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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Ellison Memorial Funeral Home and owner Aaron Ellison completed a three-plus year project that expands their influence on funeral services in his hometown. Ellison Memorial Funeral Home is one of the high-quality and exceptional funeral homes that reside in Chilton County, giving thousands of residents peace of mind during some of the hardest times in their lives.

The completion of the project was celebrated officially on Nov. 17, 2024 with a dedication service hosted by the funeral home to showcase its new facility additions, and the remodel to its existing facilities as well. The dedication paired with the 14th year of Ellison Funeral Home in service in Chilton County, and tours were given of the facility following the dedication.

“It was a dedication to dedicate it to the service of the community,” Ellison said. “We were able to have a couple special guests (attend with us). It was good to finally be on the backside of (the project).”

The project was a complete remodel of the facility with new additions added on in a new wing of the building. On the top floor, the addition added two new arrangement suites — one specifically for traditional services and one for cremation services. Also on the top floor, a cemetery office for Chilton Memorial Gardens and new selection areas for caskets, urns and other post-life items families may need. The bottom level houses Ellison’s newly expanded body preparation facility and crematory. The facility downstairs has the capabilities to house a large number of deceased persons in coolers before final preparation.

Everything a family would need to send off their loved one in their own special way can be done under one roof at the funeral home now following the completion of the three-and-a-half-year project. The dedication saw prominent figures in funeral service in Alabama attend, including Ken Hammock, Executive Director of the Alabama Funeral Directors Association. Hammock presented Ellison Memorial Funeral Home with a certificate of dedication, and it hangs on the wall in the lobby of the funeral home.

Ellison described being able to offer the citizens in the county he grew up in essential services that everyone will need assistance with at some point in their lives as a blessing. When the initial plans were being made for the project, Ellison told the architect that he did not want to design a building for the current time. He wanted to design a building for tomorrow, and years down the road.

For Ellison, a prominent member in the state board and president-elect of the Alabama Funeral Directors Association, promoting funeral services offers him great opportunities to travel around doing what he loves. But being able to do it where he grew up remains the most special thing to him.

“The community has been very good to me, and them being good to me I have been able to make the investment we have here which is something that will benefit the community for years to come,” Ellison said. “We appreciate everyone that came out, and it was just a good day to showcase what we are able to offer in the line of funeral service. It is good to be able to come home and do that … I get the privilege to travel around the country and promote funeral service, but it is something special to be able to have the opportunity to promote it in your hometown.”

Ellison Memorial Funeral Home is located at 1709 Lay Dam Road, Clanton.