We introduce a new mathematical framework for the time discretization of evolution equations with memory. As a model, we focus on an abstract version of the equation \begin{document}$ \partial_t u(t) - \int_0^\infty g(s) \Delta u(t-s)\, {{\rm{d}}} s = 0 $\end{document} with Dirichlet boundary conditions, modeling hereditary heat conduction with Gurtin-Pipkin thermal law. Well-posedness and exponential stability of the discrete scheme are shown, as well as the convergence to the solutions of the continuous problem when the time-step parameter vanishes.