Pioneering Marcella’s 30 years in the funeral business
A funeral director who was one of few females in the job when she began her career has celebrated her anniversary with Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors.
Marcella McDonagh started in the sector three decades ago. After moving to the area, she joined Ives & Shand in Parkstone, Poole, where she has now dedicated 20 years of service.
She said that in her early days there were very few female funeral directors, but now she believes there are more taking it as a career than men.
When I began my career in the funeral profession in the early 90s, I was one of only a handful of women entering the field at that time – and one of the very few to do so without any family connection to the industry.
It was still a very traditional, male-dominated profession, and most people came into it having grown up around it.
I was stepping into the unknown, driven not by legacy but by personal calling and the unwavering support and encouragement of my mum and dad.
Marcella McDonagh
Funeral Director
“My journey began in my home city of Sheffield, straight after leaving school, because I had watched a documentary about embalming and the care of the deceased.
“I was deeply moved by the dignity, respect, and quiet service that underpinned the work and something within me just clicked. From that moment, I knew where I was meant to be.
“At the time, women were often behind the scenes in the office, but rarely out conducting funerals.
“Careers advisers never mentioned funeral work – especially not to girls. If you wanted it, you had to really want it and be ready to prove yourself.
“I started at a funeral directors in Sheffield and gained experience in every part of the role, from preparing coffins, washing vehicles and driving the ambulance to chauffeuring limousines and supporting families at funerals. I embraced every opportunity to learn.
“After relocating to Dorset, I enrolled at a college in the Salisbury School of Funeral Sciences and gained my National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) qualification.
“Since joining Douch Family Funeral Directors 20 years ago, I’ve worked at the Ives & Shand branch in Parkstone, where I’ve had the privilege of supporting many, many families through one of life’s most difficult moments.
Each funeral is unique, each story different, and I consider it a deep honour to be entrusted with such a personal responsibility.
Marcella McDonagh
Funeral Director
“Over the years, the profession has changed enormously. Today, in some areas, more women are entering the funeral profession than men – something that would have been almost unthinkable when I started.
“I’ve always felt supported in the Douch family, where training, development, and progression for all staff have been genuinely championed.
“The families I’ve met have left lasting impressions, and many remain in my thoughts -some are even still in touch. I’ve kept every card, every letter, and every kind note I’ve received.
“They remind me why I do what I do, and why it continues to be a privilege, even after all these years.”
Like the clergy, funeral directors were once very male-dominated.
But as society changed so has the funeral industry and we recognised this in our family business many years ago.
Marcella has been at our Ives & Shand branch since she began with us and the branch is always busy and the feedback from families is always extremely positive.
Our team includes many exceptional female funeral directors who bring diverse experiences and strengths to their roles.
Nick Douch
Managing Director of Douch Family Funeral Directors
