Release Details

HOUSTON, Dec 04, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Carriage Services, Inc. (NYSE: CSV) announced today that it has acquired Cataudella Funeral Home (Cataudella) in Methuen, Massachusetts, a community approximately 27 miles north of Boston. Cataudella Funeral Home is the premier funeral home business in the area, having served the community since 1954. Recognizing an opportunity for growth and market consolidation, Joe Cataudella built a state of the art 12,500 square foot funeral home in 1996 which secured the Cataudella heritage in the community and laid the foundation for future growth. Since then the business has grown from serving approximately 140 families annually to more than 350 today. Joe Cataudella joined Carriage Services because of our Mission of Being the Best and to continue building on the strengths of Cataudella Funeral Home. He and his family will remain actively involved in the business and community.

Melvin C. Payne, Chairman and CEO of Carriage, said, "We are pleased to be able to add this premier Massachusetts business to our portfolio as we continue to execute on our new growth strategy of being 'First in Class' in every market that we serve. This area is a growing suburban market in the greater Boston market that we have targeted for expansion of our operations. As always, we will strive to uphold and build upon the standard of service excellence and reputation for which Cataudella Funeral Home is known."

Carriage Services is a leading provider of death care services and merchandise in the United States. Carriage operates 139 funeral homes in 25 states and 32 cemeteries in 11 states.

Certain statements made herein or elsewhere by, or on behalf of, the Company that are not historical facts are intended to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable; however, many important factors, as discussed under "Cautionary Note," "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, could cause the Company's results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Additional risks include, but are not necessarily limited to, the absence of any assurance that a definitive agreement will be signed between the parties, or that all conditions to closing will be satisfied, or that closing will occur, or whether the Company will be able to successfully integrate the acquired operations or fully realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. The Company assumes no obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. A copy of the Company's Form 10-K, and other Carriage Services information and news releases, are available at http://www.carriageservices.com.

     Contacts:  Mel Payne, Chairman & CEO
                Joe Saporito, CFO
                Carriage Services, Inc.
                713-332-8400

                Ken Dennard / ksdennard@drg-e.com
                Kip Rupp, CFA / krupp@drg-e.com
                DRG&E / 713-529-6600

SOURCE Carriage Services, Inc.

http://www.carriageservices.com

Copyright (C) 2007 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

News Provided by COMTEX