After 25 years of serving families in their time of need, Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home is looking with an eye to the future.

Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer Larry Acklin said while he views his family-run corporation as a ministry, it is indeed a corporation, and big things are in store. He hopes to move the Conway funeral home to a new location soon.

Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home celebrated its 25th anniversary on Feb. 27. Acklin said years ago he had an idea to provide a limousine service to funeral homes.

His two brothers, Will and Bobby, were working with him. A woman at a funeral home in Little Rock liked the idea and asked Acklin to begin working some funerals with them.

Through that process, Acklin learned more about funeral homes and decided it was a business he could go into for himself. He went through an 18 month apprenticeship, earned his funeral director's license and opened the funeral home at 1151 Markham Street in Conway.

Now, 25 years later, the corporation has a location in Morrilton that has been open 18 years and one in Little Rock that has been open nine years. Acklin said his family's faith is key to his business.

"We have a very definite and deep commitment to our faith," he said. Whe he opened the business, he thought an appropriate logo would be a picture of praying hands because he intended to "build this business on prayer because of our faith in God."

"The type of work we do.... our families are experiencing one of the worst times in their life. We thank God that he chose us to be here for them. We take that very seriously," he said. Acklin's wife, Ernestine, has a funeral director's license and works part time at the funeral home on the weekends. She works full-time as assistant principle at Julia Lee Moore Elementary School.

"Ernestine has been my primary support in terms of building this business," Acklin said. "If it wasn't for her, things would certainly be different." The couple's children are also a major part of the business. Andre' Acklin is Vice-President and General Manager and worked full-time for the business for about 11 years. He has a degree in sociology. Twyla Acklin-Wyrick is executive office/financial manager. She has a degree in accounting and handles the day to day operations of the corporation, Larry Acklin said.

"One of the very strong points is it's run by family who take care of our clientele," he said. Acklin said it is significant that Larry G. Acklin Funeral Home is one of the oldest businesses in the black community in Conway. However, he was quick to note that the funeral home serves people of all races. "We are a very diverse operation. We serve families of all race, creed, nationalities and religious faith. When it comes to service, we do not see color. What we are committed to is service.

"We have served all races of people and we know how to serve all races of people." The family has seen quite a few changes in the funeral business over the past 25 years. Andre' Acklin noted the rising cost of funerals, more people choosing cremation instead of burial and people wanting more personalized options. Larry Acklin said, "People want their funeral services to represent what that person's life was like." He noted people can now make arrangements, including major details such as picking out a casket, from across the country via the company's web site.

"Technology has changed this industry," he said. Larry Acklin sees a bright future for Larry G. Acklin Funeral Homes. He already has land for a new location on Siebenmorgen Road across from the new track at Hendrix College. "We have encountered a lot, had ups and downs. We're very vigorously looking toward the future. We expect to be here for many, many, many years to come," he said. "We give all the praise to God. He's the reason why we've been able to serve the way we have."