burial or cremation
- The church, crematorium, cemetery or other venue
- The funeral notice
- Music and singers
- Readings and prayers
- Flowers
- Mass booklets or orders of service
- Transport and limousines
- Coffin selection
- Personal touches
You do not need to make all of these decisions now. We will talk you through them when the time comes.
Things You May Wish to Think About
Some families find it helpful to think about a few simple things in advance. There is no urgency, and you do not need to have answers to everything.
You may wish to consider:
- A recent photograph
- Clothing you would like your loved one to wear
- Whether repose may be at home or in the funeral home
- Whether burial or cremation is preferred
- Whether the service is likely to be religious, civil or non-religious
- Any favourite music, hymns or songs
- Any readings, prayers or poems that may be meaningful
- Any family members or friends who may wish to take part
- Any personal wishes your loved one may have shared
Even if you are unsure, that is completely normal. We can help you decide what feels right.
Repose at Home or in the Funeral Home
Some families choose to have their loved one repose at home. Others prefer the privacy and comfort of the funeral home.
Both can feel equally meaningful.
It depends on your family, your loved one’s wishes, the space available, and what feels most comfortable for you.
If you are unsure, we would encourage you to visit the funeral home. Seeing the rooms and speaking with an arranger can help you decide what feels right.
Our funeral homes offer calm, private and comfortable surroundings, with our team close at hand to support your family throughout.
Music, Singers and Personal Choices
Music is an important part of many Irish funerals. It can bring comfort, reflect the personality of your loved one, and help create a very meaningful service.
Some families know exactly what music they would like. Others are unsure where to begin. We work with a wonderful network of experienced singers and musicians, and can share links, recordings and examples to help guide your choices and find something that feels right for your loved one.
Depending on the type of service, you may wish to choose music for:
- The entrance
- The responsorial psalm
- The offertory
- Communion
- A reflection
- The final blessing
- The recessional
For a church funeral, families often choose a soloist and organist, but other musicians such as violin, cello or harp may also be suitable.
For a crematorium or civil service, music can be more personal and may include favourite songs, recorded music, live musicians or a mixture of both.
There is no pressure to decide this now. If music is important to your family, we can talk you through what works well and help you create the right atmosphere.
Religious, Civil or Non-Religious Funerals
Funerals today can be religious, civil or non-religious. Some families know exactly what their loved one would have wanted. Others are unsure.
We have deep respect for different traditions, beliefs and family wishes, and we will always take the time to listen and to shape a service around what feels right for you. Whatever your background or beliefs, we can talk you through the options and help you understand what is possible.
A funeral may take place in a church, crematorium, cemetery chapel, funeral home or another suitable setting.
For a Catholic Funeral Mass, we can provide our Funeral Liturgy Guide, which includes readings, psalms, prayers, reflections and suggested hymns.
For a civil or non-religious funeral, we can help you consider music, readings, speakers, personal tributes and the overall structure of the service.
The most important thing is that the funeral feels appropriate for your loved one and your family.
Preparing the Funeral Notice
When the time comes, we can help prepare the funeral notice for RIP.ie or newspaper publication. We will guide you through the wording and send a draft for approval before anything is published.
This usually includes details such as:
- Your loved one’s full name
- Their address or former address
- Family members to include
- Funeral arrangements
- Whether the house is private
- Whether family flowers only are requested
- Any charity donations
- A closing phrase or message
You do not need to have this prepared in advance, but we can help you with it when the time comes.
How Massey Bros. Will Support You
When you choose Massey Bros., you will be guided by an experienced arranger who will take the time to understand your family’s wishes.
We will help with the practical arrangements, liaise with clergy, celebrants, hospitals, nursing homes, crematoria or cemeteries where needed, and ensure that each detail is handled with care.
Our role is to make the process feel clear, calm and supported.
We are here to help you honour your loved one in a way that feels right for your family.
Speak With Us
You do not need to have everything decided before you contact us.
A short conversation can often bring clarity and reassurance.
Massey Bros.
Honouring Life.
Some More Information That May Be Useful
A few additional notes families often find helpful. Tap any item to read more.
If your loved one is at home and their death is expected, the first person to contact is usually their GP, out-of-hours doctor, palliative care team or hospice nurse.
Once the death has been confirmed by a medical professional, you can contact Massey Bros. and we will guide you from there.
There is no need to feel rushed. We will explain what happens next and arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care when the time is right.
A Look Inside Massey Bros.
A small selection of images showing the calm, welcoming spaces families can expect across our funeral homes.
What to Expect from a Massey Bros. Funeral Home
Choosing a funeral home is about more than location. It is about trust, care, comfort and the feeling that your family will be properly looked after.
At Massey Bros., our funeral homes are designed to offer families a calm, thoughtful and welcoming environment at a very difficult time.
When you visit a Massey Bros. funeral home, you can expect:
A warm and professional welcome
Professional, trained staff who care deeply about the families they support, with a warm and respectful welcome from the moment you arrive.
Comfortable surroundings
Modern, comfortable surroundings designed with families in mind, including comfortable seating areas, WiFi access, air conditioning and a calm atmosphere throughout the funeral home.
Private and thoughtful spaces
Private repose rooms where families can spend time together in peace, along with thoughtful spaces for receiving visitors, gathering as a family and pausing in privacy.
Careful standards throughout
High standards of presentation, cleanliness and attention to detail, with facilities that are carefully maintained and prepared for every family.
Guidance through each step
Support from experienced arrangers who will talk you through each step and help with music, flowers, booklets, notices, transport and personal touches.
Coordination on your behalf
A team who can liaise with clergy, celebrants, cemeteries, crematoria, hospitals, nursing homes and other providers where needed.
Funeral choices to suit your family
A choice of funeral options, from simple and private arrangements to a fuller service with repose, music, flowers and personal details, always shaped around your loved one and your family.
Clarity and respect
Clear explanations of costs, including professional fees and third-party costs, with respect for different traditions, beliefs and family wishes.
Thoughtful coffin options
A carefully chosen range of coffins, including premium, standard and eco options, with suitable choices for burial or cremation and for different family budgets.
Professional standards
Membership of the Irish Association of Funeral Directors, reflecting our commitment to professional standards and best practice.
A Massey Bros. funeral home is a place where families can gather, pause, remember and say goodbye in comfort, privacy and dignity.
We would always encourage families to visit if they are considering repose in the funeral home. Seeing the rooms, meeting the team and experiencing the atmosphere for yourself can be very reassuring.
What Families Have Said
A small selection of feedback shared with us by the families we have looked after.
From our very first phone call, the team could not have been kinder. Every detail was looked after with such care and we never felt rushed at any stage.
They guided us gently through every step. The service was beautiful and exactly what our mother would have wanted. We are so grateful.
Professional, warm and deeply respectful. Nothing was too much trouble. They made an incredibly difficult week a little easier for all of us.
We cannot thank the team enough. The kindness, attention and dignity shown to our father and to our family will stay with us always.