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How a Well Planned Funeral Can Help Your Family Heal

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:40:49 GMT

With compassion as our compass and service as our purpose, Marshall Memorial will walk beside you through this valley, carrying your hardships as our own, until you find your way forward again.

When loss casts its shadow over your life, Marshall Memorial strives to become a light in your darkest times. We are a hand to hold when you feel unsteady, a shoulder to cry on when grief overwhelms, and a steady presence offering support and guidance through every difficult decision. We undertake what you cannot bear alone—the weight of arrangements, the burden of details, the heaviness of uncertainty—so you can focus on what truly matters: remembering, honoring, and healing.

A funeral is the culmination of all life events and memories of a life well-lived. For centuries, funerals have helped us say goodbye as we honor and remember loved ones who have died. A healing and meaningful funeral also helps bring family and friends together to give and receive loving support during a time of grief and loss.

At Marshall Memorial, we'll help you put the pieces together to create a ceremony that honors a life well-lived and brings hope to those who are grieving.

Plan the Type of Service

Choose what funeral home and director you would like to use to handle your service.
Meet with the funeral director to decide type of service (traditional, cremation, donation).
Look at options for a location to hold your service (funeral home, religious facility, sentimental building, graveside).
Who will be a part of the service? Decide on pallbearers, who will officiate, and who will participate in the service.
Choose music. In many ways, music says what words cannot. We often shy away from expressing emotions, but don’t be afraid to invite people to express their grief. Consider using music as an avenue to bring out what people are thinking and feeling.
Write an obituary or make notes about information you would like to be included in obituary.
Decide on readings for the service. Readings invite mourners to express their emotions while also honoring the unique spirit of the one who has died. Has a poem, lyrics, or movie quote just spoken to you? These words can easily be used as a reading and can add a deeper dimension to the service.
Decide on participation. Inviting others into action at the service can help to engage mourners. Simply put, mourning is the outward expression of our inward grief. To move others toward healing, it is important to invite them to act. You could light candles of remembrance, ask mourners to wear a certain color, or invite friends and family to share a special memory.
Decide on symbols. Symbols are an important aspect of a service because they convey love and comfort, facilitate expression, and offer a focus point for the bereaved. For example, for an artist, you might display examples of their work; for a reader, you might include favorite books. Common symbols are an appropriate religious symbol, flowers, dark clothing, and candles, but you can use whatever feels best to honor your loved one.

Plan the Visitation

The visitation or reception is a time for everyone to gather and express support and sympathy. If you choose, the body may be present, allowing mourners to physically say goodbye one final time. This element also offers a special time for personalization - where you can tell the story of a loved one’s lifetime. At our location in Albertville, Marshall Memorial has plenty of room to accommodate loved ones. Some families choose to bring in food or hire a catering service.

Plan the Eulogy/Remembrance

In many ways, the eulogy may be the single most important aspect of a service. After all, it is a special set-aside time to acknowledge and affirm the significance of the life lived. The eulogy can be delivered by a clergy person, a family member, or even by a series of people to create a meaningful moment.

Plan the Gathering After

The gathering is an opportunity for friends and family to come together after the service to share stories and to support each other. This event may occur at Marshall Memorial Funeral Home, an event center, someone’s home, or even a local restaurant. The point of a gathering is to bring people together to share stories, remember a loved one, and connect (or reconnect) with people.

For More Information

If you'd like more information about burial services at Marshall Memorial Gardens in Albertville, AL, Crestview Cemetery in Guntersville, AL, or Brookwood Cemetery and Memorial Gardens in Arab, AL, please contact Courtney Long at (256)878-1236

Marshall Memorial Funeral Home

3368 AL Hwy 205 N

Albertville, AL 35950

How to Plan a Funeral

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:01:03 GMT

Funeral Planning Checklist

Funeral Planning Checklist

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming to your surviving family and friends, but pre-planningyour funeral service can help them better deal with the stress of losing someone.

Choose the Type of Service You Want

Pre-planning your funeral service can not only ease the burden on your loved ones, but it helps ensure your final wishes are honored. While some families struggle with making those final decisions after losing someone, your family won’t have to worry with making those hard choices.

Choose what funeral home and director you would like to use to handle your service.
Decide what type of service you want (traditional, cremation, donation, etc…).
If you choose a traditional service with burial, decide where you want to be buried.
Meet with the funeral director and look at your options for caskets and urns.
If you decide you want to be buried, choose clothing options.
Look at options for a location to hold your service (funeral home, religious facility, sentimental building, graveside).
What type of flowers do you want? Do you want flowers, or would you rather donations be given to a particular charity or a charity of one’s choice?
Who will be a part of your service? You should decide on pallbearers and even ask them personally. You should also decide who you would like to officiate or participate in your service.
Choose which songs you would like played at your service.
Write an obituary or make notes about information you would like to be included in your obituary.

Choose Who You Want to be in Charge

Your family and friends want to take part in the process of fulfilling your final wishes, they only need instructions on what they need to do.

Make sure someone, preferably your executor, has a copy of the will.
Give a family member or chosen friend a list of important account information that will need to be contacted and handled following your death. Also make sure someone knows your final wishes for your desired service.
Designate someone to be your power of attorney.
Have someone prepared to cancel basic utility services and subscriptions.

Choose To Pay In Advance

Making decisions about your funeral service in advance can benefit you and your survivors financially. If possible, pay for all expenses in advance, freeing your family from that financial burden. When possible, pre pay for:

Cemetery services, burial plot
All funeral arrangements including casket, urn, flowers, transportation and specialized services

What Makes Marshall Memorial Funeral Home Different?

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:49:52 GMT

With compassion as our compass and service as our purpose, we walk beside you through this valley, carrying your hardships as our own, until you find your way forward again.

When loss casts its shadow over your life, Marshall Memorial Funeral Home becomes a light in your darkest times. We are a hand to hold when you feel unsteady, a shoulder to cry on when grief overwhelms, and a steady presence offering support and guidance through every difficult decision. We undertake what you cannot bear alone—the weight of arrangements, the burden of details, the heaviness of uncertainty—so you can focus on what truly matters: remembering, honoring, and healing.

Why are Funeral Directors Referred to as "Undertakers?"

In the truest sense of the word "undertaker," we undertake the hardships of the bereaved. For generations, funeral directors have been called undertakers because they took upon themselves the burdens of grieving families—and at Marshall Memorial Funeral Home, we honor this sacred calling every day.

Where Is Marshall Memorial Located?

Marshall Memorial Funeral Home is located at 3368 AL Hwy 205 N Albertville, AL 35950. We own Marshall Memory Gardens cemetery which is located on-site in Albertville, AL and Crestview Cemetery located on Crestview Rd, Guntersville, AL 35976 and Brookwood Cemetery and Memorial Gardens located at 2237 Guntersville Rd, Arab, AL 35016.

Who Do I Contact to Make Arrangements for a Funeral or Burial?

To make funeral arrangements or for information on any of our cemeteries, please call Courtney Long at 256-878-1236.

Marshall Memorial Funeral Home is Under New Management

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 12:20:06 GMT

Guntersville, AL Native Courtney Long named Manager for Marshall Memorial Funeral Home

We are pleased to announce that Courtney Long has been named Manager for Marshall Memorial Funeral Home in Albertville, AL, Crestview Cemetery in Guntersville, AL, and Brookwood Cemetery in Arab, AL.

Courtney grew up in Marshall County and is a graduate of Guntersville High School. She lives in Guntersville with her husband, Jay, and their 5 kids. She began working in the industry in 2018 and has family buried at Crestview Cemetery. When she isn't busy working at the funeral home or one of the cemeteries, she is involved with her kids activities which include musicals, swim, and various sports.

Having family buried at Crestview Cemetery, she realizes first hand the amount of work that needs to be done to bring it, Marshall Memory Gardens in Albertville, and Brookwood Cemetery in Arab up to the standards that our customers deserve and she is eager to show the community that it is a new day at Marshall Memorial and our cemeteries. She looks forward to giving you a place where you can be proud to honor your loved ones.