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SANDY HOOK, KY — A state-of-the-art preparation room for Lewis & Ferguson Funeral Home in Sandy Hook, KY, was the dream of Mark Lewis when he called on Duncan Stuart Todd, Ltd., the Preparation Room Specialists, to guide him through the process.
He is the fourth generation of his family to be involved in funeral service. His family has been proud to serve the community of approximately 7,000 residents from its facility at Hwy. 7 and Hwy. 32 since its inception in 1948. The new preparation room and dressing room would bring it up to the standards of OSHA compliance and efficiency that Mr. Lewis desired.
As he began consulting with DST, it became clear that two areas of the project would be paramount the need for a new ventilation system and completely new cabinetry to replace the no longer suitable wood cabinets.
To meet OSHA standards for air quality, DST supplied their exclusive PrepAir system. Mark Lewis comments that it is a dream, and “why didn’t I do this years ago?” He greatly appreciates the absence of fumes and odors, plus reduced operating costs from the system’s energy saving properties. “Life is easier now,” he says. “It’s the difference between daylight and dark.”
To accomplish the second major renovation, DST designed completely new custom cabinets with solid surface countertops that are moisture and stain resistant, adjustable cabinet shelves for flexible storage and convenient instrument drawers. Extra deep wall cabinets provided maximum storage capability. Custom acrylic accessories completed this part of the installation.
Much of the foot-end equipment that adds to a successful work flow, such as water control units, morgue table receptors and trocar wells, were designed and manufactured by DST.
Another benefit on Mr. Lewis’ list of highlights in the two-station embalming room and separate dressing room is a body lift to reduce the physical strain as he works.
Construction took longer than normal as Mr. Lewis chose to act as his own general contractor. He employed three skilled local tradesmen, Curtis Howell, Chris Howell and Toby Roe, who worked after their usual business hours. ”It was an ‘experience’,” he recalled, “but the thoroughness of the DST master plan gave us good direction.”
In the end, Mr. Lewis speaks proudly of his new room that the state inspector calls “the best or equally best in the state of Kentucky”.
Mark Lewis followed in the family footsteps beginning with great-grandfather William M. Ferguson, grandfather John N. Ferguson, and finally his mother and father, Mynea E. Ferguson Lewis and James E. Lewis. James Lewis had changed careers to become a funeral director when he met and married Mynea Ferguson. Teresa K. Triplett Lewis, herself a funeral director, works with her husband, Mark.
Mark Lewis serves as Elliott county coroner, is a fire captain with the local volunteer firefighters, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
