Jeremy Lewis takes part in Last Responders Town Hall

FERRIS – Jeremy Lewis, Owner, Funeral Director/Embalmer from Green Funeral Home in Ferris took part in State Representative Carl O. Sherman’s (District-109) second Last Responders Town Hall last week.

“While many people know of first responders and the all important job they do, I want to remind people of the last responders too,” said Sherman.

Sherman’s Last Responders Town Hall also highlighted representation from not only Green Funeral Home, but also Paradise Funeral Home in Dallas and Sacred Funeral Home in Cedar Hill.

“I believe 2021 was maybe 45 percent, I don’t want to say half but close to half in 2021 for sure of COVID-related funerals,” Lewis said.

“At this point in 2022 it [has] dwindled a lot I feel like.”

Lewis said too, the fact FEMA has been reimbursing families in relation to their loved one’s COVID deaths has been a “huge blessing” as well as funding tools such as Go Fund Me.

Also on hand for the Town hall were Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, Dr. Philip Huang, Director, Dallas County Health and Human Services, and Dr. Joseph Chang, Chief Medical Officer, Parkland Health and Hospital System, offering information about COVID-19 deaths and current information.

“It is comforting for me to communicate to the family that even though there is an immediate upfront expense, there is comfort in knowing relief will come,” Lewis said.

“We have to put faith in the process, and it is encouraging that there is a reimbursement for families from sources such as FEMA.”

Lewis said Green Funeral Home continues to work with families as a last responder.

“We encourage families that we want to be part of the solution and not a continuation of the problem,” he concluded.

“We are taking the families cue on how strict or relaxed they would like for us to be in regard to funeral arrangements.”