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<PERIOD>20040721
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<ITEMS>7
<FILING-DATE>20040727
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>CARRIAGE SERVICES INC
<CIK>0001016281
<ASSIGNED-SIC>7200
<IRS-NUMBER>760423828
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
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<FILE-NUMBER>001-11961
<FILM-NUMBER>04932371
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1300 POST OAK BLVD STE 1500
<CITY>HOUSTON
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>77056
<PHONE>2815567400
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>1300 POST OAK BLVD
<CITY>HOUSTON
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>77056
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
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<TYPE>8-K
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<FILENAME>a04-8286_18k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>
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<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 style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;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 style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;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 style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;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 style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;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 style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;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;">July 21, 2004</font></b></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 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 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="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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:2.7%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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:2.68%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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;">(State or other jurisdiction<br>
  of incorporation)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.7%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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;">(Commission<br>
  File Number)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.68%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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;">(IRS Employer<br>
  Identification No.)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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:2.7%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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:2.68%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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:2.7%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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:2.68%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="31%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:31.54%;">
  <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>

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<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 style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;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="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;">Item 5.&#160; <b><font style="font-weight:bold;">Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure</font></b></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;">&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;">Carriage
Services, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) has finalized its discussions with the staff of
the Securities and Exchange Commission (&#147;SEC&#148;) regarding the application of
FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities (&#147;</font></i>FIN<i><font style="font-style:italic;">  </font></i>46R&#148;<i><font style="font-style:italic;">)</font></i>.&#160;
The Company implemented FIN 46R at the end of the first quarter of
2004.&#160; The Company&#146;s conclusions
regarding the application of FIN 46R are fully described in the letter to Mr.
Donald T. Nicolaisen, Chief Accountant, Securities and Exchange Commission
attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which exhibit is
hereby 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:none;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Item 7.&#160; <b><font style="font-weight:bold;">Financial
Statements and Exhibits.</font></b></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;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.5in;"><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;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Exhibits</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%" style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-left:.5in;width:85.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="7%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.72%;">
  <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="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.66%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.64%;">
  <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="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.72%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.66%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.64%;">
  <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 .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.72%;">
  <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="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.66%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.64%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Letter dated
  July 21, 2004 from Carriage Services, Inc., Service Corporation
  International, Stewart Enterprises, Inc. and Alderwoods Group, Inc. to Mr.
  Donald T. Nicolaisen, Chief Accountant, Securities and Exchange Commission
  regarding the Company&#146;s conclusions regarding the application of FIN 46R.</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;">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;text-indent:.5in;"><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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="52%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:52.0%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="52%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:52.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="52%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:52.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date: July
  27, 2004</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.78%;">
  <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:14.4%;">
  <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="33%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:33.82%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.0%;">
  <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:3.78%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.22%;">
  <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="48%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.0%;">
  <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:3.78%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="48%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:48.22%;">
  <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>

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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="7%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.02%;">
  <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;">Exhibit</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.62%;">
  <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="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.02%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.62%;">
  <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 .7pt 0in .7pt;width:7.02%;">
  <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;">99.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.34%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="88%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:88.62%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Letter dated July 21, 2004 from Carriage Services, Inc., Service
  Corporation International, Stewart Enterprises, Inc. and Alderwoods Group,
  Inc. to Mr. Donald T. Nicolaisen, Chief Accountant, Securities and Exchange
  Commission regarding the Company&#146;s conclusions regarding the application of
  FIN 46R.</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 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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<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 style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">July 21, 2004</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;">&nbsp;</font></p>

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

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Office of the Chief Accountant</font></p>

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

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">450 Fifth Street, N.W.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Washington, DC 20549-1103</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;">Via FAX &#150; (202) 942-9656</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;">Dear Mr. Nicolaisen:</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;">Based on discussions with the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (&#147;SEC Staff&#148;) over the past several months,
culminating with a meeting with the SEC Staff on April 29, 2004, we have
prepared this letter summarizing the application of FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised
December 2003), <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities</font></i> (&#147;FIN 46R&#148;), to
statutorily required trusts (the &#147;Trusts&#148;) utilized by the undersigned
registrants in the deathcare industry (the &#147;Registrants&#148;).&#160; The information included herein represents
our conclusions regarding the accounting for the Trusts under the requirements
of FIN 46R.&#160; We acknowledge that our
accounting conclusions that follow are an industry-specific application of the
literature discussed herein and should not be analogized to in other
situations.&#160; Based on these discussions,
we understand the SEC Staff will not object to these conclusions.</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;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Background</font></u></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;">A significant component of the Registrants&#146;
businesses is the sale on a preneed basis of funeral and cemetery merchandise
and services and cemetery interment rights and property.&#160; State laws generally require all or a
substantial portion of the funds collected for preneed funeral and cemetery
merchandise and service contracts to be placed into merchandise and service
trusts (&#147;M&amp;S Trusts&#148;).&#160; State laws
also require a portion of the funds collected from sales of cemetery interment
rights and property to be placed into perpetual care trusts (&#147;Care Trusts&#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;">M&amp;S Trusts are required by state statutes and are established
explicitly to protect preneed consumers by limiting access by funeral and
cemetery operators to the funds until the merchandise is delivered or services
are performed.&#160; The funds deposited into
the M&amp;S Trusts are invested in accordance with the investment requirements
established by statute or, where the prudent investor rule is applicable, the
trustees&#146; judgment.&#160; In exchange for the
amounts paid by the customer plus the accumulated earnings on these amounts,
the Registrants are contractually obligated to deliver the merchandise or
perform the services stipulated by the contract terms.</font></p>

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


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

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</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;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Economically, the M&amp;S Trust earnings compensate the funeral or
cemetery operator for increases in the costs of providing the merchandise or
performing the services because funeral and cemetery operators are
contractually obligated to provide such merchandise and services in the future
at a price established at the time the contract is entered into with the
preneed consumer.&#160; The assets of the M&amp;S
Trusts are not subject to the claims of the Registrants&#146; creditors.</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;">Care Trusts are also required by state statutes and obligate the
Registrants to remit a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery
interment rights and property to such Care Trusts.&#160; Earnings on the Care Trust corpus are used for the perpetual
upkeep of the cemetery grounds.&#160; Except
in very limited circumstances, neither the cemetery operators nor the customers
have any right to the Care Trust corpus and the Care Trusts&#146; assets are not
subject to the claims of the Registrants&#146; creditors.</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;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Adoption of FIN 46R</font></u></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;">Under the provisions of FIN 46R, M&amp;S Trusts and Care Trusts are
variable interest entities because the Trusts meet the conditions of paragraphs
5(a) and 5(b)(1) of FIN 46R.&#160; That is,
as a group, the equity investors (if any) do not have sufficient equity at risk
and do not have the direct or indirect ability through voting or similar rights
to make decisions about the Trusts&#146; activities that have a significant effect
on the success of the Trusts.&#160; FIN 46R
requires the Registrants to consolidate M&amp;S Trusts and Care Trusts for
which the Registrants are the primary beneficiaries (i.e., those for which the
Registrants absorb a majority of the Trusts&#146; expected losses).&#160; A Registrant is the primary beneficiary of a
given Trust whenever a majority of the assets of the Trust are attributable to
deposits for customers of the Registrant.&#160;
If the assets of a given Trust arise as a result of deposits for
customers of multiple Registrants or multiple funeral and cemetery operators, such
that a majority of the assets of the Trust are not attributable to customers of
any single Registrant or single funeral and cemetery operator, then no
Registrant would absorb a majority of the Trust&#146;s expected losses (i.e., the
Trust would not have a primary beneficiary) and the Trust would not be
consolidated under the provisions of FIN 46R.</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;">Although FIN 46R requires consolidation of most of the M&amp;S Trusts
and the Care Trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the
Trusts, the Registrants and their customers.&#160;
In the case of the M&amp;S Trusts, the customers are the legal
beneficiaries.&#160; In the case of the Care
Trusts, the Registrants do not have a legal right to the trust assets.&#160; For these reasons, upon consolidation of the
Trusts, the Registrants are recognizing non-controlling interests in their
financial statements to reflect the third party interests in these Trusts in
accordance with FASB Statement No. 150, <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with
Characteristics of Both Liability and Equity</font></i>.&#160; As discussed with the SEC Staff, the
Registrants are classifying deposits to M&amp;S Trusts as liability
non-controlling interests and are classifying deposits to Care Trusts as equity
non-controlling interests.&#160; The
Registrants are continuing to account for amounts received from customers prior
to delivery of merchandise or services that are not deposited in either M&amp;S
Trusts or Care Trusts as deferred revenue.</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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<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;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In consolidation, the Registrants recognize
realized investment earnings of the M&amp;S Trusts within <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Other income, net</font></i>.&#160; The Registrants then recognize a
corresponding expense within <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Other income, net</font></i> that represents the
realized earnings of those trusts that are attributable to the non-controlling
interest holders.&#160; The corresponding credit
for this expense is <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Non-controlling interest in funeral and cemetery
trusts </font></i>for M&amp;S Trusts<i><font style="font-style:italic;">  </font></i>or <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Non-controlling interest in perpetual care trusts</font></i>
for Care Trusts.&#160; The sum of these
expenses recorded in <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Other income, net</font></i> will offset the realized
earnings of such trusts also recognized within <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Other income, net</font></i>.&#160; Accordingly, the Registrants&#146; income
statements are not affected by consolidation of the Trusts in accordance with
FIN 46R (i.e., the application of this accounting policy is income statement
neutral to the Registrants&#146; financial statements).</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;">To the extent the earnings of the Trusts are
distributed prior to the delivery of merchandise and/or services, a
corresponding amount of non-controlling interest will be reclassified to
deferred revenue, until it is recognizable as revenue.&#160; In the case of M&amp;S Trusts, the
Registrants recognize as revenues amounts previously attributed to
non-controlling interests and deferred revenues upon the performance of services
and delivery of merchandise, including earnings accumulated in these
trusts.&#160; In the case of the Care Trusts,
distributable earnings are recognized in cemetery revenues to the extent of
qualifying cemetery maintenance costs.</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;">Both the M&amp;S Trusts and the Care Trusts
hold investments in marketable securities that generally are classified as
available-for-sale by the Registrants under the requirements of FASB Statement
No. 115, <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Accounting for Certain Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities </font></i>(&#147;FAS 115&#148;).&#160; In accordance with the provisions of FAS 115, available-for-sale
securities of the Trusts are initially recorded at fair value, with unrealized
gains and losses excluded from earnings of the Registrants and initially
recorded as a component of <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)</font></i>
in the consolidated balance sheet.&#160; By
analogy to the guidance in EITF Topic D-41, <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Adjustments in Assets and Liabilities for Holding
Gains and Losses as Related to the Implementation of FASB Statement No. 115</font></i>
(&#147;Topic D-41&#148;), unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities of
the Trusts attributable to the non-controlling interest holders are not
recorded as <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)</font></i>,<i><font style="font-style:italic;">  </font></i>but
are recorded as an adjustment to either <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Non-controlling interest in funeral and cemetery
trusts</font></i> for M&amp;S Trusts or <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Non-controlling interest in perpetual care trusts</font></i>
for Care Trusts.&#160; Therefore, unrealized
gains and losses attributable to the non-controlling interest holders are
reclassified from <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)</font></i> to either <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Non-controlling
interest in funeral and cemetery trusts</font></i> for M&amp;S Trusts or <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Non-controlling
interest in perpetual care trusts</font></i> for Care Trusts. <i><font style="font-style:italic;">&#160;</font></i>The gross effect from applying
Topic D-41 on the Registrants&#146; <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)</font></i>
will be disclosed in the Registrants&#146; footnotes to their financial statements,
but the Registrants&#146; <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)</font></i>
on the face of the balance sheet is ultimately not affected by consolidation of
the Trusts.</font></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;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">*&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;*</font></p>

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<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><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;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">We respectfully thank the SEC Staff for their
time and attention over the last several months regarding the application of
FIN 46R to the Trusts.&#160; This letter sets
forth the accounting policies that we, the Registrants, will follow as a result
of the adoption of FIN 46R.</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;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="55%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:55.52%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Service Corporation
  International</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.7%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="41%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:41.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Alderwoods Group, Inc.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="55%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:55.52%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.7%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="41%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:41.78%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="55%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:55.52%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Stewart Enterprises, Inc.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.7%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="41%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:41.78%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Carriage Services, Inc.</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>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.24%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">cc:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:96.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.24%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="96%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:96.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">KPMG LLP</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>


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