SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE		76-0423828
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300, Houston, TX		77056
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso No þ

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

     The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding as of November 1, 2005 was 18,458,673.

 

 

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

INDEX

		Page
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2005 (unaudited)			3
Consolidated Unaudited Statements of Operations for the Three Months ended September 30, 2004 and 2005 and Nine Months ended September 30, 2004 and 2005			4
Consolidated Unaudited Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2004 and 2005			5
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			6
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			17
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures of Market Risk			26
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			26
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			27
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			27
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities			27
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders			27
Item 5. Other Information			27
Item 6. Exhibits			28
Signatures			29
Amendment No.1 to Credit Agreement
Computation of Per Share Earnings
Certification of Melvin C. Payne in satisfaction of Section 302
Certification of Joseph Saporito in satisfaction of Section 302
Certification of Melvin C. Payne in satisfaction of Section 906
Certification of Joseph Saporito in satisfaction of Section 906

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

		December 31,				September 30,
		2004				2005
						(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,948			$	7,335
Short term investments			—				8,979
Accounts receivable — trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $940 in 2004 and $827 in 2005			12,941				13,188
Assets held for sale			4,021				—
Inventories and other current assets			12,815				14,321
Total current assets			31,725				43,823
Preneed assets			133,423				142,658
Property, plant and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $40,531 in 2004 and $44,788 in 2005			104,893				105,698
Cemetery property			62,649				61,787
Goodwill			156,983				157,352
Deferred obtaining costs			35,701				—
Deferred charges and other non-current assets			8,581				24,945
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments			31,201				32,855
Total assets		$	565,156			$	569,118
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	5,991			$	3,414
Accrued liabilities			16,048				13,558
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale			2,598				—
Current portion of senior long-term debt and capital leases obligations			2,155				2,182
Total current liabilities			26,792				19,154
Senior long-term debt, net of current portion			102,714				134,886
Convertible junior subordinated debenture due in 2029 to an affiliated trust			93,750				93,750
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion			5,424				5,369
Deferred interest on convertible junior subordinated debenture			10,891				—
Deferred revenue			176,412				184,618
Total liabilities			415,983				437,777
Commitments and contingencies
Non-controlling interests in perpetual care trust investments			32,212				36,035
Non-controlling interests in perpetual care trust investments associated with assets held for sale			523				—
Stockholders’ equity:
Common Stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 17,910,000 and 18,429,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2005, respectively			179				184
Contributed capital			188,029				190,376
Accumulated deficit			(71,056	)			(93,711	)
Deferred compensation			(714	)			(1,543	)
Total stockholders’ equity			116,438				95,306
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	565,156			$	569,118

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

		For the three months								For the nine months
		ended September 30,								ended September 30,
		2004				2005				2004				2005
Revenues, net
Funeral		$	26,582			$	26,603			$	85,054			$	86,858
Cemetery			9,226				9,855				28,576				29,722
			35,808				36,458				113,630				116,580
Costs and expenses
Funeral			20,475				20,506				63,097				63,668
Cemetery			7,233				8,047				21,931				24,015
			27,708				28,553				85,028				87,683
Gross profit			8,100				7,905				28,602				28,897
General and administrative expenses			2,748				3,142				7,975				8,921
Operating income			5,352				4,763				20,627				19,976
Interest expense			4,175				4,682				12,952				14,059
Additional interest and other costs of senior debt refinancing			—				—				—				6,933
Other (income) expense			423				(140	)			(468	)			249
Total interest and other (income) expense			4,598				4,542				12,484				21,241
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			754				221				8,143				(1,265	)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes			(283	)			(81	)			(3,054	)			483
Net income (loss) from continuing operations			471				140				5,089				(782	)
Discontinued operations
Operating income from discontinued operations			58				3				404				101
Gain on sales and (impairments) of discontinued operations			1,039				836				(2,011	)			1,302
Income tax (provision) benefit			(411	)			(309	)			269				(522	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			686				530				(1,338	)			881
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax benefit benefit			—				—				—				(22,756	)
Net income (loss)		$	1,157			$	670			$	3,751			$	(22,657	)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
Continuing operations		$	0.03			$	0.01			$	0.29			$	(0.04	)
Discontinued operations			0.04				0.03				(0.08	)			0.05
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method			—				—				—				(1.25	)
Net income (loss)		$	0.07			$	0.04			$	0.21			$	(1.24	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
Continuing operations		$	0.03			$	0.01			$	0.28			$	(0.04	)
Discontinued operations			0.03				0.03				(0.07	)			0.05
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method			—				—				—				(1.25	)
Net income (loss)		$	0.06			$	0.04			$	0.21			$	(1.24	)
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic			17,834				18,426				17,751				18,294
Diluted			18,281				18,938				18,226				18,294

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

		For the nine months
		ended September 30,
		2004				2005
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations		$	5,089			$	(782	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) continuing operating activities:
Depreciation			5,273				5,126
Amortization			3,702				2,283
Provision for losses on accounts receivable			1,781				2,112
Net (gain) loss on sale of business assets			(963	)			577
Stock-based compensation			374				512
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			—				978
Loss on sale of trust investments			235				—
Deferred income taxes			3,053				(483	)
Other			502				11
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions (Increase) in accounts receivable			(885	)			(2,967	)
(Increase) in inventories and other current assets			(718	)			(1,814	)
(Increase) in deferred charges and other			(198	)			(779	)
(Increase) in deferred obtaining costs			(3,455	)			—
(Increase) in preneed trust investments			(869	)			(3,708	)
(Decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(2,816	)			(4,781	)
Increase in deferred revenue			1,338				4,564
Increase (decrease) in deferred interest on convertible junior subordinated debenture			5,216				(10,345	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations			16,659				(9,496	)
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations			514				62
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			17,173				(9,434	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition			—				(1,285	)
Net proceeds from sales of businesses and other assets			3,760				223
Purchase of short term investments			—				(20,851	)
Maturities of short term investments			—				11,872
Capital expenditures			(3,387	)			(5,487	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations			373				(15,528	)
Net cash sales proceeds (purchases) of discontinued operations			(123	)			1,571
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			250				(13,957	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds (payments) on bank line of credit			7,500				(25,600	)
Proceeds from the issuance of senior notes			—				130,000
Payments on senior long-term debt and obligations under capital leases			(25,117	)			(72,274	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			279				312
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options			187				515
Payment of financing costs			—				(4,175	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(17,151	)			28,778
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			272				5,387
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			2,024				1,948
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	2,296			$	7,335

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     (a) The Company

     Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of products and services in the death care industry in the United States. As of September 30, 2005, the Company owned and operated 135 funeral homes and 29 cemeteries in 28 states.

     (b) Principles of Consolidation

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

     (c) Interim Condensed Disclosures

     The information for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2005 is unaudited, but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments which are normal, recurring and necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in annual financial statements, have been condensed or omitted. Except for Note 3, Change in Accounting for Preneed Selling Costs, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared consistent with the accounting policies described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and should be read in conjunction therewith. Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for the period ended in 2004 in this report have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

     (d) Cash Equivalents

     The Company considers all investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

     (e) Use of Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

     Allowances from customer cancellations, refunds and bad debts are provided as a percentage of recognized revenue at the date the sale is recognized as revenue based on our historical experience. In addition, we monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted. Our methodologies and the resulting estimates have been reliable in past periods. We do not expect to change the factors and assumptions used in calculating these reserves in the future.

     (f) Stock Plans and Stock Compensation

     The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans in the form of stock option and employee stock purchase plans. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” whereby no compensation expense is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.”

Had compensation cost for these plans been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, net income and income per share would have been the following pro forma amounts (in thousands, except per share data):

		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2004				2005				2004				2005
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders:
As reported		$	1,157			$	670			$	3,751			$	(22,657	)
Pro forma		$	1,070			$	560			$	3,490			$	(22,987	)
Net income (loss) per share available to common stockholders:
Basic
As reported		$	0.07			$	0.04			$	0.21			$	(1.24	)
Pro forma		$	0.06			$	0.03			$	0.20			$	(1.26	)
Diluted
As reported		$	0.06			$	0.04			$	0.21			$	(1.24	)
Pro forma		$	0.06			$	0.03			$	0.19			$	(1.26	)

     The Company issued 268,000 shares of restricted common stock to certain officers of the Company in the first quarter of 2005. Twenty-five percent of the shares vest annually on each of the next four anniversary dates of the grant. The value of the stock at the date of grant was $4.99 per share, for a total of $1,337,320, which is amortized into expense over the vesting period.

2. FUTURE ACCOUNTING CHANGES

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections

     The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“FAS No. 154). This statement is a replacement of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20 and FAS No. 3. FAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle and error corrections. It establishes, unless impracticable and absence of explicit transition requirements, retrospective application as the required method of a change in accounting principle to the newly adopted accounting principle. Also, it establishes guidance for reporting corrections of errors as reporting errors involves adjustments to previously issued financial statements similar to those generally applicable to reporting accounting changes retrospectively. FAS No. 154 also provides guidance for determining and reporting a change when retrospective application is impracticable. FAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company will adopt the requirements beginning January 1, 2006.

Stock Related Compensation

     In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS No. 123R”). FAS No. 123R requires companies to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based payment (including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans) issued to employees. FAS No. 123R applies to all transactions involving issuance of equity by a company in exchange for goods and services, including employee services. FAS No. 123R is effective in the first annual reporting period of the first fiscal year beginning on or after June 15, 2005. The Company will adopt FAS No. 123R in the first fiscal quarter of its 2006 fiscal year and expects to use the modified prospective application method, which results in no restatement of the Company’s previously issued annual consolidated financial statements. The adoption of FAS No. 123R using the modified prospective application method is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position and no impact on cash flows of the Company. The future compensation expense will vary in the future due to changes in the inputs. Management currently estimates that the adoption of FAS No. 123R will reduce net income in 2006 within a range of $0.1 million to $0.2 million.

3. CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING FOR PRENEED SELLING COSTS

     On June 30, 2005, the Company changed its method of accounting for deferred obtaining costs, which are preneed selling costs, incurred for the origination of prearranged funeral and cemetery service and merchandise sales contracts. Prior to this change, commissions and other costs that were related to the origination of prearranged funeral and cemetery service and merchandise sales were deferred and amortized with the objective of recognizing the selling costs in the same period that the related revenue is recognized. Under the prior accounting method, the commissions and other direct selling costs, which are current obligations that are paid and use operating cash flow, are not recognized currently in the income statement. The Company believes it is preferable to expense the current obligation for the commissions and other costs rather than defer these costs. The Company also believes the new accounting method will improve the comparability of its reported earnings to the other deathcare companies. The Company has applied this change in accounting method effective January 1, 2005. Therefore, the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 are reported on the basis of our changed method.

     As of January 1, 2005, the Company recorded a cumulative effect of change in accounting method of $35.8 million pretax or $22.8 million after tax (net of income tax benefit of $13.0 million), or $1.25 per diluted share, which represents the cumulative balance of deferred preneed selling costs in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The table below presents the Company’s income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net income (loss), diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting method and diluted net earnings (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 had the Company not made this accounting change (in thousands, except per share amounts).

		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2005												September 30, 2005
						Effect of				Results under								Effect of				Results under
		As Reported				Change				Prior Method				As Reported				Change				Prior Method
Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting method		$	140			$	137			$	277			$	(782	)		$	1,579			$	797
Net income (loss)			670				69				739				(22,657	)			23,646				989
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting method			0.01				0.01				0.02				(0.04	)			0.08				0.04
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share			0.04				0.00				0.04				(1.24	)			1.29				0.05

     The table below presents the pro forma amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 as if the accounting change had been in effect during those periods (in thousands, except per share amounts).

		Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2004												September 30, 2004
		As												As
		Previously				Effect of								Previously				Effect of
		Reported				Change				Proforma				Reported				Change				Proforma
Gross profit:
Funeral		$	6,101			$	(281	)		$	5,820			$	21,942			$	(826	)		$	21,116
Cemetery			2,031				(542	)			1,489				6,783				(1,580	)			5,203
		$	8,132			$	(823	)		$	7,309			$	28,725			$	(2,406	)		$	26,319
Income from continuing operations		$	489			$	(514	)		$	(25	)		$	5,162			$	(1,504	)		$	3,658
Net income (loss)			1,157				(255	)			902				3,751				(1,258	)			2,493
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations			0.03				(0.03	)			0.00				0.28				(0.08	)			0.20
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share			0.06				(0.01	)			0.05				0.21				(0.07	)			0.14

4. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

     At June 30, 2005, two cemetery businesses were held for sale. During July 2005, the Company closed on the sale of one of the cemetery businesses. The sale transaction generated net cash proceeds totaling $1.1 million and a gain of approximately $0.8 million. Plans to sell the remaining cemetery were abandoned during the third quarter when the buyer decided against the transaction. We are operating this cemetery. The consolidated financial statements for the period ended in 2004 in this report have been reclassified to conform with current presentation. No businesses were held for sale at September 30, 2005.

     The operating results of the businesses held for sale as well as the gain on the disposal are presented in the discontinued operations section of the consolidated statements of operations, along with the income tax effect on a comparative basis. Likewise, the operating results, the impairment charges and gains or losses from businesses sold in the prior year have been similarly reported for comparability. Revenues for the businesses presented in the discontinued operations section are as follows (in thousands):

		For the three months								For the nine months
		ended September 30,								ended September 30,
		2004				2005				2004				2005
Revenues, net		$	423			$	34			$	1,986			$	462

5. SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS

     Short term investments are investments purchased with an original maturity of greater than three months at the time of purchase. Short term investments at September 30, 2005 consisted of commercial paper with maturity dates that range from October 2005 to January 2006 at rates ranging from 3.28 percent to 3.65 percent per anum. Market value approximates cost.

6. PRENEED ASSETS

Preneed assets consist of the following:

		December 31,				September 30,
		2004				2005
Cemetery preneed receivables and trust investments		$	65,855			$	70,178
Funeral preneed receivables and trust investments			49,494				55,041
Receivable from funeral trusts			18,074				17,439
		$	133,423			$	142,658

Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments

     Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments, net of allowance for cancellations, represent trust fund assets and customer receivables (net of unearned finance charges) for contracts sold in advance of when merchandise or services are needed. The components of Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

		September 30,
		2005
Trust investments		$	57,040
Receivables from customers, excluding current portion			17,155
Unearned finance charges, excluding current portion			(3,277	)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, excluding current portion			(740	)
Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments		$	70,178

     Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings the Company has been allowed to withdraw prior to performance by the Company and amounts received from customers that are not required to be deposited into trust, pursuant to various state laws. Preneed cemetery sales are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years. The interest rates generally range between 12 percent and 14 percent.

     The cost and market values associated with cemetery preneed trust investments at September 30, 2005 are detailed below (in thousands). The Company believes the unrealized losses related to trust investments at September 30, 2005 are temporary in nature. Net unrealized gains increased $1.1 and $1.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.

						Unrealized				Unrealized
		Cost				Gains				Losses				Market
Cash, money market and other short-term investments		$	13,320			$	—			$	—			$	13,320
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury			—				—				—				—
U.S. Agency obligations			5,074				3				(58	)			5,019
State obligations			12,134				214				(144	)			12,204
Corporate			3,173				62				(40	)			3,195
Other			8				—				—				8
Common stock
Mutual funds:
Equity			13,180				3,424				(217	)			16,387
Fixed income			5,853				559				(2	)			6,410
Other investments			273				23				(3	)			293
		$	53,015			$	4,285			$	(464	)		$	56,836
Accrued net investment income		$	204												204
Trust investments														$	57,040
Market value as a percentage of cost															107.6	%

Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments

     Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments, net of allowance for cancellations, represent trust fund assets and customer receivables related to contracts sold in advance of when the services or merchandise is needed. Such contracts are secured by funds paid by the customer to the Company. Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings the Company has been allowed to withdraw prior to performance by the Company and amounts received from customers that are not required to be deposited into trust, pursuant to various state laws.

     The components of Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

		September 30,
		2005
Trust investments		$	52,519
Receivables from customers			8,951
Allowance for contract cancellations			(6,429	)
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments		$	55,041

     The cost and market values associated with funeral preneed trust investments at September 30, 2005 are detailed below (in thousands). The Company believes the unrealized losses related to trust investments at September 30, 2005 are temporary in nature. Net unrealized gains increased $0.2 and increased $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.

						Unrealized				Unrealized
		Cost				Gains				Losses				Market
Cash, money market and other short-term investments		$	22,473			$	—			$	—			$	22,473
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury			1,968				5				(15	)			1,958
U.S. Agency obligations			1,769				85				—				1,854
State obligations			1,534				55				(8	)			1,581
Other			1,043				7				(10	)			1,040
Common stock
Mutual funds:
Equity			2,916				604				(92	)			3,428
Fixed income			19,492				926				(233	)			20,185
Trust investments		$	51,195			$	1,682			$	(358	)		$	52,519
Market value as a percentage of cost															102.6	%

Receivable from Preneed Funeral Contracts

     The receivable from funeral trusts at September 30, 2005 represent assets in trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest (less than 50%) in the trust assets. The Company accounts for these investments at cost.

Trust Investment Security Transactions

     Investment security transactions recorded in Other income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2005 are as follows (in thousands).

		For the three months								For the nine months
		ended September 30,								ended September 30,
		2004				2005				2004				2005
Investment income		$	1,068			$	1,698			$	1,955			$	2,824
Realized gains			208				390				262				2,023
Realized losses			(359	)			(35	)			(654	)			(484	)
Expenses			(232	)			(154	)			(434	)			(430	)
Increase in non-controlling interests in trust investments			(685	)			(1,899	)			(1,129	)			(3,933	)
		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—

7. CONTRACTS SECURED BY INSURANCE

     Certain preneed funeral contracts are secured by life insurance contracts. The proceeds of the life insurance policies have been assigned to the Company and will be paid upon the death of the insured. The proceeds will be used to satisfy the beneficiary’s obligations under the preneed contract for services and merchandise. The preneed funeral contracts secured by insurance which are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet totaled $186.8 million at September 30, 2005.

8. CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE TRUST INVESTMENTS

     The Company is required by state law to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trust funds. The cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at September 30, 2005 are detailed below (in thousands). The Company believes the unrealized losses related to the trust investments at September 30, 2005 are temporary in nature.

						Unrealized				Unrealized
		Cost				Gains				Losses				Market
Cash, money market and other short-term investments		$	3,106			$	—			$	2			$	3,108
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury			698				9				(8	)			699
U.S. Agency obligation			7,352				11				(63	)			7,300
State obligations			58				—				—				58
Corporate			2,431				92				(16	)			2,507
Other			1,521				—				(4	)			1,517
Common stock
Mutual funds:
Equity			9,635				1,421				(148	)			10,908
Fixed income			5,987				376				(7	)			6,356
Other assets			144				117				—				261
		$	30,932			$	2,026			$	(244	)		$	32,714
Accrued net investment income		$	141												141
Trust investments														$	32,855
Market value as a percentage of cost															106.2	%

     Non-controlling interests in cemetery perpetual care trusts represent the corpus of those trusts for which the Company is only entitled to receive the income. The components of Non-controlling interests in cemetery perpetual care trusts as of September 30, 2005 are as follows:

		Cemetery
		Perpetual Care
Trust assets, at market value		$	32,855
Pending withdrawals of income			(229	)
Debt due to a perpetual care trust			1,098
Pending deposits			2,311
Non-controlling interests		$	36,035

9. DEFERRED REVENUE

Deferred revenue consists of the following:

		December 31,				September 30,
		2004				2005
Deferred cemetery revenue		$	46,787			$	45,428
Deferred preneed funeral contracts revenue			30,973				29,631
Non-controlling interests in funeral and cemetery trust investments			98,652				109,559
		$	176,412			$	184,618

     Non-controlling interests in funeral and cemetery preneed trusts represent deferred revenue related to assets held in the trusts. The Company will recognize the revenue at the time the service is performed and merchandise is delivered. The components of Non-controlling interests in funeral and cemetery preneed trusts as of September 30, 2005 are as follows:

		Non-controlling Interests
										Total
		Preneed Funeral				Preneed Cemetery				Preneed
Trust assets, at market value		$	52,519			$	57,040			$	109,559
Non-controlling interests		$	52,519			$	57,040			$	109,559

10. MAJOR SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

     Carriage conducts funeral and cemetery operations only in the United States. The following table presents external revenue, pretax income from continuing operations and total assets by segment (in thousands):

		Funeral				Cemetery				Corporate				Consolidated
External revenues from continuing operations:
Nine months ended September 30, 2005		$	86,858			$	29,722			$	—			$	116,580
Nine months ended September 30, 2004		$	85,054			$	28,576			$	—			$	113,630
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
Nine months ended September 30, 2005		$	23,192			$	5,129			$	(29,586	)		$	(1,265	)
Nine months ended September 30, 2004		$	22,233			$	6,151			$	(20,241	)		$	8,143
Total assets:
September 30, 2005		$	329,328			$	191,393			$	48,397			$	569,118
December 31, 2004		$	344,940			$	205,230			$	14,986			$	565,156

11. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION

		For the three months								For the nine months
		ended September 30,								ended September 30,
		2004				2005				2004				2005
Revenues, net
Goods
Funeral		$	11,590			$	11,586			$	37,329			$	37,961
Cemetery		$	6,577			$	7,107			$	20,863			$	20,953
Total Goods		$	18,167			$	18,693			$	58,192			$	58,914
Services
Funeral		$	14,992			$	15,017			$	47,725			$	48,897
Cemetery		$	2,649			$	2,748			$	7,713			$	8,769
Total Services		$	17,641			$	17,765			$	55,438			$	57,666
Total Net Revenues		$	35,808			$	36,458			$	113,630			$	116,580
Cost of revenues
Goods
Funeral		$	11,170			$	11,133			$	34,921			$	35,083
Cemetery		$	5,126			$	5,637			$	15,781			$	16,683
Total Goods		$	16,296			$	16,770			$	50,702			$	51,766
Services
Funeral		$	9,305			$	9,373			$	28,176			$	28,585
Cemetery		$	2,107			$	2,410			$	6,150			$	7,332
Total Services		$	11,412			$	11,783			$	34,326			$	35,917
Total Cost of revenues		$	27,708			$	28,553			$	85,028			$	87,683

12. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

     The following information is supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands):

		For the nine months ended
		September 30,
		2004				2005
Cash paid for interest and financing costs		$	9,071			$	31,226
Cash paid for income taxes (state)		$	114			$	270
Restricted common stock issued to officers		$	—			$	1,337
Restricted cash investing and financing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of securities of the funeral and cemetery trusts						$	3,645
Purchase of available for sale securities of the funeral and cemetery trusts						$	4,865
Net deposits in trust accounts increasing noncontrolling interests						$	14,134

     Amortization for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2005 consists of the following (in thousands):

		September 30,				September 30,
		2004				2005
Intangible assets		$	413			$	403
Loan origination fees			603				475
Preneed contract obtaining costs			1,042				—
Cemetery interment and entombment costs			1,644				1,405
		$	3,702			$	2,283

13. DEBT

     At December 31, 2004, Carriage’s senior debt included a $45 million unsecured revolving bank credit facility that was scheduled to mature in March 2006 and $70.5 million of Senior Notes to insurance companies due in 2006 and 2008. In January 2005, the Company issued $130 million of 7.875 percent Senior Notes at par, due in 2015. The proceeds from these notes were used to refinance substantially all senior debt, bring current the cumulative deferred distributions on the convertible junior subordinated debenture and the TIDES, and for general corporate purposes. In March 2005, the Company paid the cumulative deferred distributions on the TIDES totaling $10.9 million. During April 2005, the Company entered into a $35 million senior secured revolving credit facility that matures in five years to replace the existing unsecured credit facility. Borrowings under the new credit facility bear interest at prime or LIBOR options with the initial LIBOR option set at LIBOR plus 300 basis points and is collateralized by all personal property and funeral home real property in certain states. The facility is currently undrawn and $24 million is available to borrow at September 30, 2005.

     Carriage, the parent entity, has no independent assets or operations. All assets and operations are held and conducted by subsidiaries, each of which (except for Carriage Services Capital Trust which is a single purpose entity that holds our debentures issued in connection with our TIDES) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed our obligations under the new Senior Notes. Additionally, we do not currently have any significant restrictions on our ability to receive dividends or loans from any subsidiary guarantor under the new Senior Notes.

     In connection with the senior debt refinancing, the Company made a required “make whole” payment of $6.0 million in the form of additional interest and recorded a charge to write off $0.7 million of unamortized loan costs (in aggregate $4.2 million after tax, or $0.23 per diluted share) during the first quarter of 2005. In connection with the new senior secured revolving credit facility, the Company recorded a charge to write off $0.2 million or $0.01 per diluted share of unamortized loan costs during the second quarter. These charges are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as additional interest and other costs of senior debt refinancing for 2005.

14. OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE

     The following table describes the components of other (income) expense of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2005 (amounts in thousands):

		Three months ended								Three months ended								Nine months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30, 2004								September 30, 2005								September 30, 2004								September 30, 2005
						Diluted								Diluted								Diluted								Diluted
		Amount				EPS impact				Amount				EPS impact				Amount				EPS impact				Amount				EPS impact
Net (gains) loss from the disposition of business assets		$	(72	)		$	—			$	2			$	—			$	(963	)		$	(0.03	)		$	576			$	0.02
Write off of software development costs			495				0.02				—				—				495				0.02				—				—
Interest income			—				—				(142	)			(0.01	)			—				—				(327	)			(0.01	)
		$	423			$	0.02			$	(140	)		$	(0.01	)		$	(468	)		$	(0.01	)		$	249			$	0.01

15. ACQUISITION

     The Company acquired a funeral home business consisting of two funeral homes in northern Florida for $1.3 million cash during September 2005. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase of the assets of the business. The assets were recorded at fair value and included goodwill in the amount of $0.4 million. The Company did not assume any liabilities of the business except for the obligation to perform funeral services with a value of approximately $4.1 million secured by a similar amount of trust funds.

Item 2.		MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

     In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include any projections of earnings, revenues, asset sales, acquisitions, cash balances and cash flow, debt levels or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may”, “will”, “estimate”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect”, “project”, “forecast”, “plan”, “anticipate” and other similar words.

Cautionary Statements

          The Company cautions readers that the following important factors, among others, in some cases have affected, and in the future could affect, the Company’s actual consolidated results and could cause the Company’s actual consolidated results in the future to differ materially from the goals and expectations expressed herein and in any other forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. For further information regarding the Company’s cautionary statements, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

          Risks related to our business

          (1) Marketing and sales activities by existing and new competitors could cause us to lose market share and lead to lower revenues and gross profit.

          (2) Price competition could also reduce our market share or cause us to reduce prices to retain or recapture market share, either of which could reduce revenues and gross profit.

          (3) Improved performance in our funeral segment is highly dependent upon successful execution of our standards-based Being the Best operating model.

          (4) Our ability to generate preneed sales depends on a number of factors, including sales incentives and local and general economic conditions.

          (5) Earnings from and principal of trust funds and insurance contracts could be reduced by changes in financial markets.

          (6) Our ability to execute our growth strategy is highly dependent upon our ability to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates and negotiate transactions on favorable terms.

          (7) Our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions into the Company’s business and to realize expected revenues and profits from the acquired businesses.

          (8) Increased or unanticipated costs, such as insurance, taxes, new computer systems implementations and the cost of complying with Sarbanes-Oxley, may have a negative impact on our earnings and cash flows.

          (9) Increases in interest rates would increase interest costs when we borrow against our variable-rate bank credit facility and could have a material adverse effect on our net income.

          (10) Covenant restrictions under our debt instruments may limit our flexibility in operating our business.

          Risks related to the death care industry

          (1) Declines in the number of deaths in our markets can cause a decrease in revenues and gross profit. Changes in the number of deaths are not predictable from market to market or over the short term.

          (2) The increasing number of cremations in the United States could cause revenues to decline because we could lose market share to firms specializing in cremations. In addition, direct cremations produce no revenues for cemetery operations and lower funeral revenues.

          (3) If we are not able to respond effectively to changing consumer preferences, our market share, revenues and profitability could decrease.

          (4) Because the funeral and cemetery businesses are primarily fixed-cost businesses, changes in revenues can have a disproportionately large effect on cash flow and profits.

          (5) Changes or increases in, or failure to comply with, regulations applicable to our business could increase costs or decrease cash flows.

OVERVIEW

     We operate two types of businesses: funeral homes, which account for approximately 75% of our revenues, and cemeteries, which account for approximately 25% of our revenues. Funeral homes are principally a service business that provide funeral services (burial and cremation) and sell related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Cemeteries are primarily a sales business that sells interment rights (grave sites and mausoleums) and related merchandise such as markers and memorials. As of September 30, 2005, we operated 135 funeral homes and 29 cemeteries in 28 states within the United States. Substantially all administrative activities are conducted in our home office in Houston, Texas.

     Factors affecting our funeral operating results include: demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths; establishing and maintaining leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships; effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by packaging complementary services and merchandise; controlling salary and merchandise costs; and exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need business to increase average revenues per contract. In simple terms, volume and price are the two variables that affect funeral revenues. The average revenue per contract is influenced by the mix of traditional and cremation services because our average cremation service revenue is approximately 35% of the average revenue earned from a traditional burial service. Funeral homes have a relatively fixed cost structure. Thus small changes in revenues, up or down, normally cause significant changes to our profitability.

     We have implemented several significant long-term initiatives in our funeral operations designed to improve operating and financial results by growing market share and increasing profitability. During the fall of 2003, we introduced a more decentralized, entrepreneurial and local operating model. At the same time, we introduced operating and financial standards developed from our best funeral operations, along with an incentive compensation plan to reward business managers for successfully meeting or exceeding the standards. The operating model and standards, which we refer to as “Being the Best,” focus on the key drivers of a successful funeral operation, organized around three primary areas – market share, people and operating and financial metrics. The model and standards are the measures by which we judge the success of each funeral business.

     The cemetery operating results are affected by the size and success of our sales organization because approximately 55% of our cemetery revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 relate to sales of grave sites and mausoleums and related merchandise and services before the time of need. We believe that changes in the level of consumer confidence (a measure of whether consumers will spend for discretionary items) also affects the amount of cemetery revenues. Approximately 10% of our cemetery revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 are attributable to investment earnings on trust funds and finance charges on installment contracts. Changes in the capital markets and interest rates affect this component of our cemetery revenues.

     Net income from continuing operations for the three months ending September 30, 2005 totaled $0.1 million, equal to $0.01 per diluted share as compared to net income from continuing operations of $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2004, or $0.03 per diluted share.

     The following items affected the comparability of income from continuing operations for the third quarter (in thousands, except per share amounts):

		Amount, net of				Earnings per
		Income Tax				Share
Income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2004		$	471			$	0.03
Decrease in gross profit from funeral and cemetery operations (including the change in accounting for preneed selling costs)			(124	)			(0.01	)
Change in other income (expense) from 2004 to 2005			358				0.02
Higher interest expense			(316	)			(0.02	)
Higher general and administrative expenses in 2005, primarily to document and evaluate internal controls and upgrade systems and processes			(249	)			(0.01	)
Income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2005		$	140			$	0.01

     Net loss from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2005 totaled $0.8 million, equal to ($0.04) per share as compared to net income from continuing operations of $5.1 million for the first nine months of 2004, or $0.28 per diluted share. The variance between the two periods was primarily due to a make-whole payment during the first quarter of 2005 to the former debtholders in connection with the repayment of the previously outstanding senior debt. We repaid this senior debt and paid the make-whole payment with proceeds from our $130 million senior note offering, which closed in January 2005. The make-whole payment resulted in additional pre-tax interest of $6.0 million, along with a charge in the amount of $0.7 million to write off the related unamortized loan costs, in total equal to $0.23 per diluted share. Additionally, the change in accounting for preneed selling costs in 2005 reduced net income from continuing operations by $1.0 million, equal to $0.05 per diluted share. Excluding the effect of these items, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the nine months ending September 30, 2005 equaled $0.24 compared to the prior year nine months ended September 30, 2004 of $0.28.

     Income from discontinued operations for the nine months ending September 30, 2005 totaled $0.9 million, equal to $0.05 per diluted share, and consisted primarily of a gain on the sale of a funeral home business during the first quarter and the sale of a cemetery business in the third quarter. Loss from discontinued operations for the nine months ending September 30, 2004 totaled $1.3 million, equal to ($0.07) per share, and consisted primarily of impairment charges for businesses sold in the second half of 2004.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

     The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, as there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings as a percentage of revenues will be sustained consistently from year to year.

     Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements presented herewith, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Funeral and Cemetery Operations

     We record the sales of funeral merchandise and services when the funeral service is performed. Sales of cemetery interment rights are recorded as revenue in accordance with the retail land sales provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No 66., “Accounting for Sales of Real Estate.” This method provides for the recognition of revenue in the period in which the customer’s cumulative payments exceed 10% of the contract price related to the real estate. Costs related to the sales of interment rights, which include property and other costs related to cemetery development activities, are charged to operations using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue. Revenue from the sales of cemetery merchandise and services are recognized in the period in which the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Revenues to be recognized from the delivery of merchandise and performance of services related to contracts that were acquired in acquisitions are typically lower than those originated by the Company and are likely to exceed the cash collected from the contract and received from the trust at maturity. We began expensing preneed selling costs as incurred in 2005 (see Accounting Change).

     Allowances for customer cancellations, refunds and bad debts are provided at the date that the sale is recognized as revenue based on our historical experience. In addition, we monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted. When preneed funeral services and merchandise are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission from the sale of the policies. Insurance commissions are recognized as revenues when the commission is no longer subject to refund, which is usually one year after the policy is issued.

     Allowances from customer cancellations, refunds and bad debts are provided as a percentage of recognized revenue at the date the sale is recognized as revenue based on our historical experience. In addition, we monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted. Our methodologies and the resulting estimates have been reliable in past periods. We do not expect to change the factors and assumptions used in calculating these reserves in the future.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

     The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired, as determined by management in transactions accounted for as purchases, is recorded as goodwill. Many of the acquired funeral homes have provided high quality service to families for generations. The resulting loyalty often represents a substantial portion of the value of a funeral business. Goodwill is typically not associated with or recorded for the cemetery businesses. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we review the carrying value of goodwill at least annually on reporting units (aggregated geographically) to determine if facts and circumstances exist which would suggest that this intangible asset might be carried in excess of fair value. Fair value is determined by discounting the estimated future cash flows of the businesses in each reporting unit at the Company’s weighted average cost of capital less debt allocable to the reporting unit and by reference to recent sales transactions of similar businesses. The calculation of fair value can vary dramatically with changes in estimates of the number of future services performed, inflation in costs, and the Company’s cost of capital, which is impacted by long-term interest rates. If impairment is indicated, then an adjustment will be made to reduce the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

Income Taxes

     The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and separate income tax returns in the states in which we operate. We record deferred taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities, in accordance with SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The Company records a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized.

Stock Compensation Plans

     The Company has four stock incentive plans under which stock options have been issued. Additionally, the Company sponsors an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) under which employees can purchase common stock at a discount. The stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock. Substantially all of the options granted under the four stock option plans have ten-year terms. The options generally vest over a period of two to four years. The Company accounts for stock options and shares issued under the ESPP under APB Opinion No. 25, under which no compensation cost is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.” Had the Company accounted for stock options and shares pursuant to its employee stock benefit plans under SFAS No. 123 for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2005, net income for those periods would have been lower by approximately $0.01 for each period.

     In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS No. 123R”). FAS No. 123R requires companies to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based payment (including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based

awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans) issued to employees. FAS No. 123R applies to all transactions involving issuance of equity by a company in exchange for goods and services, including employee services. FAS No. 123R is effective in the first annual reporting period of the first fiscal year beginning on or after June 15, 2005. The Company will adopt FAS No. 123R in the first fiscal quarter of its 2006 fiscal year and expects to use the modified prospective application method, which results in no restatement of the Company’s previously issued annual consolidated financial statements. The adoption of FAS No. 123R using the modified prospective application method is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position and will have no effect on cash flows of the Company. The adoption of FAS 123R is estimated to reduce earnings in 2006 by approximately $0.01 per diluted share.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

     Except as noted for Goodwill, the Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the net asset may not be recoverable in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell. The revenues and expenses, as well as gains, losses and impairments, from those assets are reported in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statement of Operations for all periods presented.

Variable Interest Entities

     The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, as revised, (“FIN 46R”), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51.” This interpretation clarifies the circumstances in which certain entities that do not have equity investors with a controlling financial interest must be consolidated by its sponsor. The Company implemented FIN 46R as of March 31, 2004, which resulted, for financial reporting purposes, in the consolidation of the Company’s preneed and perpetual care trust funds. The investments of such trust funds have been reported at market value and the Company’s future obligations to deliver merchandise and services have been reported at estimated settlement amounts. The Company has also recognized the non-controlling financial interests of third parties in the trust funds. There was no cumulative effect of an accounting change recognized by the Company as a result of the implementation of FIN 46R. The implementation of FIN 46R affected certain accounts on the Company’s balance sheet beginning March 31, 2004 as described below; however, it does not affect cash flow, net income or the manner in which we recognize and report revenues.

     Although FIN 46R requires consolidation of preneed and perpetual care trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, the Company and its customers. In the case of preneed trusts, the customers are the legal beneficiaries. In the case of perpetual care trusts, the Company does not have a right to access the corpus in the perpetual care trusts. For these reasons, the Company has recognized non-controlling interests in our financial statements to reflect third party interests in these consolidated trust funds.

     Both the preneed trusts and the cemetery perpetual care trusts hold investments in marketable securities which have been classified as available-for-sale. The investments are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses allocated to Non-controlling interests in trust investment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses attributable to the Company, but that have not been earned through the performance of services or delivery of merchandise, are allocated to deferred revenues.

     Also beginning March 31, 2004, the Company began recognizing income, gains and losses, of the preneed trusts and cemetery perpetual care trusts. The Company recognizes a corresponding expense equal to the recognized earnings of these trusts attributable to the non-controlling interest holders. When such earnings attributable to the Company have not been earned through the performance of services or delivery of merchandise, the Company will record such earnings as deferred revenue.

     For preneed trusts, the Company recognizes as revenues amounts attributed to the non-controlling interest holders and the Company, including accumulated earnings, when the contracted services have been performed and merchandise delivered. For cemetery perpetual care trusts, the Company recognizes investment earnings in cemetery revenues when such earnings are realized and distributable. Such earnings are intended to defray cemetery maintenance costs incurred by the Company.

ACCOUNTING CHANGE

     Preneed Selling Costs

     On June 30, 2005, the Company changed its method of accounting for deferred obtaining costs, which are preneed selling costs incurred, for the origination of prearranged funeral and cemetery service and merchandise sales contracts. Prior to this change, commissions and other direct selling costs related to originating preneed funeral and cemetery service and merchandise sales contracts were deferred and amortized with the objective of recognizing the selling costs in the same period that the related revenue is recognized. Under the prior accounting method, the commissions and other direct selling costs, which are current obligations are paid and use operating cash flow, are not recognized currently in the income statement. The Company believes it is preferable to expense the current obligation for the commissions and other costs rather than defer these costs. The Company also believes the new accounting method will improve the comparability of its reported earnings. Because the three largest public deathcare companies now expense selling costs (two of which changed in 2005), investors and other users of the financial information will now be able to more easily compare our financial results to those deathcare companies.

     The Company has applied this change in accounting method effective January 1, 2005. As of January 1, 2005, the Company recorded a cumulative effect of change in accounting method of $35.8 million pretax or $22.8 million after tax (net of income tax benefit of $13.0 million), or $1.25 per diluted share, which represents the cumulative balance of deferred preneed selling costs in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Therefore, the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 are reported on the basis of our changed method. The annual impact on earnings per diluted share is approximately $0.10. The change has no effect on cash flow from operations. Refer to Note 3 for the change in accounting method for preneed selling costs and comparison of results as reported in this quarterly report and under the previous method.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following is a discussion of the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2005. Funeral homes and cemeteries owned and operated for the entirety of each period being compared are referred to as “same-store” or “existing operations.”

Funeral Home Segment. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the net revenues and gross profit of the Company from the funeral home operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. For purposes of our discussion, the revenue and gross profit of our businesses identified to be sold are included in the same-store classification up to the quarter prior to their sale.

     Three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to three months ended September 30, 2005 (dollars in thousands):

		Three Months Ended
		September 30,								Change
		2004				2005				Amount				Percent
Total same-store revenue		$	26,190			$	25,945			$	(245	)			(0.9	%)
Acquired			—				45				45				*
Preneed insurance commissions revenue			392				613				221				56.0	%
Revenues from continuing operations		$	26,582			$	26,603			$	21				*
Revenues from discontinued operations		$	264			$	—			$	(264	)			*
Total same-store gross profit		$	5,715			$	5,466			$	(249	)			(4.4	%)
Acquired			—				18				18				*
Preneed insurance commissions revenue			392				613				221				56.0	%
Gross profit from continuing operations		$	6,107			$	6,097			$	(10	)			*
Gross profit from discontinued operations		$	19			$	2			$	(17	)			*