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CARRIAGE SERVICES INC - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

                                            
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
                      FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
OR
    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from ___________  to   ____________        
                         Commission File Number:1-11961
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware76-0423828
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300
Houston, Texas, 77056
(Address of principal executive offices)
(713) 332-8400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per shareCSVNew York Stock Exchange
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      No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes      No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes      No  
The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding as of November 3, 2023 was 14,981,459.





                                            
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
INDEX
 
Page
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5. Other Information
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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements.
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(unaudited and in thousands, except share data)
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$1,170 $1,675 
Accounts receivable, net24,458 25,524 
Inventories7,613 9,088 
Prepaid and other current assets4,733 4,030 
Total current assets37,974 40,317 
Preneed cemetery trust investments95,065 92,583 
Preneed funeral trust investments104,553 106,433 
Preneed cemetery receivables, net26,672 34,332 
Receivables from preneed funeral trusts, net19,976 21,295 
Property, plant and equipment, net278,106 288,407 
Cemetery property, net 104,170 113,199 
Goodwill410,137 423,643 
Intangible and other non-current assets, net32,930 37,221 
Operating lease right-of-use assets17,060 15,987 
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments66,307 82,042 
Total assets$1,192,950 $1,255,459 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt and lease obligations$3,172 $3,811 
Accounts payable11,675 11,558 
Accrued and other liabilities30,621 37,977 
Total current liabilities45,468 53,346 
Acquisition debt, net of current portion3,438 3,335 
Credit facility188,836 185,856 
Senior notes395,243 395,737 
Obligations under finance leases, net of current portion4,743 6,724 
Obligations under operating leases, net of current portion17,315 15,736 
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue51,746 62,384 
Deferred preneed funeral revenue32,029 40,343 
Deferred tax liability48,820 48,907 
Other long-term liabilities3,065 1,504 
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust95,065 92,583 
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust104,553 106,433 
Care trusts’ corpus65,495 81,299 
Total liabilities1,055,816 1,094,187 
Commitments and contingencies:
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized and 26,359,876 and 26,609,277 shares issued, respectively and 14,732,058 and 14,981,459 shares outstanding, respectively
264 266 
Additional paid-in capital238,780 241,141 
Retained earnings176,843 198,618 
Treasury stock, at cost; 11,627,818 shares
(278,753)(278,753)
Total stockholders’ equity137,134 161,272 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,192,950 $1,255,459 
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Revenue:
Service revenue$42,992 $43,708 $135,279 $136,437 
Property and merchandise revenue37,607 40,287 120,495 125,928 
Other revenue6,898 6,499 20,484 21,321 
87,497 90,494 276,258 283,686 
Field costs and expenses:
Cost of service22,317 22,650 65,805 69,202 
Cost of merchandise28,668 30,302 87,304 92,255 
Cemetery property amortization1,278 1,318 4,314 4,411 
Field depreciation expense3,281 3,634 9,831 10,546 
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs5,096 3,771 17,409 13,339 
Other expenses1,259 1,407 3,807 4,264 
61,899 63,082 188,470 194,017 
Gross profit25,598 27,412 87,788 89,669 
Corporate costs and expenses:
General, administrative and other10,383 11,303 28,123 31,682 
Net (gain) loss on divestitures, disposals and impairments charges(7)423 (433)929 
Operating income15,222 15,686 60,098 57,058 
Interest expense6,678 9,278 18,208 27,213 
Net gain on property damage, net of insurance claims— (379)(3,275)(343)
Other, net (95)11 (78)(636)
Income before income taxes8,639 6,776 45,243 30,824 
Expense for income taxes2,640 2,058 12,578 8,899 
Tax adjustment related to discrete items139 73 (496)150 
Total expense for income taxes2,779 2,131 12,082 9,049 
Net income$5,860 $4,645 $33,161 $21,775 
Basic earnings per common share:$0.40 $0.31 $2.22 $1.46 
Diluted earnings per common share:$0.38 $0.30 $2.09 $1.39 
Dividends declared per common share:$0.1125 $0.1125 $0.3375 $0.3375 
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic14,689 14,820 14,908 14,791 
Diluted15,537 15,514 15,849 15,480 
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited and in thousands)
 Nine months ended September 30,
 20222023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$33,161 $21,775 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization14,611 15,623 
Provision for credit losses2,292 2,314 
Stock-based compensation expense4,577 6,155 
Deferred income tax expense 1,699 87 
Amortization of intangibles957 982 
Amortization of debt issuance costs397 524 
Amortization and accretion of debt 368 384 
Net (gain) loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges(433)929 
Net gain on property damage, net of insurance claims(3,275)(343)
Gain on sale of real property— (658)
Other(153)— 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided (used) cash:
Accounts and preneed receivables(3,053)(4,607)
Inventories, prepaid and other current assets2,785 (52)
Intangible and other non-current assets(1,381)(2,285)
Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments(12,585)990 
Accounts payable(2,451)(117)
Accrued and other liabilities(3,080)5,297 
Incentive payment from vendor— 6,000 
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenue2,852 11,110 
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust12,758 (2,259)
Net cash provided by operating activities50,046 61,849 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses and real property(8,876)(44,000)
Proceeds from divestitures and sale of other assets4,313 2,296 
Proceeds from insurance claims2,209 1,388 
Capital expenditures(20,346)(13,069)
Net cash used in investing activities(22,700)(53,385)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings from the credit facility114,600 68,100 
Payments against the credit facility(101,000)(71,500)
Payment of debt issuance costs for the credit facility and senior notes(339)— 
Payments on acquisition debt and obligations under finance leases(314)(491)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan contributions1,438 1,207 
Taxes paid on restricted stock vestings and exercise of stock options(287)(252)
Dividends paid on common stock(5,108)(5,023)
Purchase of treasury stock(36,663)— 
Net cash used in financing activities(27,673)(7,959)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(327)505 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period1,148 1,170 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$821 $1,675 
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(unaudited and in thousands)
Three months ended September 30, 2022
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Total
Balance – June 30, 202214,698 $263 $238,571 $162,763 $(278,753)$122,844 
Net income— — — 5,860 — 5,860 
Issuance of common stock from employee stock purchase plan14 — 377 — — 377 
Issuance of common stock to directors and board advisor— 76 — — 76 
Cancellation and surrender of restricted stock(1)— — — — — 
Stock-based compensation expense— — 1,416 — — 1,416 
Dividends on common stock— — (1,653)— — (1,653)
Balance – September 30, 202214,713 $263 $238,787 $168,623 $(278,753)$128,920 

Three months ended September 30, 2023
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Total
Balance – June 30, 202314,958 $266 $240,681 $193,973 $(278,753)$156,167 
Net income— — — 4,645 — 4,645 
Issuance of common stock from employee stock purchase plan12 — 284 — — 284 
Issuance of common stock to directors and board advisor— 161 — — 161 
Exercise of stock options— (133)— — (133)
Stock-based compensation expense— — 1,831 — — 1,831 
Dividends on common stock— — (1,683)— — (1,683)
Balance – September 30, 202314,982 $266 $241,141 $198,618 $(278,753)$161,272 
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CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(unaudited and in thousands)
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Total
Balance – December 31, 202115,332 $263 $236,809 $135,462 $(244,519)$128,015 
Net income— — — 33,161 — 33,161 
Issuance of common stock from employee stock purchase plan39 — 1,378 — — 1,378 
Issuance of common stock to directors and board advisor— 322 — — 322 
Exercise of stock options— (22)— — (22)
Cancellation and surrender of restricted stock(6)— (205)— — (205)
Stock-based compensation expense— — 4,255 — — 4,255 
Dividends on common stock— — (5,108)— — (5,108)
Treasury stock acquired(695)— — — (34,234)(34,234)
Other27 — 1,358 — — 1,358 
Balance – September 30, 202214,713 $263 $238,787 $168,623 $(278,753)$128,920 

Nine months ended September 30, 2023
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Treasury
Stock
Total
Balance – December 31, 202214,732 $264 $238,780 $176,843 $(278,753)$137,134 
Net income— — — 21,775 — 21,775 
Issuance of common stock from employee stock purchase plan50 — 1,207 — — 1,207 
Issuance of common stock to directors and board advisor11 — 338 — — 338 
Issuance of common stock to former executive30 — 826 — — 826 
Issuance of restricted stock142 (2)— — — 
Exercise of stock options12 — (174)— — (174)
Cancellation and surrender of common and restricted stock(3)— (78)— — (78)
Stock-based compensation expense— — 4,991 — — 4,991 
Dividends on common stock— — (5,023)— — (5,023)
Other— 276 — — 276 
Balance – September 30, 202314,982 $266 $241,141 $198,618 $(278,753)$161,272 
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.









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CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company
Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a leading provider of funeral and cemetery services and merchandise in the United States. Our operations are reported in two business segments: Funeral Home operations, which currently accounts for approximately 70% of our total revenue and Cemetery operations, which currently accounts for approximately 30% of our total revenue. At September 30, 2023, we operated 171 funeral homes in 26 states and 32 cemeteries in 11 states.
Our funeral home operations are principally service businesses that generate revenue from sales of burial and cremation services and related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Funeral services include consultation, the removal and preparation of remains, the sale of caskets and related funeral merchandise, the use of funeral home facilities for visitation and memorial services and transportation services. We provide funeral services and products on both an “atneed” (time of death) and “preneed” (planned prior to death) basis.
Our cemetery operations generate revenue primarily through sales of cemetery interment rights (primarily grave sites, lawn crypts, mausoleum spaces and niches), related cemetery merchandise (such as memorial markers, outer burial containers and monuments) and services (interments, inurnments and installation of cemetery merchandise). We provide cemetery services and products on both an atneed and preneed basis.
Principles of Consolidation and Interim Condensed Disclosures
Our unaudited consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Our interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, which consist of normal, recurring accruals, that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations as of and for the interim periods presented.
There have been no material changes in our accounting policies previously disclosed in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Note 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. In addition, our unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting principles described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our critical estimates and judgments, which include those related to the impairment of goodwill and the fair value measurements used in business combinations. These policies are considered critical because they may result in fluctuations in our reported results from period to period due to the significant judgments, estimates and assumptions about complex and inherently uncertain matters and because the use of different judgments, assumptions or estimates could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. 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 because there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings, as a percentage of revenue, will be consistent from period to period.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventory
Inventory consists primarily of caskets, outer burial containers and cemetery monuments and markers and is recorded at the lower of its cost basis or net realizable value. Inventory is relieved using specific identification in fulfillment of performance obligations on our contracts.
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Deferred Revenue
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we withdrew $8.6 million of realized capital gains and earnings from our preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments. In certain states, we are allowed to make these withdrawals prior to the delivery of preneed merchandise and service contracts. The realized capital gains and earnings withdrawn increase our cash flow from operations, but are not recognized as revenue in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, however, they reduce our Preneed funeral trust investments and Preneed cemetery trust investments and increase our Deferred preneed funeral revenue and Deferred preneed cemetery revenue.
Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we received a $6.0 million incentive payment from a vendor for entering into a strategic partnership agreement to market and sell prearranged funeral services in the future, which increased our cash flow from operations and Deferred preneed funeral revenue. The incentive payment will be deferred until we complete our implementation of the program and begin selling prearranged funeral services.
Goodwill
The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of funeral home businesses and cemeteries we acquire is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not subject to amortization. As such, we test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of August 31st each year. Under current guidance, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test.
We performed our most recent annual goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2023. We intend to perform a quantitative impairment test at least once every three years and perform a qualitative assessment during the remaining two years. We conducted a quantitative assessment in 2022 and a qualitative assessment in 2023. In addition to our annual test, we assess the impairment of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may be greater than fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant negative industry or economic trends and significant adverse changes in the business climate, which may be indicated by a decline in our market capitalization or decline in operating results.
Our quantitative goodwill impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. In the quantitative analysis, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired. We determine fair value for each reporting unit using both an income approach, weighted 90%, and a market approach, weighted 10%. Our methodology for determining an income-based fair value is based on discounting projected future cash flows. The projected future cash flows include assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows discounted at our weighted average cost of capital based on market participant assumptions. Our methodology for determining a market approach fair value utilizes the guideline public company method, in which we rely on market multiples of comparable companies operating in the same industry as the individual reporting units. In accordance with the guidance, if the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount an impairment charge is recorded in an amount equal to the difference.
For our 2023 annual qualitative assessment, we determined that there were no factors that would indicate the need to perform an additional quantitative goodwill impairment test. We concluded that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of our reporting units is greater than their carrying value and thus there was no impairment to goodwill. For our 2022 annual quantitative assessment, there was no impairment to goodwill as the fair value of our reporting units was greater than the carrying value.
When we divest a portion of a reporting unit that constitutes a business in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), we allocate goodwill associated with that business to be included in the gain or loss on divestiture. The goodwill allocated is based on the relative fair value of the business being divested and the portion of the reporting unit that will be retained. Additionally, after each divestiture, we will test the goodwill remaining in the portion of the reporting unit to be retained for impairment using a qualitative assessment unless we deem a quantitative assessment to be appropriate to ensure the fair value of our reporting units is greater than their carrying value.
See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information related to our goodwill.
Intangible Assets
Our intangible assets include tradenames resulting from acquisitions and are included in Intangible and other non-current assets, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Our tradenames are considered to have an indefinite life and are not subject to amortization. As such, we test our intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of August 31st each year. Under current guidance, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair
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value of the tradename is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test.
We performed our most recent annual intangible assets impairment test as of August 31, 2023. We intend to perform a quantitative impairment test at least once every three years and perform a qualitative assessment during the remaining two years. We conducted a quantitative assessment in 2022 and a qualitative assessment in 2023. In addition to our intangible assets annual test, we assess the impairment of intangible assets whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the intangible asset may be greater than the fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends.
Our quantitative intangible asset impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. Our quantitative analysis is performed using the relief from royalty method, which measures the tradenames by determining the value of the royalties that we are relieved from paying due to our ownership of the asset. We determine the fair value of the asset by discounting the cash flows that represent a savings in lieu of paying a royalty fee for use of the tradename. The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows and the determination and application of an appropriate royalty rate and discount rate. To estimate the royalty rates for the individual tradename, we mainly rely on the profit split method, but also consider the comparable third-party license agreements and the return on asset method. A scorecard is used to assess the relative strength of the individual tradename to further adjust the royalty rates selected under the profit-split method for qualitative factors. In accordance with the guidance, if the fair value of the tradename is less than its carrying amount, then an impairment charge is recorded in an amount equal to the difference.
As a result of our 2023 qualitative assessment, we determined that there were factors that would indicate the need to perform an additional quantitative impairment test for certain funeral home businesses. As a result of this additional quantitative impairment test, we recorded an impairment to the tradenames for two of our funeral homes of $0.2 million, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as the carrying amount of these tradenames exceeded the fair value. For our 2022 assessment, there was no impairment to intangibles assets.
See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information related to our intangible assets.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is comprised of the following (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Land$84,405 $85,660 
Buildings and improvements251,778 262,856 
Furniture, equipment and automobiles70,522 76,653 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost406,705 425,169 
Less: accumulated depreciation(128,599)(136,762)
Property, plant and equipment, net$278,106 $288,407 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we acquired $12.8 million of property, plant and equipment related to our acquisition of a business located in Bakersfield, CA, as more fully described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, we sold real property for $1.2 million, with a carrying value of $0.6 million, resulting in a gain on the sale of $0.6 million. We also divested one funeral home that had a carrying value of property, plant and equipment of $0.3 million, which was included in the loss on the sale of divestitures and recorded in Net (gain) loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we acquired real property for $5.6 million. Additionally, we sold real property for $3.3 million, with a carrying value of $1.8 million, resulting in a gain on the sale of $1.4 million. We also divested two funeral homes that had a carrying value of property, plant and equipment of $0.7 million, which was included in the loss on the sale of divestitures and recorded in Net (gain) loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges.
Our growth and maintenance capital expenditures totaled $5.3 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $15.1 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively, for property, plant and equipment. In addition, we recorded depreciation expense of $3.4 million and $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $10.1 million and $11.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
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Cemetery Property
Cemetery property was $104.2 million and $113.2 million, net of accumulated amortization of $59.0 million and $63.0 million at December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively. When cemetery property is sold, the value of the cemetery property (interment right costs) is expensed as amortization using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue. Our growth capital expenditures for cemetery property development totaled $1.5 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023 and $5.2 million and $5.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. We recorded amortization expense for cemetery interment rights of $1.3 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023 and $4.3 million and $4.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we acquired cemetery property for $9.0 million related to our acquisition of a business located in Bakersfield, CA, as more fully described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We also divested two cemeteries that had a carrying value of cemetery property of $0.8 million, which was included in the loss on the sale of divestitures and recorded in Net (gain) loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $2.8 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $12.1 million and $9.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Our operating tax rate before discrete items was 30.6% and 30.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and 27.8% and 28.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Subsequent Events
We have evaluated events and transactions during the period subsequent to September 30, 2023 through the date the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements covered by this report.
2.RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Credit Losses - Vintage Disclosures
In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“Topic 326”) to make the requirement to disclose gross write-offs by class of financing receivable and major security type consistent for all public business entities. The amendment in this update provides specific guidance on the disclosure for current period write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and therefore was effective for us beginning January 1, 2023. Our adoption of these amendments had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.
3. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and goodwill is recognized for any difference between the price of the acquisition and fair value. We recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at the fair value as of that date. Acquisition related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and are expensed as incurred. We customarily estimate related transaction costs known at closing. To the extent that information not available to us at the closing date subsequently becomes available during the measurement period, we may adjust goodwill, intangible assets, assets or liabilities associated with the acquisition.
On March 22, 2023, we acquired a business consisting of three funeral homes, two cemeteries and one cremation focused business in the Bakersfield, California area for $44.0 million in cash. We acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain operating liabilities of this business.
The pro forma impact of this acquisition on prior periods is not presented, as the impact is not significant to our reported results. The results of the acquired business are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Operations from the date of acquisition.
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The following table summarizes the breakdown of the purchase price allocation for our Bakersfield, CA business acquisition (in thousands):
Initial Purchase Price AllocationAdjustmentsAdjusted Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets$7,087 $131 $7,218 
Preneed trust assets— 11,428 11,428 
Property, plant & equipment12,577 245 12,822 
Cemetery property9,035 — 9,035 
Goodwill13,612 (106)13,506 
Intangible and other non-current assets3,763 — 3,763 
Assumed liabilities(300)(66)(366)
Preneed trust liabilities— (11,428)(11,428)
Deferred revenue(1,774)(204)(1,978)
Purchase price$44,000 $— $44,000 
The current assets relate to accounts receivable and inventory. The intangible and other non-current assets relate to the fair value of tradenames and right-of-use operating lease assets. The assumed liabilities relate to operating lease obligations and commissions payable. As of September 30, 2023, our accounting for this acquisition is complete.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for this business (in thousands):
Acquisition DateType of BusinessMarketAssets Acquired (Excluding
Goodwill)
Goodwill
Recorded
Liabilities
and Debt
Assumed
March 22, 2023Three Funeral Homes, Two Cemeteries and One Cremation Focused BusinessBakersfield, CA$44,266 $13,506 $(13,772)
On August 8, 2022, we acquired a business consisting of two funeral homes in Kissimmee, FL for $6.3 million in cash. We acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain operating liabilities of this business.
The following table summarizes the breakdown of the purchase price allocation for our Kissimmee, FL business acquisition (in thousands):
Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets$28 
Preneed trust assets1,439 
Property, plant & equipment2,986 
Goodwill2,694 
Intangible and other non-current assets542 
Preneed trust liabilities(1,439)
Purchase price$6,250 
The intangible and other non-current assets relate to the fair value of tradenames and non-compete agreements.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for our Kissimmee, FL business acquisition (in thousands):
Acquisition DateType of BusinessMarketAssets
Acquired
(Excluding
Goodwill)
Goodwill
Recorded
Liabilities
and Debt
Assumed
August 8, 2022Two Funeral HomesKissimmee, FL$4,995 $2,694 $(1,439)
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4.GOODWILL
The following table presents changes in goodwill in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Goodwill at the beginning of the period$391,972 $410,137 
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions19,511 13,506 
Decrease in goodwill related to divestitures(901)— 
Decrease in goodwill related to assets held for sale(445)— 
Goodwill at the end of the period$410,137 $423,643 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized $13.5 million in goodwill related to our acquisition of a business located in Bakersfield, CA, of which $4.5 million was allocated to our cemetery segment and $9.0 million was allocated to our funeral home segment.
See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein, for a discussion of the methodology used for our
goodwill impairment test.
5.DIVESTED OPERATIONS
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, we sold one funeral home for $0.3 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we sold two funeral homes and two cemeteries for an aggregate of $1.1 million and merged one funeral home with another business we own in a nearby market.
During the three months ended September 30, 2022, we did not sell any funeral homes or cemeteries. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we sold two funeral homes for an aggregate of $0.9 million and merged one funeral home with another business we own in a nearby market.
The operating results of these divested funeral homes and cemeteries are reflected on our Consolidated Statements of Operations as shown in the table below (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Revenue$— $18 $296 $242 
Operating income— 25 
Loss on divestitures(1)
— (24)(703)(107)
Income tax benefit— 188 30 
Net loss from divested operations, after tax$— $(11)$(490)$(74)
(1)
Loss on divestitures is recorded in Net (gain) loss on divestitures, disposals and impairments charges on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
6.RECEIVABLES
Accounts Receivable
Our funeral receivables are recorded in Accounts receivable, net and primarily consist of amounts due for funeral services already performed.
Atneed cemetery receivables and preneed cemetery receivables with payments expected to be received within one year from the balance sheet date are also recorded in Accounts receivable, net. Preneed cemetery receivables with payments expected to be received beyond one year from the balance sheet date are recorded in Preneed cemetery receivables, net.
Accounts receivable is comprised of the following (in thousands):
September 30, 2023
FuneralCemeteryCorporateTotal
Trade and financed receivables$7,983 $18,240 $— $26,223 
Other receivables336 391 100 827 
Allowance for credit losses(285)(1,241)— (1,526)
Accounts receivable, net$8,034 $17,390 $100 $25,524 
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December 31, 2022
FuneralCemeteryCorporateTotal
Trade and financed receivables$9,518 $14,429 $— $23,947 
Other receivables643 833 48 1,524 
Allowance for credit losses(311)(702)— (1,013)
Accounts receivable, net$9,850 $14,560 $48 $24,458 
Other receivables include supplier rebates, commissions due from third party insurance companies and perpetual care income receivables. We do not provide an allowance for credit losses for these receivables as we have historically not had any collectability issues nor do we expect any in the foreseeable future.
The following table summarizes the activity in our allowance for credit losses by segment (in thousands):
January 1, 2023Provision for Credit LossesWrite OffsRecoveriesSeptember 30, 2023
Trade and financed receivables:
Funeral$(311)$(858)$1,745 $(861)$(285)
Cemetery(702)(548)— (1,241)
Total allowance for credit losses on trade and financed receivables$(1,013)$(1,406)$1,754 $(861)$(1,526)
Balances due on undelivered preneed funeral trust contracts have been reclassified to reduce Deferred preneed funeral revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheet of $8.9 million and $10.7 million at December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively. As these performance obligations are to be completed after the date of death, we cannot quantify the recognition of revenue in future periods. However, we estimate an average maturity period of ten years for preneed funeral contracts.
Preneed Cemetery Receivables
Our preneed cemetery receivables are comprised of the following (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Interment rights$45,351 $58,032 
Merchandise and services8,585 10,574 
Unearned finance charges4,894 5,407 
Preneed cemetery receivables$58,830 $74,013 
The components of our preneed cemetery receivables are as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Preneed cemetery receivables$58,830 $74,013 
Less: unearned finance charges(4,894)(5,407)
Preneed cemetery receivables, at amortized cost$53,936 $68,606 
Less: allowance for credit losses(1,985)(3,548)
Less: balances due on undelivered cemetery preneed contracts(11,552)(13,727)
Less: amounts in accounts receivable(13,727)(16,999)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net$26,672 $34,332 
The following table summarizes the activity in our allowance for credit losses for Preneed cemetery receivables, net (in thousands):
January 1, 2023Provision for Credit LossesWrite OffsSeptember 30, 2023
Total allowance for credit losses on Preneed cemetery receivables, net
$(1,283)$(908)$(116)$(2,307)
The amortized cost basis of our preneed cemetery receivables by year of origination at September 30, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):
20232022202120202019PriorTotal
Total preneed cemetery receivables, at amortized cost$27,143 $21,505 $11,134 $5,312 $1,909 $1,603 $68,606 
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The aging of past due preneed cemetery receivables at September 30, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):
31-60
Past Due
61-90
Past Due
91-120
Past Due
>120
Past Due
Total Past
Due
CurrentTotal
Recognized revenue$1,174 $739 $648 $3,686 $6,247 $48,632 $54,879 
Deferred revenue281 294 124 1,292 1,991 17,143 19,134 
Total contracts$1,455 $1,033 $772 $4,978 $8,238 $65,775 $74,013 
Balances due on undelivered preneed cemetery contracts have been reclassified to reduce Deferred preneed cemetery revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. The transaction price allocated to preneed merchandise and service performance obligations that were unfulfilled were $11.6 million and $13.7 million at December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023, respectively. As these performance obligations are to be completed after the date of death, we cannot quantify the recognition of revenue in future periods. However, we estimate an average maturity period of eight years for preneed cemetery contracts.
7.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
We evaluated our financial assets and liabilities for those that met the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of our receivables on preneed cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms. Our acquisition debt and Credit Facility (as defined in Note 11) and Senior Notes (as defined in Note 12) are classified within Level 2 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy.
At September 30, 2023, the carrying value and fair value of our Credit Facility was $187.3 million. We believe that our Credit Facility bears interest at a rate that approximates prevailing market rates for instruments with similar characteristics and therefore, the carrying value of our Credit Facility approximates fair value. We estimate the fair value of our acquisition debt utilizing an income approach, which uses a present value calculation to discount payments based on current market rates as of the reporting date. At September 30, 2023, the carrying value of our acquisition debt was $3.9 million, which approximated its fair value. The fair value of our Senior Notes was $342.6 million at September 30, 2023 based on the last traded or broker quoted price.
We identified investments in fixed income securities, common stock and mutual funds presented within the preneed and perpetual care trust investments categories on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as having met the criteria for fair value measurement. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, investments held by the trusts are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy. Our Level 1 investments include cash, U.S. treasury debt, common stock and equity mutual funds. Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, then fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of similar securities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are fixed income securities, including U.S. agency obligations, foreign debt, corporate debt, preferred stocks, certificates of deposit and fixed income mutual funds and other investments, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
In addition, we have an investment in a limited partnership fund, whose fair value has been estimated using the net asset value per share practical expedient described in ASC 820-10-35-59, Fair Value Measurement of Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) and therefore, has not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The value of the investments in this fund cannot be redeemed because the investments include restrictions that do not allow for redemption within the first 12 months after acquisition. Our unfunded commitment for this investment at September 30, 2023 is $10.0 million.
Our receivables from preneed funeral trusts represent assets in trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which we do not have a controlling financial interest (less than 50%) in the trust assets. We account for these investments at cost. See Notes 8 and 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for the fair value hierarchy levels of our trust investments.
8.TRUST INVESTMENTS
Preneed trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are generally permitted to withdraw as the services and merchandise are provided to customers. Preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are secured by payments from customers, less amounts not required by law to be deposited into trust. These earnings are recognized in Other revenue on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisory firm (“CSV RIA”) are included as revenue in the period in which they are earned. Our investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We do not intend to sell and it is likely that we will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery.
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Cemetery perpetual care trust investments represent a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights that we are required by various state laws to deposit into perpetual care trust funds. The income earned from these perpetual care trusts offsets maintenance expenses for cemetery property and memorials. This trust fund income is recognized in Other revenue.
Changes in the fair value of our trust fund assets (Preneed funeral, cemetery and perpetual care trust investments) are offset by changes in the fair value of our trust fund liabilities (Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus) and reflected in Other, net. There is no impact on earnings until such time the services are performed or the merchandise is delivered, causing the contract to be withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations and the gain or loss is allocated to the contract.
We rely on our trust investments to provide funding for the various contractual obligations that arise upon maturity of the underlying preneed contracts. Because of the long-term relationship between the establishment of trust investments and the required performance of the underlying contractual obligations, the impact of current market conditions that may exist at any given time is not necessarily indicative of our ability to generate profit on our future performance obligations.
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments
The components of Preneed cemetery trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheet are as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Preneed cemetery trust investments, at market value$98,269 $95,632 
Less: allowance for contract cancellation(3,204)(3,049)
Preneed cemetery trust investments$95,065 $92,583 
The cost and market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at September 30, 2023 are detailed below (in thousands):
Fair Value Hierarchy LevelCostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1$9,177 $— $— $9,177 
Fixed income securities:
U.S. agency obligations2803 — (75)728 
Foreign debt29,246 959 (351)9,854 
Corporate debt215,058 109 (4,872)10,295 
Preferred stock211,524 528 (1,466)10,586 
Certificates of deposit279 — (9)70 
Common stock140,264 8,897 (7,508)41,653 
Limited partnership fund3,572 108 — 3,680 
Mutual funds:
Equity1553 — (65)488 
Fixed income211,361 (3,153)8,210 
Trust securities$101,637 $10,603 $(17,499)$94,741 
Accrued investment income$891 $891 
Preneed cemetery trust investments$95,632 
Market value as a percentage of cost93.2%
The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) included above are as follows (in thousands):
Due in one year or less$138 
Due in one to five years8,981 
Due in five to ten years3,956 
Thereafter18,458 
Total fixed income securities$31,533 
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The cost and market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at December 31, 2022 are detailed below (in thousands):
Fair Value Hierarchy LevelCostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1$10,434 $— $— $10,434 
Fixed income securities:
U.S. agency obligations2803 — (72)731 
Foreign debt212,241 910 (644)12,507 
Corporate debt215,066 104 (4,139)11,031 
Preferred stock212,560 436 (1,789)11,207 
Certificate of deposit279 — (8)71 
Common stock142,929 5,102 (6,228)41,803 
Mutual funds:
Equity1362 — (33)329 
Fixed income212,324 10 (3,310)9,024 
Trust Securities$106,798 $6,562 $(16,223)$97,137 
Accrued investment income$1,132 $1,132 
Preneed cemetery trust investments$98,269 
Market value as a percentage of cost91.0%
The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our preneed cemetery trust investments in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2023, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):
September 30, 2023
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. agency obligations$— $— $728 $(75)$728 $(75)
Foreign debt2,885 (100)1,711 (251)4,596 (351)
Corporate debt3,106 (276)4,374 (4,596)7,480 (4,872)
Preferred stock305 (21)7,993 (1,445)8,298 (1,466)
Certificates of deposit— — 71 (9)71 (9)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$6,296 $(397)$14,877 $(6,376)$21,173 $(6,773)
The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our preneed cemetery trust investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2022, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):
December 31, 2022
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. agency obligations$732 $(72)$— $— $732 $(72)
Foreign debt5,394 (308)744 (336)6,138 (644)
Corporate debt8,037 (3,922)563 (217)8,600 (4,139)
Preferred stock7,146 (1,271)2,517 (518)9,663 (1,789)
Certificates of deposit71 (8)— — 71 (8)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$21,380 $(5,581)$3,824 $(1,071)$25,204 $(6,652)
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Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions recorded in Other, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Investment income$556 $610 $1,618 $1,889 
Realized gains392 246 9,285 2,247 
Realized losses(105)(190)(2,488)(1,336)
Unrealized gains (losses), net(5,037)1,818 (14,137)(6,896)
Expenses and taxes(482)(454)(1,353)(1,076)
Net change in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust4,676 (2,030)7,075 5,172 
$— $— $— $— 
Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed cemetery trusts are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Purchases$(459)$(5,481)$(2,083)$(14,619)
Sales— 5,368 661 11,230 
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments
Preneed funeral trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are permitted to withdraw as services and merchandise are provided to customers. Preneed funeral contracts are secured by payments from customers, less retained amounts not required to be deposited into trust.
The components of Preneed funeral trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheet are as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Preneed funeral trust investments, at market value$107,995 $109,863 
Less: allowance for contract cancellation(3,442)(3,430)
Preneed funeral trust investments$104,553 $106,433 
The cost and market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at September 30, 2023 are detailed below (in thousands):
Fair Value Hierarchy LevelCostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1$27,984 $— $— $27,984 
Fixed income securities:
U.S treasury debt1485 — (48)437 
Foreign debt28,680 917 (320)9,277 
Corporate debt213,540 98 (4,287)9,351 
Preferred stock210,413 495 (1,380)9,528 
Common stock136,309 8,456 (6,561)38,204 
Limited partnership fund3,413 103 — 3,516 
Mutual funds:
Equity1405— (57)348 
Fixed income29,599 (2,712)6,889 
Other investments23,511 — — 3,511 
Trust securities$114,339 $10,071 $(15,365)$109,045 
Accrued investment income$818 $818 
Preneed funeral trust investments$109,863 
Market value as a percentage of cost95.4%
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The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) included above are as follows (in thousands):
Due in one year or less$80 
Due in one to five years7,980 
Due in five to ten years3,636 
Thereafter16,897 
Total fixed income securities$28,593 
The cost and market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at December 31, 2022 are detailed below (in thousands):
Fair Value Hierarchy LevelCostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1$29,641 $— $— $29,641 
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury debt1484 — (45)439 
Foreign debt210,851 818 (555)11,114 
Corporate debt212,735 89 (3,443)9,381 
Preferred stock210,730 391 (1,564)9,557 
Common stock136,478 4,485 (5,187)35,776 
Mutual funds:
Equity1326 — (30)296 
Fixed income29,907 (2,691)7,225 
Other investments23,592 — — 3,592 
Trust securities$114,744 $5,792 $(13,515)$107,021 
Accrued investment income$974 $974 
Preneed funeral trust investments$107,995 
Market value as a percentage of cost93.3%
The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our preneed funeral trust investment in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2023, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):
September 30, 2023
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury debt$— $— $437 $(48)$437 $(48)
Foreign debt2,709 (94)1,542 (226)4,251 (320)
Corporate debt2,969 (264)3,749 (4,023)6,718 (4,287)
Preferred stock291 (20)7,269 (1,360)7,560 (1,380)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$5,969 $(378)$12,997 $(5,657)$18,966 $(6,035)
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The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our preneed funeral trust investment in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2022, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):
December 31, 2022
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury debt$439 $(45)$— $— $439 $(45)
Foreign debt4,766 (274)626 (281)5,392 (555)
Corporate debt6,742 (3,248)506 (195)7,248 (3,443)
Preferred stock5,908 (1,099)2,261 (465)8,169 (1,564)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$17,855 $(4,666)$3,393 $(941)$21,248 $(5,607)
Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Investment income$398 $479 $1,245 $1,542 
Realized gains357 235 8,247 2,178 
Realized losses(96)(181)(2,242)(1,278)
Unrealized gains (losses), net(4,394)1,911 (11,794)(5,294)
Expenses and taxes(214)(182)(751)(576)
Net change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust3,949 (2,262)5,295 3,428 
$— $— $— $— 
Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed funeral trusts are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Purchases$— $(5,237)$(590)$(13,987)
Sales5,135 538 10,820 
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments
Care trusts’ corpus on our Consolidated Balance Sheet represents the corpus of those trusts plus undistributed income. The components of Care trusts’ corpus are as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments, at market value$66,307 $82,042 
Obligations due from trust(812)(743)
Care trusts’ corpus$65,495 $81,299 
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The following table reflects the cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in cemetery perpetual care trust funds at September 30, 2023 (in thousands):
Fair Value Hierarchy LevelCostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1$6,913 $— $— $6,913 
Fixed income securities:
Foreign debt28,447 810 (338)8,919 
Corporate debt213,152 137 (4,292)8,997 
Preferred stock211,121 469 (1,334)10,256 
Common stock133,764 7,586 (6,219)35,131 
Limited partnership fund3,014 91 — 3,105 
Mutual funds:
Equity1464 — (57)407 
Fixed income210,248 (2,737)7,512 
Trust securities$87,123 $9,094 $(14,977)$81,240 
Accrued investment income$802 $802 
Cemetery perpetual care investments$82,042 
Market value as a percentage of cost93.2%
The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) included above are as follows (in thousands):
Due in one year or less$— 
Due in one to five years7,107 
Due in five to ten years3,505 
Thereafter17,560 
Total fixed income securities$28,172 
The following table reflects the cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in cemetery perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
Fair Value Hierarchy LevelCostUnrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1$5,326 $— $— $5,326 
Fixed income securities:
Foreign debt28,746 600 (470)8,876 
Corporate debt210,540 118 (2,961)7,697 
Preferred stock29,831 287 (1,374)8,744 
Common stock128,625 3,443 (4,297)27,771 
Mutual funds:
Equity1345 (22)325 
Fixed income29,046 26 (2,310)6,762 
Trust securities$72,459 $4,476 $(11,434)$65,501 
Accrued investment income$806 $806 
Cemetery perpetual care investments$66,307 
Market value as a percentage of cost90.4%
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The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our cemetery perpetual care trust investment in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2023, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):
September 30, 2023
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
Foreign debt$2,906 $(107)$1,576 $(231)$4,482 $(338)
Corporate debt2,621 (233)3,704 (4,059)6,325 (4,292)
Preferred stock257 (18)7,356 (1,316)7,613 (1,334)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$5,784 $(358)$12,636 $(5,606)$18,420 $(5,964)
The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our perpetual care trust investment in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2022, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):
December 31, 2022
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized LossesFair Market ValueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
Foreign debt$4,123 $(218)$554 $(252)$4,677 $(470)
Corporate debt5,413 (2,818)371 (143)5,784 (2,961)
Preferred stock6,066 (1,032)1,659 (342)7,725 (1,374)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$15,602 $(4,068)$2,584 $(737)$18,186 $(4,805)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Other, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Realized gains$48 $31 $1,292 $862 
Realized losses(13)(24)(302)(494)
Unrealized gains (losses), net(3,730)1,444 (9,846)(5,883)
Net change in care trusts’ corpus3,695 (1,451)8,856 5,515 
Total$— $— $— $— 
Cemetery perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Other revenue are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Investment income$3,075 $2,663 $8,613 $8,741 
Realized losses, net(739)(322)(1,343)(796)
Total$2,336 $2,341 $7,270 $7,945 
Purchases and sales of investments in the cemetery perpetual care trusts are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Purchases$(233)$(4,625)$(644)$(11,336)
Sales— 4,529 441 15,433 
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9.RECEIVABLES FROM PRENEED FUNERAL TRUSTS
Our receivables from preneed funeral trusts represent assets in trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which we do not have a controlling financial interest (less than 50%) in the trust assets. We account for these investments at cost. Receivables from preneed funeral trusts are as follows (in thousands): 
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Preneed funeral trust funds, at cost$20,594 $21,954 
Less: allowance for contract cancellation(618)(659)
Receivables from preneed funeral trusts, net$19,976 $21,295 
The following summary reflects the composition of the assets held in trust and controlled by third parties to satisfy our future obligations related to the underlying preneed funeral contracts at December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023. The cost basis includes reinvested interest and dividends that have been earned on the trust assets. Fair value includes unrealized gains and losses on trust assets.
The composition of the preneed funeral trust funds at September 30, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):
Historical
Cost Basis
Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents$6,442 $6,442 
Fixed income investments12,661 12,661 
Mutual funds and common stocks2,847 2,519 
Annuities
Total$21,954 $21,626 
The composition of the preneed funeral trust funds at December 31, 2022 is as follows (in thousands):
Historical
Cost Basis
Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents$6,071 $6,071 
Fixed income investments11,795 11,795 
Mutual funds and common stocks2,725 2,440 
Annuities
Total$20,594 $20,309 
10.INTANGIBLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Intangible and other non-current assets are as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Tradenames$25,610 $28,863 
Capitalized commissions on preneed contracts, net of accumulated amortization of $2,990 and $3,579, respectively
4,048 4,507 
Prepaid agreements not-to-compete, net of accumulated amortization of $3,515 and $3,707, respectively
1,877 1,464 
Internal-use software, net of accumulated amortization of $200 and $372, respectively
1,271 1,968 
Other124 419 
Intangible and other non-current assets, net $32,930 $37,221 
Tradenames
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we increased the value of our tradenames by $3.5 million, with $1.3 million allocated to our funeral home segment and $2.2 million allocated to our cemetery segment, related to our acquisition of a business located in Bakersfield, CA, as more fully described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As a result of our 2023 qualitative assessment, we determined that there were factors that would indicate the need to perform an additional quantitative impairment test for certain funeral home businesses. As a result of this additional quantitative impairment test, we recorded an impairment to the tradenames for two of our funeral homes of $0.2 million, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as the carrying amount of these tradenames exceeded the fair value. For our 2022
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assessment, there was no impairment to intangibles assets. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for a discussion of the methodology used for our indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test.
Capitalized Commissions
We capitalize sales commissions and other direct selling costs related to preneed cemetery merchandise and services and preneed funeral trust contracts as these costs are incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. Our capitalized commissions on preneed contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average maturity period of ten years for our preneed funeral trust contracts and eight years for our preneed cemetery merchandise and services contracts.
Amortization expense was $181,000 and $204,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $525,000 and $589,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Prepaid Agreements
Prepaid agreements not-to-compete are amortized over the term of the respective agreements, generally ranging from one to ten years. Amortization expense was $142,000 and $131,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $432,000 and $393,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Internal-use Software
Internal-use software is amortized on a straight-line basis typically over three to five years. Amortization expense was $56,000 and $72,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $167,000 and $206,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The aggregate amortization expense for our capitalized commissions, prepaid agreements and internal-use software as of September 30, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):
Capitalized CommissionsPrepaid AgreementsInternal-use Software
Years ending December 31,
Remainder of 2023$209 $129 $79 
2024800 424 305 
2025735 377 409 
2026668 262 396 
2027603 142 394 
Thereafter1,492 130 385 
Total amortization expense$4,507 $1,464 $1,968 
11.CREDIT FACILITY AND ACQUISITION DEBT
At September 30, 2023, our senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) was comprised of: (i) a $250.0 million revolving credit facility, including a $15.0 million subfacility for letters of credit and a $10.0 million swingline, and (ii) an accordion or incremental option allowing for future increases in the facility size by an additional amount of up to $75.0 million in the aggregate in the form of increased revolving commitments or incremental term loans. The final maturity of the Credit Facility will occur on May 13, 2026.
Our obligations under the Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the same subsidiaries which guarantee the Senior Notes (as defined in Note 12) and certain of our subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”).
The Credit Facility contains customary affirmative covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants with respect to the use of proceeds, payment of taxes and other obligations, continuation of the Company’s business and the maintenance of existing rights and privileges, the maintenance of property and insurance, among others.
In addition, the Credit Facility also contains customary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants that restrict (subject to certain exceptions) the ability of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors to incur indebtedness, grant liens, make investments, engage in mergers and acquisitions, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, and certain financial maintenance covenants. At September 30, 2023, we were subject to the following financial covenants under our Credit Facility: (A) a Total Leverage Ratio not to exceed 6.00 to 1.00 and (B) a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of not less than 1.20 to 1.00 as of the end of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters. These financial maintenance covenants are calculated for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. We were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our Credit Facility as of September 30, 2023.
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Our Credit Facility and acquisition debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Credit Facility$190,700 $187,300 
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,926 and $2,340, respectively
(1,864)(1,444)
Total Credit Facility$188,836 $185,856 
Acquisition debt$3,993 $3,924 
Less: current portion(555)(589)
Total acquisition debt, net of current portion$3,438 $3,335 
At September 30, 2023, we had outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility of $187.3 million. We also had one letter of credit for $2.3 million under the Credit Facility, which was increased to $2.6 million on July 7, 2023. The letter of credit will expire on November 27, 2023 and is expected to automatically renew annually and secures our obligations under our various self-insured policies. At September 30, 2023, we had $60.1 million of availability under the Credit Facility.
The interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs related to our Credit Facility are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Credit Facility interest expense$1,971 $4,508 $4,132 $12,987 
Credit Facility amortization of debt issuance costs109 138 293 414 
Outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility bear interest at a prime rate or the Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index (“BSBY”) rate, plus an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio. At September 30, 2023, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 2.375% and the BSBY rate margin was 3.375%. The weighted average interest rate on our Credit Facility was 4.3% and 9.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and 3.1% and 8.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Acquisition debt consists of deferred purchase price and promissory notes payable to sellers. A majority of the deferred purchase price and notes bear no interest and are discounted at imputed interest rates ranging from 7.3% to 10.0%. Original maturities range from nine to twenty years.
The imputed interest expense related to our acquisition debt is as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Acquisition debt imputed interest expense$78 $70 $237 $212 
12. SENIOR NOTES
The carrying value of our 4.25% senior notes due 2029 (the “Senior Notes”) is reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Long-term liabilities:
Principal amount$400,000 $400,000 
Debt discount, net of accumulated amortization of $794 and $1,178, respectively
(3,706)(3,322)
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $226 and $336, respectively
(1,051)(941)
Carrying value of the Senior Notes$395,243 $395,737 
At September 30, 2023, the fair value of the Senior Notes, which are Level 2 measurements, was $342.6 million.
The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of May 13, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. The Senior Notes are unsecured, senior obligations and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Senior Notes mature on May 15, 2029, unless earlier redeemed or purchased and bear interest at 4.25% per year, which is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2021.
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The Indenture contains restrictive covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares, create liens on certain assets to secure debt, pay dividends or make other equity distributions, purchase or redeem capital stock, make certain investments, sell assets, agree to certain restrictions on the ability of Restricted Subsidiaries to make payments to us, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets, or engage in transactions with affiliates. The Indenture also contains customary events of default.
The interest expense and amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs related to our Senior Notes are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Senior Notes interest expense$4,250 $4,250 $12,730 $12,750 
Senior Notes amortization of debt discount125 129 368 384 
Senior Notes amortization of debt issuance costs35 37 104 110 
The debt discount and the debt issuance costs are being amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of approximately 68 months of the Senior Notes. The effective interest rate on the unamortized debt discount and the unamortized debt issuance costs for the Senior Notes for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023 was 4.42% and 4.30%, respectively.
13.LEASES
Our lease obligations consist of operating and finance leases related to real estate, equipment and vehicles. The components of lease cost are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
Income Statement Classification2022202320222023
Operating lease cost
Facilities and grounds expense(1)
$863 $887 $2,564 $2,638 
Short-term lease cost
Facilities and grounds expense(1)
82 75 260 261 
Variable lease cost
Facilities and grounds expense(1)
37 69 60 183 
Finance lease cost:
Depreciation of leased assets
Depreciation and amortization(2)
$111 $190 $328 $407 
Interest on lease liabilitiesInterest expense110 137 335 345 
Total finance lease cost221 327 663 752 
Total lease cost$1,203 $1,358 $3,547 $3,834 
(1)
Facilities and grounds expense is included within Cost of service and General, administrative and other on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)
Depreciation and amortization expense is included within Field depreciation expense and General, administrative and other on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Supplemental cash flow information related to our leases is as follows (in thousands):
Nine months ended September 30,
20222023
Cash paid for operating leases included in operating activities$2,698 $2,840 
Cash paid for finance leases included in financing activities646 806 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new leases is as follows (in thousands):
Nine months ended September 30,
20222023
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities$764 $412 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities— 2,703 
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Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows (in thousands):
Lease TypeBalance Sheet ClassificationDecember 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Operating lease right-of-use assetsOperating lease right-of-use assets$17,060 $15,987 
Finance lease right-of-use assetsProperty, plant and equipment, net$6,770 $9,165 
Accumulated depreciationProperty, plant and equipment, net(2,881)(2,981)
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net$3,889 $6,184 
Operating lease current liabilitiesCurrent portion of operating lease obligations$2,203 $2,508 
Finance lease current liabilitiesCurrent portion of finance lease obligations414 714 
Total current lease liabilities$2,617 $3,222 
Operating lease non-current liabilitiesObligations under operating leases, net of current portion$17,315 $15,736 
Finance lease non-current liabilitiesObligations under finance leases, net of current portion4,743 6,724 
Total non-current lease liabilities$22,058 $22,460 
Total lease liabilities$24,675 $25,682 
The average lease terms and discount rates at September 30, 2023 are as follows:
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases8.28.1 %
Finance leases9.78.3 %
The aggregate future lease payments for non-cancelable operating and finance leases at September 30, 2023 are as follows (in thousands):
OperatingFinance
Lease payments due:
Remainder of 2023$947 $337 
20243,781 1,304 
20253,489 1,250 
20263,382 1,301 
20273,249 1,185 
Thereafter9,924 5,582 
Total lease payments24,772 10,959 
Less: Interest(6,528)(3,521)
Present value of lease liabilities$18,244 $7,438 
At September 30, 2023, we had no significant operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced.
14.STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Granted(1)
— $— — $— — $— 142,020 $4,634 
Returned for payroll taxes— $— — $— 4,136 $205 1,473 $50 
Cancelled500 $16 — $— 1,950 $63 1,826 $61 
(1)
Restricted stock granted during the nine months ended September 30 2023 vests over a three-year period, if the employee has remained continuously employed by us during the vesting period, at a weighted average stock price of $32.63.
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We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for restricted stock awards of $36,000 and $400,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $133,000 and $972,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Stock Options
Stock option grants and cancellations are as follows (in thousands, except shares):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Granted(1)
— $— — $— 58,500 $959 214,191 $2,506 
Granted(2)
— $— — $— 310,000 $5,388 — $— 
Granted(3)
12,600 $143 — $— 12,600 $143 — $— 
Cancelled3,652 $37 1,700 $20 28,790 $322 103,550 $1,354 
(1)
Stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023 had a weighted average price of $49.48 and $32.69, respectively. The fair value of these options was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The options granted in 2022 vest over a five-year period and have a ten-year term. The options granted in 2023 vest over a three-year period and have a ten-year term. These options will vest if the employee has remained continuously employed by us through the vesting period.
(2)
Stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 had a weighted average price of $49.48. The fair value of these options was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and vest over a seven-year period and have a ten-year term. These options will vest if the employee has remained continuously employed by us through the vesting period.
(3)
Stock options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 had a weighted average price of $31.58. The fair value of these options was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and vest over a three-year period and have a ten-year term. These options will vest if the employee has remained continuously employed by us through the vesting period.
The fair value of the options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
Grant DateFebruary 22, 2023
Expected holding period (years)4.00
Awards granted214,191
Dividend yield1.38%
Expected volatility43.68%
Risk-free interest rate4.27%
Black-Scholes value$11.70
Additional stock option activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
SharesCashSharesCashSharesCashSharesCash
Exercised(1)
— N/A44,900 N/A18,736 N/A74,200 N/A
Returned for option price(2)
— $— 34,160 $— 8,125 $60 56,957 $— 
Returned for payroll taxes(3)
— $— 4,021 $133 1,601 $82 5,486 $174 
(1)
Stock options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2023 had a weighted average exercise price of $25.1 with an aggregate intrinsic value of $0.4 million. Stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023 had a weighted average exercise price of $25.88 and $23.98, respectively, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
(2)Represents shares withheld/cash received for the payment of the option price.
(3)Represents shares withheld/cash paid for the payment of payroll taxes.
We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for stock options of $559,000 and $735,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $1,747,000 and $2,180,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
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Performance Awards
Performance award activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Granted— $— — $— 27,013 $1,262 — $— 
Cancelled— $— — $— 20,961 $201 40,181 $1,012 
We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for performance awards of $701,000 and $622,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $1,904,000 and $1,350,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
ESPP activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
SharesPriceSharesPriceSharesPriceSharesPrice
ESPP13,795 $27.34 11,782 $24.01 38,884 $35.42 49,824 $24.21 
The fair value of the right (option) to purchase shares under the ESPP is estimated at the date of purchase with the four quarterly purchase dates using the following assumptions:
2023
Dividend yield
1.30%
Expected volatility
53.51%
Risk-free interest rate
4.53%, 4.77%, 4.75%, 4.72%
Expected life (years)
0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00
We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses and Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs, for the ESPP totaling $120,000 and $74,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $471,000 and $489,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Common Stock
Former Employee
Common stock activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Granted(1)
— $— — $— — $— 30,000 $826 
Returned for payroll taxes— $— — $— — $— 1,001 $28 
(1)
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we issued 30,000 shares of common stock to a former executive at a stock price of $27.54, in accordance with his Separation and Release agreement pertaining to his resignation from his position as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer effective January 2, 2023.
We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for common stock awards of $826,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Good To Great Incentive Program
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we issued 8,444 shares of our common stock to certain employees, which were valued at $0.3 million at a grant date stock price of $32.69. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we issued 27,448 shares of our common stock to certain employees, which were valued at $1.4 million at a grant date stock price of $49.48.
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Non-Employee Director and Board Advisor Compensation
Non-Employee Director and Board Advisor common stock activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Board of Directors(1)
2,214 $71 3,747 $106 7,255 $307 8,342 $248 
Advisor to the Board(1)
155 $176 $374 $15 492 $15 
(1)
Common stock granted during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023 had a weighted average price of $32.16 and $28.25, respectively and $42.20 and $29.78 for nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
On July 5, 2023, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) elected Somer Webb to serve as a Class I Director until our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. Ms. Webb was appointed to serve as the Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committees. Concurrently with her appointment, the Board granted Ms. Webb 769 shares of our common stock under our Director Compensation Policy, which were valued at approximately $25,000 based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.
On July 25, 2023, the Board elected Julie Sanders to serve as a Class II Director until our 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Ms. Sanders was appointed to serve as a member of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Compensation Committees. Concurrently with her appointment, the Board granted Ms. Sanders 743 shares of our common stock under our Director Compensation Policy, which were valued at approximately $25,000 based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.
We recorded compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, related to annual retainers, including the value of stock granted to non-employee Directors and an advisor to our Board, of $167,000 and $250,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and $552,000 and $605,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Share Repurchase
Share repurchase activity is as follows (dollar value in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Number of Shares Repurchased— — 695,496 — 
Average Price Paid Per Share$— $— $49.22 $— 
Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased$— $— $34,234 $— 
Our shares were purchased in the open market at times and in amounts as management determined appropriate based on factors such as market conditions, legal requirements and other business considerations. Shares purchased pursuant to the repurchase program are currently held as treasury stock. At September 30, 2023, our share repurchase program had $48.9 million authorized for repurchases.
Cash Dividend
Our Board declared the following dividends payable on the dates below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
2023Per ShareDollar Value
March 1st
$0.1125 $1,661 
June 1st
$0.1125 $1,679 
September 1st
$0.1125 $1,683 
2022Per ShareDollar Value
March 1st
$0.1125 $1,725 
June 1st
$0.1125 $1,730 
September 1st
$0.1125 $1,653 

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15.EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income$5,860 $4,645 $33,361 $21,775 
Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock(3)(44)(21)(194)
Income attributable to common stockholders$5,857 $4,601 33,340 21,581 
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per common share – weighted average shares outstanding14,689 14,820 14,908 14,791 
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options160 83 253 78 
Performance awards688 611 688 611 
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share – weighted average shares outstanding15,537 15,514 15,849 15,480 
Basic earnings per common share:$0.40 $0.31 $2.22 $1.46 
Diluted earnings per common share:$0.38 $0.30 $2.09 $1.39 
Stock options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of such stock options would result in an antidilutive effect are as follows:
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Antidilutive stock options363,073 1,233,784 294,310 1,200,211 
Our performance awards are considered to be contingently issuable shares because their issuance is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain performance and service conditions. At September 30, 2023, we had satisfied certain performance criteria for the first, second and third predetermined growth targets of our performance awards to be considered outstanding. Therefore, we included these awards in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of the beginning of the reporting period.
16.SEGMENT REPORTING
Revenue, disaggregated by major source for each of our reportable segments was as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30, 2023
FuneralCemeteryTotal
Services$39,090 $4,618 $43,708 
Merchandise20,325 4,067 24,392 
Cemetery property— 15,895 15,895 
Other revenue3,211 3,288 6,499 
Total$62,626 $27,868 $90,494 

Three months ended September 30, 2022
FuneralCemeteryTotal
Services$38,477 $4,515 $42,992 
Merchandise20,777 3,651 24,428 
Cemetery property— 13,179 13,179 
Other revenue3,526 3,372 6,898 
Total$62,780 $24,717 $87,497 
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Nine months ended September 30, 2023
FuneralCemeteryTotal
Services$122,491 $13,946 $136,437 
Merchandise64,505 12,245 76,750 
Cemetery property— 49,178 49,178 
Other revenue10,220 11,101 21,321 
Total$197,216 $86,470 $283,686 

Nine months ended September 30, 2022
FuneralCemeteryTotal
Services$122,133 $13,146 $135,279 
Merchandise66,587 10,529 77,116 
Cemetery property— 43,379 43,379 
Other revenue10,353 10,131 20,484 
Total$199,073 $77,185 $276,258 
The following table presents operating income (loss), income (loss) before income taxes and total assets (in thousands): 
FuneralCemeteryCorporateConsolidated
Operating income (loss):
Three months ended September 30, 2023$18,145 $8,844 $(11,303)$15,686 
Three months ended September 30, 202217,584 8,023 (10,385)15,222 
Nine months ended September 30, 2023$58,236 $30,496 $(31,674)$57,058 
Nine months ended September 30, 202261,531 26,662 (28,095)60,098 
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Three months ended September 30, 2023$18,377 $8,902 $(20,503)$6,776 
Three months ended September 30, 202217,605 7,985 (16,951)8,639 
Nine months ended September 30, 2023$58,824 $30,757 $(58,757)$30,824 
Nine months ended September 30, 202264,577 26,671 (46,005)45,243 
Total assets:
September 30, 2023$799,740 $439,175 $16,544 $1,255,459 
December 31, 2022779,500 396,389 17,061 1,192,950 
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17.SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Balance Sheet
The following table presents the detail of certain balance sheet accounts (in thousands):
December 31, 2022September 30, 2023
Prepaid and other current assets:
Prepaid expenses$4,077 $3,350 
Federal income taxes receivable507 540 
Other current assets149 140 
Total prepaid and other current assets$4,733 $4,030 
Current portion of debt and lease obligations:
Acquisition debt$555 $589 
Finance lease obligations414 714 
Operating lease obligations2,203 2,508 
Total current portion of debt and lease obligations$3,172 $3,811 
Accrued and other liabilities:
Incentive compensation$12,140 $11,165 
Insurance3,051 3,685 
Unrecognized tax benefit3,294 3,360 
Vacation3,430 3,635 
Interest2,329 6,667 
Salaries and wages2,263 3,983 
Employee meetings and award trips746 966 
Commissions743 918 
Income tax payable459 — 
Ad valorem and franchise taxes455 2,188 
Perpetual care trust payable222 493 
Other accrued liabilities1,489 917 
Total accrued and other liabilities$30,621 $37,977 
Other long-term liabilities:
Incentive compensation $2,541 $1,357 
Other long-term liabilities524 147 
Total other long-term liabilities$3,065 $1,504 
Cash Flow
The following information is supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):
Nine months ended September 30,
20222023
Cash paid for interest $12,981 $21,754 
Cash paid for taxes7,046 9,388 
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical information, should be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as “may”, “will”, “estimate”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect”, “seek”, “project”, “forecast”, “foresee”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “plan”, “anticipate” and other similar words or expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements; however, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding any projections of earnings, revenue, cash flow, investment returns, capital allocation, debt levels, equity performance, death rates, market share growth, cost inflation, overhead, including talent recruitment, field and corporate incentive compensation, preneed sales or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations or financing activities, including, but not limited to, capital allocation, the ability to obtain credit or financing, organizational performance, anticipated integration, performance and other benefits of recently completed and anticipated acquisitions, and cost management and debt reductions; any statements of the plans, timing and objectives of management for acquisition and divestiture activities; any statements regarding future economic and market conditions or performance; any statements regarding the timing of the strategic alternatives review; the outcome of the strategic alternatives review, including whether any transaction occurs, if at all; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing and are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. While we believe these assumptions concerning future events are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All comments concerning our expectations for future revenue and operating results are based on our forecasts for our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
our ability to find and retain skilled personnel;
the effects of our talent recruitment efforts, incentive and compensation plans and programs, including such effects on our Standards Operating Model and the Company’s operational and financial performance;
our ability to execute our growth strategy, if at all;
our ability to execute and meet the objectives of our High Performance and Credit Profile Restoration Plan, if at all;
the execution of our Standards Operating, 4E Leadership and Strategic Acquisition Models;
the effects of competition;
changes in the number of deaths in our markets, which are not predictable from market to market or over the short term;
changes in consumer preferences and our ability to adapt to or meet those changes;
our ability to generate preneed sales, including implementing our cemetery portfolio sales strategy, product development and optimization plans;
the investment performance of our funeral and cemetery trust funds;
fluctuations in interest rates, including, but not limited to, the effects of increased borrowing costs under our Credit Facility and our ability to minimize such costs, if at all;
the effects of inflation on our operational and financial performance, including the increased overall costs for our goods and services, the impact on customer preferences as a result of changes in discretionary income, and our ability, if at all, to mitigate such effects;
our ability to obtain debt or equity financing on satisfactory terms to fund additional acquisitions, expansion projects, working capital requirements and the repayment or refinancing of indebtedness;
our ability to meet the timing, objectives and expectations related to our capital allocation framework, including our forecasted rates of return, planned uses of free cash flow and future capital allocation, including share repurchases, potential strategic acquisitions, internal growth projects, dividend increases, or debt repayment plans;
our ability to meet the projected financial and equity performance goals to our updated full year outlook, if at all;
the timely and full payment of death benefits related to preneed funeral contracts funded through life insurance contracts;
the financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our preneed funeral contracts;
increased or unanticipated costs, such as merchandise, goods, insurance or taxes, and our ability to mitigate or minimize such costs, if at all;
our level of indebtedness and the cash required to service our indebtedness;
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changes in federal income tax laws and regulations and the implementation and interpretation of these laws and regulations by the Internal Revenue Service;
effects of the application of other applicable laws and regulations, including changes in such regulations or the interpretation thereof;
the potential impact of epidemics and pandemics, such as the COVID-19 coronavirus, including any new or emerging public health threats, on customer preferences and on our business;
government, social, business and other actions that have been and will be taken in response to pandemics and epidemics, such as those that were taken with the COVID-19 coronavirus, including potential responses to any new or emerging public health threats;
effects and expense of litigation;
consolidation in the funeral and cemetery industry;
our ability to identify and consummate strategic acquisitions, if at all, and successfully integrate acquired businesses with our existing businesses, including expected performance and financial improvements related thereto;
potential adverse impacts resulting from our recent announcement regarding our Board’s review of potential strategic alternatives for the Company;
economic, financial and stock market fluctuations;
interruptions or security lapses of our information technology, including any cybersecurity or ransomware incidents;
adverse developments affecting the financial services industry;
acts of war or terrorists acts and the governmental or military response to such acts;
our failure to maintain effective control over financial reporting; and
other factors and uncertainties inherent in the funeral and cemetery industry.
For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see (i) Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and (ii) Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
OVERVIEW
General
Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware in December 1993 and is a leading provider of funeral and cemetery services and merchandise in the United States. We operate in two business segments: Funeral Home operations, which currently accounts for approximately 70% of our total revenue, and Cemetery operations, which currently accounts for approximately 30% of our total revenue.
At September 30, 2023, we operated 171 funeral homes in 26 states and 32 cemeteries in 11 states. We compete with other publicly held, privately held and independent operators of funeral and cemetery companies.
Funeral Home and Cemetery Operations
Our funeral home operations are principally service businesses that generate revenue from sales of burial and cremation services and related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Funeral services include consultation, the removal and preparation of remains, the sale of caskets and related funeral merchandise, the use of funeral home facilities for visitation and memorial services and transportation services. We provide funeral services and products on both an “atneed” (time of death) and “preneed” (planned prior to death) basis.
Our cemetery operations generate revenue primarily through sales of cemetery interment rights (primarily grave sites, lawn crypts, mausoleum spaces and niches), related cemetery merchandise (such as memorial markers, outer burial containers and monuments) and services (interments, inurnments and installation of cemetery merchandise). We provide cemetery services and products on both an atneed and preneed basis.
Recent Developments
Board of Directors - Resignation and Election
On July 5, 2023, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) elected Somer Webb to serve as a Class I Director until the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. Ms. Webb was appointed to serve as the Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committees.
On July 24, 2023, Barry Fingerhut, a member of the Board, provided notice of his resignation from the Board, effective on that date. Mr. Fingerhut’s resignation was not a result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter related to its operations, policies or practices.
On July 25, 2023, our Board elected Julie Sanders to serve as a Class II Director until the Company’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Ms. Sanders was appointed to serve on each of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees.
Inflationary and Macroeconomic Trends
During the third quarter of 2023, we continued to experience cost increases and surcharges from our vendors and suppliers on merchandise and goods due to increases in the cost of raw materials, as well as inflationary impacts and rising interest rates. For example, we experienced higher costs related to full-time hourly base rates, utilities, funeral supplies, merchandise costs, insurance, and increased borrowing costs due to higher variable interest rates under our Credit Facility. Although we have taken steps to mitigate these cost increases and we expect these impacts to continue throughout the current year, the ultimate scope and duration of these impacts are unknown at this time. More broadly, the U.S. economy continues to experience higher rates of inflation, which has impacted a wide variety of industries and sectors, with consumers facing rising prices. Such inflation may negatively impact consumer discretionary spending, including the amount that consumers are able to spend on our services, although we have not experienced any material impacts to date and our industry has been largely resilient to similar adverse economic and market environments in the past. Although we expect these trends to continue throughout the current year, we will continue to assess these impacts and take the appropriate steps, if necessary, to mitigate these cost increases, if possible.
During the third quarter of 2023, we experienced lower volumes as compared to prior quarters due to fluctuations in the death rate, although overall financial performance remains at or above prior reporting periods. Although we expect fluctuations in the death rate to continue, we are unable to predict or forecast the duration or variation of the death rate with any certainty. Regardless of these fluctuations in the death rate, we continue to focus on expanding market share, cost management and executing on our strategic operational plans.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are internally generated cash flows from operating activities and availability under our Credit Facility (defined below).
We generate cash in our operations primarily from atneed sales and delivery of preneed sales. We also generate cash from earnings on our cemetery perpetual care trusts. Based on our recent operating results, current cash position and anticipated future cash flows, we do not anticipate any significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future. We have the ability to draw on our Credit Facility, subject to its customary terms and conditions. However, if our capital expenditures or acquisition plans change, we may need to access the capital markets or seek further borrowing capacity from our lenders to obtain additional funding and we may not be able to obtain such funding on terms and conditions that are acceptable to us. Further, to the extent operating cash flow or access to and cost of financing sources are materially different than expected, future liquidity may be adversely affected. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause cash flow or access to and cost of finance sources to differ from our expectations, please read Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Our plan remains focused on integrating our recently acquired businesses and prioritizing our capital allocation for debt repayments, the payment of dividends and debt obligations and internal growth capital expenditures, which we expect to fund using cash on hand and borrowings under our Credit Facility, along with general corporate purposes, as allowed under our Credit Facility. We believe that our existing and anticipated cash resources, including, as needed, additional borrowings or other financings that we may be able to obtain, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements, capital expenditures, scheduled debt payments, commitments and dividends for the next 12 months, as well as our long-term financial obligations.
Cash Flows
We began 2023 with $1.2 million in cash and ended the third quarter with $1.7 million in cash. At September 30, 2023, we had borrowings of $187.3 million outstanding on our Credit Facility compared to $190.7 million at December 31, 2022.
The following table sets forth the elements of cash flow (in thousands):
Nine months ended September 30,
20222023
Cash at beginning of the year$1,148 $1,170 
Net cash provided by operating activities50,046 61,849 
Acquisitions of businesses and real property(8,876)(44,000)
Proceeds from divestitures and sale of other assets4,313 2,296 
Proceeds from insurance claims2,209 1,388 
Capital expenditures(20,346)(13,069)
Net cash used in investing activities(22,700)(53,385)
Net borrowings (payments) on our Credit Facility, acquisition debt and finance lease obligations13,286 (3,891)
Payment of debt issuance costs for the Credit Facility and Senior Notes(339)— 
Net proceeds from employee equity plans1,151 955 
Dividends paid on common stock(5,108)(5,023)
Purchase of treasury stock(36,663)— 
Net cash used in financing activities(27,673)(7,959)
Cash at end of the period$821 $1,675 
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Operating Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash provided by operating activities was $61.8 million compared to $50.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase of $11.8 million is primarily due to an $8.6 million withdrawal of realized capital gains and earnings from our preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments and receiving a $6.0 million incentive payment from a vendor related to a strategic partnership agreement to market and sell prearranged funeral services, partially offset by unfavorable working capital changes in income tax receivables.
Investing Activities
Our investing activities, resulted in a net cash outflow of $53.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $22.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $30.7 million.
Acquisition and Divestiture Activity
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we acquired a business consisting of three funeral homes, two cemeteries and one cremation focused business for $44.0 million. In addition, we sold two funeral homes and two cemeteries for an aggregate of $1.1 million and real property for $1.2 million.
We also received proceeds of $1.4 million from our property insurance policy for the reimbursement of renovation costs for certain of our funeral businesses damaged by Hurricane Ian that occurred during the third quarter of 2022 and a fire that occurred during the first quarter of 2023.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we acquired a business consisting of two funeral homes for $6.3 million in cash and we purchased real property for $2.6 million. In addition, we sold two funeral homes for an aggregate of $0.9 million and real property for $3.3 million.
Capital Expenditures
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, capital expenditures (comprised of growth and maintenance spend) totaled $13.1 million compared to $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $7.2 million.
The following tables present our growth and maintenance capital expenditures (in thousands):
Nine months ended September 30,
20222023
Growth
Cemetery development $5,215 $5,128 
Renovations at certain businesses(1)
4,974 1,905 
Other447 110 
Total Growth$10,636 $7,143 
(1)During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we spent $0.8 million for renovations to two businesses that were affected by Hurricane Ian, which occurred during the third quarter of 2022 and $0.4 million for renovations to one business that was damaged by a fire, which occurred during the first quarter of 2023, all of which was reimbursed by our property insurance. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we spent $2.4 million for renovations to two businesses that were affected by Hurricane Ida, which occurred during the third quarter of 2021, all of which was reimbursed by our property insurance.
Nine months ended September 30,
20222023
Maintenance
General equipment and furniture$3,744 $3,584 
Facility repairs and improvements3,131 1,380 
Vehicles1,770 568 
Paving roads and parking lots1,065 394 
Total Maintenance $9,710 $5,926 
Financing Activities
Our financing activities resulted in a net cash outflow of $8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to a net cash outflow of $27.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $19.7 million. 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we had net payments on our Credit Facility, acquisition debt and finance leases of $3.9 million and we paid $5.0 million in dividends.
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During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we had net borrowings on our Credit Facility, acquisition debt and finance leases of $13.3 million, offset by $36.7 million for the purchase of treasury stock and $5.1 million in dividends.
Share Repurchase
Share repurchase activity is as follows (dollar value in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Number of Shares Repurchased— — 695,496 — 
Average Price Paid Per Share$— $— $49.22 $— 
Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased$— $— $34,234 $— 
Our shares were purchased in the open market at times and in amounts as management determined appropriate based on factors such as market conditions, legal requirements and other business considerations. Shares purchased pursuant to the repurchase program are currently held as treasury stock. At September 30, 2023, our share repurchase program had $48.9 million authorized for repurchases.
Cash Dividend
Our Board declared the following dividends payable on the dates below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
2023Per ShareDollar Value
March 1st
$0.1125 $1,661 
June 1st
$0.1125 $1,679 
September 1st
$0.1125 $1,683 
2022Per ShareDollar Value
March 1st
$0.1125 $1,725 
June 1st
$0.1125 $1,730 
September 1st
$0.1125 $1,653 
Credit Facility, Lease Obligations and Acquisition Debt
The outstanding principal of our Credit Facility, lease obligations and acquisition debt at September 30, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):
September 30, 2023
Credit Facility$187,300 
Operating leases18,244 
Finance leases7,438 
Acquisition debt3,924 
Total $216,906 
Credit Facility
At September 30, 2023, our senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) was comprised of: (i) a $250.0 million revolving credit facility, including a $15.0 million subfacility for letters of credit and a $10.0 million swingline, and (ii) an accordion or incremental option allowing for future increases in the facility size by an additional amount of up to $75.0 million in the aggregate in the form of increased revolving commitments or incremental term loans. The final maturity of the Credit Facility will occur on May 13, 2026.
Our obligations under the Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the same subsidiaries which guarantee the Senior Notes (as defined in Note 12) and certain of our subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”).
The Credit Facility contains customary affirmative covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants with respect to the use of proceeds, payment of taxes and other obligations, continuation of the Company’s business and the maintenance of existing rights and privileges, the maintenance of property and insurance, among others.
In addition, the Credit Facility also contains customary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants that restrict (subject to certain exceptions) the ability of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors to incur indebtedness, grant
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liens, make investments, engage in mergers and acquisitions, pay dividends and make other restricted payments, and certain financial maintenance covenants. At September 30, 2023, we were subject to the following financial covenants under our Credit Facility: (A) a Total Leverage Ratio not to exceed 6.00 to 1.00 and (B) a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of not less than 1.20 to 1.00 as of the end of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters. These financial maintenance covenants are calculated for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. We were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our Credit Facility as of September 30, 2023.
At September 30, 2023, we had outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility of $187.3 million. We also had one letter of credit for $2.3 million under the Credit Facility, which was increased to $2.6 million on July 7, 2023. The letter of credit will expire on November 27, 2023 and is expected to automatically renew annually and secures our obligations under our various self-insured policies. At September 30, 2023, we had $60.1 million of availability under the Credit Facility.
The interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs related to our Credit Facility are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Credit Facility interest expense$1,971 $4,508 $4,132 $12,987 
Credit Facility amortization of debt issuance costs109 138 293 414 
Outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility bear interest at a prime rate or the Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index (“BSBY”) rate, plus an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio. At September 30, 2023, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 2.375% and the BSBY rate margin was 3.375%. The weighted average interest rate on our Credit Facility was 4.3% and 9.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively and 3.1% and 8.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
The interest payments on our remaining borrowings under the Credit Facility will be determined based on the average outstanding balance of our borrowings and the prevailing interest rate during that time.
Lease Obligations
Our lease obligations consist of operating and finance leases. We lease certain office facilities, certain funeral homes and equipment under operating leases with original terms ranging from one to twenty years. Many leases include one or more options to renew, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to forty years. We lease certain funeral homes, equipment and vehicles under finance leases with original terms ranging from three to forty years. At September 30, 2023, operating and finance lease obligations were $37.0 million, with $5.4 million payable within 12 months.
The components of lease cost are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Operating lease cost$863 $887 $2,564 $2,638 
Short-term lease cost82 75 260 261 
Variable lease cost37 69 60 183 
Finance lease cost:
Depreciation of leased assets$111 $190 $328 $407 
Interest on lease liabilities110 137 335 345 
Total finance lease cost221 327 663 752 
Total lease cost$1,203 $1,358 $3,547 $3,834 
Acquisition Debt
Acquisition debt consists of deferred purchase price and promissory notes payable to sellers. A majority of the deferred purchase price and notes bear no interest and are discounted at imputed interest rates ranging from 7.3% to 10.0%. Original maturities range from nine to twenty years. At September 30, 2023, acquisition debt obligations were $5.4 million, with $0.8 million payable within 12 months.
The imputed interest expense related to our acquisition debt is as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Acquisition debt imputed interest expense$78 $70 $237 $212 
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Senior Notes
At September 30, 2023, the principal amount of our 4.25% senior notes due in May 2029 (the “Senior Notes”) was $400.0 million. The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of May 13, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. The Senior Notes are unsecured, senior obligations and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Senior Notes mature on May 15, 2029, unless earlier redeemed or purchased and bear interest at 4.25% per year, which is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2021.
The Indenture contains restrictive covenants limiting our ability and the ability of our Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares, create liens on certain assets to secure debt, pay dividends or make other equity distributions, purchase or redeem capital stock, make certain investments, sell assets, agree to certain restrictions on the ability of Restricted Subsidiaries to make payments to us, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets, or engage in transactions with affiliates. The Indenture also contains customary events of default.
The debt discount and the debt issuance costs are being amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of approximately 68 months of the Senior Notes. The effective interest rate on the unamortized debt discount and the unamortized debt issuance costs for the Senior Notes for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023 was 4.42% and 4.30%, respectively.
At September 30, 2023, the fair value of the Senior Notes, which are Level 2 measurements, was $342.6 million.
The interest expense and amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs related to our Senior Notes are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Senior Notes interest expense$4,250 $4,250 $12,730 $12,750 
Senior Notes amortization of debt discount125 129 368 384 
Senior Notes amortization of debt issuance costs35 37 104 110 
At September 30, 2023, our future interest payments on our outstanding balance were $102.0 million, with $17.0 million payable within 12 months.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Below are our financial highlights (in thousands except for volumes and averages):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Revenue $87,497 $90,494 $276,258 $283,686 
Funeral contracts11,109 11,058 35,630 34,904 
Average revenue per funeral contract$5,516 $5,522 $5,463 $5,514 
Preneed interment rights (property) sold2,4552,7858,3448,680
Average price per preneed interment right sold$4,569 $5,134 $4,449 $4,990 
Gross profit $25,598 $27,412 $87,788 $89,669 
Net income$5,860 $4,645 $33,161 $21,775 
Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased $3.0 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022, as we experienced a 13.4% increase in the number of preneed interment rights (property) sold and a 12.4% increase in the average price per interment right sold, while the funeral contract volume and the average revenue per funeral contract remained flat.
Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased $1.8 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to the increase in revenue from our cemetery segment, as well as improved cost management within our funeral segment.
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 decreased $1.2 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to a $2.6 million increase in interest expense and a $0.9 million increase in general and administrative expenses, offset by the $1.8 million increase in gross profit.
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Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased $7.4 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, as we experienced a 12.2% increase in the average price per preneed interment right sold, a 4.0% increase in the number of preneed interment rights (property) sold and a 0.9% increase in the average revenue per funeral contract, offset by a 2.0% decrease in the funeral contract volume. The funeral contract volume decrease is primarily a result of the lower impact of COVID-19 related deaths in the first quarter of 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022.
Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased $1.9 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, due to the increase in revenue from our cemetery segment, offset by increases in operating expenses in both our funeral home and cemetery segments.
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 decreased $11.4 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to a $9.0 million increase in interest expense and a $3.7 million impact from divestitures, disposals and insurance reimbursements.
Further discussion of revenue and the components of gross profit for our Funeral Home and Cemetery segments is presented under “– Results of Operations.”
Further discussion of general, administrative and other expenses, interest expense, income taxes and other components of income and expenses are presented under “– Other Financial Statement Items.”
REPORTING AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We also present our financial performance in our “Condensed Operating and Financial Trend Report” (“Trend Report”) as reported in our earnings release for the three months ended September 30, 2023 issued on November 8, 2023, and discussed in the corresponding earnings conference call. The Trend Report is used as a supplemental financial statement by management and investors to compare our current financial performance with our previous results and with the performance of other companies. We do not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures of performance prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Trend Report is a non-GAAP statement that also provides insight into underlying trends in our business.
Below is a reconciliation of gross profit (a GAAP financial measure) to operating profit (a non-GAAP financial measure) (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Gross profit$25,598 $27,412 $87,788 $89,669 
Cemetery property amortization1,278 1,318 4,314 4,411 
Field depreciation expense3,281 3,634 9,831 10,546 
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs5,096 3,771 17,409 13,339 
Operating profit(1)
$35,253 $36,135 $119,342 $117,965 
(1)Operating profit is defined as gross profit plus cemetery property amortization, field depreciation expense and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs.
Our operations are reported in two business segments: Funeral Home and Cemetery. Below is a breakdown of operating profit (a non-financial GAAP measure) by segment (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Funeral Home$24,173 $23,962 $82,060$76,875
Cemetery11,080 12,173 37,28241,090
Operating profit$35,253 $36,135 $119,342$117,965
Operating profit margin(1)
40.3%39.9%43.2%41.6%
(1)Operating profit margin is defined as operating profit as a percentage of revenue.
Further discussion of operating profit for our Funeral Home and Cemetery segments is presented under “– Results of Operations.”
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion of our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
The term “operating” in the Funeral Home and Cemetery segments refers to all funeral homes and cemeteries that we owned and operated in the current reporting period, excluding certain funeral home and cemetery businesses that we have divested in such period.
The term “divested” when discussed in the Funeral Home segment, refers to two funeral home we sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and two funeral homes we sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The term “divested” when discussed in the Cemetery segment, refers to two cemeteries we sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
The term “ancillary” in the Funeral Home segment represents our flower shop, monument company, pet cremation business and online cremation businesses.
Cemetery property amortization, field depreciation expense and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs, are not included in operating profit, a non-GAAP financial measure. Adding back these items will result in gross profit, a GAAP financial measure.
Funeral Home Segment
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our revenue and operating profit for our funeral home operations (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,
20222023
Revenue:
Operating$58,919 $59,397 
Divested335 18 
Ancillary1,049 1,156 
Other2,477 2,055 
Total$62,780 $62,626 
Operating profit:
Operating$21,707 $22,025 
Divested59 11 
Ancillary188 147 
Other2,219 1,779 
Total$24,173 $23,962 
The following operating measures reflect the significant metrics over this comparative period:
Contract volume11,039 11,055 
Average revenue per contract, excluding preneed funeral trust earnings$5,338 $5,373 
Average revenue per contract, including preneed funeral trust earnings$5,517 $5,522 
Cremation rate58.3%59.5%
Funeral home operating revenue increased $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in operating revenue is primarily driven by our newly acquired funeral home businesses, which were not present in the comparative quarter of 2022, as the funeral contract volume and the average revenue per contract excluding preneed interest remained flat.
Funeral home operating profit for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased $0.3 million when compared to the same period in 2022. The comparable operating profit margin increased 30 basis points to 37.1%. The increase in operating profit is primarily due to the increase in operating revenue, as well as improved cost management across our businesses. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue remained flat for the comparable period.
Ancillary revenue, which represents revenue from our flower shop, monument company, pet cremation business and online cremation businesses, increased $0.1 million, while ancillary operating profit remained flat for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022.
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Other revenue and other operating profit, which consists of preneed funeral insurance commissions and preneed funeral trust and insurance, both decreased $0.4 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The decreases are primarily due to a decline in realized earnings on preneed funeral trust and insurance contracts that matured to atneed during the period.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our revenue and operating profit for our funeral home operations (in thousands):
Nine months ended September 30,
20222023
Revenue:
Operating$187,433 $186,779 
Divested1,287 217 
Ancillary3,099 3,445 
Other7,254 6,775 
Total$199,073 $197,216 
Operating profit:
Operating$75,078 $70,578 
Divested22 (20)
Ancillary560 366 
Other6,400 5,951 
Total$82,060 $76,875 
The following operating measures reflect the significant metrics over this comparative period:
Contract volume35,373 34,852 
Average revenue per contract, excluding preneed funeral trust earnings$5,299 $5,359 
Average revenue per contract, including preneed funeral trust earnings$5,464 $5,516 
Cremation rate57.6%59.0%
Funeral home operating revenue decreased $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in operating revenue is primarily driven by a 1.5% decrease in contract volume, which was not fully offset by a 1.1% increase in the average revenue per contract excluding preneed interest. The contract volume decrease is primarily a result of the significant decline in COVID-19 related deaths in the first quarter of 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022, as these deaths now have a minimal impact on the overall death rate. The increase in average revenue per contract is primarily due to a combination of price increases and our continued focus on educating families on the many products and service options that are available with burials and cremations.
Funeral home operating profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 decreased $4.5 million when compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of revenue. The comparable operating profit margin decreased 230 basis points to 37.8%. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue increased 2.3%, with the largest increases in salary and benefits expenses of 1.3%, general and administrative expenses of 0.4%, other funeral costs of 0.3%, and facilities and grounds expenses of 0.2%. The increase in operating expenses is partially due to higher costs from inflationary impacts concentrated in our full-time hourly base rates, utilities and funeral supplies.
Ancillary revenue, which represents revenue from our flower shop, monument company, pet cremation business and online cremation businesses, increased $0.3 million, while ancillary operating profit decreased $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in revenue is primarily due to our Bakersfield, CA business acquired during the first quarter of 2023, as it was not present in the comparative period of 2022. Similarly, the decrease in operating profit is primarily due to this same business, as its operating profit margins were lower compared to our other ancillary businesses, particularly with regard to higher salaries and benefits expenses.
Other revenue, which consists of preneed funeral insurance commissions and preneed funeral trust decreased $0.5 million and other operating profit decreased $0.4 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decreases are primarily due to a decline in realized earnings on preneed funeral trust and insurance contracts that matured to atneed during the period.
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Cemetery Segment
The following table sets forth certain information regarding our revenue and operating profit for our cemetery operations (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,
20222023
Revenue:
Operating$21,285 $24,577 
Divested60 
Other3,372 3,288 
Total$24,717 $27,868 
Operating profit (loss):
Operating$7,869 $9,005 
Divested(21)
Other3,232 3,166 
Total$11,080 $12,173 
The following operating measures reflect the significant metrics over this comparative period:
Preneed revenue as a percentage of operating revenue61.0%62.0%
Preneed revenue (in thousands)$12,905 $15,166 
Atneed revenue (in thousands)$8,380 $9,411 
Number of preneed interment rights sold2,4442,785
Average price per interment right sold$4,585 $5,134 
Cemetery operating revenue increased $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022, as we experienced a 12.0% increase in the average price per preneed interment right sold, and a 14.0% increase in preneed interment rights sold. Cemetery atneed revenue, which represents 38.0% of our total operating revenue, increased $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to an increase in sales of merchandise and services from our newly acquired cemetery businesses, not present in the comparative quarter of 2022.
Cemetery operating profit increased $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The comparable operating profit margin decreased 40 basis points to 36.6%. The increase in operating profit is primarily due to the increase in operating revenue, as well as improved cost management across our businesses. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue remained flat for the comparable period.
Other revenue and other operating profit, which consist of preneed cemetery trust revenue and preneed cemetery finance charges, both decreased $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decreases are primarily due to realized capital gains in the current year compared to the prior year in our merchandise and service fund.




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The following table sets forth certain information regarding our revenue and operating profit for our cemetery operations (in thousands):
Nine months ended September 30,
20222023
Revenue:
Operating$66,864 $75,324 
Divested190 45 
Other10,131 11,101 
Total$77,185 $86,470 
Operating profit (loss):
Operating$27,600 $30,338 
Divested(35)12 
Other9,717 10,740 
Total$37,282 $41,090 
The following operating measures reflect the significant metrics over this comparative period:
Preneed revenue as a percentage of operating revenue62.0%62.0%
Preneed revenue (in thousands)$41,461 $46,999 
Atneed revenue (in thousands)$25,403 $28,325 
Number of preneed interment rights sold8,3158,675
Average price per interment right sold$4,461 $4,992 
Cemetery operating revenue increased $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, as we experienced an 11.9% increase in the average price per preneed interment right sold, as well as a 4.3% increase in the number of preneed interment rights sold. Cemetery atneed revenue, which represents 38.0% of our total operating revenue, increased $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to an increase in sales of merchandise and services from our newly acquired cemetery businesses, which were not present in the comparative period of 2022.
Cemetery operating profit increased $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in operating profit is primarily due to the increase in operating revenue, offset by an increase in operating expenses as a percentage of revenue. The comparable operating profit margin decreased 100 basis point to 40.3%. Operating expenses as a percent of operating revenue increased 1.0% primarily due to an increase in salary and benefits expenses.

Other revenue and other operating profit, which consist of preneed cemetery trust revenue and preneed cemetery finance charges, both increased $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increases are primarily due to an increase in income in our perpetual care trust fund and an increase in finance charges on preneed sales.
Cemetery property amortization. Cemetery property amortization totaled $1.3 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Cemetery property amortization totaled $4.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $0.1 million, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the increase in property sold across our cemetery portfolio.
Field depreciation. Depreciation expense for our field businesses totaled $3.6 million and $10.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, an increase of $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the business acquisitions made in the latter half of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023.
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs. Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs consist of salaries and benefits for regional management, field incentive compensation and other related costs for field infrastructure. Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs totaled $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $1.3 million compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the following: (1) a $1.0 million decrease in cash incentives and equity compensation; (2) a $0.2 million decrease in incentive award trips and annual managing partner meetings and (3) a $0.1 million decrease in other expenses.
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Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs totaled $13.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $4.1 million compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the following: (1) a $2.2 million decrease in cash incentives and equity compensation; (2) a $1.2 million decrease in incentive award trips and annual managing partner meetings; (3) $0.4 million decrease in travel expense and (3) a $0.3 million decrease in other expenses.
Other Financial Statement Items
General, administrative and other. General, administrative and other expenses, which includes salaries and benefits, cash and equity incentive compensation for the Houston support office totaled $11.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $0.9 million compared to the same period in 2022, which is primarily due to a $0.9 million increase in consulting fees related to our review of strategic alternatives.
General, administrative and other expenses totaled $31.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $3.6 million compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the following: (1) a $3.1 million increase in salary and benefits expense and cash and equity incentive compensation, as a result of changes to our senior leadership team, including current year executive promotions and (2) a $1.0 million increase in consulting fees related to our review of strategic alternatives, offset by (3) a $0.5 million decrease in other expenses, including lower online marketing costs and travel costs.
Net (gain) loss on divestitures, disposals and impairments charges. The components of Net (gain) loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Impairment of goodwill, intangibles and PPE$— $211 $— $454 
Net (gain) loss on divestitures— 24 (575)106 
Net (gain) loss on disposals of fixed assets(7)188 142 369 
Total$(7)$423 $(433)$929 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we sold two funeral homes and two cemeteries for a loss of $0.1 million. We also recognized an impairment of $0.2 million as a result of our 2023 qualitative assessment of tradenames and an impairment of $0.2 million related to property, plant and equipment for assets held for sale.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we sold real property and two funeral homes for a net gain of $0.7 million, of which $0.1 million was recorded in Other, net related to the sale of assets not used in operating activities.
Interest expense. Interest expense related to its respective debt arrangement is as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
Senior Notes$4,410 $4,416 $13,203 $13,244 
Credit Facility2,081 4,647 4,425 13,402 
Finance leases110 137 335 345 
Acquisition debt78 70 237 212 
Other(1)10 
Total$6,678 $9,278 $18,208 $27,213 
Net gain on property damage, net of insurance claims. The components of Net gain on property damage, net of insurance claims are as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2022202320222023
(Gain) on property damaged by Hurricane Ida$— $— $(3,275)$(28)
(Gain) on property damaged by Hurricane Ian— (379)— (379)
Loss on property damaged by a fire in Q1 2023— — — 64 
Total$— $(379)$(3,275)$(343)
Other, net. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a $0.6 million gain on the sale of other real property not used in business operations. We did not record any gain or loss activity during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Income taxes. Income tax expense totaled $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $0.6 million compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to lower pre-tax income in the current period. Our operating tax rate before discrete items was 30.4% and 30.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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Income tax expense totaled $9.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $3.0 million compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to lower pre-tax income in the current period. Our operating tax rate before discrete items was 28.9% and 27.8% for nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
OVERVIEW OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Understanding our accounting policies and the extent to which our management uses judgment, assumptions and estimates in applying these policies is integral to understanding our Consolidated Financial Statements. Our critical accounting policies are more fully described in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Note 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
We have identified Business Combinations and Goodwill as those accounting policies that require significant judgments, assumptions and estimates and that have a significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations. These policies are considered critical because they may result in fluctuations in our reported results from period to period due to the significant judgments, estimates and assumptions about complex and inherently uncertain matters and because the use of different judgments, assumptions or estimates could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. 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 because there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings, as a percentage of revenue, will be consistent from period to period. We evaluate our critical accounting estimates and judgments required by our policies on an ongoing basis and update them as appropriate based on changing conditions.
SEASONALITY
Our business can be affected by seasonal fluctuations in the death rate, with number of deaths generally higher during the winter months due to the higher incidences of death from influenza and pneumonia as compared to other periods of the year. Seasonal fluctuations in the death rate may be further affected by epidemics and pandemics, like COVID-19, including any new or emerging public health threats. These unexpected fluctuations may not only increase death rates during the affected period, but also may subsequently decrease death rates following the affected period as a result of an acceleration of death rates. As a result, we are unable to predict or forecast the duration or variation of the current death rate with any certainty.
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
In the ordinary course of business, we are typically exposed to a variety of market risks. Currently, these are primarily related to interest rate risk and changes in the values of securities associated with the preneed and perpetual care trusts. Management is actively involved in monitoring exposure to market risk and developing and utilizing appropriate risk management techniques when appropriate and when available for a reasonable price. We are not exposed to any other significant market risks other than those related to the impact of health and safety concerns from epidemics and pandemics and inflation, which are described in more detail in Part 1, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The following quantitative and qualitative information is provided about financial instruments to which we are a party at September 30, 2023 and from which we may incur future gains or losses from changes in market conditions. We do not enter into derivative or other financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
Hypothetical changes in interest rates and the values of securities associated with the preneed and perpetual care trusts chosen for the following estimated sensitivity analysis are considered to be reasonable near-term changes generally based on consideration of past fluctuations for each risk category. However, since it is not possible to accurately predict future changes in interest rates, these hypothetical changes may not necessarily be an indicator of probable future fluctuations.
The following information about our market-sensitive financial instruments constitutes a “forward-looking statement.”
In connection with our preneed funeral operations and preneed cemetery merchandise and service sales, the related funeral and cemetery trust funds own investments in equity and debt securities and mutual funds, which are sensitive to current market prices. Cost and market values of such investments at September 30, 2023 are presented in Part 1, Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The sensitivity of the fixed income securities is such that a 0.25% change in interest rates causes an approximate 1.25% change in the value of the fixed income securities.
We monitor current and forecasted interest rate risk in the ordinary course of business and seek to maintain optimal financial flexibility, quality and solvency. At September 30, 2023, we had outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility of
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$187.3 million. Any further borrowings or voluntary prepayments against the Credit Facility or any change in the floating rate would cause a change in interest expense. We have the option to pay interest under the Credit Facility at either prime rate or the BSBY rate plus a margin. At September 30, 2023, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 2.375% and the BSBY rate margin was 3.375%. Assuming the outstanding balance remains unchanged, a change of 100 basis points in our borrowing rate would result in a change in income before taxes of $1.9 million. We have not entered into interest rate hedging arrangements in the past. Management continually evaluates the cost and potential benefits of interest rate hedging arrangements.
Our Senior Notes bear interest at the fixed annual rate of 4.25%. We may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption price of 102.13% on or after May 15, 2024, 101.06% on or after May 15, 2025 and 100% on or after May 15, 2026, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. At any time before May 15, 2024, we may also redeem all or part of the Senior Notes at the redemption prices described in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the date of redemption. At September 30, 2023, the carrying value of the Senior Notes on our Consolidated Balance Sheet was $395.7 million and the fair value of the Senior Notes was $342.6 million based on the last traded or broker quoted price, reported by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Increases in market interest rates may cause the value of the Senior Notes to decrease, but such changes will not affect our interest costs. 
The remainder of our long-term debt and leases consist of non-interest bearing notes and fixed rate instruments that do not trade in a market and do not have a quoted market value. Any increase in market interest rates causes the fair value of those liabilities to decrease, but such changes will not affect our interest costs.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures.
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at September 30, 2023 and that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with US GAAP.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our system of internal control over financial reporting (defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings.
We and our subsidiaries are parties to a number of legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. While the outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.
We self-insure against certain risks and carry insurance with coverage and coverage limits for risk in excess of the coverage amounts consistent with our assessment of risks in our business and of an acceptable level of financial exposure. Although there can be no assurance that self-insurance reserves and insurance will be sufficient to mitigate all damages, claims, or contingencies, we believe that the reserves and our insurance provides reasonable coverage for known asserted and unasserted claims. In the event we sustain a loss from a claim and the insurance carrier disputes coverage or coverage limits, we may record a charge in a different period than the recovery, if any, from the insurance carrier.
Item 1A.Risk Factors.
Risk Factor Update
The risk factors below should be carefully read in conjunction with the risk factors set out in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively, are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
Risks Related to Review of Strategic Alternatives Process and a Potential Strategic Transaction
We are reviewing strategic alternatives and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying or completing any strategic transaction, that any such strategic transaction will result in additional value for our stockholders or that the process will not have an adverse impact on our business.
On June 29, 2023, we announced our Board had initiated a process to explore potential strategic alternatives, possibly including, but not limited to, a sale, merger or other potential strategic or financial transaction, aimed at increasing stockholder value. There can be no assurance that the review of strategic alternatives will result in the identification or consummation of any transaction. Our Board may also determine that our most effective strategy is to continue to execute on our current strategy.
The process of reviewing strategic alternatives may be costly, time consuming and disruptive to our business operations and, if we are unable to effectively manage the process, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. We have incurred, and may in the future incur, significant costs associated with identifying, evaluating and negotiating potential strategic alternatives, such as legal, financial advisor and accounting fees and expenses and other related charges. We may also incur additional unanticipated expenses in connection with this process. A considerable portion of these costs will be incurred regardless of whether any such course of action is implemented or transaction is completed, decreasing cash available for use in our business.
There can be no assurance that any potential transaction, or series of transactions, or other strategic alternative, if consummated, will provide greater value to our stockholders than that reflected in the current price of our common stock. Until the review process is concluded, perceived uncertainties related to our future may impact our business performance and volatility in the market price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified personnel and key employees. Our Board has not set a timetable for the conclusion of this review, nor has it made any definitive decisions related to taking any further actions or potential strategic options at this time or at all.
Even if we are successful in completing a strategic alternative, we may be exposed to other operational and financial risks.
Although there can be no assurance that a strategic alternative will result from the process we have undertaken to explore potential strategic alternatives, the negotiation and consummation of any such transaction, if completed, will require significant time on the part of our management, which could result in disruption to our business.
The negotiation and consummation of any such transaction may also require more time or greater cash resources than we anticipate and expose us to other operational and financial risks, including, but not limited to:
increased near-term and long-term expenditures;
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exposure to unknown liabilities;
higher than expected acquisition or integration costs;
incurrence of substantial debt or dilutive issuances of equity securities to fund future operations;
write-downs of assets or goodwill or incurrence of non-recurring, impairment or other charges;
increased amortization expenses;
difficulty and cost in combining the operations and personnel of any acquiring or acquired business with our operations and personnel;
impairment of relationships with key suppliers or customers of any acquired business due to changes in management and ownership;
inability to retain key employees of our Company or any acquired or merged business; and
possibility of future litigation.
Any of the foregoing risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and prospects.
GENERAL RISKS
Economic Conditions and Natural Disasters
Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, including events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults, or non-performance by financial institutions, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
We currently maintain cash balances in accounts at U.S. financial institutions that we believe are high quality. These accounts, held by us and our affiliated companies, are in non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing operating accounts and may, from time to time, exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. If such banking institutions were to fail, we could lose all or a portion of those amounts held in excess of such insurance limitations. In addition, actual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, our third-party vendors and counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
Although we assess our banking relationships as we believe necessary or appropriate, our access to funding sources and other credit arrangements in amounts adequate to finance or capitalize our respective current and projected future business operations could be significantly impaired by factors that affect us, the financial institutions with which we have arrangements directly, or the financial services industry or economy in general. These factors could include, among others, events such as liquidity constraints or failures, the ability to perform obligations under various types of financial, credit or liquidity agreements or arrangements, disruptions or instability in the financial services industry or financial markets, or concerns or negative expectations about the prospects for companies in the financial services industry. These factors could involve financial institutions or financial services industry companies with which we, have financial or business relationships, but could also include factors involving financial markets or the financial services industry generally.
In addition, investor concerns regarding the U.S. or international financial systems could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs and tighter financial and operating covenants, or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for us to acquire future financing or access to capital on acceptable terms or at all. As availability under our Credit Facility and/or the ability to access capital has historically been, and is expected to continue to be, one of our primary sources of liquidity, any adverse impacts on our ability to access such credit and liquidity sources as a result of adverse developments affecting the financial services industry could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations.


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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to repurchases of our common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2023:
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid Per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program
Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program(1)
July 1, 2023 - July 31, 2023— $— — $48,898,769 
August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023— $— — $48,898,769 
September 1, 2023 - September 30, 2023— $— — $48,898,769 
Total for quarter ended September 30, 2023— — 
(1)See Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 14 for additional information on our publicly announced share repurchase program.
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5.Other Information.
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
On August 31, 2023, Melvin C. Payne, Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company, terminated a pre-arranged stock trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which was adopted on March 13, 2023 and provided for the potential sale of up to 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on a specified date every three months beginning on June 13, 2023 and continuing through December 31, 2024 (the “Plan”). The Plan was terminated as a result of the Company’s June 29, 2023 announcement regarding the Board’s review of potential strategic alternatives for the Company.
Other than Mr. Payne’s Plan discussed above, no director or “officer” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of the Company informed the Company of the adoption, modification or termination of a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or a “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.
Item 6.Exhibits.
The exhibits required to be filed pursuant to the requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K are set forth in the Exhibit Index accompanying this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are incorporated herein by reference.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
Date:November 9, 2023/s/ L. Kian Granmayeh
L. Kian Granmayeh
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.Description
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
*31.1
*31.2
**32
*101.INSXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
*101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Documents.
*101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
*101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
*101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
*101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
*104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

 __________________
(*)Filed herewith.
(**)Furnished herewith.
(†)Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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