Local & Statewide News

Funeral Home Says Workload Has Eased Since 2020 Peak

WYSO | By Chloe Murdock

Published June 21, 2021 at 8:54 PM EDT

A graph of deaths in Clark County, Ohio in 2020. It shows a steep increase in deaths starting in July. — Deaths in Clark County experienced a sharp increase in the second half of 2020, according to early data from Ohio Public Health.

Nearly 300 more deaths occurred in Clark County than in previous years, according to early data from Ohio Public Health. A Springfield, Ohio, funeral home is hoping they won't face the same workload this year.

Frank Lewis owns the Jackson Lytle and Lewis Life Celebration Center in Springfield, Ohio. He says his staff, many of whom were in high-risk groups, was overwhelmed by the deaths that occurred in the last half of 2020.

Last year, nearly 300 more people died in Clark County, Ohio, than in an average year, according to early data from Ohio Public Health.

Frank Lewis is the owner of Jackson Lytle & Lewis Life Celebration Center in Springfield. He says calls to the funeral home increased up to 50% starting in mid-August last year. At the same time, they experienced delays in cremation services and death certificate signatures.

It maxed out their funeral staff for five straight months. Lewis says the influx of calls didn’t let up until after December.

“We’re thankful for the opportunity, but we’re not looking to go back to crazy days of COVID,” Lewis said.

Lewis says his business is now back to normal levels.