10-Q 1 csv-2013930x10q.htm 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013
OR

o | 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)

DELAWARE | 76-0423828
(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)

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 x No o
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 x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Large accelerated filer | o | Accelerated filer | x
Non-accelerated filer | o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding as of October 31, 2013 was 18,244,766

Table of Contents
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
INDEX

| Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 | 3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 | 4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 | 5
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 6
Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Statements | 31
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 32
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 43
Item 4. Controls and Procedures | 44
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION |
Item 1. Legal Proceedings | 45
Item 1A. Risk Factors | 45
Item 6. Exhibits | 45
SIGNATURE | 46
INDEX OF EXHIBITS | 47

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. | Financial Statements

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)

|  |  | (unaudited)
| December 31, 2012 |  | September 30, 2013
ASSETS |  |  |
Current assets: |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,698 |  |  | $ | 882 |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts of $1,177 in 2012 and $793 in 2013 | 17,812 |  |  | 16,278 |
Assets held for sale | 1,466 |  |  | 5,770 |
Inventories | 5,133 |  |  | 4,787 |
Prepaid expenses | 5,107 |  |  | 3,918 |
Other current assets | 1,923 |  |  | 1,162 |
Total current assets | 33,139 |  |  | 32,797 |
Preneed cemetery trust investments | 70,960 |  |  | 66,919 |
Preneed funeral trust investments | 82,896 |  |  | 94,573 |
Preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts of $2,059 in 2012 and $1,703 in 2013 | 23,222 |  |  | 24,717 |
Receivables from preneed trusts | 25,871 |  |  | 12,298 |
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $84,291 in 2012 and $86,654 in 2013 | 152,433 |  |  | 154,547 |
Cemetery property | 75,156 |  |  | 73,117 |
Goodwill | 218,442 |  |  | 217,244 |
Deferred charges and other non-current assets | 9,424 |  |  | 8,347 |
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments | 46,542 |  |  | 40,261 |
Total assets | $ | 738,085 |  |  | $ | 724,820 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |  |  |
Current liabilities: |  |  |
Current portion of senior long-term debt and capital lease obligations | $ | 11,218 |  |  | $ | 12,672 |
Accounts payable | 5,243 |  |  | 3,677 |
Other liabilities | 13,067 |  |  | 11,829 |
Accrued liabilities | 12,278 |  |  | 14,710 |
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale | 369 |  |  | 4,510 |
Total current liabilities | 42,175 |  |  | 47,398 |
Long-term debt, net of current portion | 118,841 |  |  | 109,514 |
Revolving credit facility | 44,700 |  |  | 26,000 |
Convertible junior subordinated debentures due in 2029 to an affiliate | 89,770 |  |  | 89,770 |
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion | 4,013 |  |  | 3,844 |
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue | 63,998 |  |  | 56,218 |
Deferred preneed funeral revenue | 39,794 |  |  | 31,596 |
Deferred tax liability | — |  |  | 6,961 |
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust | 70,960 |  |  | 66,919 |
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust | 82,896 |  |  | 94,573 |
Care trusts’ corpus | 45,920 |  |  | 40,056 |
Total liabilities | 603,067 |  |  | 572,849 |
Commitments and contingencies: |  |  |
Redeemable preferred stock | 200 |  |  | — |
Stockholders’ equity: |  |  |
Common stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 22,078,000 and 22,166,000 shares issued at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively | 221 |  |  | 222 |
Additional paid-in capital | 202,462 |  |  | 204,322 |
Accumulated deficit | (52,598 | ) |  | (37,306 | )
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,922,000 shares at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 | (15,267 | ) |  | (15,267 | )
Total stockholders’ equity | 134,818 |  |  | 151,971 |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 738,085 |  |  | $ | 724,820 |

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)

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funeral | $ | 36,223 |  |  | $ | 37,338 |  |  | $ | 112,666 |  |  | $ | 123,090 |
Cemetery | 11,919 |  |  | 12,369 |  |  | 34,632 |  |  | 38,007 |
| 48,142 |  |  | 49,707 |  |  | 147,298 |  |  | 161,097 |
Field costs and expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funeral | 22,480 |  |  | 23,431 |  |  | 68,360 |  |  | 74,285 |
Cemetery | 7,478 |  |  | 7,357 |  |  | 21,555 |  |  | 21,808 |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,275 |  |  | 2,088 |  |  | 6,753 |  |  | 7,266 |
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs | 2,560 |  |  | 2,720 |  |  | 6,972 |  |  | 7,791 |
| 34,793 |  |  | 35,596 |  |  | 103,640 |  |  | 111,150 |
Gross profit | 13,349 |  |  | 14,111 |  |  | 43,658 |  |  | 49,947 |
Corporate costs and expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General and administrative costs and expenses | 5,240 |  |  | 6,868 |  |  | 15,333 |  |  | 20,226 |
Home office depreciation and amortization | 212 |  |  | 851 |  |  | 719 |  |  | 1,570 |
| 5,452 |  |  | 7,719 |  |  | 16,052 |  |  | 21,796 |
Operating income | 7,897 |  |  | 6,392 |  |  | 27,606 |  |  | 28,151 |
Interest expense, net of other income | (4,547 | ) |  | (3,216 | ) |  | (13,618 | ) |  | (9,475 | )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and other costs | (3,031 | ) |  | — |  |  | (3,031 | ) |  | — |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 319 |  |  | 3,176 |  |  | 10,957 |  |  | 18,676 |
Provision for income taxes | (129 | ) |  | (1,262 | ) |  | (4,429 | ) |  | (7,751 | )
Net income from continuing operations | 190 |  |  | 1,914 |  |  | 6,528 |  |  | 10,925 |
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax | 416 |  |  | 3,980 |  |  | 1,202 |  |  | 4,371 |
Net income | 606 |  |  | 5,894 |  |  | 7,730 |  |  | 15,296 |
Preferred stock dividend | (3 | ) |  | — |  |  | (10 | ) |  | (4 | )
Net income available to common stockholders | $ | 603 |  |  | $ | 5,894 |  |  | $ | 7,720 |  |  | $ | 15,292 |
Basic earnings per common share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Continuing operations | $ | 0.01 |  |  | $ | 0.10 |  |  | $ | 0.36 |  |  | $ | 0.60 |
Discontinued operations | 0.02 |  |  | 0.22 |  |  | 0.07 |  |  | 0.24 |
Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.03 |  |  | $ | 0.32 |  |  | $ | 0.43 |  |  | $ | 0.84 |
Diluted earnings per common share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Continuing operations | $ | 0.01 |  |  | $ | 0.10 |  |  | $ | 0.35 |  |  | $ | 0.59 |
Discontinued operations | 0.02 |  |  | 0.22 |  |  | 0.07 |  |  | 0.19 |
Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.03 |  |  | $ | 0.32 |  |  | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.78 |
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.025 |  |  | $ | 0.025 |  |  | $ | 0.075 |  |  | $ | 0.075 |
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | 18,051 |  |  | 17,892 |  |  | 18,129 |  |  | 17,794 |
Diluted | 18,170 |  |  | 18,057 |  |  | 18,212 |  |  | 22,361 |

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)

| For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013
Cash flows from operating activities: |  |  |
Net income | $ | 7,730 |  |  | $ | 15,296 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |  |
Gain on sale of assets | (606 | ) |  | (6,546 | )
Impairment of goodwill | — |  |  | 100 |
Depreciation and amortization | 7,567 |  |  | 8,910 |
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | 1,324 |  |  | — |
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs | 520 |  |  | 150 |
Provision for losses on accounts receivable | 1,429 |  |  | 1,274 |
Stock-based compensation expense | 1,621 |  |  | 2,952 |
Deferred income taxes | 2,390 |  |  | 9,389 |
Other | 300 |  |  | 81 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided (required) cash: |  |  |
Accounts and preneed receivables | (3,109 | ) |  | (1,765 | )
Inventories and other current assets | 581 |  |  | 934 |
Deferred charges and other | (38 | ) |  | (19 | )
Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments | 5,982 |  |  | 3,566 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (5,139 | ) |  | (972 | )
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenue | 823 |  |  | 2,490 |
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust | (6,095 | ) |  | (3,601 | )
Net cash provided by operating activities | 15,280 |  |  | 32,239 |
Cash flows from investing activities: |  |  |
Acquisitions and new construction | (24,831 | ) |  | (6,051 | )
Capital expenditures | (7,842 | ) |  | (7,425 | )
Net proceeds from the sale of businesses and other assets | 603 |  |  | 8,321 |
Net cash used in investing activities | (32,070 | ) |  | (5,155 | )
Cash flows from financing activities: |  |  |
Net borrowings from (payments against) the revolving credit facility | 26,607 |  |  | (18,700 | )
Payment of call premium associated with the senior notes redemption | (1,707 | ) |  | — |
Payments on the term loan | — |  |  | (7,500 | )
Payments on other long-term debt and obligations under capital leases | (480 | ) |  | (445 | )
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan | 627 |  |  | 685 |
Stock option benefit | 53 |  |  | — |
Dividends on common stock | (1,353 | ) |  | (1,362 | )
Dividend on redeemable preferred stock | (10 | ) |  | (4 | )
Payment of loan origination costs | (3,004 | ) |  | (574 | )
Purchase of treasury stock | (4,531 | ) |  | — |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 16,202 |  |  | (27,900 | )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (588 | ) |  | (816 | )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 1,137 |  |  | 1,698 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 549 |  |  | $ | 882 |

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 deathcare services and merchandise in the United States. As of September 30, 2013, we owned and operated 164 funeral homes in 26 states and 32 cemeteries in 10 states.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include us and our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Interim Condensed Disclosures
The information for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 is unaudited, but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments which are normal, recurring and necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations as of and for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and should be read in conjunction therewith. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, goodwill, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, as there can be no assurance that our results of operations will be consistent from year to year.
Funeral and Cemetery Operations
We record the revenue from sales of funeral and cemetery merchandise and services when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Sales of cemetery interment rights are recorded as revenue in accordance with the retail land sales provisions for accounting for sales of real estate. This method provides for the recognition of revenue in the period in which the customer’s cumulative payments exceed 10% of the contract price related to the interment right. Costs related to the sales of interment rights, which include real property and other costs related to cemetery development activities, are charged to operations using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue. Revenues to be recognized from the delivery of merchandise and performance of services related to contracts that were acquired in acquisitions are typically lower than those originated by the Company. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Allowances for bad debts and customer cancellations are provided at the date that the sale is recognized as revenue and are based on our historical experience and the current economic environment. We also monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted. When preneed sales of funeral services and merchandise are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission on the sale of the policies. Insurance
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commissions are recognized as revenues at the point at which the commission is no longer subject to refund, which is typically one year after the policy is issued.
Accounts receivable included approximately $8.4 million and $7.5 million of funeral receivables at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively, and $9.2 million and $8.5 million of cemetery receivables at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Non-current preneed receivables represent the payments expected to be received beyond one year from the balance sheet date. Non-current preneed receivables consisted of approximately $7.3 million and $8.1 million of funeral receivables and $15.9 million and $16.6 million of cemetery receivables at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Accounts receivable also include minor amounts of other receivables. Bad debt expense totaled $1.4 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
Discontinued Operations
In accordance with our Strategic Acquisition Model, non-strategic businesses are reviewed to determine whether such businesses should be sold and the proceeds redeployed elsewhere. A marketing plan is then developed for those locations which are identified as held for sale. When we receive a letter of intent and financing commitment from a buyer and the sale is expected to occur within one year, the location is no longer reported within our continuing operations. The assets and liabilities associated with the location are reclassified as held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the operating results are presented on a comparative basis in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the third quarter of 2013, we sold a funeral home in Ohio and a cemetery in Virginia, which were reported as held for sale at June 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, we had letters of intent outstanding on funeral homes in Kansas and Kentucky and a cemetery in Florida; as such, these businesses are no longer reported within our continuing operations. The assets and liabilities associated with these locations are included in assets held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013, and the operating results are presented on a comparative basis in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 4 and Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for more information.
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 customarily estimate related transaction costs known at closing. To the extent that information not available to us at the closing date of an acquisition subsequently becomes available during the allocation period, we may adjust goodwill, assets, or liabilities associated with such acquisition. Acquisition related costs are recognized separately from acquisitions and are expensed as incurred. During the third quarter of 2012, we completed one funeral home acquisition. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we completed four acquisitions comprised of five funeral homes and one cemetery. There have been no acquisitions in 2013. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for more information.
The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of funeral home businesses acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has primarily been recorded in connection with the acquisition of funeral businesses. Goodwill is tested for impairment by assessing the fair value of each of our reporting units. The funeral segment reporting units consist of our East, Central and West regions in the United States, and we perform our annual impairment test of goodwill using information as of August 31 of each year. In addition, we assess the impairment of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant adverse changes in the business climate which may be indicated by a decline in our market capitalization or decline in operating results.
Our methodology for goodwill impairment testing is described in more detail in Notes 1 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statement herein.
Stock Plans and Stock-Based Compensation
We have stock-based employee and director compensation plans under which we may grant restricted stock, stock options, performance awards and stock from our employee stock purchase plan, which are described in more detail in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. We recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based awards expected to vest over the requisite service period. Fair value is determined on the date of the grant. The fair value of options or awards containing options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of the performance awards is determined using a Monte-Carlo simulation pricing model. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for additional information on our stock-based compensation plans.
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Computation of Earnings Per Common Share
Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of stock options and convertible junior subordinated debentures.
Share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are recognized as participating securities and included in the computation of both basic and diluted earnings per share. Our grants of restricted stock awards to our employees and directors are considered participating securities, and we have prepared our earnings per share calculations attributable to common stockholders to exclude outstanding unvested restricted stock awards, using the two-class method, in both the basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation.
The fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and the corresponding calculation of fully diluted earnings per share, include approximately 4.4 million shares that would be issued upon conversion of our convertible junior subordinated debentures as a result of the application of the if-converted method prescribed by FASB ASC 260-10-45. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the three months ended September 30, 2013, the conversion of our convertible junior subordinated debentures is excluded from fully diluted earnings per share calculations and the fully diluted weighted average share count because the inclusion of such converted shares would result in an antidilutive impact.
Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Trust Funds
Our preneed and perpetual care trust funds are reported in accordance with the principles of consolidating Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”). In the case of preneed trusts, the customers are the legal beneficiaries. In the case of perpetual care trusts, we do not have a right to access the corpus in the perpetual care trusts. For these reasons, we have recognized financial interests of third parties in the trust funds in our financial statements as Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus. The investments of such trust funds are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair market value; therefore, the unrealized gains and losses, as well as accumulated and undistributed income and realized gains and losses are recorded to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our future obligations to deliver merchandise and services are reported at estimated settlement amounts. Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings, along with preneed contract collections not required to be placed in trust, are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenue and Deferred preneed cemetery revenue until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.
In accordance with respective state laws, we are required to deposit a specified amount into perpetual and memorial care trust funds for each interment/entombment right and certain memorials sold. Income from the trust funds is distributed to us and used to provide care and maintenance for the cemeteries and mausoleums. Such trust fund income is recognized as revenue when realized by the trust and distributable to us. We are restricted from withdrawing any of the principal balances of these funds.
An enterprise is required to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest(s) give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE, or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our analysis continues to support our position as the primary beneficiary in certain of our funeral and cemetery trust funds.
Trust management fees are earned by us for investment management and advisory services that are provided by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor ("CSV RIA"). As of September 30, 2013, CSV RIA provides these services to one institution, which has custody of 77% of our trust assets, for a fee based on the market value of trust assets. Under state trust laws, we are allowed to charge the trust a fee for advising on the investment of the trust assets and these fees are recognized as income in the period in which services are provided.
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Fair Value Measurements
We define fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date. Additional required disclosures are provided herein in Notes 6, 10 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We currently do not have any assets that have fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value. We have elected not to measure any additional financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.
To determine the fair value of assets and liabilities in an environment where the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased, the exit price is used as the fair value measurement. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, we did not incur significant decreases in the volume or level of activity of any asset or liability. We consider an impairment of debt and equity securities other-than-temporary unless (a) the investor has the ability and intent to hold an investment and (b) evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable before we are more likely than not required to sell the investment. If impairment is indicated, then an adjustment is made to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. As of September 30, 2013, no impairments have been identified.
In the ordinary course of business, we are typically exposed to a variety of market risks. Currently, these are primarily related to changes in fair market values related to outstanding debts 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 risk management techniques when appropriate and when available for a reasonable price. Our convertible junior subordinated debentures, payable to Carriage Services Capital Trust (the “Trust”), pay interest at a fixed rate of 7% and are carried on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at a cost of approximately $89.8 million. The fair value of these securities is estimated to be approximately $86.7 million at September 30, 2013, based on available broker quotes of the corresponding preferred securities issued by the Trust.
Income Taxes
We and our subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return, separate income tax returns in 16 states and combined or unitary income tax returns in 11 states in which we operate. We record deferred taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. We record a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized.
We analyze tax benefits for uncertain tax positions and how they are to be recognized, measured, and derecognized in financial statements; provide certain disclosures of uncertain tax matters; and specify how reserves for uncertain tax positions should be classified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have reviewed our income tax positions and identified certain tax deductions, primarily related to business acquisitions that are not certain. Our policy with respect to potential penalties and interest is to record them as “Other” expense and “Interest” expense, respectively. The entire balance of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate.
In July 2013, the Internal Revenue Service approved two tax accounting method changes which allowed additional tax deductions totaling $54.0 million in our 2012 tax year. These deductions related to temporary differences previously recorded as deferred tax assets. The non-current deferred tax liability of $7.0 million recorded as of September 30, 2013 is primarily a result of us obtaining the benefit of such accounting changes during the third quarter of 2013, while also utilizing net operating loss carryforwards arising from those changes against income from the current year.
We do not anticipate a significant increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.
In September 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released final regulations relating to guidance on applying tax rules to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible personal property as well as rules for materials and supplies. The new guidance is required to be applied no later than our tax year beginning January 1, 2014. We are evaluating the future impact of the final regulation on our tax provision.
Subsequent Events
Management evaluated events and transactions during the period subsequent to September 30, 2013 through the date the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements covered by this report. For more information regarding subsequent events, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein.
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2. | RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Comprehensive Income
In February 2013, the FASB amended the Comprehensive Income Topic of the ASC to require reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) by component. In addition, we are required to present significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI to net income in its entirety by the respective line items and to cross reference any disclosure elsewhere in the notes for amounts reclassified in less than their entirety. This amendment is effective prospectively for public companies for reporting periods after December 15, 2012. We adopted the provisions of this amendment effective January 1, 2013. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for the appropriate disclosures.
Income Taxes
In July 2013, the FASB amended the Income Tax Topic of the ASC to eliminate the diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. The guidance requires an entity to net its liability for unrecognized tax benefits against the deferred tax assets for all same jurisdiction net operating losses or similar tax loss carryforwards or tax credit carryforwards. A gross presentation will be required only if such carryforwards are not available to settle any additional income taxes resulting from disallowance of the uncertain tax position or the entity does not intend to use these carryforwards for this purpose. This guidance is effective for the first annual or interim period beginning after December 15, 2013, thus effective for us beginning January 1, 2014. This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

3. | ACQUISITIONS

Our growth strategy includes the execution of our Strategic Acquisition Model. We assess acquisition candidates using six strategic ranking criteria to differentiate the price we are willing to pay under a discounted cash flow methodology. Those criteria are:

• | Size of business;

• | Size of market;

• | Competitive standing;

• | Local market demographics;

• | Strength of brand; and

• | Barriers to entry.

During the third quarter of 2012, we completed one funeral home acquisition. We paid $6.0 million in cash as consideration for this acquisition. We acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain operating liabilities, including obligations associated with existing preneed contracts. The assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value and included goodwill of $5.2 million. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2012, we acquired two parcels of land for a total of $2.1 million to to be used for funeral home expansion projects. There have been no acquisitions during the third quarter of 2013. We acquired land for approximately $6.0 million during the first quarter of 2013 for funeral home expansion projects.

4. | ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

We continually review locations to optimize the sustainable earning power and return on our invested capital. Our strategy, the Strategic Acquisition Model, also uses strategic ranking criteria to assess potential disposition candidates. The execution of this strategy entails selling generally non-strategic businesses.
During the third quarter of 2013, we sold a funeral home in Ohio and a cemetery in Virginia, which was reported as held for sale at June 30, 2013. During the third quarter of 2012, we sold two funeral home businesses in Kentucky. As of September 30, 2013, we had letters of intent outstanding on funeral home businesses in Kansas and Kentucky and a cemetery in Florida; as such, these businesses are no longer reported within our continuing operations. The assets and liabilities associated with these locations are included in assets held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013 and the operating results are presented on a comparative basis in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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Assets and liabilities associated with the businesses held for sale in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):

| December 31, 2012 |  | September 30, 2013
Assets: |  |  |
Current assets | $ | 238 |  |  | $ | 53 |
Preneed cemetery trust investments | — |  |  | 2,394 |
Preneed funeral trust investments | — |  |  | 80 |
Preneed receivables | — |  |  | 35 |
Receivables from preneed trusts | 293 |  |  | — |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 504 |  |  | 1,454 |
Goodwill | 85 |  |  | 1,097 |
Deferred charges and other non-current assets | 346 |  |  | — |
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments | — |  |  | 657 |
Total | $ | 1,466 |  |  | $ | 5,770 |
Liabilities: |  |  |
Current liabilities | $ | 75 |  |  | $ | 148 |
Long-term debt, net of current portion | — |  |  | 62 |
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue | — |  |  | 1,175 |
Deferred preneed funeral revenue | 294 |  |  | — |
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust | — |  |  | 2,394 |
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust | — |  |  | 80 |
Care trusts corpus | — |  |  | $ | 651 |
Total | $ | 369 |  |  | $ | 4,510 |

The operating results of the discontinued businesses during the periods presented, as well as the gain or loss on the disposal, are presented in the discontinued operations section of the Consolidated Statements of Operations, along with the income tax effect as follows (in thousands):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Revenues | $ | 1,663 |  |  | $ | 544 |  |  | $ | 4,867 |  |  | $ | 3,001 |
Operating income | $ | 518 |  |  | $ | 54 |  |  | $ | 1,410 |  |  | $ | 638 |
Gain on disposition | 179 |  |  | 6,399 |  |  | 606 |  |  | 6,446 |
Provision for income taxes | (281 | ) |  | (2,473 | ) |  | (814 | ) |  | (2,713 | )
Income from discontinued operations | $ | 416 |  |  | $ | 3,980 |  |  | $ | 1,202 |  |  | $ | 4,371 |

5. | GOODWILL

Many of the former owners and staff of acquired funeral homes have provided high quality service to families for generations. The resulting loyalty often represents a substantial portion of the value of a funeral business. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired, as determined by management in business acquisition transactions accounted for as purchases, is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has not historically been recorded in connection with the acquisition of cemetery businesses.
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We performed our 2013 annual impairment test of goodwill using information as of August 31, 2013. 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 the two-step goodwill impairment test. We conducted qualitative assessments in 2011 and 2012, however, for our 2013 annual impairment test, we performed the two-step goodwill impairment test. Our intent is to perform the two-step test at least once every three years unless certain indicators or events suggest otherwise. See Part II, Item 7, Overview of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 2, to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, discussing the methodology used for the annual goodwill impairment test. Based on our 2013 impairment test, we concluded that there was no impairment to goodwill.
The following table presents the changes in goodwill in our Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):

Goodwill as of December 31, 2012 | $ | 218,442 |
Impairment | (101 | )
Reclassification of assets held for sale | (1,097 | )
Goodwill as of September 30, 2013 | $ | 217,244 |

The impairment of $0.1 million is related to a business discontinued in the first quarter of 2013 as the carrying value exceeded fair value.

6. | PRENEED TRUST INVESTMENT

Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments
Preneed cemetery trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are generally permitted to withdraw when the merchandise or services are provided. The components of Preneed cemetery trust investments in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

| December 31, 2012 |  | September 30, 2013
Preneed cemetery trust investments, at fair value | $ | 73,126 |  |  | $ | 68,962 |
Less: allowance for contract cancellation | (2,166 | ) |  | (2,043 | )
Preneed cemetery trust investments, net | $ | 70,960 |  |  | $ | 66,919 |

Upon cancellation of a preneed cemetery contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus and some or all of the earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, we are obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust, including some or all investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being under-funded, we assess whether we are responsible for replenishing the corpus of the trust, in which case a loss provision is recorded.
Earnings from our preneed cemetery trust investments are recognized in revenue when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are included in revenue in the period in which they are earned.
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 and common stock. 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 other inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are fixed income securities including foreign debt, corporate debt, preferred stocks and mortgage backed securities, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. There were no significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. There are no Level 3 investments in the preneed cemetery trust investment portfolio. See Note 11 for further information of the fair value measurement and the three-level valuation hierarchy.
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The cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at September 30, 2013 are detailed below (in thousands):

| Fair Value Hierarchy Level |  | Cost |  | Unrealized Gains |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts | 1 |  | $ | 864 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 864 |
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign debt | 2 |  | 3,498 |  |  | 36 |  |  | (42 | ) |  | 3,492 |
Corporate debt | 2 |  | 34,000 |  |  | 471 |  |  | (1,156 | ) |  | 33,315 |
Preferred stock | 2 |  | 17,869 |  |  | 69 |  |  | (435 | ) |  | 17,503 |
Mortgage backed securities | 2 |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Common stock | 1 |  | 11,856 |  |  | 1,259 |  |  | (427 | ) |  | 12,688 |
Trust securities |  |  | $ | 68,088 |  |  | $ | 1,835 |  |  | $ | (2,060 | ) |  | $ | 67,863 |
Accrued investment income |  |  | $ | 1,099 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,099 |
Preneed cemetery trust investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 68,962 |
Fair market value as a percentage of cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 99.7 | %

The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):

Due in one year or less | $ | — |
Due in one to five years | 7,291 |
Due in five to ten years | 13,943 |
Thereafter | 33,077 |
Total | $ | 54,311 |

The cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at December 31, 2012 are detailed below (in thousands):

| Fair Value Hierarchy Level |  | Cost |  | Unrealized Gains |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts | 1 |  | $ | 758 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 758 |
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign debt | 2 |  | 2,008 |  |  | 450 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,458 |
Corporate debt | 2 |  | 38,299 |  |  | 863 |  |  | (507 | ) |  | 38,655 |
Preferred stock | 2 |  | 22,362 |  |  | 824 |  |  | (294 | ) |  | 22,892 |
Mortgage backed securities | 2 |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Common stock | 1 |  | 8,759 |  |  | 34 |  |  | (1,526 | ) |  | 7,267 |
Trust securities |  |  | $ | 72,187 |  |  | $ | 2,171 |  |  | $ | (2,327 | ) |  | $ | 72,031 |
Accrued investment income |  |  | $ | 1,095 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,095 |
Preneed cemetery trust investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 73,126 |
Market value as a percentage of cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 99.8 | %

We determine whether or not the assets in the preneed cemetery trusts have an other-than-temporary impairment on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis of the investment due to an other-than-temporary impairment is likewise recorded as a reduction in Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. There will be no impact on earnings unless and until such time as the investment is withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations at an amount that is less than its original basis.
We have determined that the unrealized losses in our preneed cemetery trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our cemetery merchandise
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and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, are shown in the following tables (in thousands):

| September 30, 2013
| In Loss Position Less than 12 months |  | In Loss Position Greater than 12 months |  | Total
| Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign debt | $ | 2,438 |  |  | $ | (41 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,438 |  |  | $ | (41 | )
Corporate debt | 17,860 |  |  | (616 | ) |  | 836 |  |  | (540 | ) |  | 18,696 |  |  | (1,156 | )
Preferred stock | 9,877 |  |  | (435 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 9,877 |  |  | (435 | )
Common stock | 4,085 |  |  | (294 | ) |  | 330 |  |  | (134 | ) |  | 4,415 |  |  | (428 | )
Total temporary impaired securities | $ | 34,260 |  |  | $ | (1,386 | ) |  | $ | 1,166 |  |  | $ | (674 | ) |  | $ | 35,426 |  |  | $ | (2,060 | )

| December 31, 2012
| In Loss Position Less than 12 months |  | In Loss Position Greater than 12 months |  | Total
| Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Corporate debt | $ | 11,363 |  |  | $ | (325 | ) |  | $ | 622 |  |  | $ | (182 | ) |  | $ | 11,985 |  |  | $ | (507 | )
Preferred stock | 1,040 |  |  | (54 | ) |  | 2,284 |  |  | (240 | ) |  | 3,324 |  |  | (294 | )
Common stock | 5,088 |  |  | (934 | ) |  | 957 |  |  | (592 | ) |  | 6,045 |  |  | (1,526 | )
Total temporary impaired securities | $ | 17,491 |  |  | $ | (1,313 | ) |  | $ | 3,863 |  |  | $ | (1,014 | ) |  | $ | 21,354 |  |  | $ | (2,327 | )

Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense, net of other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Investment income | $ | 760 |  |  | $ | 671 |  |  | $ | 2,812 |  |  | $ | 2,436 |
Realized gains | 2,020 |  |  | 835 |  |  | 7,074 |  |  | 2,420 |
Realized losses | (1,135 | ) |  | (94 | ) |  | (3,445 | ) |  | (668 | )
Expenses and taxes | (368 | ) |  | (436 | ) |  | (2,393 | ) |  | (2,501 | )
Decrease in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust | (1,277 | ) |  | (976 | ) |  | (4,048 | ) |  | (1,687 | )
| $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |

Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed cemetery trusts were as follows (in thousands):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Purchases | $ | (33,436 | ) |  | $ | (18,569 | ) |  | $ | (90,535 | ) |  | $ | (34,273 | )
Sales | 33,393 |  |  | 16,409 |  |  | 90,885 |  |  | 35,229 |

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Preneed Funeral Trust Investments
Preneed funeral trust investments, which represent trust fund assets that we are permitted to withdraw as services and merchandise are provided to customers. Preneed funeral contracts are secured by funds paid by the customer to us. Preneed funeral trust investments are reduced by the trust earnings we have been allowed to withdraw prior to our performance and amounts received from customers that are not required to be deposited into trust, pursuant to various state laws. The components of Preneed funeral trust investments in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

| December 31, 2012 |  | September 30, 2013
Preneed funeral trust investments, at fair value | $ | 85,415 |  |  | $ | 97,410 |
Less: allowance for contract cancellation | (2,519 | ) |  | (2,837 | )
Preneed funeral trust investments, net | $ | 82,896 |  |  | $ | 94,573 |

Upon cancellation of a preneed funeral contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus and some or all of the earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, we are obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust, including some or all investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being under-funded, we assess whether we are responsible for replenishing the corpus of the trust, in which case a loss provision is recorded.
Earnings from our preneed funeral trust investments are recognized in revenue when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are included in revenue in the period in which they are earned.
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. government, agencies and municipalities, common stocks 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 other inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are fixed income securities including foreign debt, corporate debt, preferred stocks, mortgage backed securities and fixed income mutual funds and other investments, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. There were no significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. There are no Level 3 investments in the preneed funeral trust investment portfolio. See Note 11 for further information of the fair value measurement and the three-level valuation hierarchy.
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The cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at September 30, 2013 are detailed below (in thousands):

| Fair Value Hierarchy Level |  | Cost |  | Unrealized Gains |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts | 1 |  | $ | 13,986 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 13,986 |
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. treasury debt | 1 |  | 2,388 |  |  | 52 |  |  | (35 | ) |  | 2,405 |
U.S. agency obligations | 1 |  | 530 |  |  | 11 |  |  | (6 | ) |  | 535 |
Foreign debt | 2 |  | 2,728 |  |  | 28 |  |  | (33 | ) |  | 2,723 |
Corporate debt | 2 |  | 28,211 |  |  | 421 |  |  | (950 | ) |  | 27,682 |
Preferred stock | 2 |  | 15,894 |  |  | 192 |  |  | (402 | ) |  | 15,684 |
Mortgage backed securities | 2 |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Common stock | 1 |  | 10,058 |  |  | 1,111 |  |  | (349 | ) |  | 10,820 |
Mutual funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity | 1 |  | 11,534 |  |  | 2,117 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | 13,648 |
Fixed income | 2 |  | 5,474 |  |  | 24 |  |  | (154 | ) |  | 5,344 |
Other investments | 2 |  | 3,767 |  |  | — |  |  | (26 | ) |  | 3,741 |
Trust securities |  |  | $ | 94,571 |  |  | $ | 3,956 |  |  | $ | (1,958 | ) |  | $ | 96,569 |
Accrued investment income |  |  | $ | 841 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 841 |
Preneed funeral trust investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 97,410 |
Fair market value as a percentage of cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 102.1 | %

The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):

Due in one year or less | $ | 383 |
Due in one to five years | 7,470 |
Due in five to ten years | 12,311 |
Thereafter | 28,866 |
Total | $ | 49,030 |

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The cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at December 31, 2012 are detailed below (in thousands):

| Fair Value Hierarchy Level |  | Cost |  | Unrealized Gains |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts | 1 |  | $ | 13,448 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 13,448 |
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. treasury debt | 1 |  | 3,001 |  |  | 75 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,076 |
U.S. agency obligations | 1 |  | 142 |  |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | 146 |
Foreign debt | 2 |  | 1,217 |  |  | 273 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,490 |
Corporate debt | 2 |  | 25,060 |  |  | 661 |  |  | (331 | ) |  | 25,390 |
Preferred stock | 2 |  | 15,228 |  |  | 715 |  |  | (193 | ) |  | 15,750 |
Common stock | 1 |  | 5,770 |  |  | 27 |  |  | (996 | ) |  | 4,801 |
Mutual funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity |  |  | 11,843 |  |  | 487 |  |  | (78 | ) |  | 12,252 |
Fixed income | 1 |  | 6,105 |  |  | 181 |  |  | (40 | ) |  | 6,246 |
Other investments | 2 |  | 2,143 |  |  | — |  |  | (15 | ) |  | 2,128 |
Trust securities | 2 |  | $ | 83,957 |  |  | $ | 2,423 |  |  | $ | (1,653 | ) |  | $ | 84,727 |
Accrued investment income |  |  | $ | 688 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 688 |
Preneed funeral trust investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 85,415 |
Market value as a percentage of cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100.9 | %

We determine whether or not the assets in the preneed funeral trusts have other-than-temporary impairments on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis of the investment due to an other-than-temporary impairment is likewise recorded as a reduction to Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. There will be no impact on earnings unless and until such time as the investment is withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations at an amount that is less than its original basis.
We have determined that the unrealized losses in our preneed funeral trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our preneed funeral trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, are shown in the following tables (in thousands):
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| September 30, 2013
| In Loss Position Less than 12 months |  | In Loss Position Greater than 12 months |  | Total
| Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
U.S. debt | $ | 662 |  |  | $ | (35 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 662 |  |  | $ | (35 | )
U.S. agency obligations | — |  |  | — |  |  | 285 |  |  | (6 | ) |  | 285 |  |  | (6 | )
Foreign debt | 1,901 |  |  | (33 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1,901 |  |  | (33 | )
Corporate debt | 14,686 |  |  | (506 | ) |  | 688 |  |  | (444 | ) |  | 15,374 |  |  | (950 | )
Preferred stock | 9,128 |  |  | (402 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 9,128 |  |  | (402 | )
Common stock | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Mutual funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity | 3,335 |  |  | (240 | ) |  | 270 |  |  | (109 | ) |  | 3,605 |  |  | (349 | )
Equity and other | 239 |  |  | (3 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 239 |  |  | (3 | )
Fixed income | 4,234 |  |  | (154 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4,234 |  |  | (154 | )
Other investments | — |  |  | — |  |  | 44 |  |  | (26 | ) |  | 44 |  |  | (26 | )
Total temporary impaired securities | $ | 34,185 |  |  | $ | (1,373 | ) |  | $ | 1,287 |  |  | $ | (585 | ) |  | $ | 35,472 |  |  | $ | (1,958 | )

| December 31, 2012
| In Loss Position Less than 12 months |  | In Loss Position Greater than 12 months |  | Total
| Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Corporate debt | $ | 7,419 |  |  | $ | (212 | ) |  | $ | 406 |  |  | $ | (119 | ) |  | $ | 7,825 |  |  | $ | (331 | )
Preferred stock | 685 |  |  | (35 | ) |  | 1,504 |  |  | (158 | ) |  | 2,189 |  |  | (193 | )
Common stock | 3,323 |  |  | (609 | ) |  | 625 |  |  | (387 | ) |  | 3,948 |  |  | (996 | )
Mutual funds: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity | 1,613 |  |  | (25 | ) |  | 632 |  |  | (53 | ) |  | 2,245 |  |  | (78 | )
Fixed income | 3,085 |  |  | (40 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 3,085 |  |  | (40 | )
Other investments | — |  |  | — |  |  | 30 |  |  | (15 | ) |  | 30 |  |  | (15 | )
Total temporary impaired securities | $ | 16,125 |  |  | $ | (921 | ) |  | $ | 3,197 |  |  | $ | (732 | ) |  | $ | 19,322 |  |  | $ | (1,653 | )

Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense, net of other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Investment income | $ | 843 |  |  | $ | 709 |  |  | $ | 2,794 |  |  | $ | 2,232 |
Realized gains | 315 |  |  | 942 |  |  | 1,653 |  |  | 7,156 |
Realized losses | (190 | ) |  | (111 | ) |  | (2,367 | ) |  | (5,664 | )
Expenses and taxes | (300 | ) |  | (269 | ) |  | (1,303 | ) |  | (1,324 | )
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust | (668 | ) |  | (1,271 | ) |  | (777 | ) |  | (2,400 | )
| $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |

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Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed funeral trusts are as follows (in thousands):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Purchases | $ | (11,219 | ) |  | $ | (17,266 | ) |  | $ | (42,813 | ) |  | $ | (28,355 | )
Sales | 11,485 |  |  | 15,697 |  |  | 43,278 |  |  | 29,924 |

7. | PRENEED CEMETERY RECEIVABLES

Preneed sales of cemetery interment rights and related products and services are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years with such interest income reflected as Preneed cemetery finance charges. In substantially all cases, we receive an initial down payment at the time the contract is signed. At September 30, 2013, the balances of preneed receivables for cemetery interment rights and for merchandise and services were $21.3 million and $8.5 million, respectively, of which $10.1 million is presented in Accounts receivable and $19.6 million is presented in Preneed receivables. The unearned finance charges associated with these receivables were $3.3 million and 3.7 million at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
We determine an allowance for customer cancellations and refunds on contracts in which revenue has been recognized on sales of cemetery interment rights. We have a collections policy where past due notifications are sent to the customer beginning at 15 days past due and periodically thereafter until the contract is cancelled or payment is received. We reserve 100% of the receivables on contracts in which the revenue has been recognized and payments are 90 days past due or more, which was approximately 3.7% of the total receivables on recognized sales at September 30, 2013. An allowance is recorded at the date that the contract is executed and periodically adjusted thereafter based upon actual collection experience at the business level. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, changes in the allowance for contract cancellations were as follows (in thousands):

| September 30, 2013
Beginning balance | $ | 1,903 |
Write-offs and cancellations | (1,456 | )
Provision | 790 |
Assets divested or held for sale reclassification | (57 | )
Ending balance | $ | 1,180 |

The aging of past due financing receivables as of September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

| 31-60 Past Due |  | 61-90 Past Due |  | 91-120 Past Due |  | >120 Past Due |  | Total Past Due |  | Current |  | Total Financing Receivables
Recognized revenue | $ | 699 |  |  | $ | 359 |  |  | $ | 227 |  |  | $ | 552 |  |  | $ | 1,837 |  |  | $ | 19,026 |  |  | $ | 20,863 |
Deferred revenue | 267 |  |  | 129 |  |  | 116 |  |  | 233 |  |  | 745 |  |  | 8,160 |  |  | 8,905 |
Total contracts | $ | 966 |  |  | $ | 488 |  |  | $ | 343 |  |  | $ | 785 |  |  | $ | 2,582 |  |  | $ | 27,186 |  |  | $ | 29,768 |

8. | RECEIVABLES FROM PRENEED TRUSTS

The receivables from preneed 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. As of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, receivables from preneed trusts are as follows (in thousands):

| December 31, 2012 |  | September 30, 2013
Preneed trust funds, at cost | $ | 26,671 |  |  | $ | 12,679 |
Less: allowance for contract cancellation | (800 | ) |  | (381 | )
Receivables from preneed trusts, net | $ | 25,871 |  |  | $ | 12,298 |

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9. | CONTRACTS SECURED BY INSURANCE

Certain preneed funeral contracts are secured by life insurance contracts. Generally, the proceeds of the life insurance policies have been assigned to us and will be paid upon the death of the insured. The proceeds will be used to satisfy the beneficiary’s obligations under the preneed contract for services and merchandise. Preneed funeral contracts secured by insurance totaled $237.4 million and $285.8 million at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively, and are not included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

10. | CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE TRUST INVESTMENTS

Care trusts’ corpus on our Consolidated Balance Sheets represent the corpus of those trusts plus undistributed income. The components of Care trusts’ corpus as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

| December 31, 2012 |  | September 30, 2013
Trust assets, at fair value | $ | 46,542 |  |  | $ | 40,261 |
Pending withdrawals of income | (659 | ) |  | (296 | )
Pending deposits | 37 |  |  | 91 |
Care trusts’ corpus | $ | 45,920 |  |  | $ | 40,056 |

The income from these perpetual care trusts provides funds necessary to maintain cemetery property and memorials in perpetuity. This trust fund income is recognized, as earned, in cemetery revenues. Trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are included in revenue in the period in which they are earned.
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, common stock, U.S. treasury debt, U.S. agency obligations 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 other inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are corporate debt, preferred stocks, foreign debt, mortgage backed securities and fixed income securities, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. There were no significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the three months ended September 30, 2013. There are no Level 3 investments in the cemetery perpetual care trust investment portfolio. See Note 11 for further information of the fair value measurement and the three-level valuation hierarchy.
The following table reflects the cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at September 30, 2013 (in thousands):

| Fair Value Hierarchy Level |  | Cost |  | Unrealized Gains |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts | 1 |  | $ | 555 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 555 |
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign debt | 2 |  | 2,021 |  |  | 21 |  |  | (24 | ) |  | 2,018 |
Corporate debt | 2 |  | 19,784 |  |  | 278 |  |  | (674 | ) |  | 19,388 |
Preferred stock | 2 |  | 10,414 |  |  | 43 |  |  | (255 | ) |  | 10,202 |
Common stock | 1 |  | 6,982 |  |  | 733 |  |  | (250 | ) |  | 7,465 |
Trust securities |  |  | $ | 39,756 |  |  | $ | 1,075 |  |  | $ | (1,203 | ) |  | $ | 39,628 |
Accrued investment income |  |  | $ | 633 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 633 |
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 40,261 |
Fair market value as a percentage of cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 99.7 | %

The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):

Due in one year or less | $ | — |
Due in one to five years | 4,252 |
Due in five to ten years | 8,086 |
Thereafter | 19,270 |
| $ | 31,608 |

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The following table reflects the cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2012 (in thousands):

| Fair Value Hierarchy Level |  | Cost |  | Unrealized Gains |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts | 1 |  | $ | 545 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 545 |
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign debt | 2 |  | 1,267 |  |  | 284 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,551 |
Corporate debt | 2 |  | 24,324 |  |  | 556 |  |  | (323 | ) |  | 24,557 |
Preferred stock | 2 |  | 14,225 |  |  | 525 |  |  | (187 | ) |  | 14,563 |
Mortgage backed securities | 2 |  | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1 |
Common stock | 1 |  | 5,563 |  |  | 22 |  |  | (969 | ) |  | 4,616 |
Trust securities |  |  | $ | 45,925 |  |  | $ | 1,387 |  |  | $ | (1,479 | ) |  | $ | 45,833 |
Accrued investment income |  |  | $ | 709 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 709 |
Cemetery perpetual care investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 46,542 |
Market value as a percentage of cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 99.8 | %

We are required by various state laws to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trust funds. We determine whether or not the assets in the cemetery perpetual care trusts have an other-than-temporary impairment on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis due to an other-than-temporary impairment is also recorded as a reduction to Care trusts’ corpus.
We have determined that the unrealized losses in our perpetual care trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the period as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, are shown in the following tables (in thousands):

| September 30, 2013
| In Loss Position Less than 12 months |  | In Loss Position Greater than 12 months |  | Total
| Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign debt | $ | 1,409 |  |  | $ | (25 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,409 |  |  | $ | (25 | )
Corporate debt | 10,410 |  |  | (359 | ) |  | 487 |  |  | (315 | ) |  | 10,897 |  |  | (674 | )
Preferred stock | 5,790 |  |  | (255 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5,790 |  |  | (255 | )
Common stock | 2,383 |  |  | (171 | ) |  | 193 |  |  | (78 | ) |  | 2,576 |  |  | (249 | )
Total temporary impaired securities | $ | 19,992 |  |  | $ | (810 | ) |  | $ | 680 |  |  | $ | (393 | ) |  | $ | 20,672 |  |  | $ | (1,203 | )

| December 31, 2012
| In Loss Position Less than 12 months |  | In Loss Position Greater than 12 months |  | Total
| Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses |  | Fair market value |  | Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Corporate debt | $ | 7,236 |  |  | $ | (207 | ) |  | $ | 396 |  |  | $ | (116 | ) |  | $ | 7,632 |  |  | $ | (323 | )
Preferred stock | 664 |  |  | (34 | ) |  | 1,459 |  |  | (153 | ) |  | 2,123 |  |  | (187 | )
Common stock | 3,231 |  |  | (593 | ) |  | 608 |  |  | (376 | ) |  | 3,839 |  |  | (969 | )
Total temporary impaired securities | $ | 11,131 |  |  | $ | (834 | ) |  | $ | 2,463 |  |  | $ | (645 | ) |  | $ | 13,594 |  |  | $ | (1,479 | )

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Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense, net of other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Undistributable realized gains | $ | 958 |  |  | $ | 634 |  |  | $ | 3,357 |  |  | $ | 1,721 |
Undistributable realized losses | (539 | ) |  | (72 | ) |  | (1,618 | ) |  | (470 | )
Decrease in care trusts’ corpus | (419 | ) |  | (562 | ) |  | (1,739 | ) |  | (1,251 | )
| $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |

Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Interest and dividends | $ | 1,528 |  |  | $ | 1,382 |  |  | $ | 3,830 |  |  | $ | 3,852 |
Realized gains | — |  |  | 350 |  |  | 300 |  |  | 1,511 |
Expenses | — |  |  | (352 | ) |  | — |  |  | (830 | )
Total | $ | 1,528 |  |  | $ | 1,380 |  |  | $ | 4,130 |  |  | $ | 4,533 |

Purchases and sales of investments in the perpetual care trusts were as follows (in thousands):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Purchases | $ | (21,741 | ) |  | $ | (10,703 | ) |  | $ | (59,478 | ) |  | $ | (20,541 | )
Sales | 21,651 |  |  | 9,400 |  |  | 59,915 |  |  | 21,195 |

11. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date applicable for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. We disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date.
We evaluated our financial assets and liabilities for those financial assets and liabilities that met the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms. The long-term debt and line of credit are classified within Level 2 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of the long-term debt and line of credit approximate the carrying values of these instruments based on the index yields of similar securities compared to U.S. Treasury yield curves. The fair value of the convertible junior subordinated debentures is approximately $86.7 million at September 30, 2013, based on available broker quotes of the corresponding preferred securities issued by the Trust. We identified investments in fixed income securities, common stock and mutual funds presented within the preneed and perpetual care trust investment categories on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as having met such criteria. See Notes 6 and 10 to this Consolidated Financial Statements herein for the fair value hierarchy levels of our trust investments.
The following three-level valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs is utilized in the measurement and
valuation of financial assets or liabilities as of the measurement date:

• | Level 1 – Fair value of securities based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include cash, common stock, U.S. treasury debt, U.S. agency obligations and equity mutual funds.

• | Level 2 – Fair value of securities estimated based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation. These inputs include interest rates, yield curves, credit risk, prepayment speeds, rating and tax-exempt status. Our

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investments classified as Level 2 securities include corporate debt, preferred stocks, foreign debt, mortgage backed securities, certain fixed income securities and fixed income mutual funds.

• | Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions, which market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As of September 30, 2013, we did not have any assets that had fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value.

We account for our investments as available-for-sale and measure them at fair value under standards of financial accounting and reporting for investments in equity instruments that have readily determinable fair values and for all investments in debt securities.

12. | LONG-TERM DEBT

Our senior long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands):

| December 31, 2012 |  | September 30, 2013
Revolving credit facility, secured, floating rate | $ | 44,700 |  |  | $ | 26,000 |
Term loan, secured, floating rate | 127,500 |  |  | 120,000 |
Acquisition debt | 2,427 |  |  | 2,005 |
Less: current portion | (11,086 | ) |  | (12,491 | )
Total long-term debt | $ | 163,541 |  |  | $ | 135,514 |

As of September 30, 2013, we had a $255 million secured bank credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent comprised of a $125 million revolving credit facility and a $130 million term loan. The Credit Facility also contains an accordion provision to borrow up to an additional $40 million in revolving loans, subject to certain conditions. The Credit Facility matures on September 30, 2017 and is collateralized by all personal property and funeral home real property in certain states. As of September 30, 2013, $26.0 million was drawn under the revolving credit facility and $120.0 million was outstanding on the term loan. No letters of credit were issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility at September 30, 2013. Under the Credit Facility, outstanding borrowings bear interest at either a prime rate or a LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin based upon the Company's leverage ratio. At September 30, 2013, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 1.50% and the LIBOR margin was 2.50%. The weighted average interest rate on the Credit Facility for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 3.0% and 3.4%, respectively.
We have no material assets or operations independent of our subsidiaries. All assets and operations are held and conducted by subsidiaries, each of which (except for the Trust, which is a single purpose entity that holds our 7% debentures issued in connection with the issuance of the Trust’s term income deferrable equity securities (TIDES) 7% convertible preferred securities) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed our obligations under the Credit Facility. Additionally, we do not currently have any significant restrictions on our ability to receive dividends or loans from any subsidiary guarantor under the Credit Facility.
We were in compliance with the covenants contained in the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2013. The Credit Facility calls for key ratios that we must comply with including a requirement to maintain a leverage ratio of no more than 3.75 to 1.00 through June 29, 2014 and no more than 3.50 to 1.00 thereafter, and a covenant to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.20 to 1.00. As of September 30, 2013, the leverage ratio was 2.67 to 1.00 and the fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.01 to 1.00. The leverage ratio decline to below 3.00 to 1.00 at June 30, 2013 automatically triggered a 50 basis point rate decline on our outstanding term loan and revolving credit facility during the third quarter of 2013.
Acquisition debt consists of deferred purchase price and promissory notes payable to sellers. A majority of the notes bear interest ranging from 7.0% to 11.0%. A few notes bear interest at 0% and are discounted at imputed interest rates ranging from 9.5% to 10.0%. Original maturities range from one to ten years.

13. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation
We are a party to various litigation matters and proceedings. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein. If we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters.
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Leathermon, et al. v. Grandview Memorial Gardens, Inc., et al., United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Case No. 4:07-cv-137. On August 17, 2007, five plaintiffs filed a putative class action against the current and past owners of Grandview Cemetery in Madison, Indiana, including our subsidiaries that owned the cemetery from January 1997 until February 2001, on behalf of all individuals who purchased cemetery and burial goods and services at Grandview Cemetery. Plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and claim that the cemetery owners performed burials negligently, breached Plaintiffs’ contracts and made misrepresentations regarding the cemetery. The Plaintiffs also allege that the claims occurred prior, during and after we owned the cemetery. On October 15, 2007, the case was removed from Jefferson County Circuit Court, Indiana to the Southern District of Indiana. On April 24, 2009, shortly before Defendants had been scheduled to file their briefs in opposition to Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, Plaintiffs moved to amend their complaint to add new class representatives and claims, while also seeking to abandon other claims. We, as well as several other Defendants, opposed Plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint and add parties. In April 2009, two Defendants moved to disqualify Plaintiffs’ counsel from further representing Plaintiffs in this action. On June 30, 2010, the Court granted the Defendants’ motion to disqualify Plaintiffs’ counsel. In that order, the Court gave Plaintiffs 60 days within which to retain new counsel. On May 6, 2010, Plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of mandamus with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals seeking relief from the trial court’s order of disqualification of counsel. On May 19, 2010, the Defendants responded to the petition of mandamus. On July 8, 2010, the Seventh Circuit denied Plaintiffs’ petition for writ of mandamus. Thus, pursuant to the trial court’s order, Plaintiffs were given 60 days from July 8, 2010 in which to retain new counsel to prosecute this action on their behalf. Plaintiffs retained new counsel and the trial court granted the newly retained Plaintiffs’ counsel 90 days to review the case and advise the Court whether or not Plaintiffs would seek leave to amend their complaint to add and/or change the allegations as are currently stated therein and whether or not they would seek leave to amend the proposed class representatives for class certification. Plaintiffs moved for leave to amend both the class representatives and the allegations stated within the complaint. Defendants filed oppositions to such amendments. The Court issued an order permitting the Plaintiffs to proceed with amending the class representatives and a portion of their claims; however, certain of Plaintiffs’ claims have been dismissed. Discovery in this matter will now proceed. We intend to defend this action vigorously. Because the lawsuit is in its preliminary stages, we are unable to evaluate the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome to us or to estimate the amount or range of any potential loss, if any, at this time.

14. | STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Options
As of September 30, 2013, there were 778,459 stock options outstanding and 585,985 stock options which remain unvested. There were no options granted during the third quarter of 2013.
We recorded pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for stock options totaling $43,000 and $441,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $170,000 and $618,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The significant increase in expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was due to the accelerated vesting of stock options for a former executive.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
During the third quarter of 2013, employees purchased a total of 16,277 shares of common stock through the employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) at a weighted average price of $11.82 per share. We recorded pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for the ESPP totaling $29,000 and $43,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and$101,000 and $230,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
The fair value of the right (option) to purchase shares under the ESPP is estimated on the date of grant (January 1, 2013) associated with the four quarterly purchase dates using the following assumptions:

|  | 2013
Dividend yield |  | 0.6 | %
Expected volatility |  | 41 | %
Risk-free interest rate |  | 0.08%, 0.12%, 0.135%, 0.15% |
Expected life (years) |  | 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 |

Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility during the previous twelve months of the underlying common stock. The risk-free rate for the quarterly purchase periods is based on the U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant (January 1). The expected life of the ESPP grants represents the calendar quarters from the grant date (January 1) to the purchase date (end of each quarter).
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Restricted Stock Grants
We, from time to time, issue shares of restricted common stock to certain officers and key employees from our stock-based employee plan which generally vest in 33.33% increments over three year periods. During the third quarter of 2013, we awarded a grant of 25,000 shares of restricted stock to a key employee. These shares vest in 20% increments over a five year period and have an aggregate grant date market value of $0.5 million.
Related to the vesting of restricted stock awards previously awarded to our officers and employees, we recorded $0.3 million and $0.5 million in pre-tax compensation expense, which is included in general, administrative and other expenses, for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $1.0 million and $1.4 million in pre-tax compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The increase in expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was due to the accelerated vesting of restricted stock grants for two former employees.
As of September 30, 2013, we had $2.8 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards, which are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.7 years.
Performance-Based Stock Awards
During the third quarter of 2012, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (our “Board”) approved the grant of performance awards with both market and service vesting conditions to certain officers, employees and outside directors. The awards vest and become exercisable only in the event the closing price of our common stock is greater than or equal to $21.50 on any three days, whether or not consecutive, within a period of 30 consecutive calendar days, and the grantee remains continuously employed by us from the grant date through such date, which can be no earlier than the first anniversary of the grant date. If the market condition is met prior to the first anniversary of the grant date, then such award will not become vested until the first anniversary of the grant date, provided that the grantee remains continuously employed by us from the grant date through the first anniversary of the grant date. Promptly following the date a grantee’s award becomes vested (but no later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the award becomes vested) and subject to the grantee’s payment of the purchase price, we will issue and deliver to the grantee the number of shares of our common stock subject to the award. The purchase price is equal to the greater of (a) the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date plus $0.50 or (b) $9.00. A grantee’s award will automatically terminate without payment of any consideration if (i) the grantee’s employment with us terminates for any reason (other than due to death or disability) prior to the vesting or (ii) the vesting does not occur on or before the fifth anniversary of the grant date. No performance awards were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The pre-tax compensation expense associated with these awards for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
Director Compensation Policy
On March 5, 2012, our Board approved a new Director Compensation Policy, which provides for the following: (a) the chairman of our Audit Committee receives an annual cash retainer of $17,500, the chairman of our Compensation and our Corporate Governance Committees receives an annual cash retainer of $15,000 and the Lead Director of our Board receives an annual cash retainer of $115,000, payable in quarterly installments; (b) each independent director of our Board receives an annual cash retainer of $40,000 paid on a quarterly basis and an annual equity retainer of $75,000 in shares of our common stock issued at our annual meeting of stockholders. Additionally, each independent director receives $2,000 for each regular or special meeting of the full Board, our Audit Committee and our Executive Committee attended in person or by phone. Members of the other committees and their chairmen receive $1,600 for each committee meeting held in person or by phone that such director attends. Under our Director Compensation Policy, the annual cash retainers for each committee chairman and the annual equity retainer are paid on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders, which was held on May 22, 2013.
We recorded $115,000 and $81,000 in pre-tax compensation expense, which is included in general, administrative and other expenses, for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $731,000 and $690,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, related to the director fees, annual retainers and deferred compensation amortization.

15. | STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Share Repurchase Program
In May 2012, our Board approved an increase to the share repurchase program authorizing us to purchase an additional $3.0 million of our common stock up to a total of $8.0 million. The repurchases are executed in the open market and through privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions and other relevant factors. During 2012, we repurchased 686,208 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $4.5 million and an average cost per share of $6.60. No repurchases were made in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The repurchased shares are held as treasury
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stock. Since the beginning of this program, we have spent a total of $5.3 million buying back our common stock under this plan.
Cash Dividends
Our Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share, totaling $0.5 million which was paid on September 3, 2013 to record holders of our common stock as of August 14, 2013. For the nine months ending September 30, 2013, we had paid approximately $1.4 million in dividends. We have a dividend reinvestment program so that stockholders may elect to reinvest their dividends into additional shares of our common stock.
Preferred Stock
We have 40,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock. In 2008, we issued 20,000 shares of mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock to a key employee in exchange for certain intellectual property rights. The preferred stock has a liquidation value of $10 per share and was convertible any time prior April 13, 2013 into our common stock on a one-for-one basis. On April 1, 2013, our key employee converted his 20,000 shares of mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock into common stock.
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance at December 31, 2012 | $ | — |
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts | 1,646 |
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’ | (1,646 | )
Balance at September 30, 2013 | $ | — |

16. | MAJOR SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS

We conduct funeral and cemetery operations only in the United States. The following table presents revenue, pre-tax income and total assets by segment (in thousands):

| Funeral |  | Cemetery |  | Corporate |  | Consolidated
Revenues from continuing operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nine months ended September 30, 2013 | $ | 123,090 |  |  | $ | 38,007 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 161,097 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 | $ | 112,666 |  |  | $ | 34,632 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 147,298 |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nine months ended September 30, 2013 | $ | 37,157 |  |  | $ | 5,199 |  |  | $ | (23,680 | ) |  | $ | 18,676 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 | $ | 34,462 |  |  | $ | 8,197 |  |  | $ | (31,702 | ) |  | $ | 10,957 |
Total assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
September 30, 2013 | $ | 487,482 |  |  | $ | 223,907 |  |  | $ | 13,431 |  |  | $ | 724,820 |
December 31, 2012 | $ | 481,356 |  |  | $ | 237,897 |  |  | $ | 18,832 |  |  | $ | 738,085 |

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17. | SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION

The following information is supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Goods |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funeral | $ | 14,268 |  |  | $ | 14,773 |  |  | $ | 44,541 |  |  | $ | 48,653 |
Cemetery | 7,291 |  |  | 7,544 |  |  | 21,742 |  |  | 23,136 |
Total goods | $ | 21,559 |  |  | $ | 22,317 |  |  | $ | 66,283 |  |  | $ | 71,789 |
Services |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funeral | $ | 20,163 |  |  | $ | 20,465 |  |  | $ | 62,400 |  |  | $ | 67,389 |
Cemetery | 2,422 |  |  | 2,513 |  |  | 6,919 |  |  | 7,581 |
Total services | $ | 22,585 |  |  | $ | 22,978 |  |  | $ | 69,319 |  |  | $ | 74,970 |
Financial revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preneed funeral commission income | $ | 462 |  |  | $ | 446 |  |  | $ | 1,363 |  |  | $ | 1,435 |
Preneed funeral trust earnings | 1,330 |  |  | 1,654 |  |  | 4,362 |  |  | 5,613 |
Cemetery trust earnings | 1,769 |  |  | 1,940 |  |  | 4,714 |  |  | 6,220 |
Cemetery finance charges | 437 |  |  | 372 |  |  | 1,257 |  |  | 1,070 |
Total financial revenue | $ | 3,998 |  |  | $ | 4,412 |  |  | $ | 11,696 |  |  | $ | 14,338 |
Total revenues | $ | 48,142 |  |  | $ | 49,707 |  |  | $ | 147,298 |  |  | $ | 161,097 |
Cost of revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Goods |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funeral | $ | 11,794 |  |  | $ | 12,191 |  |  | $ | 36,165 |  |  | $ | 39,112 |
Cemetery | 5,788 |  |  | 5,650 |  |  | 16,833 |  |  | 16,806 |
Total goods | $ | 17,582 |  |  | $ | 17,841 |  |  | $ | 52,998 |  |  | $ | 55,918 |
Services |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funeral | $ | 10,309 |  |  | $ | 10,965 |  |  | $ | 31,118 |  |  | $ | 34,153 |
Cemetery | 1,663 |  |  | 1,670 |  |  | 4,695 |  |  | 4,871 |
Total services | $ | 11,972 |  |  | $ | 12,635 |  |  | $ | 35,813 |  |  | $ | 39,024 |
Financial expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preneed funeral commissions | $ | 369 |  |  | $ | 264 |  |  | $ | 1,069 |  |  | $ | 981 |
Trust administration fees | 35 |  |  | 48 |  |  | 35 |  |  | 170 |
Total financial expenses | $ | 404 |  |  | $ | 312 |  |  | $ | 1,104 |  |  | $ | 1,151 |
Total cost of revenues | $ | 29,958 |  |  | $ | 30,788 |  |  | $ | 89,915 |  |  | $ | 96,093 |

The costs of revenues, for purposes of this supplemental disclosure, include only field costs and expenses that are directly allocable between the goods, services and financial categories in the funeral and cemetery segments. Depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs are not included in this disclosure.
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18. | SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

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

| For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013
Cash paid for interest and financing costs | $ | 18,182 |  |  | $ | 9,444 |
Cash paid for income taxes | 1,514 |  |  | 506 |
Fair value of stock, stock options and performance awards issued to directors, officers and certain employees | 4,399 |  |  | 3,822 |
Restricted common stock withheld for payroll taxes | 355 |  |  | 1,601 |
Net withdrawals/(deposits) from preneed funeral trusts | 3,031 |  |  | (1,400 | )
Net withdrawals from preneed cemetery trusts | 1,246 |  |  | 181 |
Net withdrawals from perpetual care trusts | 1,469 |  |  | 5,209 |
Net increase in preneed receivables | (887 | ) |  | (1,530 | )
Net withdrawals/(deposits) of receivables from preneed trusts | 237 |  |  | (424 | )
Net change in preneed funeral receivables (decreasing)/increasing deferred revenue | (83 | ) |  | 1,869 |
Net change in preneed cemetery receivables increasing deferred revenue | 907 |  |  | 621 |
Net withdrawals/(deposits) from/into preneed funeral trust accounts (decreasing)/increasing deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust | (3,031 | ) |  | 1,400 |
Net withdrawals from cemetery trust accounts decreasing deferred cemetery receipts held in trust | (1,246 | ) |  | (181 | )
Net withdrawals from perpetual care trust accounts decreasing perpetual care trusts’ corpus | (1,818 | ) |  | (4,820 | )

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19. | EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 is calculated based on the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the periods. The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Numerator for basic earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Numerator from continuing operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income from continuing operations | $ | 190 |  |  | $ | 1,914 |  |  | $ | 6,528 |  |  | $ | 10,925 |
Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock | (17 | ) |  | (35 | ) |  | (222 | ) |  | (237 | )
Income attributable to continuing operations | 173 |  |  | 1,879 |  |  | 6,306 |  |  | 10,688 |
Numerator from discontinued operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income from discontinued operations | $ | 416 |  |  | $ | 3,980 |  |  | $ | 1,202 |  |  | $ | 4,371 |
Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock | — |  |  | (74 | ) |  | — |  |  | (95 | )
Income attributable to discontinued operations | 416 |  |  | 3,906 |  |  | 1,202 |  |  | 4,276 |
Adjustment for diluted earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest on convertible junior subordinated debentures, net of tax | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,463 |
| $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,463 |
Numerator for diluted earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income attributable to continuing operations | $ | 173 |  |  | $ | 1,879 |  |  | $ | 6,306 |  |  | $ | 13,151 |
Income attributable to discontinued operations | 416 |  |  | 3,906 |  |  | 1,202 |  |  | 4,276 |
| $ | 589 |  |  | $ | 5,785 |  |  | $ | 7,508 |  |  | $ | 17,427 |
Denominator |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding | 18,051 |  |  | 17,892 |  |  | 18,129 |  |  | 17,794 |
Effect of dilutive securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock options | 119 |  |  | 165 |  |  | 83 |  |  | 175 |
Convertible junior subordinated debentures | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4,392 |
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding | 18,170 |  |  | 18,057 |  |  | 18,212 |  |  | 22,361 |
Basic earnings per common share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Continuing operations | $ | 0.01 |  |  | $ | 0.10 |  |  | $ | 0.36 |  |  | $ | 0.60 |
Discontinued operations | $ | 0.02 |  |  | $ | 0.22 |  |  | $ | 0.07 |  |  | $ | 0.24 |
Basic earnings per common share | $ | 0.03 |  |  | $ | 0.32 |  |  | $ | 0.43 |  |  | $ | 0.84 |
Diluted earnings per common share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Continuing operations | $ | 0.01 |  |  | $ | 0.10 |  |  | $ | 0.35 |  |  | $ | 0.59 |
Discontinued operations | $ | 0.02 |  |  | $ | 0.22 |  |  | $ | 0.07 |  |  | $ | 0.19 |
Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 0.03 |  |  | $ | 0.32 |  |  | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.78 |

Share-based awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are participating securities and included in the computation of both basic and diluted earnings per share. Our grants of restricted stock awards to our employees and directors are considered participating securities, and we have prepared our earnings per share calculations attributable to common stockholders to exclude outstanding unvested restricted stock awards, using the two-class method, in the basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation.
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The fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and the corresponding calculation of fully diluted earnings per share include approximately 4.4 million shares that would be issued upon conversion of our convertible junior subordinated debentures as a result of the application of the if-converted method prescribed by FASB ASC 260-10-45. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the three months ended September 30, 2013, the conversion of our convertible junior subordinated debentures is excluded from the fully diluted earnings per share calculation and the fully diluted weighted average share count because the inclusion of such converted shares would result in an antidilutive impact.

20. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 2, 2013, we finalized the sale of a funeral home in Kentucky for $0.6 million. We recognized a net gain on the sale of approximately $0.3 million.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this Form 10-Q contains certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include any projections of earnings, revenues, asset sales, cash flow, debt levels or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing and are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. The words “may”, “will”, “estimate”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect”, “project”, “forecast”, “foresee”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “plan”, “anticipate” and other similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. While management believes that these forward-looking statements 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 revenues 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, those summarized below:

• | the execution of our Standards Operating Model;

• | changes in the number of deaths in our markets;

• | changes in consumer preferences;

• | ability to find and retain skilled personnel;

• | the effects of competition;

• | the investment performance of our funeral and cemetery trust funds;

• | fluctuations in interest rates;

• | 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;

• | death benefits related to preneed funeral contracts funded through life insurance contracts;

• | our ability to generate preneed sales;

• | the financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our preneed funeral contracts;

• | increased or unanticipated costs, such as insurance or taxes;

• | effects of the application of applicable laws and regulations, including changes in such regulations or the interpretation thereof;

• | consolidation of the deathcare industry; and

• | other factors and uncertainties inherent in the deathcare 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 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, 2012.
Readers 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
We operate two types of businesses: funeral homes, which account for approximately 75% of our revenues, and cemeteries, which account for approximately 25% of our revenues. Funeral homes are principally service businesses that provide funeral services (traditional burial and cremation) and sell related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Cemeteries are primarily a sales business that sells interment rights (grave sites and mausoleum spaces) and related merchandise, such as markers and outer burial containers. As of September 30, 2013, we operated 164 funeral homes in 26 states and 32 cemeteries in 10 states within the United States. Substantially all administrative activities are conducted in our home office in Houston, Texas.
We have implemented a long-term strategy in our operations designed to improve operating and financial results by growing market share and increasing profitability. We have a decentralized, entrepreneurial and local operating model that includes operating and financial standards developed from our best operations, along with an incentive compensation plan to reward Managing Partners, the business manager, for successfully meeting or exceeding the standards. The model essentially eliminated the use of line-item financial budgets at the location level in favor of the standards. The operating model and its standards, which we refer to as the “Standards Operating Model,” focus on the key drivers of a successful operation, organized around three primary areas - market share, people and operating financial metrics. The model and standards are the measures by which we judge the success of each business. In 2012, we began a five year incentive plan, called “Good to Great,” which rewards the Managing Partners, with a bonus at the end of five years, equal to a ratio of 4 to 6 times their average annual bonus, if they are able to achieve an annual compound growth rate of 2% over a five year period. To date, the Standards Operating Model has driven significant changes in our organization, leadership and operating practices. Most importantly, the Standards Operating Model has allowed us to measure the sustainable revenue growth and earning power of our portfolio businesses. The Standards Operating Model led to the development of our Strategic Acquisition Model, described below under “Acquisitions,” which guides our acquisition and disposition strategy. We expect both models to drive long-term, sustainable increases in market share, revenue, earnings and cash flow. The standards are not designed to produce maximum short-term earnings because we do not believe such performance is sustainable without ultimately stressing the business, which often leads to declining market share, revenues and earnings. Important elements of the Standards Operating Model include:

• | Balanced Operating Model – We believe a decentralized structure works best in the deathcare industry. Successful execution of the Standards Operating Model is highly dependent on strong local leadership, intelligent risk taking, entrepreneurial drive and corporate support aligned with the key drivers of a successful operation organized around three primary areas - market share, people and operating financial metrics.

• | Incentives Aligned with Standards – We believe empowering Managing Partners to do the right things in their operations and local communities, and providing appropriate support with operating and financial practices, will enable long-term growth and sustainable profitability. Each Managing Partner participates in a variable bonus plan whereby he or she earns a percentage of his or her respective business' earnings based upon the actual standards achieved as long as the performance exceeds our minimum standards.

• | The Right Local Leadership – Successful execution of our operating model is highly dependent on strong local leadership as defined by our 4E Leadership Model, intelligent risk taking and entrepreneurial empowerment. A Managing Partner’s performance is judged according to achievement of the Standards Operating Model for that business.

Funeral and Cemetery Operations
Factors affecting our funeral operating results include: demographic trends relating to population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths; establishing and maintaining leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships; effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by selling complementary services and merchandise; controlling salary and merchandise costs; and exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need business to increase average revenue per contract. In simple terms, volume and price are the two variables that affect funeral revenues. The average revenue per contract is influenced by the mix of traditional burial and cremation services because our average cremation service revenue is approximately one-third of the average revenue earned from a traditional burial service. Funeral homes have a relatively fixed cost structure. Thus, small changes in revenues, up or down, normally cause significant changes to our profitability.
Our funeral volumes have increased from 24,510 in 2008 to 28,028 in 2012 (compounded annual increase of 3.4%). Our funeral operating revenue has increased from $124.1 million in 2008 to $144.4 million in 2012 (compounded annual increase of 3.8%). The increases are primarily because of businesses we acquired in the last five years and our ability to increase the
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average revenue per funeral through expanded service offerings and packages. We experienced an increase of 8.8% in volumes and 8.5% in funeral operating revenues in the first nine months of 2013 compared to the first nine months of 2012, primarily as a result of acquisitions completed during the trailing twelve months.
The percentage of funeral services involving cremations has increased from 38.2% for the year ended 2008 to 46.1% for the year ended 2012, and was 46.9% for the first nine months of 2013. On a same store basis, the cremation rate has risen to 46.2% for the first nine months of 2013, up from 44.6% for the year ended December 31, 2012, and 44.3% for the comparable nine month period in 2012.
Cemetery operating results are affected by the size and success of our sales organization. Approximately 47% of our cemetery revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 related to preneed sales of interment rights and the delivery of related merchandise and services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, those preneed sales were approximately 49.0% of cemetery revenues. We believe that changes in the level of consumer confidence (a measure of whether consumers will spend for discretionary items) also affect the amount of our cemetery revenues. Currently, approximately 19% of our cemetery revenues are attributable to investment earnings on trust funds and finance charges on preneed installment contracts. Changes in the capital markets and interest rates affect this component of our cemetery revenues.
Our cemetery financial performance from 2008 through 2012 was characterized by fluctuating operating revenues yet increasing field level profit margins. Cemetery operating revenue increased from $38.0 million in 2008 to $38.3 million in 2012. Our goal is to build stronger teams of sales leaders and counselors in our larger and more strategically located cemeteries in order to focus on growth of our preneed property sales. Additionally, a portion of our capital expenditures in 2013 is designated to expand our cemetery product offerings.
Financial Revenue
We market funeral and cemetery services and products on a preneed basis. Preneed funeral or cemetery contracts enable families to establish, in advance, the type of service to be performed, the products to be used and the cost of such products and services. Preneed contracts permit families to eliminate issues of making death care plans at the time of need and allow input from other family members before the death occurs. We guarantee the price and performance of the preneed contracts to the customer.
Preneed funeral contracts are usually paid on an installment basis. The performance of preneed funeral contracts is usually secured by placing the funds collected in trust for the benefit of the customer or by the purchase of a life insurance policy, the proceeds of which will pay for such services at the time of need. Insurance policies, intended to fund preneed funeral contracts, cover the original contract price and generally include an element of growth (earnings) designed to offset future inflationary cost increases. Revenue from preneed funeral contracts, along with accumulated earnings, is not recognized until the time the funeral service is performed. The accumulated earnings from the trust investments and insurance policies are intended to offset the inflation in funeral prices. Additionally, we generally earn a commission from the insurance company from the sale of insurance-funded policies reflected as Preneed Funeral Commission Income. The commission income is recognized as revenue when the period of refund expires (generally one year), which helps us defray the costs we incur to originate the preneed contract (primarily commissions we pay to our sales counselors).
Preneed sales of cemetery interment rights are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years with such earnings reflected as Cemetery Finance Charges. In substantially all cases, we receive an initial down payment at the time the contract is signed. In most states, regulations require a portion (generally 10%) of the sale amount of cemetery property and memorials to be placed in a perpetual care trust.
We have established a variety of trusts in connection with funeral home and cemetery operations as required under applicable state laws. Such trusts include (i) preneed funeral trusts; (ii) preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts; and (iii) perpetual care trusts. These trusts are typically administered by independent financial institutions selected by us. Investment management and advisory services are provided either by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor (CSV RIA) or independent financial advisors. As of September 30, 2013, CSV RIA provides these services to one institution, which has custody of 77% of our trust assets, for a fee based on the market value of trust assets. Under state trust laws, we are allowed to charge the trust a fee for advising on the investment of the trust assets and these fees are recognized as income as the advisory services are provided. The investment advisors establish an investment policy that gives guidance on asset allocation, investment requirements, investment manager selection and performance monitoring. The investment objectives are focused on generating long-term investment returns without assuming undue risk, while ensuring the management of assets is in compliance with applicable laws.
Preneed funeral trust fund income earned, along with the receipt and recognition of any insurance benefits, are deferred until the service is performed. Applicable state laws generally require us to deposit a specified amount (which varies from state
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to state, generally 50% to 100% of selling price) into a merchandise and service trust fund for preneed cemetery merchandise and service sales. The related trust fund income earned is recognized when the related merchandise and services are delivered. In most states, regulations require a portion (generally 10%) of the sale amount of cemetery property and memorials to be placed in a perpetual care trust. The income from perpetual care trusts provides a portion of the funds necessary to maintain cemetery property and memorials in perpetuity. Perpetual care trust fund income is recognized as earned in Cemetery revenues.
Acquisitions
Our growth strategy includes the execution of our Strategic Acquisition Model. We use six strategic ranking criteria to assess acquisition candidates and to differentiate the price we are willing to pay under a discounted cash flow methodology. Those criteria are:

• | Size of business;

• | Size of market;

• | Competitive standing;

• | Local market demographics;

• | Strength of brand; and

• | Barriers to entry.

In general terms, should a target business be acceptable per the criteria above, we will then determine the value of the target using a discounted cash flow methodology. During 2012, we acquired seven funeral home businesses and one cemetery business. The consideration paid for the 2012 acquisitions was $42.7 million. We have not acquired any businesses to date in 2013.
Financial Highlights
Net income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 totaled $1.9 million, equal to $0.10 per diluted share, compared to net income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012, which totaled $0.2 million, equal to $0.01 per diluted share. Net income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 totaled $10.9 million, equal to $0.59 per diluted share, compared to $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, or $0.35 per diluted share. Net income from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 included a loss on the early retirement of debt of approximately $3.0 million in connection with the redemption of our Senior Notes. Total revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $49.7 million and $161.1 million, respectively, an increase of 3.3% and 9.4%, respectively, for the comparable periods in 2012. Our funeral segment experienced increases in revenue and gross profit during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 primarily as a result of our 2012 acquisitions. The cemetery segment experienced increases in revenue during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 due to higher preneed property sales, increased volume of at-need contracts and higher trust fund earnings. Gross profit in these segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was a result of higher revenue as compared to the same period in 2012. We experienced increases in general and administrative expenses due to severance costs, increases in incentive and stock-based compensation and increases in salaries and benefits for additional support staff at the corporate office.
We also present our financial performance in our “Operating and Financial Metrics Trend Report” (“Trend Report”) as reported in our earnings release and discussed on our earnings call for the quarter ending September 30, 2013. This Trend Report is used as a supplemental financial measurement statement by management and investors to compare our current financial performance with our previous results and with the performance of other deathcare companies. The Trend Report is a Non-GAAP statement from continuing operations that also provides insight into underlying trends in our business. 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 GAAP.
The Non-GAAP financial measures in the Trend Report include “Adjusted Net Income,” “Adjusted Basic Earnings Per Share,” “Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share,” “Consolidated EBITDA,” “Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA,” “Free Cash Flow,” “Funeral, Cemetery and Financial EBITDA,” “Total Field EBITDA” and “Special Items.” These financial measurements are defined as similar GAAP items adjusted for Special Items and are reconciled to GAAP in our earnings release and on the Trend Reports posted on our website (www.carriageservices.com). In addition, our presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures in other companies’ reports. We are providing below a reconciliation after tax of net income from continuing operations (a GAAP measure) to Non-GAAP net income (a non-GAAP measure). Non-GAAP net income is defined as net income from continuing operations adjusted for Special Items, including Withdrawable trust income, acquisition expenses, severance costs and other items in the table below. The adjustment of Special
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Items in Non-GAAP income allows management to focus on the evaluation of operating performance as it primarily relates to our operating expenses.
In certain states, we are allowed to withdraw realized trust earnings prior to delivery from cemetery merchandise and services trusts, which management describes as “Withdrawable trust income.” The Withdrawable trust income, pre-tax, totaled $0.5 million and $1.3 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and $0.3 million and $1.0 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013. While the Withdrawable trust income is not recognized as revenue in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, it increases cash flow from operations. The Withdrawable trust income is treated as a special item in our Non-GAAP net income calculation.

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions) | 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013
Net income from continuing operations, as reported | $ | 0.2 |  |  | $ | 1.9 |  |  | $ | 6.5 |  |  | $ | 10.9 |
After-tax special items: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Withdrawable trust income | 0.3 |  |  | 0.2 |  |  | 0.9 |  |  | 0.7 |
Acquisition and divestiture expenses | 0.2 |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | 0.6 |  |  | 0.3 |
Severance costs | 0.2 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | 0.5 |  |  | 0.9 |
Costs related to credit facility | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 0.2 |
Consulting fees | — |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | — |  |  | 0.3 |
Losses on early extinguishment of debt and other costs | 2.0 |  |  | — |  |  | 2.0 |  |  | — |
Other | — |  |  | $ | 0.2 |  |  | $ | 0.1 |  |  | $ | 0.2 |
Non-GAAP net income | $ | 2.9 |  |  | $ | 2.9 |  |  | $ | 10.6 |  |  | $ | 13.5 |

OVERVIEW OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, inventories, goodwill, other intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance because there can be no assurance that our results of operations will be consistent from year to year.
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements presented herewith, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q. Our critical accounting policies are those that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgment. These critical accounting policies are discussed in MD&A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion of our results of continuing operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2013. The term “same store” or “existing operations” refers to funeral homes and cemeteries acquired prior to January 1, 2008 and owned and operated for the entirety of each period being presented. Funeral homes and cemeteries purchased after December 31, 2007 are referred to as “acquired.” This classification of acquisitions has been important to management and investors in monitoring the results of these businesses and to gauge the leveraging performance contribution that a selective acquisition program can have on total company performance. Depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs are not included in operating profit.
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Funeral Home Segment. The following tables set forth certain information regarding the revenues and operating profit from the funeral home operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013.
Three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to three months ended September 30, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

| Three Months Ended September 30, |  | Change
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | Amount |  | %
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Same store operating revenue | $ | 28,239 |  |  | $ | 27,253 |  |  | $ | (986 | ) |  | (3.5 | )%
Acquired operating revenue | 6,192 |  |  | 7,985 |  |  | 1,793 |  |  | 29.0 | %
Preneed funeral insurance commissions | 462 |  |  | 446 |  |  | (16 | ) |  | (3.5 | )%
Preneed funeral trust earnings | 1,330 |  |  | 1,654 |  |  | 324 |  |  | 24.4 | %
Total | $ | 36,223 |  |  | $ | 37,338 |  |  | $ | 1,115 |  |  | 3.1 | %
Operating profit: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Same store operating profit | $ | 10,439 |  |  | $ | 9,929 |  |  | $ | (510 | ) |  | (4.9 | )%
Acquired operating profit | 1,889 |  |  | 2,153 |  |  | 264 |  |  | 14.0 | %
Preneed funeral insurance commissions | 93 |  |  | 182 |  |  | 89 |  |  | 95.7 | %
Preneed funeral trust earnings | 1,322 |  |  | 1,643 |  |  | 321 |  |  | 24.3 | %
Total | $ | 13,743 |  |  | $ | 13,907 |  |  | $ | 164 |  |  | 1.2 | %

Funeral home same store operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased $1.0 million, or 3.5%, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012. Same store operating contracts increased slightly while the average revenue per contract decreased 3.6%, or $198 per contract, to $5,301 for those existing operations. The average revenue per contract includes the impact of the funeral trust fund earnings recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Excluding funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract decreased 4.1% to $5,055. The number of traditional burial contracts decreased 5.2% while the average revenue per burial contract increased slightly to $8,337. The cremation rate for the same store businesses increased from 45.1% to 46.8% as the number of cremation contracts increased 4.5%. The average revenue per same store cremation contract decreased 4.3% to $2,952. Cremations with services declined from 35.1% of total cremation contracts in the third quarter of 2012 to 30.9% in the third quarter of 2013. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which are charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service and which made up approximately 8.2% of the total number of contracts in the third quarter of 2013, increased 2.9% to $2,043.
Same store operating profit for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased $0.5 million, or 4.9%, from the comparable three months of 2012, and as a percentage of funeral same store operating revenue, decreased to 36.4% from 37.0%. The decrease in operating profit is primarily the result of the decrease in revenue, offset in part, by better management of costs including salaries and wages and bad debt expense.
Funeral home acquired revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased $1.8 million, or 29.0%, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, as we experienced a 18.7% increase in the number of contracts, and an increase of 10.0%, to $5,100, in the average revenue per contract for those acquired operations. Excluding funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased 8.7% to $4,966. The number of traditional burial contracts increased 31.4%, and the average revenue per burial contract increased 7.3% to $7,939. The cremation rate for the acquired businesses was 48.1% for the third quarter of 2013, down 400 basis points from the prior-year period. The average revenue per cremation contract increased 4.4% to $3,073 for the third quarter of 2013, and the number of cremation contracts increased 9.5% compared to the same period of 2012. Cremations with services remained consistent at 34.6% and 34.3% for the third quarter of 2012 and 2013, respectively. The reason for the increase in the average revenue per contract for acquired operations and the decline in the cremation rate is because the businesses acquired during 2012 serve primarily traditional burial families.
Acquired operating profit for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased $0.3 million, or 14.0%, from the comparable three months of 2012 and, as a percentage of revenue from acquired businesses, was 27.0% for the third quarter of 2013 compared to 30.5% for the third quarter of 2012. Salaries and benefits of acquired operations are generally higher as a percentage of revenue than existing locations. As these acquired businesses transition into our Standards Operating Model, we expect to see operating profit margins rise toward those on a same store basis.
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The two categories of financial revenue (insurance commissions and trust earnings on matured preneed contracts) on a combined basis increased 17.2% in revenue and 29.0% in operating profit as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012 as a result of higher earnings on trust contracts and increased income from cemetery perpetual care trusts. Trust earnings also include trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor based on the fair market value of the trust assets.
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

| Nine Months Ended September 30, |  | Change
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | Amount |  | %
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Same store operating revenue | $ | 88,425 |  |  | $ | 89,610 |  |  | $ | 1,185 |  |  | 1.3 | %
Acquired operating revenue | 18,516 |  |  | 26,432 |  |  | 7,916 |  |  | 42.8 | %
Preneed funeral insurance commissions | 1,363 |  |  | 1,435 |  |  | 72 |  |  | 5.3 | %
Preneed funeral trust earnings | 4,362 |  |  | 5,613 |  |  | 1,251 |  |  | 28.7 | %
Total | $ | 112,666 |  |  | $ | 123,090 |  |  | $ | 10,424 |  |  | 9.3 | %
Operating profit: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Same store operating profit | $ | 33,522 |  |  | $ | 34,711 |  |  | $ | 1,189 |  |  | 3.5 | %
Acquired operating profit | 6,136 |  |  | 8,066 |  |  | 1,930 |  |  | 31.5 | %
Preneed funeral insurance commissions | 294 |  |  | 454 |  |  | 160 |  |  | 54.4 | %
Preneed funeral trust earnings | 4,354 |  |  | 5,574 |  |  | 1,220 |  |  | 28.0 | %
Total | $ | 44,306 |  |  | $ | 48,805 |  |  | $ | 4,499 |  |  | 10.2 | %

Funeral home same store operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased $1.2 million, or 1.3%, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as we experienced a 3.7% increase in the number of contracts, while the average revenue per contract decreased 2.2%, or $124 per contract, to $5,429 for those existing operations. The average revenue per contract includes the impact of the funeral trust fund earnings recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Excluding funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract decreased 2.2% to $5,189. The number of traditional burial contracts remained flat while the average revenue per burial contract decreased 0.2% to $8,311. The cremation rate for the same store businesses increased from 44.3% to 46.2%. The average revenue per same store cremation contract decreased 3.0% to $3,022, and the number of cremation contracts increased 8.0%. Cremations with services declined from 36.0% of total cremation contracts in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to 32.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which are charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service and which made up approximately 7.2% of the total number of contracts in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, increased 7.7% to $2,232.
Same store operating profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased $1.2 million, or 3.5%, from the comparable period of 2012, and as a percentage of funeral same store operating revenue, increased to 38.7% from 37.9%. The increase in operating profit is primarily the result of the increase in revenue.
Funeral home acquired revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased $7.9 million, or 42.8%, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as we experienced a 29.9% increase in the number of contracts, and an increase of 10.5%, to $5,080, in the average revenue per contract for those acquired operations. Excluding funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased 9.8% to $4,978. The number of traditional burial contracts increased 45.3%, and the average revenue per burial contract increased 6.8% to $7,872. The cremation rate for the acquired businesses was 49.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, down 300 basis points from the prior-year period. The average revenue per cremation contract increased 3.4% to $3,091 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and the number of cremation contracts increased 22.3%, compared to the same period of 2012. Cremations with services remained flat at 34.9% and 35.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The reason for the increase in the average revenue per contract for acquired operations and the significant decline in the cremation rate is because the businesses acquired during 2012 serve primarily traditional burial families.
Acquired operating profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased $1.9 million, or 31.5%, from the comparable nine months of 2012 and, as a percentage of revenue from acquired businesses, was 30.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 33.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Changes in the operating
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margin as a percentage of revenue are primarily affected by the rate of salaries and benefits costs at these acquired locations. As these acquired businesses transition into our Standards Operating Model, we expect to see operating profit margins rise toward those on a same store basis.
The two categories of financial revenue (insurance commissions and trust earnings on matured preneed contracts) on a combined basis increased 23.1% in revenue and 29.7% in operating profit as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as a result of higher earnings on trust contracts and increased income from cemetery perpetual care trusts. Trust earnings also include trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor based on the fair market value of the trust assets.
Cemetery Segment. The following tables set forth certain information regarding the revenues and operating profit from the cemetery operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013.
Three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to three months ended September 30, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

| Three Months Ended September 30, |  | Change
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | Amount |  | %
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Same store operating revenue | $ | 9,653 |  |  | $ | 9,968 |  |  | $ | 315 |  |  | 3.3 | %
Acquired operating revenue | 60 |  |  | 89 |  |  | 29 |  |  | n/a |
Cemetery trust earnings | 1,769 |  |  | 1,940 |  |  | 171 |  |  | 9.7 | %
Preneed cemetery finance charges | 437 |  |  | 372 |  |  | (65 | ) |  | (14.9 | )%
Total | $ | 11,919 |  |  | $ | 12,369 |  |  | $ | 450 |  |  | 3.8 | %
Operating profit: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Same store operating profit | $ | 2,318 |  |  | $ | 2,724 |  |  | $ | 406 |  |  | 17.5 | %
Acquired operating loss | (56 | ) |  | 13 |  |  | 69 |  |  | n/a |
Cemetery trust earnings | 1,742 |  |  | 1,903 |  |  | 161 |  |  | 9.2 | %
Preneed cemetery finance charges | 437 |  |  | 372 |  |  | (65 | ) |  | (14.9 | )%
Total | $ | 4,441 |  |  | $ | 5,012 |  |  | $ | 571 |  |  | 12.9 | %

Cemetery same store operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased $0.3 million, or 3.3%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase in operating revenue was primarily attributable to preneed property sales which increased $0.3 million, or 5.5%. We experienced a 6.8% increase in the number of interment rights (property) sold, yet a 4.8% decrease in the average price per interment compared to the third quarter of 2012. The percentage of those interment rights sold that we were able to recognize as revenue, because we received at least 10% of the sales price from the customer, decreased from 99.6% to 92.0%. Same store at-need revenue increased $0.3 million, or 7.0%, while at-need contracts decreased 2.7%. Revenue from deliveries of preneed merchandise and services declined $0.2 million, or 18.0%.
Cemetery same store operating profit for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased $0.4 million, or 17.5%. As a percentage of revenues, cemetery same store operating profit increased from 24.0% to 27.3%. The increase in operating profit is primarily a result of the increase in revenue and lower promotional expenses.
We acquired one cemetery in the second quarter of 2012 which primarily operates as an at-need business. This is the only cemetery business in this category.
The two categories of financial revenue consist of trust earnings and finance charges on preneed receivables. Total trust earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased 9.7% when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012. Earnings from perpetual care trust funds totaled $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.1 million, or 7.1%. Trust earnings recognized upon the delivery of merchandise and service contracts increased 3.0% from the same period in 2012. Trust earnings also include trust management fees charged by the company’s wholly-owned registered investment advisor based on the fair market value of the trust assets. Finance charges on the preneed contracts decreased 14.9% due primarily to a decrease in the average interest rate for new contracts.
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Nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

| Nine Months Ended September 30, |  | Change
| 2012 |  | 2013 |  | Amount |  | %
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Same store operating revenue | $ | 28,601 |  |  | $ | 30,485 |  |  | $ | 1,884 |  |  | 6.6 | %
Acquired operating revenue | 60 |  |  | 232 |  |  | 172 |  |  | n/a |
Cemetery trust earnings | 4,714 |  |  | 6,220 |  |  | 1,506 |  |  | 31.9 | %
Preneed cemetery finance charges | 1,257 |  |  | 1,070 |  |  | (187 | ) |  | (14.9 | )%
Total | $ | 34,632 |  |  | $ | 38,007 |  |  | $ | 3,375 |  |  | 9.7 | %
Operating profit: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Same store operating profit | $ | 7,197 |  |  | $ | 9,072 |  |  | $ | 1,875 |  |  | 26.1 | %
Acquired operating loss | (64 | ) |  | (32 | ) |  | 32 |  |  | n/a |
Cemetery trust earnings | 4,687 |  |  | 6,089 |  |  | 1,402 |  |  | 29.9 | %
Preneed cemetery finance charges | 1,257 |  |  | 1,070 |  |  | (187 | ) |  | (14.9 | )%
Total | $ | 13,077 |  |  | $ | 16,199 |  |  | $ | 3,122 |  |  | 23.9 | %

Cemetery same store operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased $1.9 million, or 6.6%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase in operating revenue was primarily attributable to preneed property sales which increased $1.7 million, or 12.3%. We experienced a 10.8% increase in the number of interment rights (property) sold and a 0.8% decrease in the average price per interment compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The percentage of those interment rights sold that we were able to recognize as revenue, because we received at least 10% of the sales price from the customer, decreased from 94.7% to 92.9%. Same store at-need revenue increased $0.8 million, or 7.6%, as at-need contracts increased 1.8% while revenue from deliveries of preneed merchandise and services declined $0.4 million, or 12.1%.
Cemetery same store operating profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased $1.9 million, or 26.1%. As a percentage of revenues, cemetery same store operating profit increased from 25.2% to 29.8%. The increase in operating profit is primarily a result of the increase in revenue while managing bad debt and promotional expense against higher salaries and benefits.
We acquired one cemetery in the second quarter of 2012 which primarily operates as an at-need business. This is the only cemetery business in this category.
The two categories of financial revenue consist of trust earnings and finance charges on preneed receivables. Total trust earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased 31.9% when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Earnings from perpetual care trust funds totaled approximately $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.9 million, or 25.6%. Trust earnings recognized upon the delivery of merchandise and service contracts increased 6.9% from the same period in 2012. Trust earnings also include trust management fees charged by the company’s wholly-owned registered investment advisor based on the fair market value of the trust assets. Finance charges on the preneed contracts decreased 14.9% due primarily to a decrease in the average interest rate for new contracts.
Regional and Unallocated Funeral and Cemetery Costs. Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased $0.2 million, or 6.3%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012 primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits. Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased $0.8 million, or 11.7%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 primarily due to an increase in salaries and benefits of approximately $0.2 million, an increase in incentive compensation for field managers and their employees of approximately $0.3 million and an increase of approximately $0.3 million for expenses associated with regional training.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses totaled $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $1.6 million, or 31.1%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to $1.3 million of additional costs for upgrading our organizational overhead structure and talent in our corporate office and a $0.4 million increase in termination and consulting expenses. General and administrative expenses totaled $20.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $4.9 million, or 31.9%, compared to the nine months ended
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September 30, 2012, primarily due to $3.9 million of additional costs for upgrading our organizational overhead structure and talent in our corporate office, an increase in incentive and stock-based compensation costs of approximately $0.6 million and termination and consulting costs of approximately $0.9 million that were not incurred in the prior year period, offset in part, by a decrease in acquisition related expenses of $0.5 million.
Interest Expense, Net of Other Income. Interest expense, net of other income was $4.5 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $13.6 million and $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. These decreases were due to lower interest rates on our Credit Facility.
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and other costs. During the third quarter of 2012, we recognized costs of approximately $3.0 million in connection with the redemption of our Senior Notes that did not occur in 2013.
Income Taxes. We recorded income taxes at the estimated effective rate of 39.7% for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 38.3% for the first nine months of 2013 before discrete items. Discrete items added an additional $0.6 million or 3.2% of our year to date pre-tax book income from continuing operations for a total stated rate of 41.5%. These discrete items are prior period adjustments primarily related to balance sheet adjustments in deferred taxes and valuation allowances. We have approximately $36.8 million of state net operating loss carry forwards that will expire between 2014 and 2034, if not utilized. Based on management's assessment of the various state net operating losses, it has been determined that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize the tax benefits of certain portions of the state losses. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been established and is reviewed every quarter related to the deferred tax asset for the state operating losses. At September 30, 2013, the valuation allowance totaled $0.2 million.
In July 2013, the Internal Revenue Service approved two tax accounting method changes which allowed additional tax deductions totaling $54.0 million in our 2012 tax year. These deductions related to temporary differences previously recorded as deferred tax assets. The non-current deferred tax liability of $7.0 million recorded as of September 30, 2013 is primarily a result of us obtaining the benefit of such accounting changes during the third quarter of 2013, while also utilizing net operating loss carryforwards arising from those changes against income from the current year.
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 (as defined below under Debt Obligations). We generate cash in our operations primarily from at-need sales and delivery of preneed sales. We also generate cash from earnings on our cemetery perpetual care trusts. We believe that existing cash balances, future cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements, capital expenditures, scheduled debt payments, commitments, dividend payments and acquisitions for the foreseeable future. Based on our recent operating results, current cash position, anticipated future cash flows and sources of financing that we expect to have available, we do not anticipate any significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future. However, if our capital expenditures or acquisition plans for 2013 change, we may need to access the capital markets to obtain additional funding. 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. Please read Part I, Item IA “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Cash Flows
We began 2013 with $1.7 million in cash and other liquid investments and ended the third quarter with $0.9 million in cash and $26.0 million drawn on our revolving credit facility.
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The following table sets forth the elements of cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2013 (in millions):

| For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2012 |  | 2013
Cash at January 1st | $ | 1.1 |  |  | $ | 1.7 |
Cash flow from operating activities | 15.3 |  |  | 32.2 |
Acquisitions and new construction | (24.8 | ) |  | (6.0 | )
Proceeds from the sale of businesses and other assets | 0.6 |  |  | 8.3 |
Borrowings (payments) on our Credit Facility | 26.6 |  |  | (26.2 | )
Maintenance capital expenditures | (3.2 | ) |  | (4.6 | )
Growth capital expenditures | (4.7 | ) |  | (2.8 | )
Dividends on common stock and redeemable preferred stock | (1.4 | ) |  | (1.4 | )
Repurchase of common stock | (4.5 | ) |  | — |
Payment of loan origination costs | (3.0 | ) |  | — |
Payment of call premium associated with the senior notes redemption | (1.7 | ) |  | — |
Other financing costs | 0.2 |  |  | (0.3 | )
Cash at September 30th | $ | 0.5 |  |  | $ | 0.9 |

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 cash provided by operating activities was $32.2 million as compared to $15.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was due to an increase in revenue, cash earned on delivered contracts and other favorable working capital changes.
Our investing activities resulted in a net cash outflow of $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to a net cash outflow of $32.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in cash outflows from investing activities was due to payments for acquisitions and new construction of approximately $24.8 million that occurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. We did not acquire any businesses in the comparable period of 2013. We acquired land for approximately $2.4 million and $6.0 million during the first nine months of 2012 and 2013, respectively, for funeral home expansion projects. Additionally, we had net proceeds from the sale of businesses and other assets of $8.3 million in the 2013 period compared to $0.6 million in the 2012 period.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, capital expenditures totaled $7.4 million compared to $7.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase in maintenance capital expenditures in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily to due an increase in vehicle purchases of $0.5 million, information technology and infrastructure improvements of $0.3 million and other funeral home and cemetery major repair projects of $0.4 million.
Our financing activities resulted in net cash outflow of $27.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to a net cash inflow of $16.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we repaid $26.2 million under the Credit Facility whereas we borrowed $26.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Cash flows from financing activities during the first nine months of 2012 was partially offset by the purchase of $4.5 million in treasury stock and the payment of loan origination costs and the call premium of $4.7 million.
Dividends
Our Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share, totaling approximately $0.5 million, which was paid on September 3, 2013 to record holders of our common stock as of August 14, 2013. For the nine months ending September 30, 2013, we had paid approximately $1.4 million in dividends. We have a dividend reinvestment program so that stockholders may elect to reinvest their dividends into additional shares of our common stock.
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Debt Obligations
As of September 30, 2013, we had a $255 million Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A. as the Administrative Agent comprised of a $125 million revolving credit facility and a $130 million term loan. The Credit Facility also contains an accordion provision to borrow up to an additional $40 million in revolving loans, subject to certain conditions. The Credit Facility is set to mature on September 30, 2017 and is collateralized by all personal property and funeral home real property in certain states. As of September 30, 2013, $26.0 million was drawn under the revolving credit facility and $120.0 million was outstanding under the term loan. No letters of credit were issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility at September 30, 2013. Under the Credit Facility, outstanding borrowings bear interest at either a prime rate or a LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin based upon the Company's leverage ratio. At September 30, 2013, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 1.50% and the LIBOR margin was 2.50%. The weighted average interest rate on the Credit Facility for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was approximately 3.0% and 3.4%, respectively.
On April 24, 2013, the Company entered into a third amendment to the Credit Facility (the “Third Amendment”), which increased the revolving credit commitments under the Credit Facility from $105 million to $125 million and decreased the interest rate margin. The Third Amendment decreases the applicable margin for the Company's outstanding borrowings (for both prime rate and LIBOR base rates) by 50 basis points at each leverage ratio threshold.
The Third Amendment also contains amendments which (a) allow the Company to issue subordinated debt or convertible subordinated debt in an amount not to exceed $100 million, (b) provide the Company with the ability to repurchase up to $15 million worth of stock-based employee awards, and (c) allow for the Company to refinance its existing convertible junior subordinated debentures with the proceeds of certain issuances of subordinated debt or convertible subordinated debt.
The outstanding principal of long-term debt and capital lease obligations at September 30, 2013 totaled $152.1 million and consisted of $120.0 million under our term loan, $26.0 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility and $6.1 million in acquisition indebtedness and capital lease obligations.
A total of $89.8 million was outstanding at September 30, 2013 under the convertible junior subordinated debentures. Amounts outstanding under the debentures are payable to our affiliate trust, Carriage Services Capital Trust (the “Trust”), bear interest at 7.0% and mature in 2029. Substantially all the assets of the Trust consist of the convertible junior subordinated debentures. In 1999, the Trust issued 1.875 million shares of 7% convertible preferred securities, termed “TIDES.” The rights under the debentures are functionally equivalent to those of the TIDES.
The convertible junior subordinated debentures payable to the affiliated Trust, and the TIDES, each contain a provision for the deferral of interest payments and distributions for up to 20 consecutive quarters. During any period in which distribution payments are deferred, distributions will continue to accumulate at the 7% annual rate. Also, the deferred distributions themselves accumulate distributions at the annual rate of 7%. During any deferral period, we are prohibited from paying dividends on common stock or repurchasing common stock, subject to limited exceptions. We currently expect to continue paying the distributions as due.
We were in compliance with the covenants contained in the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2013. Key ratios that we must comply with include a Total Debt to EBITDA ratio that as of the last day of each quarter must not be greater than 3.75 to 1.00 through September 30, 2014 and no more than 3.50 to 1.00 thereafter and a fixed charge coverage ratio that must not be less than 1.20 to 1.00. As of September 30, 2013, the leverage ratio was 2.67 to 1.00 and the fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.01 to 1.00. The leverage ratio decline to below 3.00 to 1.00 at June 30, 2013 automatically triggered a 50 basis point rate decline on all our term loan and revolving credit facility during the third quarter of 2013.
In May 2012, our Board approved an increase to the share repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase an additional $3.0 million of our common stock up to an aggregate of $8.0 million. As of September 30, 2013, we have spent a total of $5.3 million buying back our common stock under this plan. There were no repurchases under this plan in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
We intend to use cash on hand and borrowing under our Credit Facility primarily to acquire funeral home and cemetery businesses and for internal growth projects, such as cemetery inventory development and funeral home expansion projects. We have the ability to draw on our revolving credit facility, subject to customary terms and conditions of the credit agreement. We believe that existing cash balances, future cash flows from operations and the borrowing under our Credit Facility described above will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements, capital expenditures, scheduled debt payments, commitments, dividends and acquisitions for the foreseeable future.
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SEASONALITY
Our business can be affected by seasonal fluctuations in the death rate. Generally, the death rate is higher during the winter months because the incidences of death from influenza and pneumonia are higher during this period than other periods of the year.

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.
The following quantitative and qualitative information is provided about financial instruments to which we are a party at September 30, 2013 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 as of September 30, 2013 are presented in Item I, Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes 6, 8 and 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q. See also Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Form 10-Q. The sensitivity of the fixed income securities is such that a 0.25% change in interest rates causes an approximate 1.43% 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. As of September 30, 2013, we had 26.0 million outstanding under our $125 million revolving credit facility and 120.0 million outstanding on our term loan. Any further borrowings or voluntary prepayments against the revolving 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 LIBOR rate plus a margin. At September 30, 2013, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 1.50% and the LIBOR margin was 2.50%. 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 $1.5 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.
The convertible junior subordinated debentures, payable to the Trust, pay interest at the fixed rate of 7% and are carried on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at a cost of approximately $89.8 million. The estimated fair value of these securities is estimated to be approximately $86.7 million at September 30, 2013, based on available broker quotes of the corresponding preferred securities issued by the Trust.
Increases in market interest rates may cause the value of these debt instruments 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.
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Item 4. | Controls and Procedures

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our principal executive and financial officers, has 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 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’s rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and financial officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2013 (the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q) at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 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) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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hPART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. | Legal Proceedings

In addition to the matters in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, 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

There have been no material changes in our risk factors as previously disclosed in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Readers should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part 1, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 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.

Item 6. | Exhibits

Exhibit No. |  | Description
*10.1 |  | Amended and Restated Carriage Services, Inc. 2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
*31.1 |  | Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.2 |  | Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by L. William Heiligbrodt in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*32 |  | Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne and L. William Heiligbrodt in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
**101 |  | Interactive Data Files.

_______________________________

* | Filed or furnished herewith, as applicable.

** | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability.

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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

|  | CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
Date: | November 5, 2013 | /s/ L. William Heiligbrodt
|  | L. William Heiligbrodt
|  | Vice Chairman of the Board, Executive
|  | Vice President and Secretary
|  | (Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

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CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
INDEX OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit No. |  | Description
*10.1 |  | Amended and Restated Carriage Services, Inc. 2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
*31.1 |  | Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.2 |  | Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by L. William Heiligbrodt in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*32 |  | Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Melvin C. Payne and L. William Heiligbrodt in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
**101 |  | Interactive Data Files.

_______________________________

* | Filed or furnished herewith, as applicable.

** | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability.

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