phillips-riley funeral home obituaries
When someone we love passes, finding information about their life, legacy, and memorial arrangements is vital. One trusted source in Montgomery, Alabama is phillips-riley funeral home obituaries, a family‑operated establishment serving the community since 1982. Their obituary listings serve both as respectful remembrances and practical references for loved ones and friends.
Introduction to Phillips‑Riley Funeral Home
phillips-riley funeral home obituaries, located at 2284 West Fairview Avenue in Montgomery, AL, has been dedicated to supporting families during their most vulnerable moments. Founded in 1982, this funeral home emphasizes compassion and professionalism in equal measure. Their commitment to excellence is evident in the range of services they offer—from full traditional funerals and memorial ceremonies to cremation options, green burials, and webcasting of services.
But it isn’t just services that define Phillips‑Riley; it’s their deep ties to the community. They provide veteran services and operate a reception hall, serve as certified celebrants, and even make arrangements for direct burials or alkaline hydrolysis—a more ecologically considerate alternative to traditional cremation Legacy. Over more than four decades, they have been a calm and caring presence for families navigating grief.
What sets them apart is their proactive approach: pre‑need planning, grief counseling, and assistance with on‑site memorial videos and tribute streams. They recognize that every life is unique and aim to craft services that reflect the values and personality of each individual. That philosophy extends to their obituary listings. Each obituary isn’t just a notice of death—it’s a respectful story, sometimes including personal details, achievements, and tributes.
How to Access Obituaries
Official website listings
The easiest way to find obituary and service information is via Phillips‑Riley’s own website. Their “Obituaries” section, accessible with menus like “VIEW ALL OBITUARIES”, is regularly updated. Visitors can find names, passing dates, and service details. For example, recent listings from July and June 2025 include Mary Knox, Love Dixon, Jessiah Clay, Willie Mae Smith, Laura Mae Harris, among others .
Partner platforms (Legacy.com, Articobits)
To reach a broader audience, Phillips‑Riley collaborates with platforms like Legacy.com and Articobits. On Legacy.com, obituaries are extended with grief support tools: options to send sympathy gifts, write memorial messages, view service scheduling, or access planning resources . Articobits, meanwhile, aggregates obituary notices and displays brief summaries that link back to the official listings .
Local news syndications
phillips-riley funeral home obituaries often appear in regional newspapers—such as Corsicana Daily Sun or Bangor Daily News—though these tend to be less consistent and focus more on funeral‑home‑prepared content rather than full obituary narratives . These outlets are secondary but useful for reaching readers outside Montgomery and capturing audience interest.
Recent Obituaries
Overview of passing dates & services
According to the Articobits feed, here are some recent passings:
- Mary Knox: Passed July 8, 2025, Montgomery, AL (services TBD)
- Love Dixon: July 6, 2025, Montgomery (services pending)
- Jessiah Clay: July 1, 2025, infant (services pending)
- Willie Mae Smith and Laura Mae Harris: June 29, 2025—services set for early July at local churches/chapel.
This snapshot shows how recent listings cover a range of ages and backgrounds.
Highlighted individuals
- Willie Mae Smith passed June 29 and has a service scheduled on July 12, 2025, at Peoples Missionary Baptist Church; officiated by Rev. Harold…
- Laura Mae Harris also passed June 29; her service is set for July 5, 2025, at Phillips‑Riley Chapel, presided over by Rev. William Funderburg .
- Violet Tolbert, deceased June 24, will have her service on July 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the chapel .
These announce the names, passing and scheduled service dates—often weeks in advance—allowing time for family and friends to make arrangements to attend.
Navigating Service Information
Viewing service dates & locations
For each obituary, Phillips‑Riley includes:
- Date and location of departure (city, state)
- Schedule for funeral, memorial, or graveside service
- Name of officiating clergy and event venue
Whether it’s held at Peoples Missionary Baptist Church, Phillips‑Riley’s own chapel, or a graveside service at Eastwood Memorial Gardens, details are typically spelled out clearly in the obituary text .
Using Legacy.com for service planning
When using Legacy.com, you’ll also find options to:
- Subscribe for updates on a given obituary
- Share condolence messages or memory stories
- View tribute videos or audio readings
- Get logistical details: times, addresses, and links to online services or livestreams Legacy
This functionality helps distant friends or relatives join memorial events even if they are unable to travel.
Sending Condolences & Memorials
Flowers, tree planting, and donations
Apart from being informative, the obituary listings enable acts of kindness. Options typically include:
- Sending floral arrangements coordinated via links
- Planting memorial trees through online services
- Making donations to charities in the deceased’s name
These features provide comforting avenues to express sympathy.
Online Sympathy Tools
Legacy.com in particular offers:
- Instant messaging of condolences
- Uploading personal photos
- Gifting services to support grieving families
All of this helps reinforce the emotional support network during a time of loss .
Honoring Loved Ones with Tributes
Writing a heartfelt tribute
Writing a tribute for someone you’ve lost is deeply personal. At phillips-riley funeral home obituaries, families are encouraged to provide stories, achievements, passions, and other elements that reflect the true essence of the departed. A tribute goes beyond the basic details like name, age, and date of passing—it offers a glimpse into who that person was, what they loved, and how they impacted others.
When submitting a tribute, loved ones often include personal anecdotes, career highlights, favorite quotes, or life philosophies. For example, you might read about someone’s dedication to a local church, their love for gardening, or how they served their country with honor. These details help readers connect emotionally and create a legacy that extends beyond the printed word.
Additionally, funeral home staff may assist in crafting professional obituaries based on information provided by the family. This is particularly useful when emotions run high and clarity may be difficult to achieve on your own. It’s not just about mourning someone—it’s about celebrating their life.
Adding photos and videos
Phillips‑Riley also enables the inclusion of photographs and even video montages. These visual memories enhance the emotional resonance of the obituary. Whether it’s a graduation picture, wedding photo, or a simple candid moment that captures a smile, visuals bring memories to life.
Video tributes are commonly played during services and can also be uploaded online. These might be slideshows set to music or recorded testimonials from family and friends. Not only do they enhance the ceremony, but they also give distant relatives who couldn’t attend the service a chance to experience a part of it.
Sharing tributes online
Obituaries listed on Articobits and Legacy.com include comment sections where anyone can post a tribute. Messages of love, support, and reflection pour in, allowing the family to see how their loved one touched others’ lives. Some users write poetry, while others share how a single act of kindness years ago made a difference. This open sharing builds a digital memory bank that can be revisited any time.
Pre-Planning Services at Phillips-Riley
The value of planning ahead
One of the most thoughtful gifts you can leave your family is a clear plan. Pre-planning services at Phillips‑Riley Funeral Home offer peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. Instead of making emotional and financial decisions under pressure, you get the chance to choose exactly how you want your life celebrated.
This includes selecting the type of service (burial or cremation), music preferences, religious elements, guest lists, and even the style of your obituary. It gives people the freedom to craft a farewell aligned with their beliefs, values, and financial situation.
Available pre-arrangement packages
Phillips‑Riley offers multiple pre-arrangement packages tailored to diverse needs and budgets. These may include full funeral services with embalming and visitation, direct cremation services, green burials, or minimalist options for those who prefer simplicity.
Some packages even come with life insurance partnerships, where your arrangements are funded in advance. This prevents any financial burden from falling on the family later on. By locking in current prices, families also shield themselves from future inflation in funeral costs.
Benefits for the family
When families know that every detail is taken care of—from music selections to burial location—they’re free to focus on healing and remembrance. It also reduces disagreements or confusion about what the deceased might have wanted. Loved ones can gather, reflect, and celebrate, rather than stressing over logistics.
Moreover, pre-planning allows individuals to leave behind a personalized message, special letter, or photo collection for their families. It transforms a difficult time into a more meaningful experience rooted in love and preparation.
Grief Support and Counseling
On-site grief resources
After the funeral, the emotional journey is far from over. That’s why Phillips‑Riley offers grief support to help families navigate life without their loved one. They provide on-site counseling or can refer families to licensed therapists in Montgomery who specialize in grief and bereavement.
Often, people think they need to “move on” quickly, but grief isn’t linear. Professional support helps individuals understand the stages of grief and cope with everything from sadness and anger to guilt and depression. Having access to grief tools directly through the funeral home can make a huge difference during the healing process.
Online grief libraries and tools
Many families don’t know that Phillips‑Riley provides digital grief resources, including:
- PDF guides on processing grief
- Video interviews with grief counselors
- Articles and journals that address loss from a spiritual, psychological, and social perspective
Whether you’re grieving a spouse, parent, child, or friend, there are tailored resources to guide you forward. Online tools are particularly helpful for those who prefer privacy or are not ready for face-to-face sessions.
Community support groups
Phillips‑Riley also partners with local churches, senior centers, and support circles to host grief-sharing events. These community-based meetings allow people to sit in a safe space, share their stories, and gain strength from others going through similar experiences.
Grieving is less painful when you don’t feel alone. Whether it’s a monthly meetup, a grief-themed Bible study, or a seasonal remembrance ceremony, these programs provide emotional grounding and communal healing.
Veterans & Special Services
Honoring military service members
Veterans hold a special place at phillips-riley funeral home obituaries. The funeral home offers dedicated military services that honor the sacrifice and discipline of those who served. From American flag presentations to taps and honor guard salutes, every detail is respectfully handled to meet military standards.
They also assist families in applying for VA burial benefits, securing military headstones or grave markers, and coordinating burial in national cemeteries when applicable. For veterans, the obituary may highlight their military branch, rank, honors, and duration of service, ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Cultural and religious ceremonies
Whether your family observes Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or secular traditions—or practices from Africa, Asia, or Latin America—Phillips‑Riley honors all cultural and spiritual needs. They offer customized services that incorporate ethnic music, prayer rituals, dress codes, and ceremonial objects.
This inclusivity ensures that every service is not only respectful but also deeply meaningful to the family’s heritage. From gospel choirs to traditional African drumming, the variety of options reflects Montgomery’s rich cultural tapestry.
Celebrations of life and modern alternatives
Some families prefer a non-traditional approach, such as “celebration of life” events. Phillips‑Riley offers venues where you can play upbeat music, display photo albums, enjoy catered food, and even host events outdoors. For those looking for alternatives to typical religious services, these celebrations offer a joyful and healing experience.
Understanding Cremation and Burial Options
Traditional Burial Services
For many families, traditional burial remains the most familiar and comforting choice. Phillips‑Riley Funeral Home provides full-service burials that include embalming, viewing, a funeral ceremony, and graveside services. The funeral directors work closely with each family to select a casket, arrange transportation, coordinate clergy, and prepare the body for viewing.
Cemeteries often hold sentimental or cultural significance, and families are given the opportunity to select burial plots that suit their needs. Whether it’s a single grave, a family plot, or a private mausoleum, Phillips‑Riley ensures that every detail is respectfully executed. Families can also opt to personalize headstones or markers with quotes, photos, or custom engravings.
Moreover, funeral packages often include floral arrangements, music selections, memorial programs, and printed obituaries. These ceremonies are deeply rooted in tradition and provide a structured, reverent environment for saying goodbye. There’s a sense of finality and closure that can bring peace, especially when the deceased’s final wishes are honored with care.
Cremation Services
Cremation has become an increasingly popular choice due to its flexibility and lower cost compared to traditional burials. At Phillips‑Riley, families can choose direct cremation (without a ceremony) or cremation following a traditional service.
Cremation offers the ability to hold services at a later date or even multiple memorials in different locations. Families may choose to keep the remains in an urn, scatter them in a meaningful place, or inter them in a family plot or niche. Urns can be customized to reflect the loved one’s personality or passions, and keepsake jewelry options allow family members to carry a piece of their loved one with them.
The funeral home provides expert guidance on legal requirements, permits, and respectful handling of the remains. For those unsure about the process, consultations are available to answer any questions and ensure informed decisions.
Eco-Friendly and Alternative Options
For environmentally conscious families, Phillips‑Riley also explores alternative options such as green burials and alkaline hydrolysis. Green burials avoid the use of embalming fluids and metal caskets, opting instead for biodegradable materials. These burials take place in natural settings, such as conservation cemeteries, which help protect and preserve local ecosystems.
Alkaline hydrolysis, sometimes called “water cremation,” is a newer method that uses a water-based solution to break down the body in a gentle, eco-friendly way. Though not yet widespread, this method appeals to those who prioritize sustainability.
Creating Personalized Memorials
Customizing Funeral Programs
A funeral program is much more than a schedule of events—it’s a keepsake that honors the memory of your loved one. Phillips‑Riley offers beautifully designed, customizable programs that include biographies, photos, scriptures, poems, and personal notes. These printed materials can be shared with attendees and mailed to those who couldn’t attend.
Families can choose themes, color schemes, and layouts to reflect the personality of the deceased. For instance, a nature lover might have a program adorned with leaves and trees, while a musician might be remembered through a design with musical notes and lyrics.
These thoughtful touches turn an ordinary service into an extraordinary tribute. People tend to hold onto funeral programs for years, and they become treasured pieces of family history.
Tribute Videos and Slideshows
One of the most moving parts of any memorial is the tribute video—a montage of images and music that tells the story of a life well lived. Phillips‑Riley helps families create slideshows from old photos, videos, and even letters. They can be set to meaningful songs and displayed during the service or uploaded to the obituary page for online visitors.
Tribute videos are especially valuable when distant family members can’t attend in person. Watching these videos online allows them to feel included and share in the collective memory.
Memorial Websites and Online Guestbooks
Each obituary hosted on platforms like Legacy.com or Articobits includes a guestbook where visitors can post memories, condolences, and stories. These pages become digital memorials—spaces where love and support flow freely across miles and time zones.
Many families return to these pages days, weeks, or even years after the funeral to find comfort in the kind words left by others. Photos, tributes, and candle-lighting features offer symbolic ways to grieve and remember. Phillips‑Riley ensures these pages remain active and accessible long after the service ends.
Connecting with Phillips‑Riley Funeral Home
Contact Information and Location
Located at 2284 W Fairview Ave, Montgomery, AL 36108, Phillips‑Riley Funeral Home is centrally positioned to serve the greater Montgomery area. The facility is easily accessible by major roads and offers ample parking for services and viewings.
Contact details include:
- Phone: (334) 263‑1161
- Email: Available via contact form on their official site
- Website: www.phillipsrileyfuneralhome.com
Walk-ins are welcomed during business hours, and appointments are available for pre-planning, consultations, and funeral arrangements.
Social Media and Online Platforms
In addition to their website, Phillips‑Riley maintains a presence on platforms like Facebook, where they post service announcements, community events, and remembrance posts. They also use Legacy.com and Articobits to host obituaries and provide service details.
These online platforms allow for wide-reaching communication, especially when families have relatives living outside Montgomery. With the digital tools available, friends and loved ones can stay informed, offer condolences, and even contribute to memorial campaigns or donation drives.
24/7 Availability for Emergencies
Death doesn’t follow a schedule—and neither does Phillips‑Riley. The funeral home offers 24/7 emergency support, meaning families can get assistance any time of day or night. Whether it’s an unexpected death or the need for immediate removal, their compassionate staff is ready to respond with professionalism and care.
This round-the-clock service is especially critical in times of sudden loss or when coordinating with hospitals, hospices, or nursing homes. It’s comforting to know that help is always just a phone call away.
Conclusion
Losing a loved one is never easy, but with compassionate care from a dedicated team like phillips-riley funeral home obituaries, the process becomes just a little more bearable. From detailed obituaries to heartfelt services, grief support, and personalized tributes, every element is handled with sensitivity and respect. Whether you’re planning ahead, saying goodbye, or remembering someone special, Phillips‑Riley stands as a pillar of support in the Montgomery community.
They don’t just host funerals—they honor legacies, connect families, and offer comfort in the moments that matter most.
FAQs
Q1: How do I find an obituary from Phillips‑Riley Funeral Home?
A: Visit their official website or partner platforms like Legacy.com or Articobits and navigate to the “Obituaries” section.
Q2: Can I pre-plan my funeral with Phillips‑Riley?
A: Yes, they offer comprehensive pre-planning packages tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Q3: Does the funeral home handle military services?
A: Absolutely. They offer veteran-specific services including flag presentation, taps, and coordination with national cemeteries.
Q4: Are online guestbooks and memorial pages permanent?
A: Yes, most online obituaries remain accessible indefinitely, allowing ongoing tributes and messages.
Q5: What if someone dies unexpectedly at night?
A: Phillips‑Riley offers 24/7 emergency services. Just call their hotline, and a staff member will assist immediately.
