David Massam-Managing Director
David has worked as a Funeral Director for many years and has experience of working with national as well as independent funeral companies. It has been a lifelong goal of his to be able to open up an independent funeral directors in West Lancashire to truly give families the best possible advice, guidance and service in what can be a very distressing time.
David is also a qualified funeral celebrant which means he can also lead funeral services at a crematorium or a burial site in accordance with the wishes of a family. Having completed his formal training, he is a member of the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants.
David is a member of the National Executive of the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors sitting on several committees ensuring standards within the funeral profession and conducts assessments
David studied at the University of Central Lancashire before joining Lancashire Constabulary serving the community of West Lancashire. He joined the funeral profession soon after having witnessed the importance of their role in helping families in such a distressing time.
In his spare time, David is a keen singer and has spent many years as an RAF Reservist working within music services for the cadet forces and is proud to have led the Royal Air Force Air Cadet National Choir and has now retired from the RAFVR(T) and enjoys spending his free time camping and travelling with his beloved (sometimes naughty)Labrador, Winston! He is an active member of the community and volunteers in his spare time as a Medic in a Rugby team and works with several charitable causes.
Charles Marshall - Director
Charles read history at St John’s College, Cambridge, before being called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn. He has been heavily involved in community activities and voluntary initiatives ever since returning home to the local area to manage the family farms.
He became interested in the business partnership with David through his own experience of bereavement and first hand encounters with the funeral profession. Charles and David were childhood friends, their fathers having worked together in agriculture for decades.
A considerable amount of his spare time is devoted to the administration of charity and to the furtherance of local and regional issues. What little recreational time left is often spent reading and writing history, walking in the great outdoors, cooking his own versions of the culinary masterpieces of the late great Keith Floyd and the peerless ‘Two Fat Ladies’, and following the instructions of his two beloved Maine Coon cats.
His connection to Parbold goes back some time, as his family were resident at Parbold Hall until the First World War.
Charles is keen to assist the local community by providing this essential service for the benefit of the area.
In his own words; ‘I have every confidence that David and the rest of the team at Massam & Marshall will do their utmost to help those in need of this essential service, and that all will be done with complete courtesy, compassion and professionalism. Thank you very much to all of our clients for sharing this confidence in us, we will not let you down’.
Wendy Chalke - Funeral Director
We are so pleased that Wendy has joined our new Southport Team having had a long career within the funeral profession starting with H Johnson and Sons in Churchtown and Banks before working at Howard’s Funeral Directors when still Independently owned.
Wendy shares the same passion for our clients as the rest of the team and is excited and humbled to be able to assist in our vital work. Wendy lives in Southport with her two beautiful children and partner Michelle. In her spare time she is an amazing vocalist and can be regularly seen performing in hotels in and around southport.
Charlotte Long - Funeral Director
Charlotte joins us from a background of retail management and her skills of organisation and empathy make her the perfect addition to our Casual Directing Team. Charlotte has lived in Parbold her entire life and is part of the fabric of the village having taken leading parts along with directing in the ever popular local pantomime and an active role as secretary of the local Badminton Club.
She lives in the village with her husband and two lovely children and is passionate about providing a warm, caring and compassionate service.
Charlotte has been trained in house at Massam and Marshall Independent Funeral Directors but has also added her own unique, caring touch and has supported many families in her local area.
Joanne Bruder - Funeral Director
Joanne served 20 years in Merseyside Police latterly as a dog handler before retiring and joining the funeral profession and joins us from a national company in the hope that she can offer more to our clients as an independent funeral director.
Joanne lives in the area and is a passionate charity worker and enjoys long walks with her beloved dogs and occasionally her partner!
Elaine O’Neill
Elaine joins our reception team keen to bring her experience of working with people to our skill set. Elaine spent many years as a carer before becoming a warden for a local retirement community. Elaine is an active member of her community having been involved in her local AmDram group as well as being one of our regular team members leading the bereavement café.
When she is not at work she enjoys being on regular Granny duties to her wonderful grandchildren who live just round the corner from her.
Terry Holden
Terry is our lead Casual funeral operative and brings with him a wealth of life experience having previously served within the Military and worked in various occupations in his life. He has a very keen eye for detail, is diligent and very passionate about the service we provide for our families and works as part of our on call team.
In his spare time, Terry keeps fit by completing ultra marathons as well as VERY long distance walking.
Our funeral Team
Our funeral team consists of ex-forces, police, fire brigade and funeral employees, all of whom have extensive experience serving the public and who bring their skills of professionalism, respect and empathy to the team as they complete their duties with the very highest standards. We are proud to have them working with us as they undertake to serve your family in the most difficult of times.