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<CONFORMED-NAME>CARRIAGE SERVICES INC
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<ASSIGNED-SIC>7200
<IRS-NUMBER>760423828
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
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<STREET1>1300 POST OAK BLVD STE 1500
<CITY>HOUSTON
<STATE>TX
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<PHONE>2815567400
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
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<STREET1>1300 POST OAK BLVD
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<div style="border:none;border-top:double windowtext 9.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">

<p align="center" style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C.&#160;
20549</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM 8-K</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT
REPORT</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): <b><font style="font-weight:bold;">February 27, 2004</font></b></font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Carriage Services, Inc.</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in is charter)</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1-11961</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">76-0423828</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State
  or other jurisdiction</font><br>
  </font>of incorporation)</p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission</font><br>
  </font>File Number)</p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS
  Employer</font><br>
  </font>Identification No.)</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:32.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="100%" colspan="5" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1900 St. James Place, 4<sup>th</sup> Floor<br>
  Houston, Texas 77056</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="100%" colspan="5" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address,
  including zip code, of principal executive offices)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="100%" colspan="5" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="100%" colspan="5" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registrant&#146;s
  telephone number, including area code:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="100%" colspan="5" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(713) 332-8400</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 9.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">

<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

</div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>


<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">

<hr size="2" width="100%" noshade color="gray" align="left">

</font></div>

<font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">
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<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Item 7.</font><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .6in;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(a)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Not
applicable</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .6in;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .6in;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(b)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Not
applicable</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .6in;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .6in;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(c)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Exhibits</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.86%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.96%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.02%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.94%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="80%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:80.22%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.86%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.96%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.02%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.94%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="80%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:80.22%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.86%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.96%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.02%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:4.94%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="80%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:80.22%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Notice to
  Directors and Executive Officers dated February 27, 2004</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Item 11.</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font style="font-weight:bold;">Temporary
Suspension of Trading Under Registrant&#146;s Benefit Plans</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.7in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;text-indent:.6in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On February 27, 2004, Carriage Services, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) sent a
Notice to its Directors and Executive Officers (Executive Officers defined as
those officers subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended) informing them that a blackout period is expected to be in effect
beginning March 17, 2004 and ending during the week beginning April 11, 2004,
restricting them from transferring common stock of the Company during such
period. The notice was provided pursuant to Section 306(a) of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 104 of Regulation BTR promulgated under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A copy of the notice sent to
Directors and Executive Officers is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is
incorporated herein by reference.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;text-indent:.6in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">During the blackout period and for a period of two years after the
ending date of the blackout period, a security holder or other interested party
may obtain, without charge, the actual beginning date and ending date of the
blackout period by contacting Terry Sanford, Vice President and Corporate
Controller, Carriage Services, Inc., 1900 St. James Place, 4<sup>th</sup>
Floor, Houston, Texas 77056, (713)332-8400.</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>


<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">

<hr size="2" width="100%" noshade color="gray" align="left">

</font></div>

<font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">
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<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURE</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to
the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Carriage Services,
Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:45.42%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="54%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:54.58%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">CARRIAGE
  SERVICES, INC.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:45.42%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="54%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:54.58%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:45.42%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="54%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:54.58%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:45.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:
  February 27, 2004</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="14%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:14.54%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/JosephSaporito</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="36%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:36.54%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:45.42%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.5%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="51%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:51.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Joseph
  Saporito</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="45%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:45.42%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.5%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="51%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:51.08%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Senior Vice
  President and Chief Financial Officer</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>


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<hr size="2" width="100%" noshade color="gray" align="left">

</font></div>

<font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">
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<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.32%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.12%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.56%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.32%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.12%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.56%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.32%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;99.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.12%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.56%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Notice to
  Directors and Executive Officers dated February 27, 2004</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>


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<div style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">

<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit 99.1</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">NOTICE</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.32%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">To:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.82%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="91%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:91.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Directors and Executive Officers of Carriage Services, Inc.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.32%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.82%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="91%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:91.86%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.32%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">From:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.82%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="91%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:91.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Terry E. Sanford</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.32%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.82%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="91%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:91.86%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.32%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.82%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="91%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:91.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">February 27, 2004</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.32%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.82%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="91%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:91.86%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.32%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Subject:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="0%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:.82%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="91%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:91.86%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Notice of Blackout Period Required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The purpose of this notice is to inform you of an upcoming blackout
period that will occur in connection with a planned change in the recordkeeper
of the Carriage Services 401(k) Plan, 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, 1997 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, 1998 Stock Option Plan for Consultants, 1995 Stock
Incentive Plan and the 1996 Directors&#146; Stock Option Plan (collectively referred
to as the &#147;Benefit Plans&#148;). The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and, as more
specifically, Regulation BTR as promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, require that notice of the blackout period by provided to
you.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The recordkeeper of the Benefit Plans will be changing from the
Citigroup affiliates, CitiStreet Associates, LLC and Smith Barney to Hand
Benefits &amp; Trust Company. While the changeover of recordkeeper occurs,
participants in the Benefit Plans will be unable to enroll in the 401(k) and
employee stock purchase plans, change their investment elections, request
loans, withdrawals or distributions, exercise stock options or sell Carriage
Services, Inc. common stock from their Benefit Plan accounts. Therefore, during
this period of time, the ability of participants in the Benefit Plans to
purchase, sell or otherwise acquire or transfer an interest in shares of common
stock of Carriage Services, Inc. in their plan accounts will be restricted. The
period of time during which the participants in the Benefit Plans will be
subject to these restrictions is called the &#147;Blackout Period&#148;.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Blackout Period will begin March 17, 2004 and end during the week
of April 11, 2004. During the week of April 11, 2004, you may obtain, without
charge, information as to whether the Blackout Period has ended by contacting
Terry Sanford, Vice President and Corporate Controller, or Clark Harlow, Vice
President and Treasurer, at Carriage Services, Inc. (713)332-8400.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">During the Blackout Period, directors and executive officers of
Carriage Services, Inc. are prohibited from engaging in any transaction, other
than certain exempt transactions, involving the common stock of Carriage
Services, Inc. that you acquired in connection</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>


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<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">with your service or employment with Carriage Services, Inc. Exempt
transactions include, but are not limited to, purchases or sales of common
stock pursuant to a Rule 10(b)5-1(c) arrangement (provided the same is not
adopted or amended during the Blackout Period) and purchases that occur
automatically pursuant to the employee stock purchase plan.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">While we anticipate a smooth transition to the new recordkeeper, you
will be notified in the unlikely event that an extension of the Blackout Period
is required. Please direct any questions regarding the Blackout Period to me at
(713)332-8400.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>


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