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CARRIAGE SERVICES INC

For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 28, 2025.

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About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2024 · Filed Feb 28, 2025

CSV$28.63+6.8%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

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Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company

Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a leading provider of funeral and cemetery services and merchandise in the United States. Our operations are reported intwo business segments: Funeral Home Operations, which currently accounts for approximately 65% of our total revenue and Cemetery Operations, which currently accounts for approximately 35% of our total revenue. At December 31, 2024, we operated 162 funeral homes in 26 states and 31 cemeteries in 11 states.

Our funeral home operations are principally service businesses that generate revenue from sales of burial and cremation services and related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Funeral services include consultation, the removal and preparation of remains, the sale of caskets and related funeral merchandise, the use of funeral home facilities for visitation and memorial services and transportation services. We provide funeral services and products on both an “atneed” (time of death) and “preneed” (planned prior to death) basis.

Our cemetery operations generate revenue primarily through sales of cemetery interment rights (primarily grave sites, lawn crypts, mausoleum spaces and niches), related cemetery merchandise (such as memorial markers, outer burial containers and monuments) and services (interments, inurnments and installation of cemetery merchandise). We provide cemetery services and products on both an atneed and preneed basis.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our critical estimates and judgments, which include those related to the impairment of goodwill and the fair value measurements used in business combinations. These policies are considered critical because they may result in fluctuations in our reported results from period to period due to the significant judgments, estimates and assumptions about complex and inherently uncertain matters and because the use of different judgments, assumptions or estimates could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance because there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings, as a percentage of revenue, will be consistent from period to period.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We maintain cash and cash equivalents at United States financial institutions for which the combined account balances in individual institutions may exceed FDIC insurance coverage and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts on deposit in excess of FDIC insurance coverage. As of December 31, 2024, approximately $3.3 million of our deposits were not covered by FDIC insurance. We have not experienced any losses and believe we are not exposed to any significant risk with such accounts.

Funeral and Cemetery Receivables

Our funeral receivables are recorded in Accounts receivable, net and primarily consist of amounts due for funeral services already performed.

Atneed cemetery receivables and preneed cemetery receivables with payments expected to be received within one year from the balance sheet date are also recorded in Accounts receivable, net. Preneed cemetery receivables with payments expected to be received beyond one year from the balance sheet date are recorded in Preneed cemetery receivables, net. Our cemetery receivables generally consist of preneed sales of cemetery interment rights and related products and services, which are typically financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up tofive years, with such interest income reflected as Other revenue. In substantially all cases, we receive an initial down payment at the time the contract is signed.

For our funeral and atneed cemetery receivables, we have a collections policy where statements are sent to the customer at 30 days past due. Past due notification letters are sent at 45 days and continue until payment is received or the contract is placed with a third-party collections agency. For our preneed cemetery receivables, we have a collections policy where past due notification letters are sent to the customer beginning at 15 days past due and periodically thereafter until payment is received or the contract is cancelled.

Our allowance for credit losses reflects our best estimate of expected credit losses over the term of both our funeral and cemetery receivables. Our policy is to write off receivables when we have determined they will no longer be collectible. Write-offs are applied as a reduction to the allowance for credit losses and any recoveries of previous write-offs are netted against bad debt expense in the period recovered.

We determine our allowance for credit losses by using a loss-rate methodology, in which we assess our historical write-off of receivables against our total receivables over several years. From this historical loss-rate approach, we also consider the current and forecasted economic conditions expected to be in place over the life of our receivables. These estimates are impacted by a number of factors, including changes in the economy, demographics and competition in our local communities. We monitor our ongoing credit exposure through an active review of our customers’ receivables balance against contract terms and due dates. Our activities include timely performance of our accounts receivable reconciliations, assessment of our aging of receivables, dispute resolution and payment confirmation. We monitor any change in our historical write-off of receivables utilized in our loss-rate methodology and assess forecasted changes in market conditions within our credit reserve.

See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our funeral and cemetery receivables.

Inventory

Inventory consists primarily of caskets, outer burial containers and cemetery monuments and markers and is recorded at the lower of its cost basis or net realizable value. Inventory is relieved using specific identification in fulfillment of performance obligations on our contracts.

Business Combinations

Tangible and intangible assets acquired, and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and goodwill is recognized for any difference between the price of the acquisition and fair value. We recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at the fair value as of that date. Acquisition related costs are recognized separately from the acquisition and are expensed as incurred. We customarily estimate related transaction costs known at closing. To the extent that information not available to us at the closing date subsequently becomes available during the allocation period, we may adjust goodwill, intangible assets, assets or liabilities associated with the acquisition.

See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to acquisitions.

Divested Operations

Prior to divesting a funeral home or cemetery, we first determine whether the sale of the net assets and activities (together referred to as a “set”) qualifies as a business. First, we perform a screen test to determine if the set is not a business. The principle of the screen is that if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets sold resides in a single asset or group of similar assets, the set is not a business. If the screen is not met, we perform an assessment to determine if the set is a business by evaluating whether the set has both inputs and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. When both inputs and a substantive process are present then the set is determined to be a business, and we consider the accounting treatment of goodwill for that set (see discussion of Goodwill below). Goodwill is only allocated to the sale if the set is considered to be a business.

See Notes 4 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to divestitures.

Goodwill

The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of funeral home businesses and cemeteries acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not subject to amortization. As such, we test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of August 31 steach year. Under current guidance, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test.

We performed our most recent annual goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2024. We intend to perform a quantitative impairment test at least once every three years and perform a qualitative assessment during the remaining two years. We conducted a quantitative assessment in 2022 and a qualitative assessment in 2023 and 2024. In addition to our annual test, we assess the impairment of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may be greater than fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant negative industry or economic trends and significant adverse changes in the business climate, which may be indicated by a decline in our market capitalization or decline in operating results.

Our quantitative goodwill impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. In the quantitative analysis, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired. We determine fair value for each reporting unit using both an income approach, weighted 90%, and a market approach, weighted 10%. Our methodology for determining an income-based fair value is based on discounting projected future cash flows. The projected future cash flows include assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows discounted at our weighted average cost of capital based on market participant assumptions. Our methodology for determining a market approach fair value utilizes the guideline public company method, in which we rely on market multiples of comparable companies operating in the same industry as the individual reporting units. In accordance with the guidance, if the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount an impairment charge is recorded in an amount equal to the difference.

Goodwill is only allocated to a divestiture if the set is considered to be a business. When we divest a portion of a reporting unit that constitutes a business in accordance with GAAP, we allocate goodwill associated with that business to be included in the gain or loss on divestiture. The goodwill allocated is based on the relative fair value of the business being divested and the portion of the reporting unit that will be retained. Additionally, after each divestiture, we will test the goodwill remaining in the portion of the reporting unit to be retained for impairment using a qualitative assessment unless we deem a quantitative assessment to be appropriate to ensure the fair value of our reporting units is greater than their carrying value.

See Notes 4 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to goodwill.

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets include tradenames resulting from acquisitions and are included in Intangible and other non-current assets, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our tradenames are considered to have an indefinite life and are not subject to amortization. As such, we test our intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of August 31 steach year. Under current guidance, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than not that the fair value of the tradename is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test.

We performed our most recent annual intangible assets impairment test as of August 31, 2024. We intend to perform a quantitative impairment test at least once every three years and perform a qualitative assessment during the remaining two years. We conducted a quantitative assessment in 2022 and a qualitative assessment in 2023 and 2024. In addition to our intangible assets annual test, we assess the impairment of intangible assets whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the intangible asset may be greater than the fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends.

Our quantitative intangible asset impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. Our quantitative analysis is performed using the relief from royalty method, which measures the tradenames by determining the value of the royalties that we are relieved from paying due to our ownership of the asset. We determine the fair value of the asset by discounting the cash flows that represent a savings in lieu of paying a royalty fee for use of the tradename. The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows and the determination and application of an appropriate royalty rate and discount rate. To estimate the royalty rates for the individual tradename, we mainly rely on the profit split method, but also consider the comparable third-party license agreements and the return on asset method. A scorecard is used to assess the relative strength of the individual tradename to further adjust the royalty rates selected under the profit-split method for qualitative factors. In accordance with the guidance, if the fair value of the tradename is less than its carrying amount, then an impairment charge is recorded in an amount equal to the difference.

See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to intangible assets.

Preneed and Perpetual Care Trust Funds

Preneed sales generally require deposits to a trust or purchase of a third-party insurance product. 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) cemetery perpetual care trusts.

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.

Our trust fund assets are reflected in our financial statements as Preneed cemetery trust investments, Preneed funeral trust investments and Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. 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.

Fixed income securities are classified as trading securities and accounted for at fair value. Equity securities with readily determinable market values are accounted for at fair value. The fair value of our trust fund assets is accounted for as Collateralized Financing Entities (“CFEs”) in ASC Topic 810. The accounting guidance for CFEs allows companies to elect to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets or fair value of the financial liabilities. Pursuant to this guidance, we have determined the fair value of the financial assets of the trusts are more observable and we first measure those financial assets at fair value. Our fair value of the financial liabilities mirrors the fair value of the financial assets, in accordance with the ASC. Any changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.

In accordance with respective state laws, we are required to deposit a specified amount into perpetual and memorial care trust funds for each interment right and certain memorials sold. Income from the trust funds is distributed to us and used to provide for the care and maintenance of the cemeteries and mausoleums. 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 the 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 the majority of our funeral and cemetery trust funds.

Our preneed funeral and preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts, as well as the corresponding trust liabilities, are reflected in our financial statements net of an allowance for contract cancellations. We determine this allowance based on our five-year historical experience of contract cancellations. On an ongoing basis, we monitor our historical trend and adjust our allowance accordingly.

See Notes 8 and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to preneed and perpetual care trust funds.

Deferred Revenue

We have preneed funeral trust fund assets in trusts that 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, reflected in our financial statements as Receivables from preneed funeral trusts, net, with a corresponding amount recognized as Deferred preneed funeral revenue.

Under certain state regulations, we are allowed to retain certain amounts not required to be deposited to a trust or used to purchase a third-party insurance policy. These amounts we retain represent future revenue that are not held in trust accounts and are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenue. Future revenue that are held in trust accounts are included in Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust discussed above.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we withdrew $8.6 million of realized capital gains and earnings from our preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments. We did not withdraw any realized capital gains and earnings from our preneed trust investments during the year ended December 31, 2024. In certain states, we are allowed to make these withdrawals prior to the delivery of preneed merchandise and service contracts. The realized capital gains and earnings withdrawn increase our cash flow from operations, but are not recognized as revenue in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, however, they reduce our Preneed funeral trust investmentsand Preneed cemetery trust investmentsand increase our Deferred preneed funeral revenueand Deferred preneed cemetery revenue.

Held for Sale

The Company classifies assets and liabilities (disposal groups) to be sold as held for sale (“HFS”) in the period in which all of the following criteria are met: (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the disposal group; (2) the disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such disposal groups; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the disposal group have been initiated; (4) the sale of the disposal group is probable, and transfer of the disposal group is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year, except if events or circumstances beyond the

Company’s control extend the period of time required to sell the disposal group beyond one year; (5) the disposal group is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (6) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

The Company initially measures a disposal group that is classified as held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. Any loss resulting from this measurement is recognized in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met. Conversely, gains are not recognized on the sale of a disposal group until the date of sale. The Company assesses the fair value of a disposal group, less any costs to sell, each reporting period it remains classified as held for sale and reports any subsequent changes as an adjustment to the carrying value of the disposal group, as long as the new carrying value does not exceed the carrying value of the disposal group at the time it was initially classified as held for sale. Additionally, depreciation is not recorded during the period in which the long-lived assets, included in the disposal group, are classified as held for sale.

Upon determining that a disposal group meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the Company reports the assets and liabilities of the disposal group, if material, in the line items current and non-current assets held for sale and current and long-term liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company announced that it was exploring the divestiture of certain non-core businesses in markets that no longer aligned with its strategic objectives and is undergoing a process to find a suitable buyer of these businesses. We expect to close on the sale of these businesses within the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2024, the assets and liabilities of these non-core businesses, included in our funeral home and cemetery segments, have been classified as held for sale.

The table below presents the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities included as part of the expected sale (in thousands):

December 31, 2024
Accounts receivable, net$833
Inventories302
Current assets held for sale$1,135
Preneed cemetery trust investments$4,876
Preneed funeral trust investments2,197
Preneed cemetery receivables, net1,671
Property, plant and equipment, net4,898
Cemetery property, net3,362
Intangible and other non-current assets, net215
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments2,234
Non-current assets held for sale$19,453
Accounts payable$94
Accrued and other liabilities146
Current liabilities held for sale$240
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue$3,517
Deferred preneed funeral revenue1,018
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust4,876
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust2,197
Care trusts’ corpus2,234
Long-term liabilities held for sale$13,842

Fair Value Measurements

We measure the securities held by our funeral merchandise and service, cemetery merchandise and service, and cemetery perpetual care trusts at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with ASC Topic 820. This guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received in 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). The guidance establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.

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 currently do not have any assets that have fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value.

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.

See Notes 7 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional required disclosures related to the fair value measurement of our financial assets and liabilities.

Capitalized Commissions on Preneed Contracts

We capitalize sales commissions and other direct selling costs related to preneed cemetery merchandise and services and preneed funeral trust contracts as these costs are incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. Our capitalized commissions on preneed contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average maturity period often years for our preneed funeral trust contracts and 8 years for our preneed cemetery merchandise and services contracts.

The selling costs related to the sales of cemetery interment rights, which include real property and other costs related to cemetery development activities, continue to be expensed using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the cemetery interment right is recognized as revenue. The selling costs related to preneed funeral insurance contracts continue to be expensed in the period incurred as these contracts are not included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to capitalized commissions on preneed contracts.

Internally Developed Software

We capitalize costs incurred during the “application development stage” of an internally developed software project, meaning only costs directly related to designing, coding, and testing the software are capitalized, while preliminary project costs and post-implementation activities are expensed, and the capitalized software is then amortized over its estimated useful life, typically ranging fromtwo tofive years.

See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to internally developed software.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. The costs of ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, while renewals and major replacements that extend the useful economic life of the asset are capitalized. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is computed based on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

Years
Buildings and improvements15 to 40
Furniture and fixtures5 to 10
Machinery and equipment3 to 15
Vehicles5 to 7

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets (see discussion of Leases below) are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value and are reviewed for impairment whenever events, such as significant negative industry or economic trends or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Factors that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results. We test the recoverability of our long-lived assets by comparing their carrying value to the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets over their remaining useful lives. We recognize an impairment loss if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.

Additionally, assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. If we determine that the carrying value is not recoverable from the proceeds of the sale, we record an impairment loss at that time.

Property, plant and equipment is comprised of the following (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Land$86,609$87,635
Buildings and improvements265,231263,522
Furniture, equipment and vehicles72,05274,372
Property, plant and equipment, at cost423,892425,529
Less: accumulated depreciation(145,990)(138,045)
Property, plant and equipment, net including HFS$277,902$287,484
Less: Held for sale(4,898)—
Property, plant and equipment, net$273,004$287,484

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we soldsix funeral homes andone cemetery that had a carrying value of property, plant and equipment of $3.1 million, which was included in the loss on sale and recorded in Net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges on Consolidated Statements of Operations, more fully described in Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Additionally, we sold real property for $1.1 million, with a carrying value of $0.8 million, resulting in a $0.3 million gain on the sale, which was recorded in Net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges on Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we acquired $12.8 million of property, plant and equipment related to our acquisition of a business located in Bakersfield, CA, as more fully described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and $3.1 million related to the acquisition of real property.

Additionally, we sold real property for $3.1 million, with a carrying value of $1.7 million, resulting in a $1.4 million gain on the sale. We also divestedone funeral home that had a carrying value of property, plant and equipment of $0.3 million, which was included in the loss on the sale of divestitures and recorded in Net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment chargeson our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Our growth and maintenance capital expenditures totaled $9.1 million, $10.9 million and $18.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for property, plant, equipment. In addition, we recorded depreciation expense of $14.3 million, $14.7 million and $13.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Cemetery Property

When we acquire a cemetery, we utilize an internal and external approach to determine the fair value of the cemetery property. From an external perspective, we obtain an accredited appraisal to provide reasonable assurance for property existence, property availability (unrestricted) for development, property lines, available spaces to sell, identifiable obstacles or easements and general valuation inclusive of known variables in that market. From an internal perspective, we conduct a detailed analysis of the acquired cemetery property using other cemeteries in our portfolio as a benchmark. This provides the added benefit of relevant data that is not available to third-party appraisers. Through this thorough internal process, we are able to identify viable costs of property based on historical experience, particular markets and demographics, reasonable margins, practical retail prices and park infrastructure and condition.

Cemetery property totaled $112.9 million and $114.6 million, net of accumulated amortization of $72.6 million and $64.6 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which includes $3.4 million of cemetery property held for sale at December 31, 2024. When cemetery property is sold, the value of the cemetery property (interment right costs) is expensed as amortization using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue.

Our growth capital expenditures totaled $7.0 million, $7.1 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for cemetery property development. We recorded amortization expense for cemetery interment rights of $8.2 million, $6.0 million and $6.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we soldone cemetery that had a carrying value of cemetery property of $0.8 million, which was included in the loss on sale and recorded in Net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges on Consolidated Statements of Operations, more fully described in Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we acquired cemetery property for $9.0 million related to our acquisition of a business located in Bakersfield, CA, as more fully described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We also soldtwo cemeteries that had a carrying value of cemetery property of $0.8 million, which was included in the loss on the sale of divestitures and recorded in Net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment chargeson our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Leases

We have operating and finance leases. We lease certain office facilities, certain funeral homes, vehicles and equipment under operating leases with original terms ranging fromone totwenty years. Many leases include one or more options to renew, some of which include options to extend the leases for up toforty years. We lease certain funeral homes, vehicles and equipment under finance leases with original terms ranging from three and a half toforty years. We do not have any material lease agreements with residual value guarantees, sale-leaseback terms, material restrictive covenants, related parties or sublease arrangements.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception based on the facts and circumstances of the agreement. A right-of-use (“ROU”) asset represents our right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and the lease liability represents our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. For our leases that do not provide an implicit interest rate in the agreement, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. The lease terms used to calculate the ROU asset and related lease liability include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as an operating expense, while the expense for finance leases is recognized as depreciation expense and interest expense using the effective interest method of recognition. Variable lease payment amounts that cannot be determined at the commencement of the lease such as increases in lease payments based on changes in index rates or usage, are not included in the ROU assets or liabilities. These are expensed as incurred and recorded as variable lease expense. We have real estate lease agreements which require payments for lease and non-lease components, and we account for these as a single lease component. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, that do not include an option to renew the underlying asset, are not recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Operating lease ROU assets are included in Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are included in Current portion of operating lease obligations and Obligations under operating leases, net of current portion on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance lease ROU assets are included in Property, plant and equipment, net and finance lease liabilities are included in Current portion of finance lease obligations and Obligations under finance leases, net of current portion on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to leases.

Equity Plans and Stock-Based Compensation

We have equity-based employee and director compensation plans under which we have granted stock awards, stock options and performance awards. We also have an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”). We recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the stock-based awards expected to vest or to be purchased over the requisite service period. We recognize the effect of forfeitures in compensation cost when they occur and any previously recognized compensation cost for an award is reversed in the period that the award is forfeited.

Fair value is determined on the date of the grant. The fair value of restricted stock is determined using the stock price on the grant date. The fair value of options or awards containing options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model or the Monte-Carlo simulation pricing model. The fair value of the performance awards related to market performance conditions is determined using the Monte-Carlo simulation pricing model. The fair value of the ESPP is determined based on the discount element offered to employees and the embedded option element, which is determined using an option calculation model.

We recognize all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) as income tax benefit or expense in the income statement. We treat the tax effects of exercised or vested awards as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the excess tax deficiency related to share-based payments was $0.8 million. We hadimmaterial amounts of excess tax deficiency for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Excess tax benefits and deficiencies are recorded within Expense (benefit) related to discrete income tax itemson our Consolidated Statements of Operations and are included in operating cash flows on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to equity plans and stock-based compensation.

Revenue Recognition

Funeral and Cemetery Operations Revenue is recognized when control of the merchandise or services is transferred to the customer. Our performance obligations include the delivery of funeral and cemetery merchandise and services and cemetery property interment rights. Control transfers when merchandise is delivered or services are performed. For cemetery property interment rights, control transfers to the customer when the property is developed and the interment right has been sold and can no longer be marketed or sold to another customer. On our atneed contracts, we generally deliver the merchandise and perform the services at the time of need.

Memorial services frequently include performance obligations to direct the service, provide facilities and motor vehicles, catering, flowers, and stationary products. All other performance obligations on these contracts, including arrangement, removal, preparation, embalming, cremation, interment, and delivery of urns and caskets and related memorialization merchandise are fulfilled at the time of need. Personalized marker merchandise and marker installation services sold on atneed contracts are recognized when control is transferred to the customer, generally when the marker is delivered and installed in the cemetery.

Some of our contracts with customers include multiple performance obligations. For these contracts, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price, which is based on prices charged to customers per our general price list. We recognize revenue when the merchandise is transferred or the service is performed, in satisfaction of the corresponding performance obligation. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Ancillary funeral service revenue, which is recorded in Other revenue, represents revenue from our flower shop, pet cremation business and online cremation businesses. Revenue is recognized when control of the merchandise or services is transferred to the customer and are primarily sold on an atneed basis.

The earnings from our preneed trust investments, as well as trust management fees charged by our wholly owned registered investment advisory firm CSV RIA are recorded in Other revenue. At December 31, 2024, CSV RIA provided investment management and advisory services to approximately 80% 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.

Balances due on undelivered preneed funeral trust contracts have reduced Deferred preneed funeral revenue by $10.2 million and $10.7 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As these performance obligations are to be completed after the date of death, we cannot quantify the recognition of revenue in future periods. However, we estimate an average maturity period of 10 years for preneed funeral contracts.

Balances due from customers on delivered preneed cemetery contracts are included in Accounts receivable, net and Preneed cemetery receivables, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Balances due on undelivered preneed cemetery contracts have reduced Deferred preneed cemetery revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheets by $13.6 million and $15.8 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As these performance obligations are to be completed after the date of death, we cannot quantify the recognition of revenue in future periods. However, we estimate an average maturity period ofeight years for preneed cemetery contracts.

See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to revenue.

Income Taxes

We and our subsidiaries file a consolidated U. S. federal income tax return, separate income tax returns in 15 states in which we operate and combined or unitary income tax returns in 14 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 classify our deferred tax liabilities and assets as non-current on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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 the 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.

See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to income taxes.

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 performance awards.

Share-based awards that contain non-forfeitable 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.

Our performance awards are considered to be contingently issuable shares because their issuance is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain performance and service conditions. In accordance with ASC 260, we have included in the computation of diluted earnings per share the number of performance awards that would have been issuable as if the end of the reporting period was the end of the contingency period. These shares are considered to be outstanding at the beginning of the reporting period.

See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the computation of earnings per share.

Subsequent Events

We have evaluated events and transactions during the period subsequent to December 31, 2024 through the date the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements covered by this report.

  1. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Segment Reporting

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU, Segment Reporting - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“Topic 280”) to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in this update require that a public entity disclose, on an annual and interim basis (1) significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss; and (2) an amount for other segment items, as described in the amendments, by reportable segment and a description of its composition. Additionally, the amendments require that a public entity disclose the title and position of the CODM and an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and therefore were effective for us for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024 and for interim periods within our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025. The adoption had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements as it modified disclosure requirements only.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Income Taxes

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU, Income Taxes - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“Topic 740”) to enhance the transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The amendments in this update require that public business entities on an annual basis (1) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation; and (2) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than five percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income (loss) by the applicable statutory income tax rate). The amendments in this update also require that all entities disclose on an annual basis (1) the amount of net income taxes paid disaggregated by federal and state taxes; and (2) the amount of net income taxes paid disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which net income taxes paid is equal to or greater than five percent of total net income taxes paid. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt the amendments of Topic 740 for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025. We expect the adoption will have no material impact on our consolidated financial statements as it modifies disclosure requirements only.

Expense Disaggregation

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (“Topic 220”). Additionally, in January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 to clarify the effective date of ASU 2024-03. The standard provides guidance to expand disclosures related to the disaggregation of income statement expenses. The amendments in this update require, in the notes to the financial statements, disclosure of specified information about certain costs and expenses, which includes purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization included in each relevant expense caption. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, on a retrospective or prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. We expect the adoption will have no material impact on our consolidated financial statements as it modifies disclosure requirements only.

  1. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

We did not acquire any businesses in 2024. On March 22, 2023, we acquired a business consisting ofthree funeral homes, two cemeteries andone cremation focused business in the Bakersfield, CA area for $44.0 million in cash. We acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain operating liabilities of this business.

The pro forma impact of these acquisitions on prior periods is not presented, as the impact is not significant to our reported results. The results of the acquired businesses are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Operations from the date of acquisition.

The following table summarizes the breakdown of the purchase price allocation for our Bakersfield, CA business acquisition (in thousands):

Initial Purchase Price AllocationAdjustmentsAdjusted Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets$7,087$131$7,218
Preneed trust assets—11,42811,428
Property, plant & equipment12,57724512,822
Cemetery property9,035—9,035
Goodwill13,612(106)13,506
Intangible and other non-current assets3,763—3,763
Assumed liabilities(300)(66)(366)
Preneed trust liabilities—(11,428)(11,428)
Deferred revenue(1,774)(204)(1,978)
Purchase price$44,000$—$44,000

The current assets relate to accounts receivable and inventory. The intangible and other non-current assets relate to the fair value of tradenames and right-of-use operating lease assets. The assumed liabilities relate to operating lease obligations and commissions payable. As of December 31, 2023, our accounting for this acquisition is complete.

The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for this business (in thousands):

Acquisition DateType of BusinessMarketAssets Acquired (Excluding Goodwill)Goodwill RecordedLiabilities and Debt Assumed
March 22, 2023Three Funeral Homes, Two Cemeteries and One Cremation Focused BusinessBakersfield, CA$44,266$13,506$(13,772)
  1. GOODWILL

Many of the former owners and staff of our acquired funeral homes and certain cemeteries have provided high quality service to families for generations, which often represents a substantial portion of the value of a business. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of funeral home businesses and cemeteries acquired is recorded as goodwill.

The following table presents changes in goodwill in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Goodwill at the beginning of the year$423,643$410,137
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions—13,506
Decrease in goodwill related to divestitures(8,784)—
Goodwill at the end of the year$414,859$423,643

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we allocated $8.8 million of goodwill to the sale ofsix funeral homes andone cemetery for a loss recorded in Net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment chargeson our Consolidated Statements of Operations of which $7.8 million was allocated to our funeral home segment and $1.0 million was allocated to our cemetery segment.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized $13.5 million in goodwill related to our acquisition of a business located in Bakersfield, CA, of which $4.5 million was allocated to our cemetery segment and $9.0 million was allocated to our funeral home segment.

As a result of our 2024 and 2023 annual qualitative impairment assessments, we determined that there were no factors that would indicate the need to perform an additional quantitative goodwill impairment test. We concluded that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of our reporting units is greater than their carrying value and thus there wasno impairment to goodwill.

See Notes 1, 3, and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the methodology used for our annual goodwill impairment test and a discussion of our acquisitions and divestitures.

  1. DIVESTED OPERATIONS

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we soldsix funeral homes andone cemetery for an aggregate of $10.9 million and merged three funeral homes with other businesses we own in existing markets. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we soldtwo funeral homes andtwo cemeteries for an aggregate of $1.1 million and mergedone funeral home with another business we own in a nearby market. During 2022, we sold four funeral homes for an aggregate of $1.5 million and we mergedone funeral home with another business we own in a nearby market.

The operating results of these divested funeral homes and cemeteries are reflected on our Consolidated Statements of Operations as shown in the table below (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Revenue$1,382$242$656
Operating income141654
Net loss on divestitures(1)(1,224)(106)(736)
Income tax expense34828193
Net loss from divested operations, after tax$(735)$(72)$(488)
(1)Net loss on divestitures is recorded in Net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, after each divestiture, we concluded that it was more-likely-than not that the fair value of our reporting units was greater than their carrying value and thus there wasno impairment to goodwill.

See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the methodology used for assessing goodwill impairment after a divestiture of a business.

  1. RECEIVABLES

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable is comprised of the following (in thousands):

December 31, 2024
FuneralCemeteryCorporateHeld for SaleTotal
Trade and financed receivables$7,085$24,355$—$(833)$30,607
Other receivables557345——902
Allowance for credit losses(302)(1,014)——(1,316)
Accounts receivable, net$7,340$23,686$—$(833)$30,193
December 31, 2023
FuneralCemeteryCorporateHeld for SaleTotal
Trade and financed receivables$8,822$18,459$—$—$27,281
Other receivables404595286—1,285
Allowance for credit losses(266)(1,240)——(1,506)
Accounts receivable, net$8,960$17,814$286$—$27,060

Other receivables include supplier rebates, commissions due from third-party insurance companies and perpetual care income receivables. We do not provide an allowance for credit losses for these receivables as we have historically not had any collectability issues nor do we expect any in the foreseeable future.

The following table summarizes the activity in our allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands):

January 1, 2024Provision for Credit LossesWrite OffsRecoveriesDecember 31, 2024
Trade and financed receivables:
Funeral$(266)$(1,069)$1,827$(794)$(302)
Cemetery(1,240)(884)1,110—(1,014)
Total allowance for credit losses on trade and financed receivables$(1,506)$(1,953)$2,937$(794)$(1,316)

Cemetery Receivables

Our cemetery receivables are comprised of the following (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Interment rights$79,436$60,863
Merchandise and services13,12811,223
Unearned finance charges4,9835,669
Cemetery receivables$97,547$77,755

The components of our cemetery receivables are as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Cemetery receivables$97,547$77,755
Less: unearned finance charges(4,983)(5,669)
Cemetery receivables, at amortized cost$92,564$72,086
Less: allowance for contract cancellation and credit losses(3,018)(3,495)
Less: balances due on undelivered cemetery preneed contracts(13,576)(15,797)
Less: amounts in accounts receivable(23,341)(17,219)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net including HFS52,62935,575
Less: Held for sale(1,671)—
Preneed cemetery receivables, net$50,958$35,575

The following table summarizes the activity in our allowance for credit losses for Preneed cemetery receivables, net for the year ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands):

January 1, 2024Provision for Credit LossesWrite OffsDecember 31, 2024
Total allowance for credit losses on Preneed cemetery receivables, net$(2,255)$(1,398)$1,649$(2,004)

The amortized cost basis of our cemetery receivables by year of origination as of December 31, 2024 is as follows (in thousands):

20242023202220212020PriorTotal
Total cemetery receivables, at amortized cost$49,487$22,200$12,934$5,355$1,735$853$92,564

The aging of past due cemetery receivables as of December 31, 2024 is as follows (in thousands):

31-60 Past Due61-90 Past Due91-120 Past Due>120 Past DueTotal Past DueCurrentTotal
Recognized revenue$1,599$1,065$832$2,578$6,074$72,914$78,988
Deferred revenue3021601056121,17917,38018,559
Total contracts$1,901$1,225$937$3,190$7,253$90,294$97,547

The aging of past due preneed cemetery receivables as of December 31, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

31-60 Past Due61-90 Past Due91-120 Past Due>120 Past DueTotal Past DueCurrentTotal
Recognized revenue$1,877$715$353$3,790$6,735$49,554$56,289
Deferred revenue466139901,3882,08319,38321,466
Total contracts$2,343$854$443$5,178$8,818$68,937$77,755
  1. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

We evaluated our financial assets and liabilities for those that met the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of our receivables on preneed cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms. Our acquisition debt and Credit Facility (as defined in Note 12) and Senior Notes (as defined in Note 13) are classified within Level 2 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy.

At December 31, 2024, the carrying value and fair value of our Credit Facility was $137.0 million. We believe that our Credit Facility bears interest at a rate that approximates prevailing market rates for instruments with similar characteristics and therefore, the carrying value of our Credit Facility approximates fair value. We estimate the fair value of our acquisition debt utilizing an income approach, which uses a present value calculation to discount payments based on current market rates as of the reporting date. At December 31, 2024, the carrying value of our acquisition debt was $5.5 million, which approximated its fair value. The fair value of our Senior Notes was $364.4 million at December 31, 2024 based on the last traded or broker quoted price.

In addition, we have an investment in a limited partnership fund, whose fair value has been estimated using the net asset value per share practical expedient described in ASC 820-10-35-59, Fair Value Measurement of Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) and therefore, has not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The investment strategy of this fund is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a multi-year performance period through the construction of a concentrated portfolio of investments possessing certain distinct business attributes that suggest the potential for long-term value creation. The value of the investments in this fund cannot be liquidated at December 31, 2024 because the investments include restrictions that do not allow for liquidation until 2027. As of December 31, 2024 we do not have an unfunded commitment for this investment.

We identified investments in fixed income securities, common stock and mutual funds presented within the preneed and perpetual care trust investments categories on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as having met the criteria for fair value measurement. Our receivables from preneed funeral trusts represent assets in trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which we do not have a controlling financial interest (less than 50%) in the trust assets. We account for these investments at cost.

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, U.S. treasury debt, common stock 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 investments classified as Level 2 securities include U.S. agency obligations, foreign debt, corporate debt, preferred stocks, certificates of deposit and fixed income mutual funds and other investments.

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 December 31, 2024 and 2023, we did not have any assets that had fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value.

See Notes 8 and 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for the fair value hierarchy levels of our trust investments.

  1. TRUST INVESTMENTS

Preneed trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are generally permitted to withdraw as the services and merchandise are provided to customers. Preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are secured by payments from customers, less amounts not required by law to be deposited into trust. These earnings are recognized in Other revenue on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Trust management fees charged by CSV RIA are included as revenue in the period in which they are earned. Our investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We do not intend to sell and it is likely that we will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery.

Cemetery perpetual care trust investments represent a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights that we are required by various state laws to deposit into perpetual care trust funds. The income earned from these perpetual care trusts offsets maintenance expenses for cemetery property and memorials. This trust fund income is recognized in Other revenue.

Changes in the fair value of our trust fund assets (Preneed funeral, cemetery and perpetual care trust investments) are offset by changes in the fair value of our trust fund liabilities (Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus) and reflected in Other, net. There is no impact on earnings until such time the services are performed, or the merchandise is delivered, causing the contract to be withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations and the gain or loss is allocated to the contract.

We rely on our trust investments to provide funding for the various contractual obligations that arise upon maturity of the underlying preneed contracts. Because of the long-term relationship between the establishment of trust investments and the required performance of the underlying contractual obligations, the impact of current market conditions that may exist at any given time is not necessarily indicative of our ability to generate profit on our future performance obligations.

Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments

The components of Preneed cemetery trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Preneed cemetery trust investments, at market value$106,143$99,461
Less: allowance for contract cancellation(3,147)(3,087)
Preneed cemetery trust investments, including HFS102,99696,374
Less: Held for sale(4,876)—
Preneed cemetery trust investments$98,120$96,374

The cost and market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at December 31, 2024 are detailed below (in thousands):

Fair Value Hierarchy Level · Cost · UnrealizedGains · UnrealizedLosses · Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts1$23,215$—$—$23,215
Fixed income securities:
U.S. agency obligations26641(46)619
Foreign debt28,5751,431(8)9,998
Corporate debt28,500365(256)8,609
Preferred stock22,833479(176)3,136
Certificates of deposit279—(5)74
Common stock129,3254,322(3,381)30,266
Limited partnership fund3,53084—3,614
Mutual funds:
Equity191185—996
Fixed income227,26894(2,376)24,986
Trust securities$104,900$6,861$(6,248)$105,513
Accrued investment income$630$630
Preneed cemetery trust investments$106,143
Market value as a percentage of cost100.6%
Due in one year or less$140
Due in one to five years6,557
Due in five to ten years4,703
Thereafter11,036
Total fixed income securities$22,436

The cost and market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at December 31, 2023 are detailed below (in thousands):

Fair Value Hierarchy Level · Cost · UnrealizedGains · UnrealizedLosses · Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts1$9,643$—$—$9,643
Fixed income securities:
U.S. agency obligations28031(51)753
Foreign debt27,7641,371(17)9,118
Corporate debt215,071342(3,657)11,756
Preferred stock210,965473(1,572)9,866
Certificate of deposit279—(7)72
Common stock143,0579,466(7,935)44,588
Limited partnership fund3,575—(3)3,572
Mutual funds:
Equity155310(30)533
Fixed income211,36916(2,759)8,626
Trust securities$102,879$11,679$(16,031)$98,527
Accrued investment income$934$934
Preneed cemetery trust investments$99,461
Market value as a percentage of cost95.8%

The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our preneed cemetery trust investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2024, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

December 31, 2024
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. agency obligations$—$—$479$(46)$479$(46)
Foreign debt——211(8)211(8)
Corporate debt1,274(139)94(117)1,368(256)
Preferred stock889(5)891(171)1,780(176)
Certificates of deposit——74(5)74(5)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$2,163$(144)$1,749$(347)$3,912$(491)

The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our preneed cemetery trust investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2023, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

December 31, 2023
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. agency obligations$—$—$613$(51)$613$(51)
Foreign debt284(5)209(12)493(17)
Corporate debt666(62)4,239(3,595)4,905(3,657)
Preferred stock45—7,821(1,572)7,866(1,572)
Certificates of deposit——72(7)72(7)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$995$(67)$12,954$(5,237)$13,949$(5,304)

Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions recorded in Other, neton our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Investment income$2,834$2,479$2,219
Realized gains11,6003,49210,619
Realized losses(14,191)(2,507)(2,548)
Unrealized gains (losses), net613(4,352)(9,661)
Expenses and taxes(2,175)(1,653)(1,748)
Net change in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust1,3192,5411,119
$—$—$—

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

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Purchases$(25,246)$(22,478)$(8,336)
Sales33,72518,3788,248

Preneed Funeral Trust Investments

Preneed funeral trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are permitted to withdraw as services and merchandise are provided to customers. Preneed funeral contracts are secured by payments from customers, less retained amounts not required to be deposited into trust.

The components of Preneed funeral trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Preneed funeral trust investments, at market value$111,721$111,247
Less: allowance for contract cancellation(3,305)(3,405)
Preneed funeral trust investments, including HFS108,416107,842
Less: Held for Sale(2,197)—
Preneed funeral trust investments$106,219$107,842

The cost and market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at December 31, 2024 are detailed below (in thousands):

Fair Value Hierarchy Level · Cost · UnrealizedGains · UnrealizedLosses · Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts1$33,735$—$—$33,735
Fixed income securities:
U. S. treasury debt1387—(30)357
Foreign debt28,1931,373(7)9,559
Corporate debt27,941351(134)8,158
Preferred stock22,577460(218)2,819
Common stock126,2933,989(2,876)27,406
Limited partnership fund3,39280—3,472
Mutual funds:
Equity176341—804
Fixed income224,95283(2,118)22,917
Other investments21,910——1,910
Trust securities$110,143$6,377$(5,383)$111,137
Accrued investment income$584$584
Preneed funeral trust investments$111,721
Market value as a percentage of cost100.9%
Due in one year or less$83
Due in one to five years6,055
Due in five to ten years4,351
Thereafter10,404
Total fixed income securities$20,893

The cost and market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at December 31, 2023 are detailed below (in thousands):

Fair Value Hierarchy Level · Cost · UnrealizedGains · UnrealizedLosses · Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts1$26,707$—$—$26,707
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury debt1451—(34)417
Foreign debt27,3001,297(16)8,581
Corporate debt213,848323(3,255)10,916
Preferred stock29,786442(1,468)8,760
Common stock138,6008,858(6,855)40,603
Limited partnership fund3,383—(2)3,381
Mutual funds:
Equity14013(29)375
Fixed income29,51315(2,383)7,145
Other investments23,510——3,510
Trust securities$113,499$10,938$(14,042)$110,395
Accrued investment income$852$852
Preneed funeral trust investments$111,247
Market value as a percentage of cost97.3%

The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our preneed funeral trust investment in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2024, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

December 31, 2024
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury debt$—$—$274$(30)$274$(30)
Foreign debt——203(7)203(7)
Corporate debt1,225(133)—(1)1,225(134)
Preferred stock842(4)717(214)1,559(218)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$2,067$(137)$1,194$(252)$3,261$(389)

The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our preneed funeral trust investment in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2023, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

December 31, 2023
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury debt$—$—$371$(34)$371$(34)
Foreign debt269(5)198(11)467(16)
Corporate debt630(59)3,802(3,196)4,432(3,255)
Preferred stock——7,078(1,468)7,078(1,468)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$899$(64)$11,449$(4,709)$12,348$(4,773)

Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Other, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Investment income$2,177$2,004$1,700
Realized gains10,7223,3549,446
Realized losses(12,947)(2,170)(2,301)
Unrealized gains (losses), net994(3,104)(7,723)
Expenses and taxes(1,120)(848)958
Net change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust174764(2,080)
$—$—$—

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

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Purchases$(23,799)$(21,425)$(6,239)
Sales31,03817,3007,419

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 are as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments, at market value$87,337$85,331
Obligations due from trust(885)(980)
Care trusts’ corpus, including HFS$86,452$84,351
Less: Held for sale(2,234)—
Care trusts' corpus$84,218$84,351

The following table reflects the cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2024 (in thousands):

Fair Value Hierarchy Level · Cost · UnrealizedGains · UnrealizedLosses · Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts1$14,054$—$—$14,054
Fixed income securities:
Foreign debt27,7701,262(7)9,025
Corporate debt27,942357(402)7,897
Preferred stock22,725418(148)2,995
Common stock125,5633,866(3,036)26,393
Limited partnership fund3,07873—3,151
Mutual funds:
Equity178968—857
Fixed income224,374111(2,115)22,370
Trust securities$86,295$6,155$(5,708)$86,742
Accrued investment income$595$595
Cemetery perpetual care investments$87,337
Market value as a percentage of cost100.5%
Due in one year or less$—
Due in one to five years5,508
Due in five to ten years4,290
Thereafter10,119
Total fixed income securities$19,917

The following table reflects the cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Fair Value Hierarchy Level · Cost · UnrealizedGains · UnrealizedLosses · Fair Market Value
Cash and money market accounts1$6,688$—$—$6,688
Fixed income securities:
Foreign debt27,1011,177(18)8,260
Corporate debt213,491334(3,367)10,458
Preferred stock210,723415(1,435)9,703
Common stock136,4138,098(6,580)37,931
Limited partnership fund3,042—(2)3,040
Mutual funds:
Equity14675(26)446
Fixed income210,32614(2,382)7,958
Trust securities$88,251$10,043$(13,810)$84,484
Accrued investment income$847$847
Cemetery perpetual care investments$85,331
Market value as a percentage of cost95.7%

The following table summarizes our fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) within our perpetual care trust investment in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2024, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

December 31, 2024
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
Foreign debt$—$—$184$(7)$184$(7)
Corporate debt1,111(121)316(281)1,427(402)
Preferred stock764(4)1,086(144)1,850(148)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$1,875$(125)$1,586$(432)$3,461$(557)

The following table summarizes our fixed income securities within our perpetual care trust investment in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2023, aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

December 31, 2023
In Loss Position Less than 12 monthsIn Loss Position Greater than 12 monthsTotal
Fair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized LossesFair market valueUnrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
Foreign debt$440$(8)$178$(10)$618$(18)
Corporate debt567(53)3,879(3,314)4,446(3,367)
Preferred stock——7,301(1,435)7,301(1,435)
Total fixed income securities with an unrealized loss$1,007$(61)$11,358$(4,759)$12,365$(4,820)

Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Other, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Realized gains$1,432$1,025$1,454
Realized losses(1,873)(639)(309)
Unrealized gains (losses), net447(3,767)(6,958)
Net change in care trusts’ corpus(6)3,3815,813
Total$—$—$—

Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Other revenue are as follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Investment income$14,806$12,824$11,425
Realized losses(3,589)(1,583)(2,427)
Total$11,217$11,241$8,998

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

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Purchases$(21,441)$(18,024)$(4,872)
Sales29,96721,6135,444
  1. RECEIVABLES FROM PRENEED FUNERAL TRUSTS

Our receivables from preneed funeral trusts represent assets in trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which we do not have a controlling financial interest (less than 50%) in the trust assets. We account for these investments at cost. Receivables from preneed funeral trusts are as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Preneed funeral trust funds, at cost$23,063$22,196
Less: allowance for contract cancellation(691)(666)
Receivables from preneed funeral trusts, net$22,372$21,530

The following summary reflects the composition of the assets held in trust and controlled by third parties to satisfy our future obligations related to the underlying preneed funeral contracts at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The cost basis includes reinvested interest and dividends that have been earned on the trust assets. Fair value includes unrealized gains and losses on trust assets.

The composition of the preneed trust funds at December 31, 2024 is as follows (in thousands):

Historical Cost BasisFair Value
Cash and cash equivalents$6,826$6,826
Fixed income investments12,99812,998
Mutual funds and common stocks3,2352,999
Annuities44
Total$23,063$22,827

The composition of the preneed trust funds at December 31, 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

Historical Cost BasisFair Value
Cash and cash equivalents$6,547$6,547
Fixed income investments12,73212,732
Mutual funds and common stocks2,9132,695
Annuities44
Total$22,196$21,978
  1. CONTRACTS FUNDED BY INSURANCE

When preneed funeral contracts are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission on the sale of the policies, which are recorded in Other revenue. These insurance commissions are subject to refund (charge-back) if the preneed policy is cancelled within a year or if there is an imminent death of beneficiary before the first year anniversary of the policy. Approximately 10% of our preneed funeral contracts are cancelled before the first year anniversary of the policy. As such, we recognize 90% of our commissions revenue at the time that it is earned. Based on our historical cancellation rate, we defer 10% of the commissions revenue earned for twelve months until the commission is no longer subject to refund. All selling costs incurred pursuant to the sale of the insurance funded preneed contracts are expensed as incurred.

Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2023, we received a $6.0 million incentive payment from a vendor for entering into a strategic partnership agreement to market and sell prearranged funeral services in the future, which increased our cash flow from operations and Deferred preneed funeral revenue. The incentive payment is subject to partial claw-back if certain preneed funeral sales volumes are not met within the ten-year term of the agreement. As such, we recognize the incentive payment in proportion to our achieved preneed funeral sales volume, net of cancellations, at each reporting period. In each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we recognized $0.2 million of the incentive payment as Other revenue.

Generally, at the time of the sale of either the preneed insurance or preneed trust contract, the intent is that the beneficiary has made a commitment to assign the proceeds to us for the fulfillment of the service and merchandise obligations on the preneed contract at the time of need. However, this commitment is generally revocable and the proceeds from the policy are portable, so the customer can choose to use an alternative provider at the time of need.

Preneed funeral contracts to be funded at maturity by third-party insurance policies totaled $421.3 million and $434.9 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and are not recorded as assets or liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

  1. INTANGIBLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Intangible and other non-current assets are as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Tradenames$28,116$28,862
Internally developed software, net of accumulated amortization of $764 and $444, respectively5,6012,422
Capitalized commissions on preneed contracts, net of accumulated amortizationof $4,653 and $3,788, respectively4,9914,678
Prepaid agreements not-to-compete, net of accumulated amortization of $3,543 and $3,158, respectively9231,335
Non-current prepaid and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $109 and $37, respectively1,011380
Intangible and other non-current assets, net including HFS40,64237,677
Less: Held for Sale(215)—
Intangible and other non-current assets, net$40,427$37,677

Tradenames

During the year ended December 31, 2024, two of the funeral homes that we sold had a carrying value of tradenames of $0.2 million, which was included in the loss on sale and recorded in Net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we increased the value of our tradenames by $3.5 million, with $1.3 million allocated to our funeral home segment and $2.2 million allocated to our cemetery segment, related to our acquisition of a business located in Bakersfield, CA, as more fully described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

As a result of our 2024 and 2023 annual qualitative impairment assessments, we determined that there were factors that would indicate the need to perform additional quantitative impairment tests for certain funeral home businesses. As a result of these additional quantitative impairment tests, we recorded a $0.6 million and a $0.2 million impairment to the tradenames of certain funeral homes during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as the carrying amount of these tradenames exceeded their fair value.

See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for a discussion of the methodology used for our indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test.

Internally Developed Software

Internally developed software is typically amortized on a straight-line basis over five years. Amortization expense was $0.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Capitalized Commissions

Amortization expense was $0.9 million, $0.8 million and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Prepaid Agreements Not-to-Compete

Prepaid agreements not-to-compete are amortized over the term of the respective agreements, generally ranging fromone toten years. Amortization expense was $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and $0.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Non-current Prepaid and Other Intangibles

Non-current prepaid agreements are related to software licenses that have been prepaid for multiple years. These agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective agreements, generally ranging from two to three years. Other intangible assets relate to intellectual property and are amortized on a straight-line basis, typically over three years. Amortization expense was $0.1 million and $37 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The aggregate amortization expense for our capitalized commissions, prepaid not-to-compete agreements, internal-use software and non-current prepaid and other agreements as of December 31, 2024 is as follows (in thousands):

Capitalized Commissions · Prepaid Agreements Not-to-compete · Internally Developed Software · Non-current Prepaid and Other Intangibles
Years ending December 31,
2025$915$389$1,021$125
20268492621,209462
20277841421,207424
2028701781,009—
202959138954—
Thereafter1,15114201—
Total amortization expense$4,991$923$5,601$1,011
  1. CREDIT FACILITY AND ACQUISITION DEBT

At December 31, 2024, our senior secured revolving credit facility (as amended, the “Credit Facility”) was comprised of: (i) a $250.0 million revolving credit facility, including a $15.0 million subfacility for letters of credit and a $10.0 million swingline, and (ii) an accordion or incremental option allowing for future increases in the facility size by an additional amount of up to $75.0 million in the aggregate in the form of increased revolving commitments or incremental term loans.

On July 31, 2024, the Company entered into a fourth amendment, (the “Credit Facility Amendment”), to our Credit Facility, with the financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. The Credit Facility Amendment provided, among other things, for (i) the extension of the maturity date of the Credit Facility to July 31, 2029, provided that, if the Senior Notes (as defined in the Credit Facility) have a stated maturity date that is prior to July 31, 2029, then the maturity date shall instead be the date that is 91 days prior to the stated maturity date of the Senior Notes; (ii) the establishment of Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as a benchmark rate and the removal of BSBY from the Credit Facility, including conforming revisions to certain defined terms under the Credit Facility; (iii) the conversion of each existing BSBY Rate Loan (as defined in the Credit Facility prior to giving effect to the Credit Facility Amendment) to a Term SOFR Loan (as defined in the Credit Facility); (iv) modifications to the definitions of “Applicable Rate” and “Applicable Fee Rate” to change the applicable rates and pricing levels set forth in each pricing grid; (v) the removal of certain mandatory prepayments arising from the issuance of either Equity Interests or Debt (as both are defined by the Credit Facility); and (vi) modifications to the permitted investments covenant, relating to the Company’s ability to make certain acquisitions, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions therein.

We incurred $0.8 million in transactions costs related to the Credit Facility Amendment, which were capitalized and will be amortized over the remaining term of the related debt using the straight-line method.

Our obligations under the Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the same subsidiaries which guarantee the Senior Notes (as defined in Note 13) and certain of our subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”).

The Credit Facility contains customary affirmative covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants with respect to the use of proceeds, payment of taxes and other obligations, continuation of the Company’s business and the maintenance of existing rights and privileges, the maintenance of property and insurance, among others.

In addition, the Credit Facility also contains customary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants that restrict (subject to certain exceptions) the ability of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors to incur indebtedness, grant liens, make investments, engage in mergers and acquisitions, and pay dividends and other restricted payments, and certain financial maintenance covenants. At December 31, 2024, we were subject to the following financial covenants under our Credit Facility: (A) a Total Leverage Ratio not to exceed 5.00 to 1.00 and (B) a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of not less than 1.20 to 1.00 as of the end of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters. These financial maintenance covenants are calculated for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. We were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our Credit Facility at December 31, 2024.

Our Credit Facility and acquisition debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Credit Facility$137,000$179,100
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $2,947 and $2,478, respectively(1,618)(1,306)
Total Credit Facility$135,382$177,794
Acquisition debt$5,466$5,998
Less: current portion(571)(537)
Total acquisition debt, net of current portion$4,895$5,461

At December 31, 2024, we had outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility of $137.0 million. We also hadone letter of credit for $2.2 million under the Credit Facility. The letter of credit will expire on November 25, 2025 and is expected to automatically renew annually and secures our obligations under our various self-insured policies. At December 31, 2024, we had $110.8 million of availability under the Credit Facility.

Outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility bear interest at a prime rate or the SOFR rate, plus an applicable margin based on our leverage ratio. At December 31, 2024, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 1.50% and the SOFR term margin was 2.50%. The weighted average interest rate on our Credit Facility was 8.4% and 8.6% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

We have no material assets or operations independent of the Subsidiary Guarantors, as all of our assets and operations are held and conducted by the Subsidiary Guarantors. Additionally, we do not currently have any significant restrictions on our ability to receive dividends or loans from any Subsidiary Guarantors.

The interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs related to our Credit Facility are as follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Credit Facility interest expense$13,390$17,251$7,105
Credit Facility amortization of debt issuance costs469552412

Acquisition debt consists of deferred purchase price and promissory notes payable to sellers. A majority of the deferred purchase price and notes bear no interest and are discounted at imputed interest rates ranging from 6.5% to 7.3%. Original maturities typically range from nine totwenty years.

The imputed interest expense related to our acquisition debt is as follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Acquisition debt imputed interest expense$406$291$311

The aggregate maturities of our Credit Facility and acquisition debt for the next five years subsequent to December 31, 2024 and thereafter, excluding debt issuance costs, are as follows (in thousands):

Credit Facility · Acquisition Debt
Years ending December 31,
2025$—$938
2026—491
2027—491
2028—491
2029137,000491
Thereafter—5,438
Total Credit Facility and acquisition debt$137,000$8,340
Less: Interest—(2,874)
Present value of Credit Facility and acquisition debt$137,000$5,466
  1. SENIOR NOTES

At December 31, 2024, we had $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Senior Notes”) and related guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantors, which were issued in a private offering under Rule 144A and Regulation S of the Securities Act.

The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of May 13, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (“Collateral Trustee”). The Senior Notes are unsecured, senior obligations and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Senior Notes mature on May 15, 2029, unless earlier redeemed or purchased and bear interest at 4.25% per year, which is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2021.

We may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption price of 102.13% on or after May 15, 2024,101.06% on or after May 15, 2025 and 100% on or after May 15, 2026, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

If a “change of control” occurs, holders of the Senior Notes will have the option to require us to purchase for cash all or a portion of their Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, if we make certain asset sales and do not reinvest the proceeds thereof or use such proceeds to repay certain debt, we will be required to use the proceeds of such asset sales to make an offer to purchase the Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The Indenture contains restrictive covenants limiting our ability and our Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares, create liens on certain assets to secure debt, pay dividends or make other equity distributions, purchase or redeem capital stock, make certain investments, sell assets, agree to certain restrictions on the ability of Restricted Subsidiaries to make payments to us, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets, or engage in transactions with affiliates. The Indenture also contains customary events of default.

The debt discount and the debt issuance costs are being amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of 53 months of the Senior Notes. The effective interest rate on the unamortized debt discount and the unamortized debt issuance costs for the Senior Notes for both the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was 4.42% and 4.30%, respectively.

The carrying value of our Senior Notes is reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Long-term liabilities:
Principal amount$400,000$400,000
Debt discount, net of accumulated amortization of $1,848 and $1,309, respectively(2,652)(3,191)
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $526 and $373, respectively(751)(904)
Carrying value of the Senior Notes$396,597$395,905

The fair value of the Senior Notes, which are Level 2 measurements, was $364.4 million at December 31, 2024.

The interest expense and amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs related to our Senior Notes are as follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,
202420232022
Senior Notes interest expense$17,000$17,000$16,980
Senior Notes amortization of debt discount539515493
Senior Notes amortization of debt issuance costs153147140

The aggregate maturities of our Senior Notes for the next five years subsequent to December 31, 2024 and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):

Principal Maturity · Discount Amortization · Carrying Value
Years ending December 31,
2025$—$(563)$(563)
2026—(588)(588)
2027—(615)(615)
2028—(642)(642)
2029400,000(244)399,756
Thereafter———
Total$400,000$(2,652)$397,348
  1. LEASES

Our lease obligations consist of operating and finance leases related to real estate, vehicles and equipment. The components of lease cost are as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
Income Statement Classification202420232022
Operating lease costFacilities and grounds expense(1)$3,998$3,526$3,375
Short-term lease costFacilities and grounds expense(1)232372329
Variable lease costFacilities and grounds expense(1)380234324
Finance lease cost:
Depreciation of leased assetsDepreciation and amortization(2)$511$541$438
Interest on lease liabilitiesInterest expense506500442
Total finance lease cost1,0171,041880
Total lease cost$5,627$5,173$4,908
(1)Facilities and grounds expense is included within Cost of service and General, administrative and other on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2)Depreciation and amortization expense is included within Field depreciation expense and General, administrative and other on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Supplemental cash flow information related to our leases is as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Cash paid for operating leases included in operating activities$4,325$3,779$3,671
Cash paid for finance leases included in financing activities1,0831,153868

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new leases are as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
20242023
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities$1,224$1,243
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities1,0271,896

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows (in thousands):

Lease TypeBalance Sheet ClassificationDecember 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Operating lease right-of-use assetsOperating lease right-of-use assets$14,953$16,295
Finance lease right-of-use assetsProperty, plant and equipment, net8,5648,249
Accumulated depreciationProperty, plant and equipment, net(3,214)(3,059)
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net$5,350$5,190
Operating lease current liabilitiesCurrent portion of operating lease obligations$2,810$2,713
Finance lease current liabilitiesCurrent portion of finance lease obligations533592
Total current lease liabilities$3,343$3,305
Operating lease non-current liabilitiesObligations under operating leases, net of current portion$14,035$15,797
Finance lease non-current liabilitiesObligations under finance leases, net of current portion6,0455,831
Total non-current lease liabilities$20,080$21,628
Total lease liabilities$23,423$24,933

The average lease terms and discount rates at December 31, 2024 are as follows:

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)Weighted-average discount rate
Operating leases7.18.1%
Finance leases13.08.1%

The aggregate future lease payments for non-cancelable operating and finance leases at December 31, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):

Operating · Finance
Lease payments due:
2025$4,069$1,063
20263,9331,072
20273,6901,073
20283,363822
20292,970745
Thereafter3,9066,294
Total lease payments$21,931$11,069
Less: Interest(5,086)(4,491)
Present value of lease liabilities$16,845$6,578

At December 31, 2024, we had no significant operating or finance leases that had not yet commenced.

  1. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Non-Compete, Consulting and Employment Agreements

We have various non-compete agreements with former owners and employees. These agreements are generally forone toten years and provide for periodic future payments over the term of the agreements.

We have various consulting agreements with former owners of businesses we have acquired. Payments for such agreements are generally not made in advance. These agreements are generally forone toten years and provide for bi-weekly or monthly payments.

We have employment agreements with our executive officers. These agreements are generally fortwo tofive years and provide for participation in various incentive compensation arrangements. These agreements generally renew automatically on an annual basis after their initial term has expired.

At December 31, 2024, the maximum estimated future cash commitments under these agreements with remaining commitment terms, and with original terms of more than one year, are as follows (in thousands):

Non-Compete · Consulting(1) · Employment(1) · Total
Years ending December 31,
2025$1,926$1,265$5,560$8,751
20261,3096714,4646,444
2027866310—1,176
2028380140—520
202924820—268
Thereafter50955—564
Total$5,238$2,461$10,024$17,723
(1)In connection with Mr. Payne’s transition from Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors to serving as a special advisor to the Board of Directors, his employment agreement with the Company was terminated and he entered into a transition agreement, effective February 22, 2024.

Defined Contribution Plan

We sponsor a defined contribution plan, a 401K plan, for the benefit of our employees. Matching contributions and plan administrative expenses totaled $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, and $2.8 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. We do not offer any post-retirement or post-employment benefits.

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. 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.

Denning v. Carriage Services, Inc., et al., Superior Court of California, Ventura County, Case No. 2024 CU OE 028098. On July 29, 2024, a wage and hour class action was filed against the Company and several of its subsidiaries. Plaintiff, a former employee, seeks monetary damages on behalf of herself and other similarly situated current and former non-exempt employees as the putative class for the alleged failure to pay legally mandated compensation and reimbursement expenses. As of December 31, 2024, we are unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or ranges of loss, if any. The prospective class has not been certified by a court of competent jurisdiction and the Company intends to vigorously defend itself in all respects.

Frost v. Rolling Hills Memorial Park, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County, Case No. C24-02653. On October 4, 2024, a consumer class action was filed against the Company’s subsidiary, Rolling Hills Memorial Park. Plaintiff, an owner of an interment right and purchaser of merchandise and services from Rolling Hills Memorial Park, seeks monetary damages on behalf of herself and other similarly situated current and former consumers and owners of interment rights as the putative class for the alleged failure to properly set cemetery merchandise and maintain the perpetual care cemetery. As of December 31, 2024, we are unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or ranges of loss, if any. The prospective class has not been certified by a court of competent jurisdiction and the Company intends to vigorously defend itself in all respects.

  1. INCOME TAXES

We are subject to taxation in the United States and various states. The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Current:
U.S. federal provision$13,902$7,862$9,490
State provision3,9231,8473,287
Total current provision$17,825$9,709$12,777
Deferred:
U.S. federal (benefit) provision$(1,338)$2,117$1,723
State provision6401,1901,313
Total deferred (benefit) provision$(698)$3,307$3,036
Total income tax provision$17,127$13,016$15,813

A reconciliation of income taxes calculated at the U.S. federal statutory rate to those reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows (dollars in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
AmountPercentAmountPercentAmountPercent
Federal statutory rate$10,51721.0%$9,75021.0%$12,00021.0%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal benefit3,6567.32,4215.23,6306.3
Effect of 162(m) officer's compensation limitation1,7173.4————
Effect of non-deductible expenses and other, net1,0192.08641.8590.1
Effect of divestitures and impairment of businesses2190.5——1380.2
Change in valuation allowance, net of federal benefit(1)—(19)—(14)—
Total$17,12734.2%$13,01628.0%$15,81327.6%

The tax effects of temporary differences from total operations that give rise to significant deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
20242023
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards$483$694
Interest expense limitation7,3506,981
Tax credit carryforwards5163
State depreciation1,0961,310
Accrued and other liabilities9,7876,707
Amortization of non-compete agreements875855
Preneed assets, net312—
Lease liabilities4,1354,347
Total deferred income tax assets24,08920,957
Less: valuation allowance(156)(156)
Total deferred income tax assets$23,933$20,801
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization$(69,730)$(66,863)
Preneed liabilities—(1,070)
Right-of-use assets(3,670)(3,806)
Prepaid assets and other(1,962)(1,189)
Total deferred income tax liabilities(75,362)(72,928)
Total net deferred tax liabilities$(51,429)$(52,127)

Our deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with related valuation allowances, are classified as non-current on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2024 and 2023. 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 recognized animmaterial net decrease in our valuation allowance during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

For state reporting purposes, we have $10.1 million of net operating loss carryforwards that will expire between 2025 and 2043, if not utilized. Based on management’s assessment of the various state net operating losses, it was determined that it is more-likely-than not that we will be able to realize tax benefits on some portion of the amount of the state losses. The valuation allowance at December 31, 2024 was attributable to the deferred tax asset related to a portion of the state operating losses.

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. The deferred tax assets recognized for those net operating losses (“NOLs”) are presented net of these unrecognized tax benefits.

At December 31, 2024, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefit (“UTB”) reserve for uncertain tax positions primarily relates to the uncertainty of receiving audit protection for revenue recognition of cemetery property for the benefit derived from carrying back losses generated in 2018 to tax years with a higher effective tax rate than the current 21.0% rate. Our UTB reserve for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $3.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of year$3,382$3,294$3,761
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period——(533)
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period—8866
Gross increases - tax positions in current period89——
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of year$3,471$3,382$3,294

At December 31, 2024, we expect that the $3.5 million of UTB will be recognized in the next twelve months. We accrued interest of $0.1 million during 2024 and in total, as of December 31, 2024, recognized a liability related to the UTB's noted above for interest of $0.4 million. During 2023, we accrued interest of $0.1 million and in total, as of December 31, 2023, recognized a liability for interest of $0.3 million.

In 2017, we filed amended returns for the tax years ending December 31, 2013, 2014, 2015, resulting in $1.9 million in refunds. These amended returns were selected for a limited scope audit. Additionally, losses incurred in the tax years ending December 31, 2018, and 2019 were carried back to the tax years 2015 and 2016, generating refunds exceeding $5.0 million, which require Joint Committee approval. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the refunds for the tax years 2013, 2014, and 2015 were received; however, the Joint Committee review is still pending. At December 31, 2024, Carriage had not received final correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service indicating the completion of the audits.

As of December 31, 2024, tax years 2013 to 2023 remain subject to examination by taxing authorities.

  1. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Share Authorization

We are authorized to issue 80,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 per share par value. We had 26,881,355 and 26,627,319 shares issued and 15,253,537 and 14,999,501 shares outstanding, net of 11,627,818 shares held in treasury at par, at December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Stock Based Compensation Plans

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we hadtwo stock benefits plans in effect under which stock, restricted stock, stock options and performance awards have been granted or remain outstanding: the Second Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Amended and Restated 2006 Plan”) and the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2017 Plan”). The Amended and Restated 2006 Plan was terminated upon the approval of the 2017 Plan at the annual stockholders meeting on May 17, 2017. The 2017 Plan expires on May 17, 2027. All stock-based plans are administered by the Compensation Committee appointed by our Board of Directors (the “Board”).

At December 31, 2024, we had 2,295,753 shares available to issue under our 2017 Plan. The termination of the Amended and Restated 2006 Plan does not affect the awards previously issued and outstanding.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Granted(1)156,630$3,834142,020$4,634—$—
Returned for payroll taxes16,354$4191,473$504,136$205
Cancelled55,050$1,6231,826$611,950$63
(1)Restricted stock granted during the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 will vest over a three-year period, if the employee has remained continuously employed by us during the vesting period, at a weighted average stock price of $24.48 and $32.63, respectively.

A summary of the number of unvested restricted stock awards and their weighted average grant date fair values during the year ended December 31, 2024 is presented in the table below:

Restricted stock awardsSharesWeighted AverageGrant DateFair Value
Unvested at January 1143,168$32.65
Granted156,630$24.48
Vested(48,268)$32.69
Cancelled(55,050)$29.49
Unvested at December 31196,480$27.01

We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costsand General, administrative and other expenses, for restricted stock awards of $2.0 million , $1.4 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

At December 31, 2024, we had $5.3 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards, which are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

Stock Options

Stock option grants and cancellations are as follows (in thousands, except shares):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Granted(1)370,590$3,830214,191$2,50658,500$959
Granted(2)—$——$—310,000$5,388
Granted(3)—$——$—12,600$143
Cancelled532,266$6,311105,150$1,38045,590$512
(1)Stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 had a weighted average price of $24.48, $32.69 and $49.48, respectively. The fair value of these options was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The options granted in 2024 and 2023 vest over a three-year period and have a ten-year term. The options granted in 2022 vest over a five-year period and have a ten-year term. These options will vest if the employee has remained continuously employed by us through the vesting period.
(2)Stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2022 had a weighted average price of $49.48. The fair value of these options was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and vest over a seven-year period and have a ten-year term. These options will vest if the employee has remained continuously employed by us through the vesting period.
(3)Stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2022 had a weighted average price of $31.58. The fair value of these options was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and vest over a three-year period and have a ten-year term. These options will vest if the employee has remained continuously employed by us through the vesting period.

Additional stock option activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
SharesCashSharesCashSharesCash
Exercised(1)97,548$1,43974,200N/A32,196N/A
Returned for option price(2)28,882$1,11356,957$—18,797$60
Returned for payroll taxes(3)4,482$1745,486$1742,895$123
(1)Stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 had a weighted average exercise price of $26.12, $23.98 and $25.49, respectively.
(2)Represents shares withheld/cash received for the payment of the option price.
(3)Represents shares withheld/cash paid for the payment of payroll taxes.

Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. All of the options granted and outstanding under this plan have either aseven orten-year term. We utilized the Black-Scholes option pricing model and Monte-Carlo simulation pricing model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. These models allow for the use of a range of assumptions related to volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected holding period and dividend yield. The expected volatility utilized in these valuation models is based on the historical volatility of our stock price. The dividend yield and expected holding period are based on historical experience and management's estimate of future events. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve based on the expected life of the option in effect at the time of grant.

The fair value of the options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model was estimated on the date of grant with the following assumptions:

Years Ended December 31,
20242023202220222022
Grant dateFebruary 21February 22February 23February 23September 27
Expected holding period (years)6.04.07.05.04.1
Awards granted370,590214,191310,00058,50012,600
Dividend yield1.79%1.38%0.91%0.91%1.43%
Expected volatility43.59%43.68%34.35%33.18%43.68%
Risk-free interest rate4.31%4.27%1.98%1.89%4.29%
Black-Scholes value$10.34$11.70$17.38$16.39$11.35

The fair value of the options granted using the Monte-Carlo simulation pricing model was estimated on the date of grant with the following assumptions:

Year ended December 31, 2022
Awards granted150,000
Dividend yield1.15%
Expected volatility34.08%
Risk-free interest rate1.29%

A summary of the number of stock options and their weighted average exercise prices during the year ended December 31, 2024 is presented in the table below (shares in thousands):

SharesWtd. Avg.Ex. Price
Outstanding at January 11,603$35.04
Granted371$24.48
Exercised(98)$26.12
Forfeited or expired(532)$36.01
Outstanding at December 311,344$32.39
Exercisable at December 31617$31.54

A summary of the number of stock options and their weighted average grant date fair values during the year ended December 31, 2024 is presented in the table below (shares in thousands):

SharesWtd. Avg.Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1915$12.77
Granted371$10.34
Vested or exercised(220)$11.71
Forfeited(339)$12.43
Non-vested at December 31727$11.98

A summary of the intrinsic value of stock options exercised and the fair value of stock options vested for the three years ended December 31, 2024 is presented in the table below (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Intrinsic value of options exercised$647$538$580
Fair value of stock options vested5,8256,0031,784

The following table further describes our outstanding stock options at December 31, 2024:

Options Outstanding · Options Exercisable
Actual Ranges of Exercise PricesNumber Outstanding at 12/31/24Weighted-AverageRemainingContractual LifeWeighted-AverageExercise PriceNumber Exercisable at 12/31/24Weighted-AverageRemainingContractual LifeWeighted-AverageExercise Price
$18.02 - $18.0213,3335.48$18.0213,3335.48$18.02
$20.06 - $26.54593,4775.39$24.73272,0870.96$25.04
$31.58 - $31.5812,6007.74$31.588,4007.74$31.58
$32.69 - $49.48724,6756.86$38.93323,0206.65$37.59
$18.02 - $49.481,344,0856.20$32.39616,8404.13$31.54

The aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding and exercisable stock options were both $12.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2024. We had $6.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years at December 31, 2024.

We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costsand General, administrative and other expenses, for stock options $2.5 million, $2.9 million and $2.3 million, for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Performance Awards

Performance award activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Granted—$——$—27,013$1,262
Cancelled80,276$87154,229$1,56530,743$295

A summary of the number of performance awards and their weighted average grant date fair values during the year ended December 31, 2024 is presented in the table below:

Performance AwardsSharesWeighted AverageGrant DateFair Value
At January 1377,807$19.81
Cancelled(80,276)$10.85
At December 31297,531$22.23

The performance awards in the table above are presented at the first predetermined growth target. However, at December 31, 2024, certain performance criteria for the third predetermined growth target were satisfied. Therefore, a total of 415,812 shares of common stock are expected to be awarded to participants under this program. There wasno unrecognized compensation cost related to performance awards at December 31, 2024.

We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costsand General, administrative and other expenses, for performance awards of $1.1 million, $1.6 million and $2.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We provide all employees the opportunity to purchase common stock through payroll deductions in our ESPP. Purchases are made quarterly; the price being 85% of the lower of the price on the first day of the plan entry date (beginning of the fiscal year) or the actual date of purchase (end of quarter).

ESPP activity is as follows:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
SharesPriceSharesPriceSharesPrice
ESPP55,850$21.2663,372$23.5852,053$32.38

We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costsand General, administrative and other expenses, for our ESPP of $0.4 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The fair values of the right to purchase shares under the ESPP are estimated at the date of purchase with the four quarterly purchase dates using the following assumptions:

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Dividend yield1.51%1.30%0.01%
Expected volatility41.2%53.5%30.2%
Risk-free interest rate5.46%, 5.24%, 5.02%, 4.80%4.53%, 4.77%, 4.75%,4.72%0.08%, 0.22%, 0.31%, 0.40%
Expected life (years)0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.000.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.000.25, 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 purchase. The expected life of the ESPP grants represents the calendar quarters from the beginning of the year to the purchase date (end of each quarter).

Common Stock

Former Employee

Common stock activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Granted(1)—$—30,000$826—$—
Returned for payroll taxes—$—1,001$28—$—
(1)During the year ended December 31, 2023, we issued 30,000 shares of common stock to a former executive at a stock price of $27.54, in accordance with his Separation and Release Agreement pertaining to his resignation from his position as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer effective January 2, 2023.

We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for

common stock awards of $0.8 million, for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Good to Great Incentive Program

Common stock issued to certain employees under this incentive program is as follows (in thousands, except shares):

Years Ended December 31,
2024 · 2023 · 2022
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
31,470$7908,444$27627,448$1,358
(1)Common stock granted during the year ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 had a grant date stock price of $25.08, $32.69 and $49.48, respectively.

Non-Employee Director and Board Advisor Compensation

On April 2, 2024, the Board revised the Director Compensation Policy to provide that each independent director is entitled to a quarterly retainer of $37,500 payable in cash and/or unrestricted shares of our common stock at the end of each quarter. The chair of the Board, so long as he or she is an independent director, and the chair of our Audit Committee shall be entitled to an additional annual retainer of $20,000, payable in quarterly installments of $5,000 each at the end of each quarter, and the chair of our Compensation Committee is entitled to an additional annual retainer of $15,000, payable in quarterly installments of $3,750 each at the end of each quarter, and the chair of our Corporate Governance Committee is entitled to an additional annual retainer of $10,000, payable in quarterly installments of $2,500 at the end of each quarter.

Any new independent director will receive upon admission to the Board a grant of $25,000 (in addition to the independent director annual retainer prorated at the time the new director is admitted to the Board) which can be taken in cash or unrestricted shares of our common stock. The number of shares of such common stock will be determined by dividing the cash amount by the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, which will be the date of admission to the Board.

Non-employee director and board advisor common stock activity is as follows (in thousands, except shares):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
SharesFair ValueSharesFair ValueSharesFair Value
Board of Directors(1)16,658$51015,059$43111,155$415
Advisor to the Board(1)647$21691$20555$20
(1)Common stock granted during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 had a weighted average price of $30.56, $28.60 and $37.14, respectively.

We recorded compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, related to annual retainers, including the value of stock granted to non-employee Directors and an advisor to our Board, of $1.3 million, $0.8 million and $0.7 million, during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Cash Dividends

Our Board declared the following dividends payable on the dates below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

2024 · Per Share · Dollar Value
March 1st$0.1125$1,686
June 1st$0.1125$1,704
September 1st$0.1125$1,708
December 1st$0.1125$1,709
2023Per ShareDollar Value
March 1st$0.1125$1,661
June 1st$0.1125$1,679
September 1st$0.1125$1,683
December 1st$0.1125$1,685
  1. SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions and satisfying certain financial covenants in our Credit Facility, and in the Indenture governing our Senior Notes, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our Board authorized share repurchase program, in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

On February 23, 2022, our Board authorized an increase in our share repurchase program to permit us to purchase up to an additional $75.0 million under our share repurchase program, in addition to amounts previously authorized and outstanding in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act, which totaled up to $265.0 million in share repurchase authorizations.

Share repurchase activity is as follows (dollar value in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Number of Shares Repurchased——695,496
Average Price Paid Per Share$—$—$49.22
Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased$—$—$34,234

Our shares were purchased in the open market at times and in amounts as management determined appropriate based on factors such as market conditions, legal requirements and other business considerations. Shares purchased pursuant to the repurchase program are currently held as treasury stock. At December 31, 2024, our share repurchase program had $48.9 million authorized for repurchases.

  1. EARNINGS PER SHARE

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 stock awards to our employees are considered participating securities and we have prepared our earnings per share calculations to exclude earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock awards, using the two-class method, in the basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation.

The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income$32,953$33,413$41,381
Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock(432)(306)(26)
Income attributable to common stockholders$32,521$33,107$41,355
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per common share – weighted average shares outstanding14,97114,80314,857
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options5655183
Performance awards416597670
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share – weighted average shares outstanding15,44315,45515,710
Basic earnings per common share:$2.17$2.24$2.78
Diluted earnings per common share:$2.10$2.14$2.63

Stock options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of such stock options would result in an antidilutive effect are as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Antidilutive stock options1,1431,208311

Our performance awards are considered to be contingently issuable shares because their issuance is contingent upon the satisfaction of certain performance and service conditions. At December 31, 2024, we had satisfied certain performance criteria for the first, second and third predetermined growth targets of our performance awards to be considered outstanding. Therefore, we included these awards in the computation of diluted earnings per share as of the beginning of the reporting period.

  1. SEGMENT REPORTING

Our Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”), who is the Chief Executive Officer, utilizes segment operating income (loss) for resource allocation across segments, particularly during the annual budgeting and forecasting processes. The CODM examines variances on a monthly basis to make informed decisions regarding capital and personnel distribution among segments. Additionally, the CODM employs segment gross profit for product pricing evaluation and uses segment adjusted operating profit to assess each segment’s performance by comparing results and return on assets against expected outcomes.

The tables below present revenue, disaggregated by major source for each of our reportable segments, as well as, significant segment expenses, other segment expenses, operating income (loss), depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income (loss) before income taxes, income tax expense (benefit), total assets, long-lived assets, goodwill, capital expenditures and number of operating locations by segment as follows, (in thousands, except number of operating locations) for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

Year Ended, December 31, 2024FuneralCemeteryCorporateTotal
Revenue
Services$163,696$19,355$—$183,051
Merchandise81,03617,482—98,518
Cemetery property—88,414—88,414
Other revenue18,38215,833—34,215
Total revenue263,114141,084—404,198
Less:(1)
Salaries, benefits and commission expenses69,55237,958—107,510
Cost of merchandise27,8318,058—35,889
Allocated overhead costs(2)13,1354,883—18,018
Facilities and grounds expenses10,5616,527—17,088
General and administrative expenses(3)10,3243,616—13,940
Other segment expenses(4)47,45423,45959,041129,954
Operating income (loss)$84,257$56,583$(59,041)$81,799
Depreciation and amortization$11,736$10,161$993$22,890
Interest expense$947$27$31,101$32,075
Income (loss) before income taxes$83,945$56,933$(90,798)$50,080
Income tax expense (benefit)$28,709$19,471$(31,053)$17,127
Total assets$781,006$477,487$21,087$1,279,580
Long-lived assets$628,681$207,427$10,232$846,340
Goodwill$356,869$57,990$—$414,859
Capital expenditures$5,724$8,814$1,560$16,098
Number of operating locations at year end16231—193
(1) The significant expense categories and amounts align with the segment-level information that is regularly provided to the CODM.
(2) Allocated overhead costs include: property insurance costs, property tax expenses and corporate overhead fees allocated to the field, such as information technology, human resources, legal and finance.
(3) General and administrative expenses include: professional services, travel and meals expenses, computer software expenses and office supplies.
(4) The Corporate segment's other segment expenses primarily include general, administrative and other expenses, net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges and amortization and depreciation expenses. The Funeral and Cemetery segment's other segment expenses primarily include transportation costs, other funeral costs, non-payroll related promotional costs, net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges and amortization and depreciation expenses.
Year Ended, December 31, 2023FuneralCemeteryCorporateTotal
Revenue
Services$163,600$18,566$—$182,166
Merchandise85,79516,385—102,180
Cemetery property—67,310—67,310
Other revenue15,38115,483—30,864
Total revenue264,776117,744—382,520
Less:(1)
Salaries, benefits and commission expenses72,21033,962—106,172
Cost of merchandise29,3877,445—36,832
Allocated overhead costs(2)12,7674,147—16,914
Facilities and grounds expenses10,0635,578—15,641
General and administrative expenses(3)10,3013,253—13,554
Other segment expenses(4)48,74221,43642,250112,428
Operating income (loss)$81,306$41,923$(42,250)$80,979
Depreciation and amortization$12,197$8,008$912$21,117
Interest expense$783$8$35,475$36,266
Income (loss) before income taxes$82,453$42,208$(78,232)$46,429
Income tax expense (benefit)$23,115$11,833$(21,932)$13,016
Total assets$802,368$448,018$17,666$1,268,052
Long-lived assets$648,253$209,401$5,732$863,386
Goodwill$364,639$59,004$—$423,643
Capital expenditures$7,483$10,061$495$18,039
Number of operating locations at year end17132—203
(1) The significant expense categories and amounts align with the segment-level information that is regularly provided to the CODM.
(2) Allocated overhead costs include: property insurance costs, property tax expenses and corporate overhead fees allocated to the field, such as information technology, human resources, legal and finance.
(3) General and administrative expenses include: professional services, travel and meals expenses, computer software expenses and office supplies.
(4) The Corporate segment's other segment expenses primarily include general, administrative and other expenses, net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges and amortization and depreciation expenses. The Funeral and Cemetery segment's other segment expenses primarily include transportation costs, other funeral costs, non-payroll related promotional costs, net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges and amortization and depreciation expenses.
Year Ended December 31, 2022FuneralCemeteryCorporateTotal
Revenue
Services$163,904$17,367$—$181,271
Merchandise89,05214,307—103,359
Cemetery property—58,611—58,611
Other revenue13,94712,986—26,933
Total revenue266,903103,271—370,174
Less:(1)
Salaries, benefits and commission expenses70,14228,940—99,082
Cost of merchandise29,9446,483—36,427
Allocated overhead costs(2)11,6483,511—15,159
Facilities and grounds expenses9,9195,268—15,187
General and administrative expenses(3)9,5302,787—12,317
Other segment expenses(4)53,64021,18737,449112,276
Operating income (loss)$82,080$35,095$(37,449)$79,726
Depreciation and amortization$11,591$7,584$624$19,799
Interest expense$753$—$25,142$25,895
Income (loss) before income taxes$85,196$35,126$(63,128)$57,194
Income tax expense (benefit)$23,555$9,712$(17,454)$15,813
Total assets$779,500$396,389$17,061$1,192,950
Long-lived assets$630,599$190,226$4,518$825,343
Goodwill$355,654$54,483$—$410,137
Capital expenditures$14,917$10,566$598$26,081
Number of operating locations at year end17132—203
(1) The significant expense categories and amounts align with the segment-level information that is regularly provided to the CODM.
(2) Allocated overhead costs include: property insurance costs, property tax expenses and corporate overhead fees allocated to the field, such as information technology, human resources, legal and finance.
(3) General and administrative expenses include: professional services, travel and meals expenses, computer software expenses and office supplies.
(4) The Corporate segment's other segment expenses primarily include general, administrative and other expenses, net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges and amortization and depreciation expenses. The Funeral and Cemetery segment's other segment expenses primarily include transportation costs, other funeral costs, non-payroll related promotional costs, net loss on divestitures, disposals and impairment charges and amortization and depreciation expenses.
  1. SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Balance Sheets

The following table presents the detail of certain balance sheet accounts (in thousands):

December 31,
20242023
Prepaid and other current assets:
Prepaid expenses$3,987$3,779
Federal income tax receivable—454
State income tax receivable—421
Other current assets136137
Total prepaid and other current assets$4,123$4,791
Current portion of debt and lease obligations:
Acquisition debt$571$537
Finance lease obligations533592
Operating lease obligations2,8102,713
Total current portion of debt and lease obligations$3,914$3,842
Accrued and other liabilities:
Incentive compensation$12,860$13,156
Salaries and wages4,8672,285
Insurance3,5843,017
Unrecognized tax benefit3,4713,382
Vacation2,8033,647
Ad valorem taxes2,3142,395
Interest2,2882,409
Perpetual care trust payable2,1431,358
Employee meetings and award trips1,5501,185
Commissions1,2181,144
Income tax payable208—
Other accrued liabilities1,3001,384
Total accrued and other liabilities, including HFS38,60635,362
Less: Held for sale(146)—
Total accrued and other liabilities$38,460$35,362
Other long-term liabilities:
Incentive compensation$996$1,855
Other long-term liabilities183—
Total other long-term liabilities$1,179$1,855
  1. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

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

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Cash paid for interest and financing costs$30,629$34,682$24,456
Cash paid for taxes16,65410,4489,713
Land purchased in exchange for debt—2,550—

SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

DescriptionBalance at beginning of yearCharged to costs and expensesDeductionBalance at end of year
Year ended December 31, 2022:
Employee severance accruals$641$1,880$1,361$1,160
Valuation allowance of the deferred tax asset198—17181
Year ended December 31, 2023:
Employee severance accruals$1,160$186$799$547
Valuation allowance of the deferred tax asset181—25156
Year Ended December 31, 2024:
Employee severance accruals$547$6,207$4,233$2,521
Valuation allowance of the deferred tax asset156——156
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