J.A. Funk Funeral Home

J.A. Funk Funeral Home, located at 318 Ash Street in Malvern, Arkansas, is a locally owned and operated full-service funeral home dedicated to providing compassionate, sincere, and professional care to families during their most difficult times. With a strong commitment to sincerity, honesty, and integrity, the funeral home has served the Hot Spring County community for over two decades under the leadership of owner John Allan Funk, a fourth-generation native of the area. John Allan brings more than 40 years of experience in the funeral profession and takes great pride in serving his hometown. His late father, Bill Funk, who served as Malvern’s chief of police for many years, was also a licensed funeral director and assisted countless families through their loss.

The funeral home’s building itself has a rich and storied history. Originally constructed as a mortuary in 1952 by local mortician Milton Kidder, it was used as a funeral home until 1965. The building was then purchased by the First Presbyterian Church congregation and served as a place of worship until a devastating lightning strike ignited a fire in June 1994. The fire, along with smoke and water damage, left the structure uninhabitable and roofless. After the roof was replaced a year later, the building sat vacant for five years until John Allan Funk purchased it in September 2000 and began an extensive renovation. Licensure was granted by the Arkansas State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors in February 2001, and operations commenced shortly thereafter. In 2003, the facility was enhanced with the addition of a large carport accommodating at least five family cars, and the 140-foot driveway was widened and paved. Plans exist to restore the 3,500-square-foot second story to serve as an employee lounge and a private three-bedroom, two-bath apartment.

J.A. Funk Funeral Home offers a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of every family. These include traditional burial, cremation, viewing, visitation, funeral ceremonies, memorial services, and graveside services. The staff is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and all calls are answered personally by local staff members—not an out-of-state answering service. The funeral home prides itself on offering top-quality merchandise and affordable pricing, and honors any burial association certificate at 100% of its face value. For those wishing to plan ahead, experienced staff assist with pre-arranged funerals and insurance-funded prepaid plans underwritten by Security Plan Life Insurance Company of Little Rock.

Accessibility is a priority, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot on-site. The business is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and remains unclaimed but highly rated at 4.9 stars with 11 reviews on Google Maps. The funeral home is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and the Arkansas Funeral Directors Association (ARFDA), reflecting its dedication to professional standards and community service.