Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 20172018
OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission File Number: 1-11961
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
DELAWARE76-0423828
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
  
3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300
Houston, Texas, 77056
(Address of principal executive offices)
(713) 332-8400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Large accelerated fileroAccelerated filerx
Non-accelerated filer
o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting companyo
  Emerging growth companyo
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x
The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding as of July 24, 201727, 2018 was 16,720,045.19,153,655.
 

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
INDEX
 
 Page
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
  
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
  
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
  
Item 5. Other Information
  
  
  

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.Financial Statements.
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
  (unaudited)  (unaudited)
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$3,286
 $435
$952
 $40,531
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts of $1,071 in 2016 and $1,104 in 201718,860
 17,015
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts of $835 in 2017 and $854 in 201819,655
 17,026
Inventories6,147
 6,327
6,519
 6,616
Prepaid expenses2,640
 1,096
2,028
 1,571
Other current assets2,034
 594
986
 2,460
Total current assets32,967
 25,467
30,140
 68,204
Preneed cemetery trust investments69,696
 70,176
73,853
 70,278
Preneed funeral trust investments89,240
 88,503
90,682
 91,203
Preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts of $2,166 in 2016 and $2,215 in 201730,383
 31,584
Preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts of $2,278 in 2017 and $2,380 in 201831,644
 21,327
Receivables from preneed trusts14,218
 15,077
15,287
 16,313
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $110,509 in 2016 and $110,782 in 2017235,113
 235,468
Cemetery property, net of accumulated amortization of $34,194 in 2016 and $35,764 in 201776,119
 76,995
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $115,776 in 2017 and $120,246 in 2018247,294
 244,579
Cemetery property, net of accumulated amortization of $37,543 in 2017 and $39,342 in 201876,331
 75,599
Goodwill275,487
 275,487
287,956
 287,956
Intangible and other non-current assets14,957
 14,745
18,117
 21,552
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments46,889
 47,539
50,229
 48,600
Total assets$885,069
 $881,041
$921,533
 $945,611
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations$13,267
 $15,237
$17,251
 $2,402
Accounts payable10,198
 6,446
6,547
 5,788
Other liabilities717
 775
1,361
 875
Accrued liabilities20,091
 14,312
17,559
 17,021
Total current liabilities44,273
 36,770
42,718
 26,086
Long-term debt, net of current portion137,862
 129,627
212,154
 7,818
Revolving credit facility66,542
 61,081
Convertible subordinated notes due 2021119,596
 121,955
124,441
 25,425
Senior notes due 2026
 318,807
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion2,630
 2,560
6,361
 6,287
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue54,631
 55,093
54,690
 50,699
Deferred preneed funeral revenue33,198
 34,756
34,585
 27,740
Deferred tax liability42,810
 43,216
31,159
 30,293
Other long-term liabilities2,567
 2,430
3,378
 2,843
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust69,696
 70,176
73,853
 70,278
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust89,240
 88,503
90,682
 91,203
Care trusts’ corpus46,290
 47,015
49,856
 48,154
Total liabilities709,335
 693,182
723,877
 705,633
Commitments and contingencies:
 

 
Stockholders’ equity:  
  
Common stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized and 22,490,855 and 22,569,361 shares issued at December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2017, respectively225
 226
Common stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized and 22,622,242 and 25,677,025 shares issued at December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively226
 257
Additional paid-in capital215,064
 215,694
216,158
 244,215
Retained earnings20,711
 32,205
57,904
 72,138
Treasury stock, at cost; 5,849,316 shares at December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2017(60,266) (60,266)
Treasury stock, at cost; 6,523,370 shares at December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018(76,632) (76,632)
Total stockholders’ equity175,734
 187,859
197,656
 239,978
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$885,069
 $881,041
$921,533
 $945,611
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Revenues:              
Funeral$46,467
 $48,739
 $95,769
 $102,950
$48,739
 $48,532
 $102,950
 $107,126
Cemetery15,398
 15,113
 29,427
 29,059
15,113
 15,315
 29,059
 30,108
61,865
 63,852
 125,196
 132,009
63,852
 63,847
 132,009
 137,234
Field costs and expenses:  
   
  
   
Funeral27,783
 29,422
 55,564
 59,851
29,422
 30,579
 59,851
 64,081
Cemetery8,989
 9,162
 16,851
 17,373
9,162
 9,272
 17,373
 17,915
Depreciation and amortization3,571
 3,647
 6,907
 7,118
3,647
 3,904
 7,118
 7,677
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs2,715
 2,954
 5,764
 5,908
2,954
 3,267
 5,908
 6,548
43,058
 45,185
 85,086
 90,250
45,185
 47,022
 90,250
 96,221
Gross profit18,807
 18,667
 40,110
 41,759
18,667
 16,825
 41,759
 41,013
Corporate costs and expenses:  
   
  
   
General, administrative and other5,831
 6,568
 15,078
 13,415
6,568
 6,380
 13,415
 12,998
Home office depreciation and amortization386
 378
 784
 754
378
 464
 754
 907
6,217
 6,946
 15,862
 14,169
6,946
 6,844
 14,169
 13,905
Operating income12,590
 11,721
 24,248
 27,590
11,721
 9,981
 27,590
 27,108
Interest expense(2,968) (3,206) (5,819) (6,235)(3,206) (4,743) (6,235) (8,478)
Accretion of discount on convertible subordinated notes(954) (1,066) (1,881) (2,103)(1,066) (555) (2,103) (1,715)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 
 (567) 
Net loss on early extinguishment of debt
 (936) 
 (936)
Other, net
 
 305
 3

 
 3
 2
Income before income taxes8,668
 7,449
 16,286
 19,255
7,449
 3,747
 19,255
 15,981
Provision for income taxes(3,468) (2,980) (6,515) (7,702)(2,980) (1,030) (7,702) (4,395)
Tax adjustment related to certain discrete items
 (59) 
 (59)(59) 30
 (59) 517
Total provision for income taxes$(3,468) $(3,039) $(6,515) $(7,761)(3,039) (1,000) $(7,761) $(3,878)
Net income$5,200
 $4,410
 $9,771
 $11,494
$4,410
 $2,747
 $11,494
 $12,103
              
Basic earnings per common share:$0.31
 $0.26
 $0.59
 $0.69
$0.26
 $0.15
 $0.69
 $0.71
Diluted earnings per common share:$0.30
 $0.24
 $0.57
 $0.63
$0.24
 $0.15
 $0.63
 $0.67
              
Dividends declared per common share$0.025
 $0.050
 $0.050
 $0.100
$0.050
 $0.075
 $0.100
 $0.150
              
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:              
Basic16,516
 16,652
 16,488
 16,625
16,652
 17,916
 16,625
 17,010
Diluted17,075
 18,093
 16,862
 18,083
18,093
 18,245
 18,083
 17,924
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited and in thousands)
For the Six Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 20172017 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income$9,771
 $11,494
$11,494
 $12,103
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
  
Depreciation and amortization7,691
 7,872
7,872
 8,584
Provision for losses on accounts receivable1,052
 1,112
1,112
 883
Stock-based compensation expense2,303
 1,609
1,609
 2,009
Deferred income tax expense1,116
 406
406
 2,044
Amortization of deferred financing costs420
 408
408
 320
Amortization of capitalized commissions on preneed contracts
 293
Accretion of discount on convertible subordinated notes1,881
 2,103
2,103
 1,715
Loss on early extinguishment of debt567
 
Net (gain) loss on sale and disposal of other assets(67) 311
Amortization of debt discount on senior notes
 38
Net loss on early extinguishment of debt
 936
Net loss on sale and disposal of other assets311
 45
      
Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided (required) cash:  
  
Accounts and preneed receivables(2,271) (468)(468) (779)
Inventories and other current assets1,303
 2,804
2,804
 (1,139)
Intangible and other non-current assets300
 211
211
 (102)
Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments4,941
 (1,252)(1,252) 3,657
Accounts payable(1,148) (3,750)(3,750) (758)
Accrued and other liabilities1,735
 (5,102)(5,102) (819)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenue(669) 2,020
2,020
 2,007
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust(3,939) 468
468
 (4,756)
Net cash provided by operating activities24,986
 20,246
20,246
 26,281
  
  
Cash flows from investing activities:  
  
Acquisitions and land for new construction(9,406) (625)
Purchase of land and buildings previously leased(6,258) 
Net proceeds from the sale of other assets555
 
Acquisition and land for new construction(625) 
Capital expenditures(7,830) (8,790)(8,790) (5,080)
Net cash used in investing activities(22,939) (9,415)(9,415) (5,080)
  
  
Cash flows from financing activities:  
  
Payments against the term loan(5,625) (127,500)
Borrowings from the revolving credit facility27,100
 36,800
36,800
 96,000
Payments against the revolving credit facility(59,700) (42,400)(42,400) (188,000)
Borrowings from the term loan39,063
 
Payments against the term loan(5,625) (5,625)
Payment of debt issuance costs related to long-term debt
 (1,551)
Redemption of the 2.75% convertible subordinated notes
 (75,229)
Payment of transaction costs related to the redemption of the 2.75% convertible subordinated notes
 (845)
Proceeds from the issuance of the 6.625% senior notes
 320,125
Payments of debt issuance costs related to the 6.625% senior notes
 (1,367)
Payments on other long-term debt and obligations under capital leases(689) (723)(723) (828)
Payments on contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date
 (101)(101) (138)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan contributions457
 544
544
 846
Taxes paid on restricted stock vestings and exercise of non-qualified options(528) (509)(509) (495)
Dividends paid on common stock(831) (1,668)(1,668) (2,640)
Payment of loan origination costs related to the credit facility(717) 
Excess tax deficiency of equity compensation(229) 
Net cash used in financing activities(1,699) (13,682)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(13,682) 18,378
  

  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents348
 (2,851)(2,851) 39,579
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period535
 3,286
3,286
 952
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$883
 $435
$435
 $40,531
      
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1.BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company
Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a leading U.S. provider of deathcarefuneral and cemetery services and merchandise in the United States.merchandise. As of June 30, 2017,2018, we operated 171178 funeral homes in 2829 states and 32 cemeteries in 11 states.
Our operations are reported in two business segments: Funeral Home Operations, which currently account for approximately 78% of our revenues and Cemetery Operations. Operations, which currently account for approximately 22% of our revenues.
Our funeral homes offer a complete range of high value personal services to meet a family’s funeral needs, including consultation, the removal and preparation of remains, the sale of caskets and related funeral merchandise, the use of funeral home facilities for visitation and remembrance services and transportation services. Our cemeteries provide interment rights (grave sites and mausoleum spaces) and related merchandise, such as markers and outer burial containerscontainers. We market funeral and cemetery services and products on both on an at-need“atneed” (time of death) and preneed“preneed” (planned prior to death) basis.
Principles of Consolidation and Interim Condensed Disclosures
Our unaudited consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Our interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, which consist of normal, recurring accruals, that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations as of and for the interim periods presented. Our unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting principles described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statementstatements presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, goodwill, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience, third-party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, as there can be no assurance that our results of operations will be consistent from year to year.
Revenue Recognition - Funeral and CemeteryHome Operations
Our funeral home operations are principally service businesses that generate revenues 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 use of funeral home facilities for visitation and remembrance services and transportation services. We provide funeral services and products on both an atneed and preneed basis.
Funeral arrangements sold at the time of death are referred to as atneed funeral contracts. We record the revenue from sales ofatneed funeral and cemetery merchandise and servicescontracts when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Cemetery interment rightsMerchandise delivery and service performance generally takes place shortly after the time of need. Payment is due at or before time of transfer. Outstanding balances due from customers, if any, on atneed funeral contracts are recordedincluded in Accounts receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Funeral arrangements sold prior to death occurring are referred to as revenue in accordance withpreneed funeral contracts. In many instances, the accounting provisions for real estate sales. This method providescustomer pays for the recognitionpreneed contract over a period of revenuetime. The performance of a preneed funeral contract is secured by placing the funds

collected, less amounts that we may retain under state regulations, in trust for the benefit of the customer or by the customer's purchase of a life insurance policy, the proceeds of which will pay for such services at the time of need. These methods are intended to fund preneed funeral contracts, cover the original contract price and generally include an element of growth (earnings) designed to offset future inflationary cost increases.
Revenue from preneed funeral contracts, along with accumulated earnings, is deferred until the time the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. The principal and accumulated earnings of the trusts are withdrawn at maturity (death) or cancellation. The cumulative trust income earned and the increases in insurance benefits on the insurance products are recognized when the service is performed. The amounts deposited in trusts that we control are included in the periodnon-current asset section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Beginning January 1, 2018, balances due on undelivered preneed funeral trust contracts have been reclassified to reduce Deferred preneed funeral revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, as noted in whichour table of Deferred Revenue in Note 3 to the customer’s cumulative payments exceed 10%Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information related to our adoption of the interment right contract price. Interment right costs, which include real property and other costs related to cemetery development, are expensed using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognizednew revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018.
The earnings from our preneed funeral trust investments, as revenue. We recorded amortization expense for cemetery property of approximately $1.1 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively, and $2.1 million and $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Allowances for bad debts and customer cancellations are provided at the date that the sale is recognizedwell as revenue and are based on our historical experience. We also monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted.
When preneed sales of funeral services and merchandise are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission on the sale of the policies. Insurance commissions are recognized as revenues at the point at which the commission

is no longer subject to refund, which is typically one year after the policy is issued. Preneed selling costs consist of sales commissions that we pay our sales counselors and other direct related costs of originating preneed sales contracts. These costs are expensed when incurred.
Trusttrust management fees are earned by us for investment management and advisory services that are providedcharged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisoradvisory firm (“CSV RIA”). are recorded as Preneed trust earnings - funeral, as noted in our table of disaggregated revenues in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. As of June 30, 2017,2018, CSV RIA provided these services to two institutions,one institution, which havehas custody of 79%77% of our trust assets, for a fee based on the market value of trust assets. Under state trust laws, we are allowed to charge the trust a fee for advising on the investment of the trust assets and these fees are recognized as income in the period in which services are provided.
When preneed funeral contracts are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission on the sale of the policies. Insurance commissions are recorded as Preneed funeral commission income, as noted in our table of disaggregated revenues in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein, at the point at which the commission is no longer subject to refund, which is typically one year after the policy is issued. Preneed funeral contracts to be funded at maturity by insurance policies totaled $371.5 million at June 30, 2018 and are not included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on our revenues.
Revenue Recognition - Cemetery Operations
Our cemetery operations generate revenues primarily through sales of cemetery interment rights (primarily grave sites, lawn crypts, mausoleum spaces and niches), related cemetery merchandise (such as outer burial containers, memorial markers and floral placements) and services (interments, inurnments and installation of cemetery merchandise). We provide cemetery services and products on both an atneed and preneed basis.
Cemetery arrangements sold at the time of death are referred to as atneed cemetery contracts. We record the revenue from atneed cemetery contracts when the product is delivered or the service is performed. Payment is due at or before time of transfer. Outstanding balances due from customers, if any, on completed atneed contracts are included in Accounts receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Cemetery arrangements sold prior to death occurring are referred to as preneed cemetery contracts. Preneed cemetery contracts are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years. In substantially all cases, we receive an initial down payment at the time the contract is signed.
We record revenue on the sales of cemetery property interment rights at the time the contract is signed. Customers select a specific location and space for their interment right, thus, restricting us from other use or transfer of the contracted cemetery property. The interment right is deeded to the customer when the contract is paid in full. Revenue from preneed sales of cemetery merchandise and services contracts, along with accumulated earnings, is not recognized until the time the merchandise is transferred or the service is performed. Earnings on these installment contracts are recorded as Preneed cemetery finance charges, as noted in our table of disaggregated revenues in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
The performance of the preneed cemetery contracts is secured by placing the funds collected, less amounts that we may retain under state regulations, in trust for the benefit of the customer, the proceeds of which will pay for such services at the time of need. This method is intended to fund preneed contracts, cover the original contract price and generally include an element of growth (earnings) designed to offset future inflationary cost increases. The amounts deposited in trusts that we control are included in the non-current asset section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The earnings from preneed cemetery contracts placed in trust, as well as the trust management fees charged by our CSV RIA are recorded as Preneed trust earnings - cemetery, as noted in our table of disaggregated revenues in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
Balances due from customers on delivered preneed cemetery contracts are included in Accounts receivable and Preneed receivables on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Beginning January 1, 2018, balances due on undelivered preneed cemetery contracts have been reclassified to reduce Deferred preneed cemetery revenue on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, as noted in our table of Deferred Revenue in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial

Statements included herein for additional information related to our adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018.
Interment right costs, which include real property and other costs related to cemetery development, are expensed using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue. We recorded amortization expense for cemetery interment rights of approximately $0.8 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively and approximately $1.6 million and $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on our revenues.
Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations
Some of our contracts with customers include multiple performance obligations. For these contracts, we allocate 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. Packages for service and ancillary items are offered to help the customer make decisions during emotional/stressful times. Package discounts are reflected net in Services Revenue. 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.
Allowances for bad debts and customer cancellations
Our funeral receivables recorded in Accounts Receivable, net primarily consist of amounts due for funeral services already performed which were $8.5 million and $6.7 million at December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively. We estimate an allowance for doubtful accounts on these receivables based on our historical experience, which amounted to 2.5% and 3.0% of funeral receivables at December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively. In addition, our other funeral receivables not related to funeral services performed were $0.8 million and $0.6 million at December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively.
Our cemetery financed receivables totaled $40.5 million and $42.2 million at December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively. The unearned finance charges associated with these receivables were $5.7 million at both December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018. If a preneed contract is canceled prior to delivery, state law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer. Allowances for bad debts and customer cancellations on cemetery financed receivables are provided at the date that the sale is recognized as revenue and are based on our historical experience. We also monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted. We have a collections policy where past due notifications are sent to the customer beginning at 15 days past due and periodically thereafter until the contract is cancelled or payment is received. We reserve 100% of the receivables on contracts in which the revenue has been recognized and payments are 90 days past due or more, which was approximately 4.9% of the total receivables at both December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on cemetery financed receivables.
Our cemetery receivables recorded in Accounts Receivable, net also include approximately $1.3 million and $1.1 million related to perpetual care income receivables at December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018, respectively. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on our perpetual care trust investments.
Accounts receivable was comprised of the following at December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 (in thousands):
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Funeral receivables, net of allowance for bad debt of $514 and $523, respectively$8,664
 $6,798
Cemetery receivables, net of allowance for bad debt of $557 and $581, respectively9,862
 9,991
Funeral receivables, net of allowance for bad debt of $213 and $202, respectively$9,061
 $7,099
Cemetery receivables, net of allowance for bad debt of $622 and $652, respectively10,331
 9,550
Other receivables334
 226
263
 377
Accounts receivable, net$18,860
 $17,015
$19,655
 $17,026
Non-current preneed receivables recorded in Preneed Receivables, net represent payments expected to be received beyond one year from the balance sheet date. Preneed receivables were comprised of the following at December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 (in thousands):
 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017
Funeral receivables, net of allowance for bad debt of $862 and $909, respectively$7,761
 $8,178
Cemetery receivables, net of allowance for bad debt of $1,304 and $1,306, respectively22,622
 23,406
Preneed receivable, net$30,383
 $31,584
 December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Funeral receivables, net of allowance for bad debt of $882$7,934
 $
Cemetery receivables, net of allowance for bad debt of $1,396 and $1,460, respectively23,710
 21,327
Preneed receivables, net$31,644
 $21,327

Bad debt expense totaled approximately $0.5$0.7 million and $0.7$0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively and $1.0approximately $1.1 million and $1.1$0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively.
Capitalized Commissions on Preneed Contracts
Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which impacted our accounting for incremental selling costs, primarily commission costs, related to preneed cemetery merchandise and services and preneed funeral trust contracts.
Upon adoption of Topic 606, 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. We recorded a cumulative net adjustment of approximately $2.1 million to Retained earnings on our opening Consolidated Balance Sheets on January 1, 2018. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information regarding our opening balance sheet adjustment. Our capitalized commissions on preneed contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average maturity period for our preneed cemetery merchandise and services contracts and preneed funeral trust contracts, of eight and ten years, respectively. Amortization expense totaled approximately $144,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and $293,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018. There were no impairment losses recognized during this period.
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 Sheet.
See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information related to our adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018.
See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information regarding our capitalized commissions on preneed contracts.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment (including equipment under capital leases) 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 (including equipment under capital leases) is computed based on the straight-line method.
Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following at December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 (in thousands):
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Land$73,744
 $73,889
$74,981
 $74,981
Buildings and improvements195,214
 198,825
211,934
 211,938
Furniture, equipment and automobiles76,664
 73,536
76,155
 77,906
Property, plant and equipment, at cost345,622
 346,250
363,070
 364,825
Less: accumulated depreciation(110,509) (110,782)(115,776) (120,246)
Property, plant and equipment, net$235,113
 $235,468
$247,294
 $244,579
We recorded depreciation expense of approximately $2.8$3.2 million and $3.2$3.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively and $5.5approximately $6.3 million and $6.3$6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, we acquired real estate for $0.6 million for a funeral home parking lot expansion project. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we acquired real estate for $2.7 million for various funeral home expansion projects and we purchased land and buildings at four funeral homes that were previously leased for approximately $6.3 million.
Goodwill
The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of funeral home businesses acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has primarily been recorded in connection with the acquisition of funeral home businesses. The funeral segment reporting units consist of our East, CentralGoodwill has an indefinite life and West regions in the United States. Goodwill is tested annuallynot subject to amortization. As such, we test goodwill for impairment by assessing the fair value of each of our reporting units,on an annual basis, using information as of August 31st31st each year. Our intent is to perform thea quantitative impairment test at least once every three years unless certain indicators or events suggest otherwise. otherwise and perform a qualitative assessment during the remaining two years.
We conducted

qualitative assessments in 2014 and 2015; however, for2017. For our 2016 annual impairment test, however, we performed the two-stepa quantitative goodwill quantitative impairment test. See Part II, Item 7, Overview of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Item 8. Financial
Effective January
Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 1, to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, we adoptedfor a discussion of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), Intangibles (Topic 350): Goodwill and Other. The guidance simplifies subsequent measurement of goodwill and eliminates Step 2 frommethodology used for the goodwill impairment test, which should reduce the cost and complexity of evaluating goodwill for impairment. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Instead, impairment is defined as the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, up to the total amount of goodwill.test.
In addition to our annual review, 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 adverse changes in the business climate, which may be indicated by a decline in our market capitalization or decline in operating results. No such events or changes occurred between our testing date and reporting period to trigger a subsequent impairment review. No impairments were recorded to our goodwill during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018.
Intangible Assets
Our intangible assets include tradenames resulting from acquisitions and are included in Intangible and other non-current assets 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, using information as of August 31st each year. Our intent is to perform a quantitative impairment test at least once every three years unless certain indicators or events suggest otherwise and perform a qualitative assessment during the remaining two years.
We conducted qualitative assessments in 2017. For our 2016 annual impairment test, however, we performed a quantitative impairment test using the relief from royalty method. See Part II, Item 7, Overview of Critical Accounting Policies and 2017.Estimates and Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 1, to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, for a discussion of the methodology used for the intangibles impairment test.
In addition to our annual review, 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. No impairments were recorded to our intangible assets during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018.
Stock Plans and Stock-Based Compensation
We have stock-based employee and director compensation plans under which we grant restricted stock, stock options and performance awards. We also have an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”(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.
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. The fair value of the performance awards related to market performance is determined using a Monte-Carlo simulation pricing model. The fair value of the performance awards related to internal performance metrics is determined using the stock price on the grant date. 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.
Effective January 1, 2017, we adopted the FASB’s ASU, Compensation: (Topic 718): Stock Compensation. The guidance simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.
The guidance requires that previously unrecognized excess tax benefits should be recognized on a modified retrospective basis. Entities are required to record a deferred tax asset for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits outstanding as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. At January 1, 2017, we performed an analysis for unrecognized excess tax benefits and deficiencies and determined that there were no adjustments to retained earnings, as there are no unrecognized excess tax benefits.
The guidance also requires that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement on a prospective basis. The tax effects of exercised or vested awards should be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the excess tax deficiency related to share-based payments was approximately $59,000, recorded within Tax adjustment related to certain discrete items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, excess tax benefits or deficiencies related to share-based payments are now included in operating cash flows rather than financing cash flows.
The guidance also allows for a one-time accounting policy election to either account for forfeitures as they occur or continue to estimate forfeitures as required by current guidance. The Company has elected to continue estimating forfeitures under the current guidance.
The guidance also requires that the presentation of employee taxes paid when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows and applied retrospectively. This resulted in $0.5 million of employee taxes paid from withheld shares being presented as financing activities on our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for both the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017. Prior to January 1, 2017, these amounts were presented as operating activities on our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

We adopted all of the provisions of this amendment in accordance with the transition requirements and it did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
See Note 1113 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on our stock-based compensation plans.
Income Taxes
We and our subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, separate income tax returns in 1516 states in which we operate and combined or unitary income tax returns in 13 states in which we operate. We record deferred taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities.
We record a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized.
We analyze the 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.
Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items, which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, but are not limited to, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of income tax returns, tax audit settlements, tax effects of exercised or vested stock-based awards and increases or decreases in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets.
Income tax expense was $3.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017.
We recorded income taxes at the estimated effective rate, before discrete items, of 40.0% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017. approximately 27.5% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease in the estimated effective tax rate, before discrete items, is primarily attributable to the reduction of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate from 35% to 21% resulting from enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”). The discrete items include an income tax benefit related to stock compensation and refunds received from the completion of state income tax audits, income tax expense related to state tax rate changes and other non-material discrete state items.
Income tax expense was $6.5approximately $3.0 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively and approximately $7.8 million and $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to $7.8 million2017 and 2018, respectively.
Regulatory changes from the TCJA negatively impacted the effective tax rate for the first six months ended June 30, 2017.
Correction of Immaterial Error
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we corrected an immaterial error related to 2013. The adjustment related2018 by 0.2% due to the correctionrepeal of the deferred tax liability fordomestic production activities deduction and by 0.3% due to the difference in bookexclusion of performance based compensation from the overall executive compensation deduction limitation. Additionally, regulatory changes to the deductibility of meals and tax basis of certain assets. The error had the impact of understating the deferred tax liability and overstating net income in 2013. Management evaluated the effect of the adjustment on previously issued interim and annual consolidated financial statements in accordanceentertainment along with the SEC's Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99 and SAB 108 and concluded that it was immaterialstate conformity to the interim and annual periods. Asfederal bonus depreciation rules both had a result, in accordance with SAB No. 108, we corrected our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 1, 2015.
The effect of this adjustment on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 is as follows (dollars in thousands):
  % Change
Increase in Deferred tax liability$2,255
5.6%
Increase in Total liabilities$2,255
0.3%
Decrease in Retained earnings$2,255
9.8%
Decrease in Total stockholders' equity$2,255
1.3%
The amounts related to balances in the prior year that are affected by these adjustments have been revised in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets from those amounts previously reported. This adjustment had nonon-material negative rate impact on our Consolidated Statements of Operations or Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for any periods presented.the effective tax rate.
Subsequent Events
Management evaluated events and transactions during the period subsequent to June 30, 20172018 through the date the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements covered by this report.
See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on our subsequent events.
2.RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Stock-Based Compensation
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU, Compensation: (Topic 718): Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting. The amendments provide guidance about which changes to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless the fair value, vesting conditions and classification of the modified award are the same as the original award immediately before the award

is modified. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted for all entities. The amendments should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Our adoption of this ASU for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018 is not expected to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements under Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the ASC. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognizerecognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Under the new guidance,Topic 606, an entity is required to perform the following five steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The new guidance will significantly enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. Additionally, the guidance requires improved disclosures as to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period.
We plan to adoptadopted the provisions of this ASU on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. As such, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.
Topic 606 did not materially affect the accounting for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018.revenue streams. Revenue from sales of preneed cemetery interment rights was previously recognized in the period in which the customer’s cumulative payments exceeded 10% of the contract price related to the interment right. Under Topic 606, we recognize revenue at the time the contract is signed. Customers select a specific location and space for their interment right, thus, restricting us from other use or transfer of the contracted cemetery property. The interment right is deeded to the customer when the contract is paid in full. Because we generally receive an initial down payment at the time the contract is signed, there is no significant difference in the timing of revenue recognition under Topic 606, as compared to previous guidance. Revenue from preneed sales of funeral and cemetery merchandise and services continues to be deferred and recognized when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed.
We expect the adoption of this new accounting standard to affectTopic 606 impacted our accounting for theincremental selling costs, primarily commission costs, related to preneed cemetery merchandise and services. Theseservices and preneed funeral trust contracts. Under Topic 606, these costs will beare capitalized and amortized over the typical financing term of five years. average maturity period for our preneed cemetery contracts and preneed funeral trust contracts. Previously, these costs were expensed in the period incurred. Our capitalized commissions on preneed contracts are included in Intangible and other non-current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information.
The selling costs related to the sales of cemetery interment rights, which include real property and other costs related to cemetery development activities, will continue to be charged to operationsexpensed using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the cemetery interment right is recognized as revenue.
Currently, our sales of cemetery interment rights are recorded as revenue in accordance with the retail land sales provisions for accounting for sales of real estate. This method provides for the recognition of revenue The selling costs related to preneed funeral insurance contracts continue to be expensed in the period in which the customer’s cumulative payments exceed 10%incurred as these contracts are not included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Topic 606 also impacted our classification of amounts due from customers for undelivered performance obligations. Under Topic 606 amounts due on our preneed funeral trust contracts and preneed cemetery merchandise and services contracts have been reclassified to reduce Deferred preneed funeral revenue and Deferred preneed cemetery revenue, respectively, on our Consolidated

Balance Sheets. These amounts were previously reported as Accounts receivable and Preneed receivables on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The adoption of the contract price related to the interment right. Upon further review, we doprovisions of this ASU did not expect the new accounting standard to significantlyhave a material impact on our current accountingeffective tax rate for the cemetery interment rights. We do not expectreporting period.
The following table presents the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard to materially affect our accounting for other revenue streams.
We are currently modifying our financial systems to provide accounting under the new method in addition to our current method and do not anticipate any business disruption related to adopting this guidance. We are continually evaluating the impactTopic 606 on our Consolidated Balance Sheet (in thousands):
 As of June 30, 2018
 As Reported Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change
Assets     
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts$17,026
 $18,450
 $(1,424)
Preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts$21,327
 $32,746
 $(11,419)
Intangible and other non-current assets$2,816
 $
 $2,816
Liabilities     
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue, net$50,699
 $55,264
 $(4,565)
Deferred preneed funeral revenue, net$27,740
 $36,018
 $(8,278)
Deferred tax liability$30,293
 $29,636
 $657
Stockholders’ equity:     
Retained earnings$72,138
 $69,979
 $2,159
The following table presents the impact of the adoption of Topic 606 on our Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands, except per share data):
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
As
Reported
 Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change 
As
Reported
 Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change
Field costs and expenses:           
Funeral$33,238
 $33,267
 $(29) $69,604
 $69,672
 $(68)
Cemetery$9,880
 $9,869
 $11
 $18,940
 $18,910
 $30
Income before income taxes$3,747
 $3,729
 $18
 $15,981
 $15,943
 $38
Net income$2,747
 $2,734
 $13
 $12,103
 $12,075
 $28
            
Basic earnings per common share:$0.15
 $0.15
 $
 $0.71
 $0.71
 $
Diluted earnings per common share:$0.15
 $0.15
 $
 $0.67
 $0.67
 $
            
Dividends declared per common share$0.075
 $0.075
 $
 $0.075
 $0.075
 $

The following table presents the impact of the adoption of Topic 606 on our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
As
Reported
 Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change 
As
Reported
 Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:           
Amortization of capitalized commissions on preneed contracts$144
 $
 $144
 $293
 $
 $293
Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided (required) cash:           
Intangible and other non-current assets$(162) $
 $(162) $(331) $
 $(331)
The cumulative effect of changes made to our opening Consolidated Balance Sheet on January 1, 2018 for the adoption of Topic 606 was as follows (in thousands):
 December 31, 2017 Effect of Adoption of
Topic 606
 January 1, 2018
Assets     
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts(1)
$19,655
 $(1,399) $18,256
Preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts(2)(3)
$31,644
 $(11,129) $20,515
Intangible and other non-current assets(4)
$
 $2,778
 $2,778
   $(9,750)  
Liabilities     
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue(1)(2)
$54,690
 $(4,594) $50,096
Deferred preneed funeral revenue(3)
$34,585
 $(7,934) $26,651
Deferred tax liability(4)
$31,159
 $647
 $31,806
Stockholders’ equity:     
Retained earnings(4)
$57,904
 $2,131
 $60,035
   $(9,750)  
(1)Under Topic 606, receivables represent an entity’s unconditional right to consideration, billed or unbilled. Our balance of accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts, of $19.7 million at December 31, 2017, included the current portion of receivables for preneed cemetery merchandise and service contracts totaling $1.4 million. As these amounts represent undelivered performance obligations, they have been reclassified to reduce deferred preneed cemetery revenue on January 1, 2018.
(2)Under Topic 606, receivables represent an entity’s unconditional right to consideration, billed or unbilled. Our balance of preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts, of $31.6 million at December 31, 2017, included the non-current portion of receivables for preneed cemetery merchandise and service contracts totaling $4.6 million. As these amounts represent undelivered performance obligations, they have been reclassified to reduce deferred preneed cemetery revenue on January 1, 2018.
(3)Under Topic 606, receivables represent an entity’s unconditional right to consideration, billed or unbilled. Our balance of preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts, $31.6 million at December 31, 2017, included the non-current portion of receivables for preneed funeral trust contracts totaling $7.9 million. As these amounts represent undelivered performance obligations, they have been reclassified to reduce deferred preneed funeral revenue on January 1, 2018.
(4)
Under Topic 606, certain costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer are capitalized. Beginning January 1, 2018, we capitalize selling costs related to undelivered preneed cemetery merchandise and services and preneed funeral trust contracts. Previously, these costs were expensed in the period incurred. We recorded a cumulative adjustment of approximately $2.1 million to our opening Retained earnings, which consisted of a $2.8 million adjustment to our Intangible and other non-current assets and a $0.6 million adjustment to our Deferred tax liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets on January 1, 2018.



The following accounting pronouncements were adopted on January 1, 2018 with no impact to our Consolidated Financial StatementsStatements:
Compensation (Topic 718): Stock Compensation – Scope of Modification Accounting
The amendments in this ASU provide guidance about which changes to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless the fair value, vesting conditions and classification of the modified award are the same as the original award immediately before the award is modified.
Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business
This ASU applies to all entities that must determine whether they have acquired or sold a business. The amendments in this ASU clarify the definition of a business with more recentthe objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses.
Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
This ASU applies to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The amendments provide guidance on eight specific cash flow issues and includes clarification on how these items should be classified in the statement of cash flows and is designed to help eliminate diversity in practice as to where items are classified in the cash flow statement. In November 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance on this topic that requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the statement of cash flows.
Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
The amendments in this ASU address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial information.instruments and apply to all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities. The amendments in this ASU also simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring assessment for impairment qualitatively at each reporting period. That impairment assessment is similar to the qualitative assessment for long-lived assets, goodwill, and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, presentation, and disclosure of leases and applies to all entities that enter into a lease, with some specified scope exemptions. The amendments in this ASU aim to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted for all entities. Both lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach, which recognizes the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard as an adjustment to retained earnings at the date of initial application. We plan to adopt the provisions of this ASU for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019 and are currently evaluating the impactdo not expect the adoption of this new accounting standard willto have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

3.REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
Revenues
Our operations are reported in two business segments: Funeral Home Operations and Cemetery Operations. Revenues, disaggregated by major source for each of our reportable segments was as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018      
  Funeral Cemetery Total
Services $29,023
 $2,949
 $31,972
Merchandise 17,296
 2,372
 19,668
Cemetery interment rights 
 7,863
 7,863
Revenue from contracts with customers $46,319
 $13,184
 $59,503
       
Preneed funeral commission income $354
 $
 $354
Preneed trust earnings 1,728
 1,433
 3,161
Preneed trust management fees 131
 202
 333
Preneed cemetery finance charges 
 496
 496
Financial revenues $2,213
 $2,131
 $4,344
Total Revenues $48,532
 $15,315
 $63,847
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017      
  Funeral Cemetery Total
Services $29,205
 $2,926
 $32,131
Merchandise 17,475
 2,166
 19,641
Cemetery interment rights 
 7,543
 7,543
Revenue from contracts with customers $46,680
 $12,635
 $59,315
       
Preneed funeral commission income $333
 $
 $333
Preneed trust earnings 1,590
 1,828
 3,418
Preneed trust management fees 136
 200
 336
Preneed cemetery finance charges 
 450
 450
Financial revenues $2,059
 $2,478
 $4,537
Total Revenues $48,739
 $15,113
 $63,852
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018      
  Funeral Cemetery Total
Services $64,587
 $6,069
 $70,656
Merchandise 38,014
 4,330
 42,344
Cemetery interment rights 
 15,372
 15,372
Revenue from contracts with customers $102,601
 $25,771
 $128,372
       
Preneed funeral commission income $614
 $
 $614
Preneed trust earnings 3,642
 2,982
 6,624
Preneed trust management fees 269
 412
 681
Preneed cemetery finance charges 
 943
 943
Financial revenues $4,525
 $4,337
 $8,862
Total Revenues $107,126
 $30,108
 $137,234

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017      
  Funeral Cemetery Total
Services $62,004
 $5,925
 $67,929
Merchandise 36,638
 4,010
 40,648
Cemetery interment rights 
 14,448
 14,448
Revenue from contracts with customers $98,642
 $24,383
 $123,025
       
Preneed funeral commission income $636
 $
 $636
Preneed trust earnings 3,398
 3,343
 6,741
Preneed trust management fees 274
 401
 675
Preneed cemetery finance charges 
 932
 932
Financial revenues $4,308
 $4,676
 $8,984
Total Revenues $102,950
 $29,059
 $132,009
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue is presented net of amounts due on undelivered preneed contracts shown below as of January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018 (in thousands):
 
January 1, 2018(1)
 June 30, 2018
Contract liabilities:   
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue$54,690
 $55,264
Less: Balances due on undelivered cemetery preneed contracts(2)
(4,594) (4,565)
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue, net$50,096
 $50,699
    
Deferred preneed funeral revenue$34,585
 $36,018
Less: Balances due on undelivered funeral preneed contracts(3)
(7,934) (8,278)
Deferred preneed funeral revenue, net$26,651
 $27,740
(1)January 1, 2018 balances have been adjusted to reflect the cumulative effect of changes for the adoption of ASC 606.
(2)In accordance with Topic 606, $1.4 million of cemetery accounts receivables have been reclassified to reduce deferred preneed cemetery revenue at both January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018 and $3.2 million of preneed cemetery receivables have been reclassified to reduce deferred preneed cemetery revenue at both January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018.
(3)In accordance with Topic 606, $7.9 million and $8.3 million of preneed funeral receivables have been reclassified to reduce deferred preneed funeral revenue at January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018, respectively.
Our merchandise and service performance obligations related to our preneed contracts are considered fulfilled at the point in time the merchandise is delivered or the burial, cremation or interment service is performed. The transaction price allocated to preneed merchandise and service performance obligations that were unfulfilled at June 30, 2018 was $4.6 million for preneed cemetery contracts and $8.3 million for preneed funeral contracts. As these performance obligations are to be completed after the date of death, we cannot quantify the recognition of revenue for any given period. However, we estimate an average maturity period of eight years for preneed cemetery contracts and ten years for preneed funeral contracts.

4.    PRENEED TRUST INVESTMENTS
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments
Preneed cemetery trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are permitted to withdraw as servicesmerchandise and merchandiseservices are provided to customers. Preneed cemetery contracts are secured by payments from customers, less retained amounts not required to be deposited into trust. Preneed cemetery trust investments can be reduced by the trust earnings we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to our performance.
The components of Preneed cemetery trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Preneed cemetery trust investments, at market value$71,834
 $72,336
$75,992
 $72,413
Less: allowance for contract cancellation(2,138) (2,160)(2,139) (2,135)
Preneed cemetery trust investments, net$69,696
 $70,176
$73,853
 $70,278
Upon cancellation of a preneed cemetery contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus, and in some instances, a portion of all of the earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust, including investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being underfunded, we assess whether we are responsible for replenishing the corpus of the trust, in which case a loss provision is recorded. At June 30, 2017,2018, none of our preneed cemetery trust investments were underfunded.
Earnings from our preneed cemetery trust investments are recognized as revenue when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Trust management fees charged by CSV RIA are included in revenue in the period in which they are earned.
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, investments held by the trusts are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy. Our Level 1 investments include cash and common stock. Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of similar securities in active markets or other inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are fixed income securities, including municipal bonds, foreign debt, corporate debt, preferred stocks, mortgage-backed securities and fixed income mutual funds, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. We review and update our fair value hierarchy classifications quarterly. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.2018. There are no Level 3 investments in the preneed cemetery trust investment portfolio. See Note 78 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further information on the fair value measurement and the three-level hierarchy.
The cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at June 30, 20172018 are detailed below (in thousands)thousands, except percentages):
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1 $5,565
 $
 $
 $5,565
1 $6,997
 $
 $
 $6,997
Fixed income securities:                
Foreign debt2 4,826
 212
 (252) 4,786
2 4,528
 127
 (247) 4,408
Corporate debt2 19,323
 969
 (637) 19,655
2 17,905
 559
 (856) 17,608
Preferred stock2 16,304
 185
 (496) 15,993
2 11,482
 57
 (572) 10,967
Mortgage-backed securities2 1,151
 264
 (22) 1,393
2 928
 328
 (14) 1,242
Common stock1 23,621
 2,425
 (2,975) 23,071
1 28,100
 4,741
 (3,365) 29,476
Mutual funds:                
Fixed Income2 1,198
 66
 (1) 1,263
2 1,201
 17
 (59) 1,159
Trust securities $71,988
 $4,121
 $(4,383) $71,726
 $71,141
 $5,829
 $(5,113) $71,857
Accrued investment income $610
     $610
 $556
     $556
Preneed cemetery trust investments       $72,336
       $72,413
Market value as a percentage of cost       99.6%       101.0%

The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):
Due in one year or less$15
$19
Due in one to five years2,922
3,299
Due in five to ten years5,519
4,246
Thereafter33,371
26,661
Total$41,827
$34,225
The cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at December 31, 20162017 are detailed below (in thousands)thousands, except percentages):
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1 $10,852
 $
 $
 $10,852
1 $3,132
 $
 $
 $3,132
Fixed income securities:                
Municipal bonds2 496
 18
 (4) 510
Foreign debt2 7,574
 160
 (656) 7,078
2 4,834
 292
 (193) 4,933
Corporate debt2 20,621
 1,569
 (1,123) 21,067
2 18,238
 1,184
 (273) 19,149
Preferred stock2 16,287
 8
 (947) 15,348
2 16,421
 510
 (588) 16,343
Mortgage-backed securities2 949
 372
 (4) 1,317
2 1,018
 249
 (24) 1,243
Common stock1 13,250
 2,191
 (1,838) 13,603
1 26,465
 5,250
 (2,460) 29,255
Mutual funds:                
Fixed income 1,223
 107
 
 1,330
2 1,198
 50
 (11) 1,237
Trust securities $71,252
 $4,425
 $(4,572) $71,105
 $71,306
 $7,535
 $(3,549) $75,292
Accrued investment income $729
     $729
 $700
     $700
Preneed cemetery trust investments       $71,834
       $75,992
Market value as a percentage of cost       99.8%       105.6%
We determine whether or not the assets in the preneed cemetery trust investments have an other-than-temporary impairment on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria, including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis of the investment due to an other-than-temporary impairment is likewise recorded as a reduction in Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. WeIn the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, we did not record any impairments in the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017 for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. In the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded a $0.7 million impairment and no impairments have been recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2017. There is no impact on earnings until such time that the loss is realized in the trusts, allocated to preneed contracts and the services are performed or the merchandise is delivered, causing the contract to be withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations.

At June 30, 2017,2018, we had certain investments within our preneed cemetery trust investments that had tax lots in loss positions for more than one year. Based on our analyses of these securities, the companies’ businesses and current market conditions, we determined that these investment losses were temporary in nature.

Our preneed cemetery trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of June 30, 20172018 are shown in the following table (in thousands):
June 30, 2017June 30, 2018
In Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months TotalIn Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months Total
Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized LossesFair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:                      
Foreign debt$504
 $(32) $1,600
 $(220) $2,104
 $(252)$1,821
 $(99) $1,015
 $(148) $2,836
 $(247)
Corporate debt5,580
 (469) 571
 (168) 6,151
 (637)9,084
 (643) 968
 (213) 10,052
 (856)
Preferred stock405
 (1) 8,399
 (495) 8,804
 (496)5,395
 (162) 4,687
 (410) 10,082
 (572)
Mortgage-backed securities221
 (22) 
 
 221
 (22)
 
 68
 (14) 68
 (14)
Common stock7,961
 (1,874) 2,922
 (1,101) 10,883
 (2,975)9,570
 (1,491) 2,885
 (1,874) 12,455
 (3,365)
Mutual Funds:                      
Fixed Income340
 (1) 
 
 340
 (1)825
 (59) 
 
 825
 (59)
Total temporary impaired securities$15,011
 $(2,399) $13,492
 $(1,984) $28,503
 $(4,383)$26,695
 $(2,454) $9,623
 $(2,659) $36,318
 $(5,113)
Our preneed cemetery trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of December 31, 20162017 are shown in the following table (in thousands):
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
In Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months TotalIn Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months Total
Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized LossesFair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:                      
Municipal bonds$228
 $(4) $
 $
 $228
 $(4)
Foreign debt2,523
 (180) 2,868
 (475) 5,391
 (655)$151
 $(6) $1,637
 $(187) $1,788
 $(193)
Corporate debt6,939
 (233) 2,168
 (890) 9,107
 (1,123)3,735
 (72) 846
 (201) 4,581
 (273)
Preferred stock3,217
 (121) 11,635
 (826) 14,852
 (947)48
 
 8,109
 (588) 8,157
 (588)
Mortgage-backed securities51
 (5) 
 
 51
 (5)127
 (15) 27
 (9) 154
 (24)
Common stock2,608
 (202) 3,385
 (1,636) 5,993
 (1,838)8,249
 (1,512) 1,742
 (948) 9,991
 (2,460)
Mutual Funds:           
Fixed Income496
 (11) 
 
 496
 (11)
Total temporary impaired securities$15,566
 $(745) $20,056
 $(3,827) $35,622
 $(4,572)$12,806
 $(1,616) $12,361
 $(1,933) $25,167
 $(3,549)
Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions recorded in Other, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Investment income$677
 $692
 $968
 $1,281
$692
 $474
 $1,281
 $899
Realized gains181
 1,395
 289
 2,215
1,395
 18
 2,215
 871
Realized losses(928) (929) (3,408) (1,312)(929) (750) (1,312) (1,357)
Expenses and taxes(350) (332) (693) (877)(332) (221) (877) (272)
Decrease (increase) in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust420
 (826) 2,844
 (1,307)
Net change in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust(826) 479
 (1,307) (141)
$
 $
 $
 $
$
 $
 $
 $

Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed cemetery trusts for the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Purchases$(7,215) $(10,831) $(18,106) $(18,440)$(10,831) $(6,882) $(18,440) $(10,258)
Sales$4,676
 $7,208
 $12,030
 $13,189
7,208
 6,340
 13,189
 13,899
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. Preneed funeral trust investments are reduced by the trust earnings we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to our performance.
The components of Preneed funeral trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Preneed funeral trust investments, at market value$91,980
 $91,225
$93,341
 $93,987
Less: allowance for contract cancellation(2,740) (2,722)(2,659) (2,784)
Preneed funeral trust investments, net$89,240
 $88,503
$90,682
 $91,203
Upon cancellation of a preneed funeral contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus and in some instances, a portion of all earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust, including investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being underfunded, we assess whether we are responsible for replenishing the corpus of the trust, in which case a loss provision is recorded. At June 30, 2017,2018, none of our preneed funeral trust investments were underfunded.
Earnings from our preneed funeral trust investments are recognized as revenue when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Trust management fees charged by CSV RIA are included in revenue in the period in which they are earned.
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, investments held by the trusts are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy. Our Level 1 investments include cash, U.S. treasury debt and common stock. Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, then fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of similar securities in active markets or other inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are fixed income securities, including municipal bonds, foreign debt, corporate debt, preferred stocks, mortgage-backed securities and fixed income mutual funds and other investments, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. We review and update our fair value hierarchy classifications quarterly. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.2018. There are no Level 3 investments in the preneed funeral trust investment portfolio. See Note 78 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further information on the fair value measurement and the three-level hierarchy.

The cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at June 30, 20172018 are detailed below (in thousands)thousands, except percentages):
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1 $16,550
 $
 $
 $16,550
1 $23,912
 $
 $
 $23,912
Fixed income securities:                
U.S treasury debt1 1,491
 16
 (5) 1,502
1 1,490
 6
 (28) 1,468
Foreign debt2 4,910
 219
 (252) 4,877
2 4,515
 129
 (243) 4,401
Corporate debt2 20,373
 1,007
 (654) 20,726
2 18,110
 520
 (874) 17,756
Preferred stock2 16,934
 261
 (501) 16,694
2 11,549
 49
 (575) 11,023
Mortgage-backed securities2 1,360
 282
 (24) 1,618
2 1,061
 341
 (16) 1,386
Common stock1 23,659
 2,460
 (2,986) 23,133
1 27,604
 4,686
 (3,301) 28,989
Mutual funds:                
Fixed income2 2,030
 72
 (45) 2,057
2 1,525
 17
 (89) 1,453
Other investments2 3,430
 
 
 3,430
2 3,040
 
 
 3,040
Trust securities $90,737
 $4,317
 $(4,467) $90,587
 $92,806
 $5,748
 $(5,126) $93,428
Accrued investment income $638
     $638
 $559
     $559
Preneed funeral trust investments       $91,225
       $93,987
Market value as a percentage of cost       99.8%       100.7%
The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):
Due in one year or less$16
$21
Due in one to five years4,562
5,057
Due in five to ten years5,881
4,182
Thereafter34,958
26,774
Total$45,417
$36,034

The cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at December 31, 20162017 are detailed below (in thousands)thousands, except percentages):
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1 $22,787
 $
 $
 $22,787
1 $14,349
 $
 $
 $14,349
Fixed income securities:                
U.S. treasury debt1 1,491
 21
 (10) 1,502
1 1,490
 10
 (15) 1,485
Municipal bonds2 447
 17
 (4) 460
Foreign debt2 7,692
 170
 (677) 7,185
2 4,870
 298
 (189) 4,979
Corporate debt2 21,454
 1,566
 (1,134) 21,886
2 18,963
 1,197
 (278) 19,882
Preferred stock2 17,037
 64
 (970) 16,131
2 16,335
 501
 (585) 16,251
Mortgage-backed securities2 1,165
 400
 (5) 1,560
2 1,187
 263
 (27) 1,423
Common stock1 13,675
 2,256
 (1,850) 14,081
1 26,129
 5,253
 (2,468) 28,914
Mutual funds:                
Fixed income2 2,124
 115
 (66) 2,173
2 1,974
 52
 (48) 1,978
Other investments2 3,463
 
 
 3,463
2 3,341
 
 
 3,341
Trust securities $91,335
 $4,609
 $(4,716) $91,228
 $88,638
 $7,574
 $(3,610) $92,602
Accrued investment income $752
     $752
 $739
     $739
Preneed funeral trust investments       $91,980
       $93,341
Market value as a percentage of cost       99.9%       104.5%

We determine whether or not the assets in the preneed funeral trust investments have other-than-temporary impairments on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis of the investment due to an other-than-temporary impairment is likewise recorded as a reduction to Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. WeIn the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, we did not record any impairments in the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017 for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. In the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded a $0.8 million impairment and no impairments have been recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2017. There is no impact on earnings until such time that the loss is realized in the trusts, allocated to preneed contracts and the services are performed or the merchandise is delivered, causing the contract to be withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations.
At June 30, 2017,2018, we had certain investments within our preneed funeral trust investments that had tax lots in loss positions for more than one year. Based on our analyses of these securities, the companies’ businesses and current market conditions, we determined that these investment losses were temporary in nature.
Our preneed funeral trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of June 30, 20172018 are shown in the following table (in thousands):
June 30, 2017June 30, 2018
In Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months TotalIn Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months Total
Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized LossesFair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:                      
U.S. treasury debt$838
 $(5) $
 $
 $838
 $(5)$1,310
 $(28) $
 $
 $1,310
 $(28)
Foreign debt536
 (34) 1,593
 (218) 2,129
 (252)1,853
 (101) 966
 (142) 2,819
 (243)
Corporate debt5,727
 (485) 592
 (169) 6,319
 (654)9,208
 (661) 960
 (213) 10,168
 (874)
Preferred stock431
 (1) 8,451
 (500) 8,882
 (501)5,600
 (168) 4,586
 (407) 10,186
 (575)
Mortgage-backed securities259
 (23) 9
 (1) 268
 (24)
 
 164
 (16) 164
 (16)
Common stock7,966
 (1,872) 2,872
 (1,114) 10,838
 (2,986)9,459
 (1,440) 2,873
 (1,861) 12,332
 (3,301)
Mutual Funds:                      
Fixed income448
 (3) 619
 (42) 1,067
 (45)859
 (61) 246
 (28) 1,105
 (89)
Insurance:439
 
 
 
 439
 
Total temporary impaired securities$16,205
 $(2,423) $14,136
 $(2,044) $30,341
 $(4,467)$28,728
 $(2,459) $9,795
 $(2,667) $38,523
 $(5,126)
Our preneed funeral trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of December 31, 20162017 are shown in the following table (in thousands):
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
In Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months TotalIn Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months Total
Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized LossesFair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:                      
U.S. treasury debt$834
 $(10) $
 $
 $834
 $(10)$1,325
 $(15) $
 $
 $1,325
 $(15)
Municipal bonds244
 (5) 
 
 244
 (5)
Foreign debt2,654
 (186) 2,905
 (490) 5,559
 (676)159
 (6) 1,608
 (183) 1,767
 (189)
Corporate debt6,977
 (215) 2,234
 (919) 9,211
 (1,134)3,770
 (74) 842
 (203) 4,612
 (277)
Preferred stock3,420
 (128) 11,750
 (842) 15,170
 (970)50
 
 8,184
 (585) 8,234
 (585)
Mortgage-backed securities55
 (5) 11
 (1) 66
 (6)221
 (17) 36
 (10) 257
 (27)
Common stock2,795
 (216) 3,390
 (1,634) 6,185
 (1,850)8,001
 (1,496) 1,728
 (972) 9,729
 (2,468)
Mutual funds:                      
Fixed income97
 (7) 644
 (58) 741
 (65)549
 (12) 615
 (37) 1,164
 (49)
Total temporary impaired securities$17,076
 $(772) $20,934
 $(3,944) $38,010
 $(4,716)$14,075
 $(1,620) $13,013
 $(1,990) $27,088
 $(3,610)

Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Investment income$703
 $686
 $1,043
 $1,277
$686
 $479
 $1,277
 $891
Realized gains250
 1,472
 394
 2,296
1,472
 11
 2,296
 2,907
Realized losses(978) (933) (3,374) (1,312)(933) (782) (1,312) (1,391)
Expenses and taxes(446) (377) (693) (716)(377) (334) (716) (478)
Decrease (increase) in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust471
 (848) 2,630
 (1,545)
Net change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust(848) 626
 (1,545) (1,929)
$
 $
 $
 $
$
 $
 $
 $
Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed funeral trusts for the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Purchases$(7,024) $(10,974) $(18,431) $(18,582)$(10,974) $(7,153) $(18,582) $(10,439)
Sales$5,211
 $7,242
 $12,669
 $13,243
7,242
 6,617
 13,243
 14,212
4.5.    PRENEED CEMETERY RECEIVABLES
Preneed sales of cemetery interment rights and related products and services are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years, with such interest income reflected as Preneed cemetery finance charges. In substantially all cases, we receive an initial down payment at the time the contract is signed. At
Our cemetery financed receivables at December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017, our total financed preneed receivables were $40.0 million, of which $29.4 million and $10.6 million were for cemetery interment rights and for merchandise and services, respectively. These amounts2018 are presented on our consolidated balance sheet as $11.6 million within Accounts receivable and $28.4 million within Preneed receivables and exclude unearned finance charges and allowance for contract cancellations. follows (in thousands):
 December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018 
Accounts receivable, including unearned finance charges and allowance for contract cancellations of $2,779 and $2,820, respectively$11,843
 $12,712
(1) 
Preneed receivables, including unearned finance charges and allowance for contract cancellations of $4,922 and $4,984, respectively
28,631
 29,453
(2) 
Preneed cemetery financed receivables$40,474
 $42,165
 
(1)In accordance with Topic 606, $1.4 million of cemetery accounts receivable has been reclassified to reduce deferred preneed cemetery revenue at June 30, 2018.
(2)In accordance with Topic 606, $3.2 million of preneed cemetery receivables has been reclassified to reduce deferred preneed cemetery revenue at June 30, 2018.
The unearned finance charges associated with these receivables were $5.7 million and $5.8 million at both December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 2017, respectively.2018.
We determine an allowance for customer cancellations and refunds on contracts in which revenue has been recognized on sales of cemetery interment rights. We have a collections policy where past due notifications are sent to the customer beginning at 15 days past due and periodically thereafter until the contract is cancelled or payment is received. We reserve 100% of the receivables on contracts in which the revenue has been recognized and payments are 90 days past due or more, which was approximately 4.5%4.9% of the total receivables on recognized sales at June 30, 2017.2018. An allowance is recorded at the date that the contract is executed and periodically adjusted thereafter based upon actual collection experience at the business level. 

For the six months ended June 30, 2017,2018, the change in the allowance for contract cancellations was as follows (in thousands):
June 30, 2017June 30, 2018
Beginning balance$1,861
$2,019
Write-offs and cancellations(696)(478)
Provision722
570
Ending balance$1,887
$2,111
The aging of past due financingpreneed cemetery financed receivables as of June 30, 20172018 was as follows (in thousands):
31-60
Past Due
 
61-90
Past Due
 
91-120
Past Due
 
>120
Past Due
 
Total Past
Due
 Current 
Total Financing
Receivables
31-60
Past Due
 
61-90
Past Due
 
91-120
Past Due
 
>120
Past Due
 
Total Past
Due
 Current 
Total Financed
Receivables
Recognized revenue$528
 $346
 $162
 $1,165
 $2,201
 $27,112
 $29,313
$742
 $323
 $145
 $1,372
 $2,582
 $28,679
 $31,261
Deferred revenue219
 161
 81
 350
 811
 9,846
 10,657
233
 110
 34
 367
 744
 10,160
 10,904
Total contracts$747
 $507
 $243
 $1,515
 $3,012
 $36,958
 $39,970
Total$975
 $433
 $179
 $1,739
 $3,326
 $38,839
 $42,165

5.6.    RECEIVABLES FROM PRENEED TRUSTS
The receivables from preneed trusts represent assets in trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which we do not have a controlling financial interest (less than 50%) in the trust assets. We account for these investments at cost. As of December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 2017,2018, receivables from preneed trusts were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Preneed trust funds, at cost$14,658
 $15,543
$15,759
 $16,818
Less: allowance for contract cancellation(440) (466)(472) (505)
Receivables from preneed trusts, net$14,218
 $15,077
$15,287
 $16,313
The following summary reflects the composition of the assets held in trust and controlled by third parties to satisfy our future obligations under preneed arrangements related to the preceding contracts at June 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017. The cost basis includes reinvested interest and dividends that have been earned on the trust assets. Fair value includes the unrealized gains and losses on trust assets.
The composition of the preneed trust funds at June 30, 20172018 was as follows (in thousands):
Historical
Cost Basis
 Fair Value
Historical
Cost Basis
 Fair Value
As of June 30, 2017   
As of June 30, 2018   
Cash and cash equivalents$3,859
 $3,860
$4,043
 $4,043
Fixed income investments9,080
 9,080
10,066
 10,066
Mutual funds and common stocks2,588
 2,607
2,703
 2,652
Annuities16
 16
6
 6
Total$15,543
 $15,563
$16,818
 $16,767
The composition of the preneed trust funds at December 31, 20162017 was as follows (in thousands):
Historical
Cost Basis
 Fair Value
Historical
Cost Basis
 Fair Value
As of December 31, 2016   
As of December 31, 2017   
Cash and cash equivalents$3,378
 $3,378
$3,903
 $3,903
Fixed income investments8,809
 8,809
9,306
 9,306
Mutual funds and common stocks2,455
 2,463
2,544
 2,567
Annuities16
 16
6
 6
Total$14,658
 $14,666
$15,759
 $15,782

6.7.CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE TRUST INVESTMENTS
Care trusts’ corpus on our Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the corpus of those trusts plus undistributed income. The components of Care trusts’ corpus as of December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Trust assets, at market value$46,889
 $47,539
$50,229
 $48,600
Obligations due from trust(599) (524)(373) (446)
Care trusts’ corpus$46,290
 $47,015
$49,856
 $48,154
We are required by various state laws to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trust funds. The income earned from these perpetual care trusts offsets maintenance expenses for cemetery property and memorials. This trust fund income is recognized, as earned, in Revenues: Cemetery.and is recorded in Accounts Receivable, net until received from the trust. Trust management fees charged by CSV RIA are included in revenue in the period in which they are earned. At June 30, 2017,2018, none of our cemetery perpetual care trust investments were underfunded.
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, investments held by the trusts are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy. Our Level 1 investments include cash and common stock. Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, then fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of similar securities in active markets or other inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are fixed income securities, including municipal bonds, foreign debt, corporate debt, preferred stock, mortgage-backed securities and fixed income mutual funds, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. We review and update our fair value hierarchy

classifications quarterly. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.2018. There are no Level 3 investments in the cemetery perpetual care trust investment portfolio. See Note 78 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further information of the fair value measurement and the three-level valuation hierarchy.
The following table reflects the cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at June 30, 20172018 (in thousands)thousands, except percentages):
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1 $3,106
 $
 $
 $3,106
1 $4,936
 $
 $
 $4,936
Fixed income securities:                
Foreign debt2 3,546
 164
 (176) 3,534
2 3,395
 83
 (183) 3,295
Corporate debt2 13,121
 639
 (424) 13,336
2 12,403
 363
 (564) 12,202
Preferred stock2 11,396
 126
 (348) 11,174
2 8,392
 51
 (393) 8,050
Mortgage-backed securities2 695
 159
 (13) 841
2 575
 203
 (9) 769
Common stock1 14,609
 1,450
 (1,883) 14,176
1 17,384
 2,835
 (2,152) 18,067
Mutual funds:                
Fixed Income2 904
 52
 (1) 955
2 926
 17
 (49) 894
Trust securities $47,377
 $2,590
 $(2,845) $47,122
 $48,011
 $3,552
 $(3,350) $48,213
Accrued investment income $417
     $417
 $387
     $387
Cemetery perpetual care investments       $47,539
       $48,600
Market value as a percentage of cost       99.5%       100.4%
The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):
Due in one year or less$9
$11
Due in one to five years1,876
2,460
Due in five to ten years3,843
2,995
Thereafter23,157
18,850
$28,885
$24,316

The following table reflects the cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 20162017 (in thousands)thousands, except percentages):
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Market
Value
Cash and money market accounts1 $6,522
 $
 $
 $6,522
1 $1,906
 $
 $
 $1,906
Fixed income securities:                
Municipal bonds2 365
 13
 (3) 375
Foreign debt2 5,100
 99
 (435) 4,764
2 3,580
 227
 (134) 3,673
Corporate debt2 13,715
 966
 (821) 13,860
2 12,557
 805
 (187) 13,175
Preferred stock2 11,323
 5
 (664) 10,664
2 11,545
 364
 (411) 11,498
Mortgage-backed securities2 569
 223
 (3) 789
2 621
 152
 (15) 758
Common stock1 8,259
 1,382
 (1,146) 8,495
1 16,326
 3,116
 (1,595) 17,847
Mutual funds:                
Fixed income2 855
 76
 
 931
2 913
 42
 (10) 945
Trust securities $46,708
 $2,764
 $(3,072) $46,400
 $47,448
 $4,706
 $(2,352) $49,802
Accrued investment income $489
     $489
 $427
     $427
Cemetery perpetual care investments       $46,889
       $50,229
Market value as a percentage of cost       99.3%       105.0%
We determine whether or not the assets in the cemetery perpetual care trusts have an other-than-temporary impairment on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-

than-temporary,other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis due to an other-than-temporary impairment is also recorded as a reduction to Care trusts’ corpus. WeIn the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, we did not record any impairments in the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017 for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. In the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded a $0.4 million impairment and no impairments have been recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2017. There is no impact on earnings until such time that the loss is realized in the trusts, allocated to preneed contracts and the services are performed or the merchandise is delivered, causing the contract to be withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations.
At June 30, 2017,2018, we had certain investments within our perpetual care trust investments that had tax lots in loss positions for more than one year. Based on our analyses of these securities, the companies’ businesses and current market conditions, we determined that these investment losses were temporary in nature.
Our perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the periods ended June 30, 20172018 are shown in the following table (in thousands):
June 30, 2017June 30, 2018
In Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months TotalIn Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months Total
Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized LossesFair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:                      
Foreign debt$304
 $(19) $1,090
 $(157) $1,394
 $(176)$1,426
 $(78) $722
 $(105) $2,148
 $(183)
Corporate debt3,695
 (320) 350
 (104) 4,045
 (424)6,204
 (417) 709
 (147) 6,913
 (564)
Preferred stock244
 (1) 6,139
 (347) 6,383
 (348)3,662
 (103) 3,438
 (290) 7,100
 (393)
Mortgage-backed securities133
 (13) 
 
 133
 (13)
 
 42
 (9) 42
 (9)
Common stock4,883
 (1,215) 1,723
 (668) 6,606
 (1,883)5,987
 (901) 1,939
 (1,251) 7,926
 (2,152)
Mutual Funds:                      
Fixed Income339
 (1) 
 
 339
 (1)633
 (49) 
 
 633
 (49)
Total temporary impaired securities$9,598
 $(1,569) $9,302
 $(1,276) $18,900
 $(2,845)$17,912
 $(1,548) $6,850
 $(1,802) $24,762
 $(3,350)

Our perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the periods ended December 31, 20162017 are shown in the following table (in thousands):
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
In Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months TotalIn Loss Position Less than 12 months In Loss Position Greater than 12 months Total
Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized LossesFair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:                      
Municipal bonds$137
 $(3) $
 $
 $137
 $(3)
Foreign debt1,619
 (120) 1,961
 (315) 3,580
 (435)$92
 $(3) $1,128
 $(131) $1,220
 $(134)
Corporate debt4,679
 (152) 1,439
 (669) 6,118
 (821)2,621
 (59) 555
 (128) 3,176
 (187)
Preferred stock2,038
 (77) 8,329
 (587) 10,367
 (664)29
 
 5,492
 (411) 5,521
 (411)
Mortgage-backed securities31
 (3) 
 
 31
 (3)76
 (10) 16
 (5) 92
 (15)
Common stock1,563
 (121) 2,004
 (1,025) 3,567
 (1,146)5,119
 (991) 1,108
 (604) 6,227
 (1,595)
Mutual funds:           
Fixed income433
 (10) 
 
 433
 (10)
Total temporary impaired securities$10,067
 $(476) $13,733
 $(2,596) $23,800
 $(3,072)$8,370
 $(1,073) $8,299
 $(1,279) $16,669
 $(2,352)
Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Other, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Realized gains$65
 $644
 $112
 $925
$644
 $22
 $925
 $304
Realized losses(433) (481) (1,682) (630)(481) (312) (630) (526)
Decrease (increase) in care trusts’ corpus368
 (163) 1,570
 (295)
Net change in care trusts’ corpus(163) 290
 (295) 222
Total$
 $
 $
 $
$
 $
 $
 $
Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Revenues: Cemetery for the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Investment income$1,504
 $1,586
 $2,980
 $3,292
$1,586
 $1,463
 $3,292
 $2,996
Realized gain, net(195) (108) (458) (608)(108) (398) (608) (715)
Total$1,309
 $1,478
 $2,522
 $2,684
$1,478
 $1,065
 $2,684
 $2,281
Purchases and sales of investments in the perpetual care trusts for the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Purchases$(5,194) $(6,861) $(11,952) $(11,874)$(6,861) $(4,742) $(11,874) $(6,670)
Sales$3,122
 $4,503
 $7,870
 $8,390
4,503
 4,431
 8,390
 9,397
7.8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
We evaluate our financial assets and liabilities for those financial assets and liabilities that meet the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms. Our long-term debt and Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9) areis classified within Level 2 of the Fair Value Measurement hierarchy. The fair values of our long-term debt and Credit Facility approximate the carrying values of these instruments based on the index yields of similar securities compared to U.S. Treasury yield curves. The fair value of the 2.75% convertible subordinated notes due 2021 was approximately $187.6$34.3 million at June 30, 20172018 based on the last traded or broker quoted price. The fair value of the 6.625% senior notes due 2026 was approximately $329.3 million at June 30, 2018 based on the last traded or broker quoted price. We identified

investments in fixed income securities, common stock and mutual funds presented within the preneed and perpetual care trust investment categories on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as having met the criteria for fair value measurement. As of June 30, 2017,2018, we did not have any assets that had fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value.
We account for our investments as available-for-sale and measure them at fair value under the standards of financial accounting and reporting for investments in equity instruments that have readily determinable fair values and for all investments in debt securities. See Notes 34 and 67 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for the fair value hierarchy levels of our trust investments.
8.9.     INTANGIBLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Intangibles and other non-current assets at December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Prepaid agreements not-to-compete, net of accumulated amortization of $5,501 and $5,773, respectively$3,244
 $3,051
Prepaid agreements not-to-compete, net of accumulated amortization of $6,051 and $6,343, respectively$3,730
 $3,515
Tradenames11,663
 11,663
14,372
 14,372
Capitalized commissions on preneed contracts, net of accumulated amortization of $293
 2,816
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $13
 849
Other50
 31
15
 
Intangible and other non-current assets$14,957
 $14,745
$18,117
 $21,552
Prepaid agreements not-to-compete are amortized over the term of the respective agreements, ranging generally from one to ten years. Amortization expense for our prepaid agreements not-to-compete was approximately $99,000$136,000 and $136,000$153,000 for the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively and $202,000approximately $272,000 and $272,000$292,000 for the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively.
Our tradenames have indefinite lives and therefore are not amortized.

Topic 606 impacted our accounting for selling costs related to preneed cemetery merchandise and services and preneed funeral trust contracts. Under Topic 606, these costs are capitalized and amortized over the average maturity period for our preneed cemetery contracts and preneed funeral trust contracts. We estimate an average maturity period of eight years for preneed cemetery contracts and ten years for preneed funeral trust contracts. These costs are included in Intangible and other non-current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2018. Previously, these costs were expensed in the period incurred. Amortization expense for our capitalized commissions on preneed contracts was approximately $144,000 and $293,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on our opening balance sheet entry on January 1, 2018 to Intangible and other non-current assets related to these capitalized commissions on preneed contracts.
9.At June 30, 2018, the unamortized debt issuance costs related to our New Credit Facility (as defined in Note 10) are being amortized over the remaining term of the related debt using the straight-line method and are recorded in Intangible and other non-current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization of debt issuance costs related to our New Credit Facility was approximately $13,000 for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further discussion of our New Credit Facility.
10.LONG-TERM DEBT
On April 25, 2018, we entered into an eighth amendment and commitment increase (the “Eighth Amendment”) to our former secured credit facility, dated as of August 30, 2012 (as amended, the “Former Credit Agreement”), which amended the Former Credit Agreement as follows:
(i) increase the aggregate revolving credit commitment to $200 million;
(ii) permit the Company to use the proceeds of revolving loans; (a) to repay certain indebtedness; (b) for working capital and acquisitions; (c) to make certain capital expenditures; (d) to pay interest on certain subordinated indebtedness and refinancing indebtedness (subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions); (e) to prepay, repay, purchase or redeem certain subordinated indebtedness; and (f) for general corporate purposes;
(iii) modify the maximum senior secured leverage ratio covenant; and
(iv) release the mortgage liens of the Administrative Agent on certain real property collateral located in a flood plain, among other things.

Following the effectiveness of the Eighth Amendment, the Former Credit Agreement was comprised of a $200 million revolving credit facility and a $150 million term loan. Under the Former Credit Agreement, as amended by the Eighth Amendment, we were required to comply with a covenant to maintain a maximum senior secured leverage ratio. We incurred approximately $0.7 million in transaction costs related to the Eighth Amendment of our Former Credit Agreement, which were recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt.
On May 7, 2018, we used the remaining capacity from the Eighth Amendment to redeem approximately 80% of the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of our 2.75% convertible subordinated notes due March 15, 2021 (the “Convertible Notes”). We recognized (i) a net gain of approximately $1.2 million related to the redemption of our Convertible Notes; and (ii) a loss of approximately $0.5 million related to transaction costs incurred for the redemption of our Convertible Notes, all of which were recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further discussion of the redemption of our Convertible Notes.
On May 31, 2018, we completed the issuance of $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior notes due 2026 (the “Senior Notes”). See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further discussion of the sale of the Senior Notes.
On May 31, 2018, we used approximately $291.4 million of the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes to repay all amounts outstanding under our Former Credit Agreement and all commitments thereunder were terminated. In connection with the repayment in full of all amounts due thereunder, the Former Credit Agreement was retired and $2.0 million of letters of credit previously issued under the Former Credit Agreement were deemed issued under (and remain outstanding under) the New Credit Facility (as defined below). We did not incur any material early termination penalties in connection with the repayment of the Former Credit Agreement. In connection with the termination of the Former Credit Agreement, we recognized (i) a loss of approximately $0.7 million related to the Eighth Amendment transaction costs; and (ii) a loss of approximately $0.9 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Former Credit Agreement, all of which were recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized a net loss of $0.9 million, which was recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt and consisted of the following: (i) a loss of approximately $1.6 million related to our Former Credit Agreement (discussed above); and (ii) a net gain of approximately $0.7 million related to the redemption of our Convertible Notes (discussed above).
On May 31, 2018, in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, we entered into a new $150 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “New Credit Facility”) with Credit Facility Guarantors (as defined below), the financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. Our obligations under the New Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the same subsidiaries which guarantee the Senior Notes and certain of our subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “Credit Facility Guarantors”).
At closing, we had no outstanding borrowings under the New Credit Facility and $148.0 million of availability after giving effect to the $2.0 million of letters of credit previously issued under the Former Credit Agreement that were deemed issued under (and remain outstanding under) the New Credit Facility. The New Credit Facility includes an accordion feature allowing for future increases in the facility size by an additional amount of up to $75.0 million. The New Credit Facility matures on May 31, 2023. Interest will accrue on amounts outstanding under the New Credit Facility at either a prime rate or a LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin based upon our total leverage ratio.
We incurred approximately $0.9 million in transactions costs related to our New Credit Facility, which were capitalized and will be amortized over the remaining term of the related debt using the straight-line method and are recorded in Intangible and other non-current assets.
The New Credit Facility is secured by a first-priority perfected security interest in and lien on substantially all of our personal property assets and those of the Credit Facility Guarantors, and will include provisions which require us and such subsidiaries, upon the occurrence of an event of default under the New Credit Facility, to grant additional liens on real property assets accounting for no less than 50% of our and the Credit Facility Guarantors' funeral operations.
The New 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 our business and the maintenance of existing rights and privileges, the maintenance of property and insurance, amongst others.
In addition, the New Credit Facility also contains customary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants that, among other things, restrict (subject to certain exceptions) our ability and the Credit Facility Guarantor's ability to incur indebtedness, grant liens, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, and pay dividends and other restricted payments, and the following financial covenants: a total leverage ratio not to exceed 5.50 to 1.00, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1.00 as of the end of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters. We will calculate the financial covenants on a consolidated basis.

Our long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 (in thousands):
 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017
Revolving credit facility, secured, floating rate$67,700
 $62,100
Term loan, secured, floating rate138,750
 133,125
Acquisition debt12,245
 11,641
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $4,138 and $4,290, respectively(1,270) (1,118)
Less: current portion(13,021) (15,040)
Total long-term debt$204,404
 $190,708
 December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
New Credit Facility$
 $
Revolving credit facility92,000
 
Term loan127,500
 
Acquisition debt10,548
 9,890
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $4,442(967) 
Less: current portion(16,927) (2,072)
Total long-term debt, net of current portion$212,154
 $7,818
As of June 30, 2017,2018, we had a $300 million secured bank credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Credit Agreement”), comprised of a $150 million revolving credit facility and a $150 million term loan (collectively, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility also contains an accordion provision to borrow up to an additional $75 million in revolving loans, subject to certain conditions. The Credit Facility is collateralized by all personal property and funeral home real property in certain states.
As of June 30, 2017, we hadno outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $62.1 million and approximately $133.1 million was outstanding on the term loan.New Credit Facility. We havehad one letter of credit issued on November 30, 20162017 and outstanding under the New Credit Facility for approximately $2.0 million, which bears interest at 2.125% and will expire on November 27, 2017.26, 2018. The letter of credit automatically renews annually and secures our obligations under our various self-insured policies. Outstanding borrowings under theour New Credit Facility bear interest at either a prime rate or a LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin based upon our leverage ratio. As of June 30, 2017,2018, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 1.125%1.00% and the LIBOR margin was 2.125%2.00%. The weighted average interest rate on theour Former Credit FacilityAgreement for the three and six months ended June 30, 20172018 was 3.1%4.2% and 3.0%4.0%, respectively. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further discussion of our unamortized debt issuance costs related to our New Credit Facility.
WeAs of June 30, 2018, we were in compliance with the covenants contained in the New Credit Agreement as of June 30, 2017. The Credit Agreement contains key ratios that we must complyFacility, with including a requirement to maintain a leverage ratio of no more than 3.55.03 to 1.00 and a covenant to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.20 to 1.00. As of June 30, 2017, the leverage ratio was 2.75 to 1.00 and the fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.011.93 to 1.00.
AmortizationAcquisition debt consisted of debt issuance costsdeferred purchase price and promissory notes payable to sellers. Imputed interest expense related to our Credit Facilityacquisition debt was approximately $0.1$0.2 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017 and $0.22018 and $0.4 million for both the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017. The unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Credit Facility are being amortized over the remaining term of the related debt using the effective interest method for our term loan and the straight line method for our revolving credit facility.
Acquisition debt consists of deferred purchase price and promissory notes payable to sellers.2018.
10.11.CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES
On March 19, 2014, we issued $143.75 million aggregate principal amount of 2.75% convertible subordinated notes due March 15, 2021 (the “Convertible Notes”).our Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes bear interest at 2.75% per year. Interest on the Convertible Notes began to accrue on March 19, 2014 and is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year.
On May 7, 2018, we completed our exchange (the “Exchange”) of approximately $115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes, which represented approximately 80% of the aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Notes then outstanding, in privately negotiated exchange agreements with a limited number of convertible noteholders, for approximately $74.8 million in cash (plus accrued interest of $0.4 million totaling $75.2 million) and 2,822,859 newly issued shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share, pursuant to a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The cash portion of the exchange consideration was funded from our Former Credit Agreement. Following the settlement of the Exchange, the aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Notes outstanding was reduced to approximately $28.8 million. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further discussion of our Former Credit Agreement.
We recognized a net gain of approximately $1.2 million, which was recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt, related to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes. The gain is composed of a difference of approximately $2.5 million between the fair value and the carrying amount of the liability component of our Convertible Notes immediately preceding the Exchange, partially offset by a write-off of approximately $1.3 million in unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes. The gain does not include the impact of any transaction costs we incurred to exchange the Convertible Notes.
We incurred approximately $0.8 million in transactions costs related to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes, of which approximately $0.5 million was expensed and recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt and approximately $0.3 million was allocated to the equity component and recorded in Additional paid-in capital.

The carrying values of the liability and equity components of the Convertible Notes at December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Long-term liabilities:      
Principal amount$143,750
 $143,750
$143,750
 $28,764
Unamortized discount of liability component(21,887) (19,784)(17,559) (3,042)
Convertible Notes issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,359 and $1,616, respectively$(2,268) $(2,011)
Convertible Notes issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,877 and $429, respectively(1,750) (297)
Carrying value of the liability component$119,596
 $121,955
$124,441
 $25,425
      
Equity component carrying value$17,973
 $17,973
Carrying value of the equity component$17,973
 $3,585
The Carrying value of the liability component and the Carrying value of the equity component are recorded in Convertible subordinated notes due 2021 and Additional paid-in capital, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2018.
The fair value of the Convertible Notes, which are Level 2 measurements, was approximately $187.6$34.3 million at June 30, 2017.

2018.
Interest expense on the Convertible Notes included contractual coupon interest expense of approximately $1.0 million and $0.5 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017 and 2018, respectively and approximately $2.0 million and $1.5 million for both the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017.2018, respectively. Accretion of the discount on the Convertible Notes was $1.0approximately $1.1 million and $1.1$0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively and $1.9approximately $2.1 million and $2.1$1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively. Amortization of debt issuance costs related to our Convertible Notes was approximately $0.1 million for both the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 and approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million for both the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017.2018, respectively.
The initial conversion rate of the Convertible Notes, as of March 19, 2014, was 44.3169 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $22.56 per share of common stock. The adjusted conversion rate of the Convertible Notes, in effect at June 30, 2017,2018, is 44.493844.7976 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, equivalent to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $22.47$22.32 per share of common stock.
The remaining unamortized debt discount and the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs are being amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the Convertible Notes. The effective interest rate on the unamortized debt discount for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 was 11.4%. The effective interest rate on the unamortized debt issuance costs for both the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 was 6.75%3.2%.
12.SENIOR NOTES
On May 31, 2018, we completed the issuance of $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes and 2.75%related guarantees in a private offering under Rule 144A and Regulation S of the Securities Act.
We received proceeds of $320.1 million, net of a 1.5% debt discount of $4.9 million, of which we used $291.4 million to repay our existing indebtedness under our Former Credit Agreement and intend to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. We incurred approximately $1.4 million in transaction costs related to the Senior Notes. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further discussion of the repayment of our Former Credit Agreement.
The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of May 31, 2018 (the “Indenture”), among us, certain of our existing subsidiaries (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association., as trustee.
The Senior Notes bear interest at 6.625% per year. Interest on the Senior Notes began to accrue on May 31, 2018 and is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2018 to holders of record on each May 15 and November 15 preceding an interest payment date. The Senior Notes mature on June 1, 2026, unless earlier redeemed or purchased. 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.
We may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes at any time prior to June 1, 2021 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Senior Notes redeemed, plus a “make whole” premium, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. We have the right to redeem the Senior Notes at any time on or after June 1, 2021 at the redemption prices described

in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Additionally, at any time before June 1, 2021, we may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes issued with an amount equal to the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a price equal to 106.625% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption; provided that (1) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes (including any additional Senior Notes) originally issued under the Indenture remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Senior Notes held by us); and (2) each such redemption must occur within 180 days of the date of the closing of each such equity offering.
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, it 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 of $4.9 million and the debt issuance costs of $1.4 million are being amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of approximately 95 months of the Senior Notes. The effective interest rate on the unamortized debt discount and the unamortized debt issuance costs for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was 6.87% and 6.69%, respectively.
The carrying value of the Senior Notes at June 30, 2018 are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands):
 June 30, 2018
Long-term liabilities: 
Principal amount$325,000
Debt discount, net of accumulated amortization of $38(4,837)
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $11(1,356)
Carrying value of the Senior Notes$318,807
The fair value of the Senior Notes, which are Level 2 measurements, was approximately $329.3 million at June 30, 2018.
Interest expense on the Senior Notes included contractual coupon interest expense of approximately $1.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Amortization of the debt discount and debt issuance costs on the Senior Notes was $38,000 and $11,000 for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.
11.13.STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
During the six months ended June 30, 2017,2018, we had two stock benefits plans in effect under which restricted stock, stock options and performance awards have been granted or remain outstanding: the Second Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Amended and Restated 2006 Plan”) and the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The Amended and Restated 2006 Plan was terminated upon the approval of the 2017 Plan at the annual shareholders meeting on May 17, 2017. The termination of the Amended and Restated 2006 Plan does not affect the awards previously issued and outstanding.outstanding under the Amended and Restated 2006 Plan.
All stock-based plans are administered by the Compensation Committee appointed by our Board of Directors (the “Board”). The 2017 Plan provides for grants of options as non-qualified options or incentive stock options, restricted stock and performance awards. The 2017 Plan expires on May 17, 2027.

The status of each of the plans at June 30, 20172018 is as follows (shares in thousands):
Shares
Reserved
(1)
 Shares
Available to
Issue
 Options
Outstanding
Shares
Reserved
 Shares
Available to
Issue
 Options
Outstanding
 
Performance Awards Outstanding (2)
Amended and Restated 2006 Plan
 
 1,967

 
 1,528
 297
2017 Plan1,559
 1,529
 16
1,844
(1) 
1,306
 223
 229
Total1,559
 1,529
 1,983
1,844
 1,306
 1,751
 526
     
(1)Amount includes 6,200approximately 289,000 shares granted from the Amended and Restated 2006 Plan that were returned to the Company due to cancellations.cancellations, to pay taxes on restricted stock vestings and to pay option price and taxes on option exercises.
(2)Performance Awards are reserved at 200% of shares granted which is equal to the maximum payout in shares.
Restricted Stock
During the second quarter of 2017,six months ended June 30, 2018, we issued 5,000 restricted stock grants to a new employee of theour leadership team and certain key employees totaling 77,260 shares that vest over a five-yearthree-year period withand had an aggregate grant date market value of approximately $0.1$2.0 million. During the first quarter of 2017, we issued a total of 22,250We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for restricted stock grants that vest over a three-year period with an aggregate grant date market valueawards of approximately $0.6 million.
During$183,000 and $220,000, during the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017, we2018, respectively. We recorded approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of pre-taxstock-based compensation expense related to the vesting offor restricted stock awards which is included in general, administrativeof $372,000 and other expenses. During$465,000, during the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017, we recorded pre-tax compensation expense of approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million,2018, respectively.
As of June 30, 2017,2018, we had approximately $1.4$2.4 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards, which are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.92.4 years.

Stock Options
As ofDuring the six months ended June 30, 2017, there were 1,983,016 stock options outstanding and 715,739 stock options which remain unvested. During the second quarter of 2017,2018, we granted 16,250212,853 options to a new employee of theour leadership team and certain key employees at ana weighted average exercise price of $26.89.$25.43. These options will vest in one-fifth increments over a five-year period and have a ten-year term. The fair value of thethese options granted during the second quarter of 2017 was approximately $0.1$1.4 million. During the first quarter of 2017, we granted 445,450 options to our leadership team and key employees at a weighted average exercise price of $26.54. These options will vest in one-fifth increments over a five-year period and have a ten-year term. The fair value of the total options granted during the first quarter of 2017 was approximately $3.2 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, we recorded approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for stock options. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, we recorded approximately $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of pre-tax compensation expense for stock options.
The fair value of the option grants during the second quarter of 2017,options granted were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
2018
Dividend yield0.741.18%
Expected volatility29.0827.08%
Risk-free interest rate1.792.65%
Expected lifeholding period (years)5.0
Black-Scholes value$7.116.38
We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for stock options of approximately $331,000 and $236,000, during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for stock options of approximately $820,000 and $716,000, during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Performance Awards
During the second quarter of 2017,six months ended June 30, 2018, we granted 4,500113,320 performance awards to a new employee of theour leadership team and certain key employees, payable in shares. The fair value of these performance awards granted during the second quarter of 2017 was approximately $0.1 million. These awards will vest (if at all) on June 30,December 31, 2022, provided that certain criteria, surroundingincluding but not limited to, Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA (Adjusted Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization) and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Margin performance is achieved and the individual has remained continuously employed by Carriage through such date. The Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA performance represents 50% of the award and the Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Margin performance represents 50% of the award. During the first quarter of 2017, we granted 101,040 performance awards to our leadership team and key employees, payable in shares. The fair value of these performance awards granted during the first quarter of 2017 was approximately $2.7 million. $2.9 million and was determined by using the stock price on the grant date of $25.43.
We recorded pre-taxstock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for performance awards of $202,000 and $344,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for performance awards of $257,000 and $620,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan
During the three months ended June 30, 2018, employees purchased a total of 10,503 shares of common stock through our ESPP at a weighted average price of $20.87 per share. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, employees purchased a total of 24,441 shares of common stock through our ESPP at a weighted average price of $21.55 per share. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and other expenses, for the ESPP totaling $81,000approximately $48,000 and $202,000$53,000 for the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017, respectively,2018, respectively. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and $108,000other expenses, for the ESPP totaling approximately $144,000 and $257,000$150,000 for the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
During the second quarter of 2017, employees purchased a total of 9,425 shares of common stock through our employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) at a weighted average price of $22.92 per share. We recorded pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for the ESPP totaling approximately $67,000 and $48,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively, and $144,000 for both the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017.
The fair value of the optionright (option) to purchase shares under the ESPP is estimated onat the date of grant (January 1 of each year) associatedpurchase with the four quarterly purchase dates using the following assumptions:
 20172018
Dividend yield0.750.01%
Expected volatility18.8220.89%
Risk-free interest rate0.53%1.44%0.65%1.61%0.77%1.72%0.89%1.83%
Expected life (years)0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00
Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility during the previous twelve months of the underlying common stock. The risk-free rate for the quarterly purchase periods is based on the U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of the 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).

Director Compensation
Effective May 16, 2018, our Board revised the Director Compensation Policy such that any Director may elect to receive their annual retainer, which is paid in quarterly installments, in unrestricted shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value by providing written notice as set forth in the Director Compensation Policy. The number of shares of such common stock shall be determined by dividing the cash amount of the retainer by the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, which shall be the last business day of each quarter. Such common stock shall vest immediately upon grant. Any written notice to receive the retainer in common stock shall remain effective until notice otherwise is made in writing. Our Board also revised the Director Compensation Policy such that the new Director grant of $25,000 shall vest immediately. Prior to this change, the stock grant vested 50% immediately and 25% on each of the first and second anniversaries of admission.
On May 16, 2018, our Board voted for Douglas B. Meehan to serve as a Class III Director until the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Meehan was appointed to serve as a member of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees. Concurrently with his appointment, the Board granted Mr. Meehan 978 shares of our common stock under our Director Compensation Policy, which were valued at approximately $25,000 based on the closing price on the grant date.
Pursuant to the revised Director Compensation Policy described above, two Directors elected to receive their retainer payments in unrestricted shares of our common stock. As such, we granted 1,200 shares of our common stock on June 30, 2018 to these Directors, which were valued at approximately $29,000 based on the closing price on the grant date.
We recorded pre-taxstock-based compensation expense, related to director compensation, which is included in general,General, administrative and other expenses totaling $82,000, related to annual retainers and restricted stock awards of $90,000 ,and $118,000 for the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017, respectively,2018, respectively. We recorded stock-based compensation expense, which is included in General, administrative and $212,000other expenses, related to annual retainers and restricted stock awards of $180,000 and $202,000 for the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively.
Share Repurchase
On February 25, 2016,At June 30, 2018, we had approximately $26.0 million available for repurchases under our Board approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to purchase up to an aggregate of $25.0 million of our common stock in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).program. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017,2018, we did not repurchasepurchase any shares of common stock pursuant to thisour share repurchase program.

Cash Dividends
On April 27, 2017 our Board declared a dividend of $0.05 per share, totaling approximately $0.8 million, which was paid on June 1, 2017 to record holders of our common stock as of May 15, 2017. During the three months ended 2016, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share, totaling approximately $0.4 million. For the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017, we paid total2018, our Board declared the following dividends of approximately $0.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively.payable on the dates below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
2017Per Share Dollar Value
March 1st$0.050
 $833
June 1st$0.050
 $835
    
2018Per Share Dollar Value
March 1st$0.075
 $1,207
June 1st$0.075
 $1,433
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Our components of accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance at December 31, 20162017$
DecreaseIncrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts(6671,540)
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus
667(1,540
)
Balance at June 30, 20172018$
12.14.EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 (in thousands, except per share data):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:              
Net income$5,200
 $4,410
 $9,771
 $11,494
$4,410
 $2,747
 $11,494
 $12,103
Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock(36) (15) (77) (43)(15) (14) (43) (67)
Income attributable to common stockholders$5,164
 $4,395
 $9,694
 $11,451
$4,395
 $2,733
 $11,451
 $12,036
              
Denominator:              
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding16,516
 16,652
 16,488
 16,625
16,652
 17,916
 16,625
 17,010
Effect of dilutive securities:              
Stock options259
 377
 224
 381
377
 212
 381
 240
Convertible subordinated notes300
 1,064
 150
 1,077
Convertible Notes1,064
 117
 1,077
 674
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding17,075
 18,093
 16,862
 18,083
18,093
 18,245
 18,083
 17,924
              
Basic earnings per common share:$0.31
 $0.26
 $0.59
 $0.69
$0.26
 $0.15
 $0.69
 $0.71
Diluted earnings per common share:$0.30
 $0.24
 $0.57
 $0.63
$0.24
 $0.15
 $0.63
 $0.67
The fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 20172018 and the corresponding calculation of fully diluted earnings per share, include approximately 1,064,000117,000 and 1,077,000674,000 shares, respectively that would have been issued

upon the conversion of our convertible subordinated notesConvertible Notes as a result of the application of the if-converted method prescribed by the FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. There were 300,000approximately 1,064,000 and 150,0001,077,000 shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 that would have been issued upon conversion under the if-converted method.

For the both the three and six months ended June 30, 20162018, approximately 645,000 and 2017, no stock options600,000 shares, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of such stock options would result in an antidilutive effect. There were no stock options that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.
13.15.MAJOR SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS
We conduct funeral and cemetery operations only in the United States. The following table presents revenues, from operations,gross profit (loss), income (loss) from operations before income taxes and total assets by segment (in thousands):
 Funeral Cemetery Corporate Consolidated
Revenues from operations:       
Three months ended June 30, 2017$48,739
 $15,113
 $
 $63,852
Three months ended June 30, 2016$46,467
 $15,398
 $
 $61,865
        
Six months ended June 30, 2017$102,950
 $29,059
 $
 $132,009
Six months ended June 30, 2016$95,769
 $29,427
 $
 $125,196
        
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes:       
Three months ended June 30, 2017$14,198
 $4,395
 $(11,144) $7,449
Three months ended June 30, 2016$14,115
 $4,299
 $(9,746) $8,668
        
Six months ended June 30, 2017$33,020
 $8,607
 $(22,372) $19,255
Six months ended June 30, 2016$30,844
 $8,548
 $(23,106) $16,286
        
Total assets:       
June 30, 2017$632,937
 $244,367
 $3,737
 $881,041
December 31, 2016$634,145
 $241,621
 $9,303
 $885,069
 Funeral Cemetery Corporate Consolidated
Revenues:       
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018$48,532
 $15,315
 $
 $63,847
Three Months Ended June 30, 201748,739
 15,113
 
 63,852
        
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018$107,126
 $30,108
 $
 $137,234
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017102,950
 29,059
 
 132,009
        
Gross profit (loss):       
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018$12,654
 $4,171
 $(6,844) $9,981
Three Months Ended June 30, 201714,412
 4,255
 (6,946) 11,721
        
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018$32,318
 $8,695
 $(13,905) $27,108
Six Months Ended June 30, 201733,381
 8,378
 (14,169) 27,590
        
Income (loss) before income taxes:       
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018$12,414
 $4,254
 $(12,921) $3,747
Three Months Ended June 30, 201714,198
 4,395
 (11,144) 7,449
        
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018$31,828
 $8,846
 $(24,693) $15,981
Six Months Ended June 30, 201733,020
 8,607
 (22,372) 19,255
        
Total assets:       
June 30, 2018$656,331
 $243,117
 $46,163
 $945,611
December 31, 2017665,483
 251,243
 4,807
 921,533



14.16.SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Balance Sheet

The detail of certain balance sheet accounts as of December 31, 20162017 and June 30, 20172018 (in thousands):
December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017December 31, 2017 June 30, 2018
Other current assets:      
Income taxes receivable$1,932
 $500
Federal income taxes receivable$
 $988
State income taxes receivable889
 1,320
Other current assets102
 94
97
 152
Total other current assets$2,034
 $594
$986
 $2,460
      
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations:      
Term note$11,250
 $13,125
$15,000
 $
Acquisition debt1,771
 1,915
1,927
 2,072
Capital leases246
 197
324
 330
Total current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations$13,267
 $15,237
$17,251
 $2,402
   
Other current liabilities:   
Federal income taxes payable$1,120
 $618
Deferred rent241
 257
Total other current liabilities$1,361
 $875
      
Accrued liabilities:      
Accrued salaries and wages$4,005
 $2,665
$2,643
 $2,750
Accrued incentive compensation8,237
 3,240
6,412
 4,272
Accrued vacation2,305
 2,632
2,417
 2,710
Accrued insurance1,726
 1,511
1,832
 2,040
Accrued interest1,235
 1,222
1,271
 2,106
Accrued ad valorem and franchise taxes981
 1,749
1,003
 1,573
Accrued commissions543
 458
461
 418
Other accrued liabilities1,059
 835
1,520
 1,152
Total accrued liabilities$20,091
 $14,312
$17,559
 $17,021
      
Other long-term liabilities:      
Deferred rent$1,207
 $1,093
$966
 $836
Incentive compensation575
 674
1,287
 962
Contingent consideration785
 663
1,125
 1,045
Total other long-term liabilities$2,567
 $2,430
$3,378
 $2,843

17.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On July 10, 2018, we acquired two funeral home businesses in Fredericksburg, VA and Stafford, VA for $29.2 million in cash.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements regarding any projections of earnings, revenues, asset sales, cash flow, debt levels or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing and are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. The words “may”, “will”, “estimate”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect”, “seek”, “project”, “forecast”, “foresee”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “plan”, “anticipate” and other similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts for our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those summarized below:
ourthe ability to find and retain skilled personnel;
our ability to execute our growth strategy;
the effects of competition;
the execution of our Standards Operating, 4E Leadershipleadership and StrategicStandard Acquisition Models;
the effects of competition;
changes in the number of deaths in our markets;
changes in consumer preferences;
our ability to generate preneed sales;
the investment performance of our funeral and cemetery trust funds;
fluctuations in interest rates;
our ability to obtain debt or equity financing on satisfactory terms to fund additional acquisitions, expansion projects, working capital requirements and the repayment or refinancing of indebtedness;
the timely and full payment of death benefits related to preneed funeral contracts funded through life insurance contracts;
the financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our preneed funeral contracts;
increased or unanticipated costs, such as insurance or taxes;
our level of indebtedness and the cash required to service our indebtedness;
recent changes in federal income tax laws and regulations and the implementation and interpretation of these laws and regulations by the Internal Revenue Service;
effects of the application of other applicable laws and regulations, including changes in such regulations or the interpretation thereof;
consolidation of the deathcarefuneral and cemetery industry; and
other factors and uncertainties inherent in the deathcarefuneral and cemetery industry.
For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see (i) Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and (ii) Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
OVERVIEW
General
Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) was incorporatedfounded in 1991 to strategically consolidate and operate funeral homes and cemeteries in the State of Delaware in December 1993 and isfragmented death care industry. We are a leading U.S. provider of funeral and cemetery services and merchandise in the United States.merchandise. We operate in two business segments: funeral home operations, which currently account for approximately 78% of our revenues, and cemetery operations, which currently account for approximately 22% of our revenues.
At June 30, 2017,2018, we operated 171178 funeral homes in 2829 states and 32 cemeteries in 11 states. We compete with other publicpublicly held funeral and cemetery companies and smaller, privately-owned independent operators. We believe we are a market leader in most of our markets. We provide funeral and cemetery services and products on both an “at-need” (time of death) and “preneed” (planned prior to death) basis.
Our funeral homes offer a complete range of high value personal services to meet a family’s funeral needs, including consultation, the removal and preparation of remains, the sale of caskets and related funeral merchandise, the use of funeral home facilities for visitation and remembrance services and transportation services. Our cemeteries provide interment rights (grave sites and mausoleum spaces) and related merchandise, such as markers and outer burial containers both on an at-needatneed and preneed basis. We provide funeral and cemetery services and products on both an “atneed” (time of death) and “preneed” (planned prior to death) basis.
Our business strategy is based on having strong,the leadership and entrepreneurial empowerment of our local leadership withat the individual business level, rather than a centralized model. We operate a decentralized, entrepreneurial principlesbusiness model that is focused on sustainable long termlong-term market share, revenue, and profitabilitymargin growth in each local business. We believe Carriage has the most innovative operating model in the funeral and cemetery industry, which we are able to achieve through a decentralized, high performance culture operating framework linked with incentive compensation programs that attract top-qualityattracts top entrepreneurial industry talent to our organizationorganization.
Our Mission Statement states that “we are committed to being the most professional, ethical and highest quality funeral and cemetery service organization in our industry” and our Guiding Principles state our core values, which are comprised of:    
honesty, integrityHonesty, Integrity and qualityQuality in all that we do;All That We Do
hardHard work, pridePride of accomplishmentAccomplishment, and shared success through employee ownership;Shared Success Through Employee Ownership
beliefBelief in the powerPower of people through individual initiativePeople Through Individual Initiative and teamwork;Teamwork
outstanding serviceOutstanding Service and profitability go hand-in-hand; andProfitability Go Hand-in-Hand
growthGrowth of the Company is drivenIs Driven by decentralizationDecentralization and partnership.Partnership
Our five Guiding Principles collectively embody our Being The Best high-performance cultural,culture, operating framework. Our operations and business strategy are built upon the execution of the following three models:
Standards Operating Model;
4E Leadership Model; and
Strategic Acquisition Model.

Standards Operating Model
Our Standards Operating Model is focused on growing local market share, people development, and the key operating and financial metrics that drive long-term, sustainable revenue growth and improved cash earning power of our portfolio of businesseseach local business by employing leadership and entrepreneurial principles that fit the nature of our high-value personal service business. Standards Achievement is the measure by which we judge the success of each business and incentivize our local managers and their teams. Our Standards Operating Model is not designed to produce maximum short-term earnings because we believe such performance is unsustainable and will ultimately stress the business, which very often leads to declining market share, revenues and earnings.
4E Leadership Model
Our 4E Leadership Model requires strong local leadership in each business to grow an entrepreneurial, decentralized, high-value, personal service and sales business at sustainable profit margins. Our 4E Leadership Model is based upon principles established by Jack Welch during his tenure at General Electric, and is based upon 4E qualities essential to succeed in a high-performance culture: Energy to get the job done; the ability to Energize others; the Edge necessary to make difficult decisions; and the ability to Execute and produce results. To achieve a high level within our Standards in a business year after year, we require local Managing Partners that have the 4E Leadership skills to entrepreneurially grow the business by hiring, training and developing highly motivated and productive local teams.

Strategic Acquisition Model
Our Standards Operating Model led to the development of our Strategic Acquisition Model, which guides our acquisition strategy. BothWe believe that both models, when executed effectively, will drive long-term, sustainable increases in market share, revenue, earnings and cash flow. We believe a primary driver of higher revenue and profits in the future will be the execution of our Strategic Acquisition Model using strategic ranking criteria to assess acquisition candidates. As we execute this strategy over time, we willexpect to acquire larger, higher margin strategic businesses.
Our belief in our Mission Statement and Guiding Principles that define us and proper execution of the three models that define our strategy have given us the competitive advantage in any market in which we compete. We believe that we can execute our three models without proportionate incremental investment in our consolidation platform infrastructure orand without additional fixed regional and corporate overhead. This gives us a competitive advantage that is evidenced by the sustained earning power of our portfolio as defined by our EBITDA margin. Our deep understanding of each market landscape and our historical, successful competition in individual local markets more than reasonably ensures that we are promoting the interests of the consumer and supporting unfettered markets which, in turn, results in better pricing and more choices for the consumer.
REPORTING AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We also present our financial performance in our “Operating and Financial Trend Report” (“Trend Report”) as reported in our earnings release for the quarter ending June 30, 20172018 dated July 26, 201731, 2018 and discussed in the corresponding earnings conference call. This Trend Report is used as a supplemental financial measurement statement by management and investors to compare our current financial performance with our previous results and with the performance of other companies. We do not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures of performance prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Trend Report is a non-GAAP statement that also provides insight into underlying trends in our business.
Historically, the dynamic nature of the evolutionary process of building our culture, especially since launching the Good To Great Journey in the beginning of 2012, has led to a large number of charges such as severance and retirement, consulting and other activities, which are not core to our operations and as such, have been added back to GAAP earnings as “Special Items”. The Special Items are important to add back because of the transformational nature of major changes over the last several years within our Operations and Strategic Growth Leadership Team. The number of these Special Items were minimal in 2016 and should continue to be minimal thereafter.
Accordingly, these non-GAAP Special Items will be comprised of only those charges materially outside the normal course of business, which should result in major shrinkage of “the gap” between our GAAP and non-GAAP reported performance.
The non-GAAP financial measures in the Trend Report include such measures as “Special Items,” “Adjustedis not a part of or incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Below is a reconciliation of Net Income,” “Consolidated EBITDA,” “Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA,” “Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Margin,” “Adjusted Free Cash Flow,” “Funeral Field EBITDA,” “Cemetery Field EBITDA,” “Funeral Financial EBITDA,” “Cemetery Financial EBITDA,” “Total Field EBITDA,” “Total Field EBITDA Margin,” “Operating Profit,” “Operating Profit Margin,” “Adjusted Basic Earnings Per Share” and “Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share”. These financial measurements are defined asincome (a GAAP items adjustedmeasure) to Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) for Special Items and are reconciled to GAAP in our earnings release and on the Trend Reports posted on our website (www.carriageservices.com). In addition, our presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures in other companies’ reports.
The non-GAAP definitions we use are as follows:
Special Items are defined as charges or credits included in our GAAP financial statements that can vary from period to period and are not reflective of costs incurred in the ordinary course of our operations. Special Items are taxed at the federal statutory rate of 35% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017, except for the accretion of the discount on the Convertible Notes2018 (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2017 2018 2017 2018
Net income$4,410
 $2,747
 $11,494
 $12,103
Special items,(1)
       
Accretion of discount on convertible subordinated notes1,066
 555
 2,103
 1,715
Net loss on early extinguishment of debt
 740
 
 740
Adjusted net income(2)
$5,476
 $4,042
 $13,597
 $14,558
(1)Special items are defined as charges or credits included in our GAAP financial statements that can vary from period to period and are not reflective of costs incurred in the ordinary course of our operations. Special items are typically taxed at the federal statutory rate, except for the Accretion of the discount on convertible subordinated notes, as this is a non-tax deductible item.
(2)Adjusted net income is defined as Net income plus adjustments for Special items and other expenses or gains that we believe do not directly reflect our core operations and may not be indicative of our normal business operations.
Below is a non-tax deductible item.
Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income plus adjustments for Special Items.
Consolidated EBITDA is defined as net income before income taxes, interest expenses, non-cash stock compensation, depreciation and amortization, and interest income and other, net.
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA is defined as Consolidated EBITDA plus adjustments for Special Items.
Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operations, adjusted by Special Items as deemed necessary, less cash for maintenance capital expenditures.
Funeral Field EBITDA is defined as Funeral Gross Profit, which is funeral revenue minus funeral field costs and expenses, less depreciation and amortization, regional and unallocated funeral costs and Funeral Financial EBITDA.

Cemetery Field EBITDA is defined as Cemetery Gross Profit, which is cemetery revenue minus cemetery field costs and expenses, less depreciation and amortization, regional and unallocated cemetery costs and Cemetery Financial EBITDA.
Funeral Financial EBITDA is defined as Funeral Financial Revenue less Funeral Financial Expenses.
Cemetery Financial EBITDA is defined as Cemetery Financial Revenue less Cemetery Financial Expenses.
Total Field EBITDA is defined as Gross Profit less depreciation and amortization, regional and unallocated costs.
Total Field EBITDA Margin is defined as Total Field EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.
Operating Profit is defined as Gross Profit, which is funeral and cemetery revenue minus funeral and cemetery field costs and expenses, less field depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs.
Operating Profit Margin is defined as Operating Profit as a percentage of revenue.
Adjusted Basic Earnings Per Share is defined as GAAP Basic Earnings Per Share, adjusted for Special Items.
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share is defined as GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share, adjusted for Special Items.
We are providing below a reconciliation of Gross profit (a GAAP measure) to Operating profit (a non-GAAP measure) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 20162018 (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 2017 2016 20172017 2018 2017 2018
Gross profit$18,807
 $18,667
 $40,110
 $41,759
$18,667
 $16,825
 $41,759
 $41,013
              
Field depreciation and amortization3,571
 3,647
 6,907
 7,118
3,647
 3,904
 7,118
 7,677
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs2,715
 2,954
 5,764
 5,908
2,954
 3,267
 5,908
 6,548
Operating profit(1)$25,093
 $25,268
 $52,781
 $54,785
$25,268
 $23,996
 $54,785
 $55,238
We are providing below
(1)Operating profit is defined as Gross profit excluding Field depreciation and amortization and Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs.


Below is a breakdown of Operating profit (a non-GAAP measure) by Segmentsegment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 20162018 (in thousands):
 For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 2016 2017 2016 2017
Funeral Home Segment$18,684
 $19,317
 $40,205
 $43,099
Cemetery Segment6,409
 5,951
 12,576
 11,686
Operating profit$25,093
 $25,268
 $52,781
 $54,785
 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2017 2018 2017 2018
Funeral Home segment$19,317
 $17,953
 $43,099
 $43,045
Cemetery segment5,951
 6,043
 11,686
 12,193
Operating profit$25,268
 $23,996
 $54,785
 $55,238
        
Operating profit margin(1)
39.6% 37.6% 41.5% 40.3%
(1)Operating profit margin, a non-GAAP measure, is Operating profit as a percentage of Total revenues.
Further discussion of Operating profit for our Funeral Home and Cemetery Segmentssegments is presented herein under “Results of Operations.”


Financial Highlights
Three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to three months ended June 30, 20162017
Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 wasremained flat at $63.9 million. Funeral revenue decreased $0.2 million to $48.5 million and $61.9 million, respectively, which represents an increase of approximately $2.0 million, or 3.2%. Funeralcemetery revenue increased $2.3$0.2 million to $48.7 million, while cemetery revenue decreased $0.3 million to $15.1$15.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017. For the quarter comparatives, we experienced a 3.4%2.7% increase in total funeral contracts, and an increaseoffset by a 3.1% decrease in the average revenue per funeral contract of 1.7%.contract. In addition, while we experienced a decrease of 6.4%14.8% in the number of preneed interment rights (property) sold, and a decreasewe also experienced an increase of 2.6%21.0% in the average price per interment right sold.sold as a result of sales of higher-valued gardens constructed in recent years at certain of our same store businesses. Further discussion of revenue for our funeral home and cemetery segments on a same store and acquired basis is presented herein under “Results of Operations.”
Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 decreased $0.1$1.8 million, or 0.7%9.9%, to $18.7$16.8 million, from $18.8$18.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 20162017, primarily due to weaker performance of our same store cemetery businesses, offset by increases due to the two businesses acquireddecline in May 2016 and the four businesses acquired in the latter half of 2016 and better cost management in our same store funeral home operations.revenue, higher health care costs across all businesses and higher costs as a percentage of revenue in the businesses we acquired in 2016 and 2017. As these acquired businesses transition into our Standards Operating Model, we expect to see their gross profit margins rise towards those on a same store basis.
Further discussion of the components of Gross profit, excluding field depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs is presented herein under “Results of Operations” within our funeral home and cemetery segments. Further discussion of field depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs are presented herein under “Other Financial Statement Items.”
Net income for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 decreased $0.8$1.7 million to $4.4$2.7 million, equal to $0.24$0.15 per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.2$4.4 million, equal to $0.30$0.24 per diluted diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2016.2017. Further discussion of general, administrative and other expenses, home office depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense, income taxes and other components of income and expenses are presented herein under “Other Financial Statement Items.”
During the three months ended June 30, 2018, we entered into a series of transactions to recapitalize our Balance Sheet. Further discussion of this is presented herein under “Balance Sheet Recapitalization.”
Six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to six months ended June 30, 20162017
Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 was $132.0$137.2 million and $125.2$132.0 million, respectively, which represents an increase of approximately $6.8$5.2 million, or 5.4%4.0%. Funeral revenue increased $7.2$4.2 million to $102.9$107.1 million whileand cemetery revenue decreased $0.4increased $1.0 million to $29.1$30.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017. For the quarterperiod comparatives, we experienced a 6.2%5.2% increase in total funeral contracts, and an increaseoffset by a decrease of 1.0% in the average revenue per funeral contract of 1.7%.contract. In addition, while we experienced a decrease of 12.1%1.5% in the number of preneed interment rights (property) sold, we also experienced an increase of 8.4% in the average price per interment right sold increased 7.2%.sold. Further discussion of revenue for our funeral home and cemetery segments on a same store and acquired basis is presented herein under “Results of Operations.”

Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $1.62018 decreased $0.7 million, or 4.1%1.8%, to $41.8$41.0 million, from $40.1$41.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 20162017, primarily due to higher health care costs across all businesses and higher costs as a percentage of revenue in the two businesses we acquired in May 2016 and the four2017. As these acquired businesses acquired in the latter half of 2016 and better cost management intransition into our Standards Operating Model, we expect to see their gross profit margins rise towards those on a same store funeral home operations.basis.
Further discussion of the components of Gross profit, excluding field depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs is presented herein under “Results of Operations” within our funeral home and cemetery segments. Further discussion of field depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs are presented herein under “Other Financial Statement Items.”
Net income for the six months ended June 30, 20172018 increased $1.7$0.6 million to $11.5$12.1 million, equal to 0.63$0.67 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.8$11.5 million, equal to 0.57$0.63 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2016.2017. Further discussion of general, administrative and other expenses, home office depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense, income taxes and other components of income and expenses are presented herein under “Other Financial Statement Items.
Balance Sheet Recapitalization
On April 25, 2018, we entered into an eighth amendment and commitment increase (the “Eighth Amendment”) to our former secured credit facility, dated as of August 30, 2012 (as amended, the “Former Credit Agreement”), which amended the Former Credit Agreement to, among other things, increase the aggregate revolving credit commitment to $200 million.
On May 7, 2018, we used the remaining capacity from the Eighth Amendment to complete our exchange (the “Exchange”) of approximately $115.0 million of our 2.75% convertible subordinated notes due March 15, 2021 (the “Convertible Notes”), which represented approximately 80% of the aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Notes then outstanding.
On May 31, 2018, we completed the issuance of $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior notes due 2026 (the “Senior Notes”). We used approximately $291.4 million of the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes to repay all amounts outstanding under our Former Credit Agreement and all commitments thereunder were terminated.
On May 31, 2018, we entered into a new $150 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “New Credit Facility”) with Credit Facility Guarantors, the financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.
Further discussion of these transactions is presented herein under “Liquidity And Capital Resources.
OVERVIEW OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience, third-party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance because there can be no assurance the margins, operating income and net earnings, as a percentage of revenues, will be consistent from year to year.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements presented herewith, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Our critical accounting policies are discussed in MD&A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion of our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same periodsperiod of 2016.2017. The term “same store” refers to funeral homes and cemeteries acquired prior to January 1, 20132014 and operated for the entirety of each period being presented. Funeral homes and cemeteries purchased after December 31, 20122013 are referred to as “acquired.” This classification of acquisitions has been important to management and investors in monitoring the results of these businesses and to gauge the leveraging performance contribution that a selective acquisition program can have on total company performance. The term “divested” refers to one business sold during 2017. There were no discontinued operations in the periods presented. Depreciation and amortization, within our field costs and expenses and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs, are not included in operating profit, a non-GAAP financial measure. Adding back these items will result in Gross Profit,profit, a GAAP financial measure.

Funeral Home Segment.Segment
The following tables set forth certain information regarding the revenues and operating profit from our funeral home operations for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to three months ended June 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands)2017 (in thousands, except percentages):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, ChangeThree Months Ended June 30, Change
2016 2017 Amount %2017 2018 Amount %
Revenues:              
Same store operating revenue$38,583
 $38,561
 $(22) (0.1)%$39,366
 $37,484
 $(1,882) (4.8)%
Acquired operating revenue5,745
 8,119
 2,374
 41.3 %7,082
 8,835
 1,753
 24.8 %
Divested revenue234
 
 (234) n/a
Preneed funeral insurance commissions356
 333
 (23) (6.5)%333
 354
 21
 6.3 %
Preneed funeral trust earnings1,783
 1,726
 (57) (3.2)%1,724
 1,859
 135
 7.8 %
Total$46,467
 $48,739
 $2,272
 4.9 %$48,739
 $48,532
 $(207) (0.4)%
              
Operating profit:
 
    
 
    
Same store operating profit$14,314
 $14,448
 $134
 0.9 %$14,742
 $12,970
 $(1,772) (12.0)%
Acquired operating profit2,449
 3,082
 633
 25.8 %2,645
 3,005
 360
 13.6 %
Divested profit145
 
 (145) n/a
Preneed funeral insurance commissions155
 79
 (76) (49.0)%79
 154
 75
 94.9 %
Preneed funeral trust earnings1,766
 1,708
 (58) (3.3)%1,706
 1,824
 118
 6.9 %
Total$18,684
 $19,317
 $633
 3.4 %$19,317
 $17,953
 $(1,364) (7.1)%
Funeral home same store operating revenuesrevenue for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 decreased slightly by 0.1%$1.9 million or 4.8%, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016.2017. This was due primarily to a 0.5%2.2% decrease in same store contract volumes to 7,209, while7,182 and a 2.7% decrease in the average revenue per contract increased $24 or 0.5% to $5,349.$5,219. The average revenue per contract excludes the impact of the preneed funeral trust earnings (separately reflected in Revenues above) recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Including preneed funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased $23 or 0.4%decreased 2.2% to $5,543$5,436 in the three months ended June 30, 2017.2018. The average revenue per burial contract increased 2.3%decreased slightly by 0.1% to $8,934, while$8,913 and the number of burial contracts decreased 4.1%6.5% to 2,898.2,777. The average revenue per cremation contract increased 0.6%decreased slightly by 0.1% to $3,375 and$3,376, while the number of cremation contracts increased 2.7%0.7% to 3,778.3,856.
The burial rate for our same store businesses decreased 150180 basis points to 40.2%38.7%, while the cremation rate increased 160150 basis points to 52.4%53.7% for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016.2017. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which are charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service and which made up approximately 7.4%7.6% of the total number of contracts in the three months ended June 30, 2017, increased 5.8%2018, decreased 7.3% to $2,474.$2,316.
Same store operating profit for the three months ended June 30, 2017 increased $0.12018 decreased $1.8 million, or 0.9%12.0%, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 20162017 primarily due to better management of expenses. Operatingthe decrease in same store revenue Our same store operating profit margin increased slightly(same store operating profit as a percentage of same store operating revenue) decreased by 40280 basis points to 37.5%34.6% for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.
Funeral home acquired2017. The decline in same store operating revenuesprofit margin is primarily the result of an increase in salaries and benefits expenses, which increased $0.5 million, or 4.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. The primary driver of this increase is related to increased $2.4health care costs in 2018, as well as our continued focus on hiring additional managing partners and continuous upgrading of personnel at our same store businesses. While this results in shorter term higher salaries and benefits, we believe that having the right managing partners and right staff at these businesses will increase market share and grow same store revenue in the longer term.
Funeral home acquired operating revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2018 increased $1.8 million, or 41.3%24.8%, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016.2017. The funeral home acquired portfolio for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 includes two businesses acquired in May 2016 and fourseven businesses acquired in the latter halffourth quarter of 2016,2017, not fully present in the three months ended June 30, 20162017 results. WeWhile we experienced an increasea decrease in the average revenue per contract of $281 or 4.4%9.8% to $6,693 and a 35.4% increase in$6,006, the total number of contracts increased 38.3% to 1,213. The average revenue per contract excludes the impact of the preneed

funeral trust earnings (reflected separately in Revenues above) recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Including funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased $282 or 4.3% to $6,849 in the three months ended June 30, 2017. The average revenue per burial contract increased 1.6% to $9,609 and the number of burial contracts increased 36.2% to 594. The average revenue per cremation contract increased 10.5% to $4,492 and the number of cremation contracts increased 35.0% to 513.
The burial rate for our acquired businesses increased 30 basis points to 49.0%, while the cremation rate decreased 10 basis points to 42.3%. This is the result of an increase in the number of burial versus cremation contract sales at the businesses that were acquired the latter half of 2016. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which are charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service and which made up approximately 8.7% of the total number of contracts in the three months ended June 30, 2017, increased 4.1% to $2,785.
Acquired operating profit for the three months ended June 30, 2017 increased $0.6 million, or 25.8%, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016. Although revenue increased, operating profit margin decreased 460 basis points to 38.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. The decrease is primarily due to the businesses we acquired in 2016, as salaries and benefits for newly acquired businesses are generally higher as a percentage of revenue than same store businesses. As these acquired businesses transition into our Standards Operating Model, we expect to see these costs align with their same store counterparts.
The two categories of financial revenue consist of preneed funeral insurance commission revenue and preneed funeral trust earnings. Preneed funeral insurance commission revenue decreased by 6.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Preneed funeral insurance commission revenue is deferred for one year after the preneed funeral contracts are sold. The Preneed commission revenue recognized for the three months ended June 30, 2017 is from the preneed funeral insurance contracts sold in the three months ended June 30, 2016. The number of preneed insurance contracts sold in the three months ended June 30, 2016 decreased 7.1% due to the decrease in the number of insurance products sold that earned commissions over the same period of the prior year. Preneed funeral trust earnings include trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor based on the fair market value of the trust assets and earnings from the maturity of preneed funeral contracts. Trust earnings decreased $0.1 million or 3.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2017, which is comprised of a 4.3% decrease in earnings from the maturity of preneed contracts, offset by an 11.3% increase in earnings from trust management fees.
Operating profit for our two categories of financial revenue, on a combined basis, decreased 7.0% in the three months ended June 30, 2017 due to the decrease in preneed funeral trust earnings and preneed funeral insurance commission revenue, along with an increase in commission and preneed selling expenses.
The following tables set forth certain information regarding the revenues and operating profit from our funeral home operations for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 For the Six Months Ended June 30, Change
 2016 2017 Amount %
Revenues:       
Same store operating revenue$79,935
 $81,278
 $1,343
 1.7 %
Acquired operating revenue11,307
 17,364
 6,057
 53.6 %
Preneed funeral insurance commissions777
 636
 (141) (18.1)%
Preneed funeral trust earnings3,750
 3,672
 (78) (2.1)%
Total$95,769
 $102,950
 $7,181
 7.5 %
        
Operating profit:       
Same store operating profit$31,225
 $32,173
 $948
 3.0 %
Acquired operating profit4,862
 7,096
 2,234
 45.9 %
Preneed funeral insurance commissions411
 209
 (202) (49.1)%
Preneed funeral trust earnings3,707
 3,621
 (86) (2.3)%
Total$40,205
 $43,099
 $2,894
 7.2 %
Funeral home same store operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $1.3 million, or 1.7%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase was due primarily to a 1.0% increase in same store contract volumes to 15,203 and a $34 or 0.6% increase in the average revenue per contract to $5,346. The average revenue per contract excludes the impact of the preneed funeral trust earnings (separately reflected in Revenues above) recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Including preneed funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased

$32 or 0.6% to $5,539 in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The average revenue per burial contract increased 1.5% to $8,898, while the number of burial contracts decreased 1.7% to $6,139. The average revenue per cremation contract increased 1.3% to $3,368 and the number of cremation contracts increased 3.6% to 7,962.
The burial rate for our same store businesses decreased 110 basis points to 40.4%, while the cremation rate increased 130 basis points to 52.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which are charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service and which made up approximately 7.2% of the total number of contracts in the six months ended June 30, 2017, increased 8.2% to $2,512.
Same store operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $0.9 million, or 3.0%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. This increase is a result of increased revenue, offset by a $0.4 million increase in expenses compared to the same period in 2016. As a result of better management of expenses, operating profit margin increased slightly by 50 basis points to 39.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
Funeral home acquired operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $6.1 million, or 53.6%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The funeral home acquired portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2017 includes two businesses acquired in May 2016 and four businesses acquired in the latter half of 2016, not fully present in the six months ended June 30, 2016 results. We experienced an increase in the average revenue per contract of $149 or 2.3% to $6,592 and a 50.1% increase in the total number of contracts to 2,634.1,471. The average revenue per contract excludes the impact of the preneed funeral trust earnings (reflected separately in Revenues above) recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Including funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract increased $124 or 1.9%decreased 9.8% to $6,770$6,122 in the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017.2018. The average revenue per burial contract decreased 1.2% to $9,523,$9,521, while the number of burial contracts increased 54.2%19.5% to 1,292.601. The average revenue per cremation contract increased 5.8%decreased 12.3% to $4,384 and$4,010, while the number of cremation contracts increased 46.0%63.1% to 1,130.752. The decrease

in average revenue per contract is primarily due to the higher cremation rates in the businesses we acquired in Colorado in 2017 for the three months ended June 30, 2018.
The burial rate for our acquired businesses increased 140decreased 640 basis points to 49.1%40.9%, while the cremation rate decreased 120increased 780 basis points to 42.9%. This is51.1% for the result of an increase inthree months ended June 30, 2018 when compared to the number of burial versus cremation contract sales at the businesses that were acquired the latter half of 2016.three months ended June 30, 2017. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which are charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service and which made up approximately 8.0% of the total number of contracts in the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017, increased 1.5%2018, decreased 15.3% to $2,710.$2,261.
Acquired operating profit for the sixthree months ended June 30, 20172018 increased $2.2$0.4 million, or 45.9%13.6%, fromwhen compared to the sixthree months ended June 30, 2016, primarily due to the six businesses acquired in the latter half of 2016 and reflected in the first half of 2017. Although revenuesacquired operating revenue increased, acquired operating profit margin decreased 210330 basis points to 40.9%34.0% for the sixthree months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017. The decrease is primarily due to the seven businesses we acquired in 2016,the fourth quarter of 2017, as salaries and benefitsoperating profit margins for newly acquired businesses are generally higher as a percentage of revenuelower than same store businesses.businesses, particularly in regards to higher salary and benefit costs. As these acquired businesses transition into our Standards Operating Model, we expect to see these costs align with their operating profit margins rise towards those on a same store counterparts.basis.
Funeral home divested operating revenues and operating profit are from one business divested in December 2017.
The two categories of financial revenue consist of preneed funeral insurance commission revenue and preneed funeral trust earnings. Preneed funeral insurance commission revenue decreased $0.1 million or 18.1%increased by 6.3% for the sixthree months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017. Preneed funeral insurance commission revenue is deferred for one year after the preneed funeral contracts are sold. The Preneedsold, thus, the preneed commission revenue recognized for the sixthree months ended June 30, 20172018 is from the preneed funeral insurance contracts sold in the sixthree months ended June 30, 2016. Although the2017. The number of preneed insurance contracts sold in the sixthree months ended June 30, 20162017 increased 1.0% over4.0% and the face value of the insurance products that earned commissions increased 26.0% compared to the contracts sold during the same period of the prior year, the amount of commissions earned on these sales decreased primarily due to the decrease in the number of insurance products sold that earned commissions.2016. Preneed funeral trust earnings include trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor based on the fair market value of the trust assets and earnings from the maturity of preneed funeral contracts. Trust earnings decreasedincreased $0.1 million, or 2.1%7.8%, for the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017, which2018. The increase is comprised of a 3.2% decreaseprimarily due to an increase in earnings from the maturity of preneed contracts, offset byalong with a 14.1%slight increase in the earnings from trust management fees.
Operating profit for our two categories of financial revenue, on a combined basis, decreased 7.0%increased $0.2 million, or 10.8% in the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017 due2018, compared to the decrease in preneed funeral trust earnings and preneed funeral insurance commission revenue, along with an increase in commission and preneed selling expenses.three months ended June 30, 2017.

Cemetery Segment.The following tables set forth certain information regarding the revenues and operating profit from our funeral home operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to six months ended June 30, 2017 (in thousands, except percentages):
 Six Months Ended June 30, Change
 2017 2018 Amount %
Revenues:       
Same store operating revenue$83,127
 $82,993
 $(134) (0.2)%
Acquired operating revenue15,220
 19,608
 4,388
 28.8 %
Divested revenue297
 
 (297) n/a
Preneed funeral insurance commissions636
 614
 (22) (3.5)%
Preneed funeral trust earnings3,670
 3,911
 241
 6.6 %
Total$102,950
 $107,126
 $4,176
 4.1 %
        
Operating profit:       
Same store operating profit$32,976
 $31,727
 $(1,249) (3.8)%
Acquired operating profit6,149
 7,296
 1,147
 18.7 %
Divested profit146
 (3) (149) n/a
Preneed funeral insurance commissions209
 192
 (17) (8.1)%
Preneed funeral trust earnings3,619
 3,833
 214
 5.9 %
Total$43,099
 $43,045
 $(54) (0.1)%
Funeral home same store operating revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018 decreased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. This was due primarily to a 1.0% decrease in the average revenue per contract to $5,316, offset slightly by a 0.8% increase in same store contract volumes to 15,612. The average revenue per contract excludes

the impact of the preneed funeral trust earnings (separately reflected in Revenues above) recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Including preneed funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract decreased 0.6% to $5,526 in the six months ended June 30, 2018. The average revenue per burial contract increased 0.2% to $8,913, while the number of burial contracts decreased 1.8% to 6,196. The average revenue per cremation contract increased 1.4% to $3,422 and the number of cremation contracts increased 2.7% to 8,284.
The burial rate for our same store businesses decreased 100 basis points to 39.7%, while the cremation rate increased 100 basis points to 53.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which are charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service and which made up approximately 7.3% of the total number of contracts in the six months ended June 30, 2018, decreased 5.8% to $2,383.
Same store operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2018 decreased $1.2 million, or 3.8%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. In addition to the decrease in same store revenue, same store operating profit margin (same store operating profit as a percentage of same store operating revenue) decreased by 150 basis points to 38.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The decline in same store operating profit margin is primarily the result of an increase in salaries and benefits expenses, which increased $1.2 million, or 5.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2018 when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The primary driver of this increase is related to increased health care costs in 2018, as well as our continued focus on hiring additional managing partners and continuous upgrading of personnel at our same store businesses. While this results in shorter term higher salaries and benefits, we believe that having the right managing partners and right staff at these businesses will increase market share and grow same store revenue in the longer term.
Funeral home acquired operating revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased $4.4 million, or 28.8%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The funeral home acquired portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2018 includes seven businesses acquired in the fourth quarter of 2017, not present in the six months ended June 30, 2017 results. We experienced a 35.7% increase in the total number of contracts to 3,153, while the average revenue per contract decreased 5.0% to $6,219. The average revenue per contract excludes the impact of the preneed funeral trust earnings (reflected separately in Revenues above) recognized at the time that we provide the services pursuant to the preneed contract. Including funeral trust earnings, the average revenue per contract decreased 5.6% to $6,334 in the six months ended June 30, 2018. The average revenue per burial contract increased 2.3% to $9,766 and the number of burial contracts increased 22.8% to 1,352. The average revenue per cremation contract decreased 9.8% to $4,008, while the number of cremation contracts increased 51.6% to 1,551. The decrease in average revenue per contract is primarily due to the higher cremation rates in the businesses we acquired in Colorado in 2017 for the six months ended June 30, 2018.
The burial rate for our acquired businesses decreased 450 basis points to 42.9%, while the cremation rate increased 520 basis points to 49.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The average revenue for “other” contracts, which are charges for merchandise or services for which we do not perform a funeral service and which made up approximately 7.9% of the total number of contracts in the six months ended June 30, 2018, decreased 15.9% to $2,206.
Acquired operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased $1.1 million, or 18.7%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. Although acquired operating revenue increased, acquired operating profit margin decreased 320 basis points to 37.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease is primarily due to the seven businesses we acquired in the fourth quarter of 2017, as operating profit margins for newly acquired businesses are generally lower than same store businesses, particularly in regards to higher salary and benefit costs. As these acquired businesses transition into our Standards Operating Model, we expect to see their operating profit margins rise towards those on a same store basis.
Funeral home divested operating revenues and operating profit are from one business divested in December 2017. Expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 are residual expenses incurred for the divested business.
The two categories of financial revenue consist of preneed funeral insurance commission revenue and preneed funeral trust earnings. Preneed funeral insurance commission revenue decreased by 3.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Preneed funeral insurance commission revenue is deferred for one year after the preneed funeral contracts are sold, thus, the preneed commission revenue recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2018 is from the preneed funeral insurance contracts sold in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The number of preneed insurance contracts sold in the six months ended June 30, 2017 decreased 5.6%, while the face value of the insurance products that earned commissions increased 12.4% compared to the contracts sold during the same period of 2016. Preneed funeral trust earnings include trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor based on the fair market value of the trust assets and earnings from the maturity of preneed funeral contracts. Trust earnings increased $0.2 million, or 6.6%, for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase is primarily due to an increase in earnings from the maturity of preneed contracts with a slight increase in the earnings from trust management fees.

Operating profit for our two categories of financial revenue, on a combined basis, increased $0.2 million, or 5.1%, in the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.
Cemetery Segment
The following tables set forth certain information regarding the revenues and operating profit from our cemetery operations for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands)2017 (in thousands, except percentages):
For the Three Months Ended June 30, ChangeThree Months Ended June 30, Change
2016 2017 Amount %2017 2018 Amount %
Revenues:              
Same store operating revenue$12,494
 $11,935
 $(559) (4.5)%$11,935
 $12,176
 $241
 2.0 %
Acquired operating revenue625
 700
 75
 12.0 %700
 1,008
 308
 44.0 %
Cemetery trust earnings1,831
 2,028
 197
 10.8 %2,028
 1,635
 (393) (19.4)%
Preneed cemetery finance charges448
 450
 2
 0.4 %450
 496
 46
 10.2 %
Total$15,398
 $15,113
 $(285) (1.9)%$15,113
 $15,315
 $202
 1.3 %
              
Operating profit:              
Same store operating profit$4,098
 $3,343
 $(755) (18.4)%$3,343
 $3,620
 $277
 8.3 %
Acquired operating profit91
 190
 99
 108.8 %190
 411
 221
 116.3 %
Cemetery trust earnings1,772
 1,968
 196
 11.1 %1,968
 1,516
 (452) (23.0)%
Preneed cemetery finance charges448
 450
 2
 0.4 %450
 496
 46
 10.2 %
Total$6,409
 $5,951
 $(458) (7.1)%$5,951
 $6,043
 $92
 1.5 %
Cemetery same store operating revenuesrevenue for the three months ended June 30, 2017 decreased $0.62018 increased $0.2 million, or 4.5%2.0%, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2016.2017. Approximately 58.0% of our cemetery same store operating revenues wererevenue related to preneed sales of interment rights (property) and related merchandise and services for the three months ended June 30, 2017.2018. Preneed revenue decreased $0.8increased $0.1 million, or 10.8%,1.9% primarily due to the increase in preneed merchandise and services revenue recognized in the period. Preneed property revenue remained flat as we experienced a 7.4%19.5% increase in average price per interment right to $3,854, while we experienced a 15.3% decrease in the number of preneed interment rights (property) sold to 1,855 and a 0.8% decrease in average price per interment to $3,2241,572 for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017. The decreaseincrease in the average price per interment was primarily a result of attrition of key sales personnelin higher-valued gardens constructed in recent years at certain businesses during the period.of our same store businesses. Same store at-needatneed revenue, which represents approximately 42.0% of our same store cemetery operating revenues, increased $0.3$0.1 million, or 5.9%2.2%, due primarily to a 11.7%an 11.2% increase in the average sale per contract to $1,479.$1,645.
Cemetery same store operating profit for the three months ended June 30, 2017 decreased $0.82018 increased $0.3 million, or 18.4%8.3%, from the same period in 2016. As2017. Cemetery same store operating profit as a percentage of cemetery same store operating revenue cemetery(cemetery operating profit decreasedmargin) increased to 28.0%29.7% in the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to 32.8%28.0% in the same period in 2016.2017. The decreaseincrease in cemetery same store operating profit wasmargin is primarily a result ofdue to the decreaseincrease in revenue.
Cemetery acquired operating revenue combined with aincreased $0.3 million, or 44.0%, and cemetery acquired operating profit increased $0.2 million, or 2.3%116.3%, increase in bad debt expense for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared withto the same period in 2016.
Cemetery2017. Our acquired operatingcemetery portfolio consists of only one cemetery business that experienced both increased revenue and acquired operating profit increased forbetter management of expenses in the three months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to a $0.1 million increase in preneed revenue, as we experienced a 22.2% increase in the number of preneed contracts sold to 77 compared with the same period in 2016 in our acquired portfolio. Cemetery acquired operating profit margin increased from 14.6% to 27.1% for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017.
The two categories of financial revenue consist of trust earnings and finance charges on preneed receivables. Trust earnings also include trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor based on the fair market value of the trust assets. Total trust earnings increased $0.2and financial revenue earned from finance charges decreased $0.3 million or 10.8%,in the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease is primarily due to a $0.2 million increase indecreased capital gains from our perpetual care trust in the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016. Financial revenue earned from finance charges on the preneed contracts remained flat in the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.2017.

Cemetery Segment.The following tables set forth certain information regarding the revenues and operating profit from theour cemetery operations for the six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands)2017 (in thousands, except percentages):
For the Six Months Ended June 30, ChangeSix Months Ended June 30, Change
2016 2017 Amount %2017 2018 Amount %
Revenues:              
Same store operating revenue$23,626
 $22,774
 $(852) (3.6)%$22,774
 $23,893
 $1,119
 4.9 %
Acquired operating revenue1,334
 1,609
 275
 20.6 %1,609
 1,878
 269
 16.7 %
Cemetery trust earnings3,597
 3,744
 147
 4.1 %3,744
 3,394
 (350) (9.3)%
Preneed cemetery finance charges870
 932
 62
 7.1 %932
 943
 11
 1.2 %
Total$29,427
 $29,059
 $(368) (1.3)%$29,059
 $30,108
 $1,049
 3.6 %
              
Operating profit:              
Same store operating profit$7,941
 $6,638
 $(1,303) (16.4)%$6,638
 $7,380
 $742
 11.2 %
Acquired operating profit312
 543
 231
 74.0 %543
 736
 193
 35.5 %
Cemetery trust earnings3,453
 3,573
 120
 3.5 %3,573
 3,134
 (439) (12.3)%
Preneed cemetery finance charges870
 932
 62
 7.1 %932
 943
 11
 1.2 %
Total$12,576
 $11,686
 $(890) (7.1)%$11,686
 $12,193
 $507
 4.3 %
Cemetery same store operating revenuesrevenue for the six months ended June 30, 2017 decreased $0.92018 increased $1.1 million, or 3.6%4.9%, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016.2017. Approximately 57.0%58.0% of our cemetery same store operating revenues wererevenue related to preneed sales of interment rights (property) and related merchandise and services for the six months ended June 30, 2017.2018. Preneed revenue decreased $1.4increased $0.9 million, or 10.1%, as6.9% comprised of a $0.7 million increase in preneed property and a $0.2 million increase in preneed merchandise and services revenue recognized in the period. We experienced 6.7% increase in average price per interment right to $3,464, while we experienced a 13.7%0.8% decrease in the number of preneed interment rights (property) sold to 3,400 in3,374 for the six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017. The decrease was primarily a result of attrition of key sales personnel at certain businesses during the period. The decrease was partially offset by an 8.8% increase in the average price per interment to $3,246, which was a result of sales of higher valued intermentsin higher-valued gardens constructed in recent years at newly constructed gardens at severalcertain of our same store businesses. During the first quarter of 2018, we recognized revenue from a completed large garden at a certain cemetery business. Same store at-needatneed revenue, which represents approximately 43.0%42.0% of our same store cemetery operating revenues, increased $0.6$0.2 million, or 6.3%2.3%, due primarily to a 9.5%an 8.2% increase in the average sale per contract to $1,413.$1,529.
Cemetery same store operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2017 decreased $1.32018 increased $0.7 million, or 16.4%11.2%, from the same period in 2016. As2017. Cemetery same store operating profit as a percentage of cemetery same store operating revenue cemetery(cemetery operating profit decreasedmargin) increased to 29.1%30.9% in the six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to 33.6%29.1% in the same period in 2016.2017. The decreaseincrease in cemetery same store operating profit was primarily a result ofmargin is due to the decreaseincrease in revenue, combined withoffset by a $0.5 million or 2.9%, increase in controllable expenses. The categories with significant increases include $0.4 million of facilities and grounds expenses and $0.1 million of salaries and benefits.
Cemetery acquired operating costs forrevenue increased $0.3 million, or 16.7% and acquired operating profit increased $0.2 million, or 35.5%, from the same period in 2017. Cemetery acquired operating profit as a percentage of cemetery acquired operating revenue (cemetery operating profit margin) increased to 39.2% in the six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared withto 33.7% in the same period in 2016. Those expenses with significant increases include $0.3 million2017. Our acquired cemetery portfolio consists of salaries and benefits and $0.2 million of facilities and grounds expenses.
Cemetery acquired operatingonly one cemetery business that experienced both increased revenue and acquired operating profit increased forbetter management of expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to a $0.3 million increase in preneed revenue, as we have experienced a 34.8% increase in the number of preneed contracts sold to 178 compared with the same period in 2016 in our acquired portfolio. Cemetery acquired operating profit margin increased from 23.4% to 33.7% for the six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016.2017.
The two categories of financial revenue consist of trust earnings and finance charges on preneed receivables. Trust earnings also include trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor based on the fair market value of the trust assets. Total trust earnings increased $0.1and financial revenue earned from finance charges decreased $0.3 million, or 4.1%7.2%, primarily due to capital gains from our perpetual care trust in the six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to the same period in 2016. Financial revenue earned from finance charges on the preneed contracts increased $0.1 million or 7.1% in the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, primarily as a result of our increased collection efforts and decreased interest-free sales promotions.2017.
Other Financial Statement Items
Depreciation and Amortization.
Depreciation and amortization costs for therelated to our field and home office totaled $4.0$3.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017,2018, an increase of $0.1$0.3 million, or 1.7%7.0%, from the three months ended June 30, 20162017. Depreciation and $7.9amortization related to our field and home office totaled $7.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017,2018, an increase of $0.2$0.6 million, or 2.4%7.9%, from the six months ended June 30, 2016.2017. These increases were primarily attributable to additional depreciation expense from assets acquired in our 2016 acquisitions.2017 acquisitions, as well as the completion of two constructed funeral homes in the latter half of 2017.

Regional and Unallocated Funeral and Cemetery Costs.
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs consist of salaries and benefits for regional management, field incentive compensation and other related costs for field infrastructure. Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs totaled $2.9$3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, an increase of $0.3 million, or 10.6%, compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to a $0.3 million increase in salaries and benefits expenses and a $0.1 million increase in field incentive compensation in line with Standards Achievement at certain businesses, offset by a $0.1 million decrease in severance expenses.
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs totaled $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, an increase of $0.6 million, or 10.8%, compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in field incentive compensation in line with Standards Achievement at certain businesses, $0.3 million increase in salaries and benefits expenses, offset by a $0.2 million decrease in severance expenses and $0.1 million in other general administrative costs.
General, Administrative and Other
General, administrative and other expenses totaled $6.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 2.9%, compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease was attributable to a $0.2 million decrease in public company and regulatory costs, a $0.2 million decrease in salaries and benefits expenses, a $0.1 million decrease in severance expenses and a $0.1 million decrease in other general administrative costs, offset by a $0.3 million increase in health care costs and a $0.1 million increase in equity compensation.
General, administrative and other expenses totaled $13.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 3.1%, compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease was attributable to a $0.5 million decrease in public company and regulatory costs, a $0.4 million decrease in salaries and benefits expenses, a $0.3 million decrease in severance expenses and a $0.1 million decrease in other general administrative costs, offset by a $0.4 million increase in equity compensation, a $0.3 million increase in health care costs and a $0.2 million increase in incentive compensation.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $4.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of approximately $1.5 million due to the following: (i) an increase of $1.9 million related to our Senior Notes, which represents approximately one month of accrued interest; (ii) an increase of $0.2 million or 8.8%,related to our Former Credit Agreement, due to an increase in our weighted average interest rate and additional borrowings, offset by; (iii) a decrease of $0.5 million of accrued interest related to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes; and (iv) a decrease of $0.1 million related to loan cost amortization for the New Credit Facility compared to the same period in 2016, primarily dueFormer Credit Agreement.
Interest expense was $8.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to a $0.3 million increase in field incentive compensation, a $0.2

million increase in severance expense, offset by a $0.2 million decrease in other administrative expenses and a $0.1 million decrease in salaries and benefits. Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs totaled $5.9$6.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $0.1approximately $2.3 million or 2.5%,due to the following: (i) an increase of $1.9 million related to our Senior Notes, which represents approximately one month of accrued interest; (ii) an increase of $0.9 million related to our Former Credit Agreement, due to an increase in our weighted average interest rate and additional borrowings, offset by; (iii) a decrease of $0.5 million of accrued interest related to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes.
Accretion of Discount on Convertible Notes
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized accretion of the discount on our Convertible Notes of $0.6 million compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to a $0.2 million increase in the incentive award for the Good To Great incentive plan, offset by a $0.1 million decrease in other administrative expenses.
General, Administrative and Other. General, administrative and other expenses totaled $6.6$1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, a decrease of $0.7approximately $0.5 million, or 12.6%, fromwhich was attributable to the threeExchange of our Convertible Notes.
For the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase was attributable2018, we recognized accretion of the discount on our Convertible Notes of $1.7 million compared to a $0.5 million increase in salaries and benefits for leadership investments in our Houston support office, a $0.4 million increase in public company, regulatory and legal costs related to tax planning, filing our current shelf registration statement and adopting a new long-term incentive plan, a $0.1million increase in severance and retirement expenses, and a $0.1 million increase in incentive compensation, offset by a $0.2 million decrease in equity compensation and a $0.2 million decrease in acquisition costs.
General, administrative and other expenses totaled $13.4$2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, a decrease of $1.7approximately $0.4 million, or 11.0%, fromwhich was attributable to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes.
Net Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt
For the six months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease was attributable to2018, we recognized a $2.2net loss of approximately $0.9 million decrease in severance and retirement expenses primarilyon the early extinguishment of debt for the following transactions:
(i) a loss of approximately $1.6 million related to the executive that retired in March 2016,termination of our Former Credit Agreement, which consisted of a write-off of approximately $0.7 million decrease in acquisition costs and a $0.4 million decrease in equity compensation, offset by a $0.8 million increase in public company, regulatory and legalof transaction costs related to tax planning, filing our current shelf registration statement and adopting a new long-term incentive plan, a $0.6 million increase in salaries and benefits for leadership investments in our Houston support officethe Eighth Amendment and a $0.2write-off of approximately $0.9 million increase in other general costs.of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Former Credit Agreement;
Interest Expense. Interest(ii) a net gain of approximately $1.2 million related to the redemption of our Convertible Notes, which consisted of a gain of approximately $2.5 million on the difference between the fair value and the carrying amount of the liability component of our Convertible Notes immediately preceding the Exchange and a loss of approximately $1.3 million related to the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs due to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes; and

(iii) a loss of approximately $0.5 million related to transaction costs incurred for the redemption of our Convertible Notes.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $3.2$1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, an increase of approximately $0.2 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, interest expense increased by approximately $0.1 million related to our term note and revolving credit facility and by approximately $0.1 million related to our deferred purchase obligations for our 2016 acquisitions.
Interest2017. Income tax expense was $6.2$3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 20172018 compared to $5.8$7.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, an increase of approximately $0.4 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, interest expense increased by approximately $0.1 million related to our term note and revolving credit facility and by approximately $0.3 million related to our deferred purchase obligations for our 2016 acquisitions.
Accretion of Discount on Convertible Subordinated Notes. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized accretion of the discount on our convertible subordinated notes issued in March 2014 of $1.1 million and $2.1 million respectively, compared to $1.0 million and $1.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. Accretion is calculated using the effective interest method based on a stated interest rate of 6.75%.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense was $3.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $3.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016.2017. We recorded income taxes at the estimated effective rate, before discrete items, of 27.5% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 40.0% for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the reduction of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to 21% from 35% resulting from enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”).
The discrete items include income tax benefit related to stock compensation and 2016. Incomerefunds received from the completion of state income tax audits, income tax expense was $7.8 millionrelated to state tax rate changes and other non-material discrete state items. Regulatory changes from the TCJA negatively impacted the effective tax rate for the first six months ended June 30, 2017 comparedof 2018 by 0.2% due to $6.5 millionthe repeal of the domestic production activities deduction and 0.3% due to the exclusion of performance based compensation from the overall executive compensation deduction limitation. Additionally, regulatory changes to the deductibility of meals and entertainment along with the state conformity to the federal bonus depreciation rules both had a non-material negative rate impact on the effective tax rate. We adopted the provisions of Topic 606 using the modified retrospective approach, effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this topic did not have a material impact on the effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2016.reporting period.
We have approximately $32.9$32.0 million of state net operating loss carry forwards that will expire between 20182019 and 2038,2039, if not utilized. Based on management’s assessment of the various state net operating losses, it has been determined that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize the tax benefits of certain portions of the state losses. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been established and the deferred tax asset for the state operating losses is reviewed every quarter.quarterly. At June 30, 2017,2018, the valuation allowance totaled $0.2 million.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are internally generated cash flows from operating activities and availability under our New Credit Facility.
We generate cash in our operations primarily from at-needatneed sales and delivery of preneed sales. We also generate cash from earnings on our cemetery perpetual care trusts. Based on our recent operating results, current cash position and anticipated future cash flows, we do not anticipate any significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future. However, if our capital expenditures or acquisition plans change, we may need to access the capital markets to obtain additional funding. Further, to the extent operating cash flow or access to and costscost of financing sources are materially different than expected, future liquidity may be adversely affected. Please read Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
We intend to use cash on hand and future borrowings under our New Credit Facility primarily to acquire funeral home and cemetery businesses and for internal growth projects, such as cemetery inventory development and funeral home expansion projects.projects, and for payment of dividends. From time to time we may also use our cash resources (including borrowings under our New Credit Facility) to repurchase shares of our common stock and our Convertible Notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions. We have the ability to draw on our senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to customary terms and conditions of the New Credit Agreement.Facility. We believe that our existing and anticipated cash balance, future cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Credit Facility described belowresources will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working capital requirements, capital expenditures, scheduled debt payments, commitments, dividends and acquisitions for the foreseeable future.

Cash Flows
We began 20172018 with $3.3$1.0 million in cash and other liquid investments and ended the second quarter with $0.4$40.5 million in cash. As of June 30, 2017,2018, we had no borrowings of $62.1 million outstanding on our revolving credit facilityNew Credit Facility compared to $67.7$92.0 million outstanding under our Former Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2016.2017.
The following table sets forth the elements of cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 (in millions):
For the Six Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
2016 20172017 2018
Cash at January 1st
$0.5
 $3.3
$3.3
 $1.0
Cash flow from operating activities25.0
 20.2
20.2
 26.3
Acquisitions and land for new construction(9.4) (0.6)(0.6) 
Purchase of land and buildings previously leased(6.3) 
Net proceeds from the sale of other assets0.6
 
Growth capital expenditures(4.4) (4.1)(4.1) (1.4)
Maintenance capital expenditures(3.4) (4.7)(4.7) (3.7)
Net (payments) borrowings on our revolving credit facility, term loan and long-term debt obligations0.1
 (11.9)
Net payments on long-term debt obligations(11.9) (220.3)
Payment of debt issuance costs related to long-term debt
 (1.6)
Redemption of the Convertible Notes
 (75.2)
Payment of transaction costs related to the redemption of the Convertible Notes
 (0.8)
Proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes
 320.1
Payment of debt issuance costs related to the Senior Notes
 (1.4)
Taxes paid on restricted stock vestings and exercise of non-qualified options(0.5) (0.5)(0.5) (0.5)
Dividends paid on common stock(0.8) (1.7)(1.7) (2.6)
Payment of loan origination costs related to the credit facility(0.7) 
Excess tax deficiency of equity compensation(0.2) 
Other financing proceeds0.4
 0.4
Other financing costs0.4
 0.6
Cash at June 30th
$0.9
 $0.4
$0.4
 $40.5
Operating Activities
For the six months ended June 30, 2017,2018 cash flow provided by operating activities was $20.2$26.3 million compared to cash flow provided by operating activities of $25.0$20.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, a decrease2017. The increase of $4.8$6.1 million is due primarily to the weak performance in the second quarter and unfavorablefavorable working capital changes, which include the timing of payments for income taxes, paymentsa payment made in 2017 for accrued severance for the retirement of a former executive, andwhich did not occur in 2018. In addition, we paid twelve Managing Partners in 2017 (largest plan participant year), compared to three Managing Partners in 2018 under our Good To Great incentive compensation plan during the first quarter of 2017.plan.

Investing Activities
Our investing activities, resulted in a net cash outflow of $5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $9.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $22.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, a decrease of $13.5$4.3 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, we purchased land for a funeral home parking lot expansion project for approximately $0.6 million. Capital expenditures totaled $8.8 million, of which $4.1 million and $4.7 million were growth and maintenance capital expenditures, respectively. Our growth capital expenditures were primarily related to cemetery development costs of $2.2 million, construction costs related to new funeral home facilities of approximately $1.3 million and renovations at certain businesses of $0.6 million. Maintenance capital expenditures in

For the six months ended June 30, 2017 were primarily related2018, capital expenditures totaled $5.1 million compared to vehicle purchases$8.8 million, a decrease of $1.4 million, maintenance projects for facility repairs and improvements of $1.4 million, general equipment and furniture purchases of $1.2 million, and paving roads, parking lots and landscaping projects of $0.7 million.
During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we acquired two funeral home businesses for approximately $10.2$3.7 million. The purchase price consisted of $6.7 million paid in cash at closing and $3.5 million of deferred purchase price payments. We purchased land for funeral home expansion projects for approximately $2.7 million. Additionally, we purchased land and buildings at four funeral home businesses that were previously leased for approximately $6.3 million. Capital expenditures totaled $7.8 million, of which $4.4 million and $3.4 million werefollowing tables present our growth and maintenance capital expenditures respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Our growth capital expenditures were primarily related to construction costs related to funeral home facilities of approximately $1.3 million, renovations at certain businesses of $0.9 million and cemetery development costs of $2.2 million. Maintenance capital expenditures in the six months ended June 30, 2016 were primarily related to vehicle purchases of $1.0 million, general equipment and furniture purchases of $1.0 million and maintenance projects such as paving roads, parking lots, facility repairs and improvements of $1.4 million.(in millions):
 Six Months Ended June 30,
 2017 2018
Growth   
Cemetery development$2.2
 $0.9
Construction for new funeral facilities1.3
 0.1
Renovations at certain businesses0.6
 0.4
Total$4.1
 $1.4
 Six Months Ended June 30,
 2017 2018
Maintenance   
Facility repairs and improvements$1.4
 $0.7
Vehicles1.4
 1.3
General equipment and furniture1.2
 1.1
Paving roads and parking lots0.7
 0.3
Information technology infrastructure improvements
 0.3
Total$4.7
 $3.7
Financing Activities
Our financing activities resulted in a net cash inflow of $18.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to a net cash outflow of $13.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $1.7 million foran increase of $32.1 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, an increase2018, we had net borrowings on our Senior Notes of $12.0 million. $318.8 million, offset by net payments on our long-term debt obligations of $221.9 million and a payment of $76.1 million to exchange our Convertible Notes. We also paid $2.6 million in dividends.
During the six months ended June 30, 2017, we had net payments on our revolving credit facility and term loanlong-term debt obligations of $11.2 million compared to net borrowings of $0.8$11.9 million. We paid $1.7 million in dividends.
Dividends
For the same period in 2016.
On May 19, 2016, our Board approved an increase in our quarterly dividend on our common stock from $0.025 to $0.05 per share, effective with respect to dividends payable on September 1, 2016three and later. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 we paid $1.7 million in dividends compared to $0.8 million in the same period in 2016.
During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we paid transaction costs of approximately $0.7 million related to the Seventh Amendment of our Credit Facility.
Dividends
On April 27, 2017and 2018, our Board declared a dividend of $0.05the following dividends payable on the dates below (in thousands, except per share totaling approximately $0.8 million, which was paid on June 1, 2017 to record holders of our common stock as of May 15, 2017. During the three months ended 2016, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share, totaling approximately $0.4 million. For the six months endedamounts):
2017Per Share Dollar Value
March 1st$0.050
 $833
June 1st$0.050
 $835
    
2018Per Share Dollar Value
March 1st$0.075
 $1,207
June 1st$0.075
 $1,433
Share Repurchase
At June 30, 2016 and 2017,2018, we paid total dividends ofhad approximately $0.8$26.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
Share Repurchase Program
On February 25, 2016,available for repurchases under our Board approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to purchase up to an aggregate of $25.0 million of our common stock in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).program. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017,2018, we did not repurchasepurchase any shares of common stock pursuant to thisour share repurchase program.
Long-term Debt Obligations
The outstanding principal of our total long-term debt and capital lease obligations at June 30, 2017 totaled $209.6 million and consisted of $133.1 million under our term loan, $62.1 million outstanding under ourOn April 25, 2018, we entered into an Eighth Amendment, which amended the Former Credit Agreement as follows:
(i) increase the aggregate revolving credit facilitycommitment to $200 million;
(ii) permit the Company to use the proceeds of revolving loans; (a) to repay certain indebtedness; (b) for working capital and $14.4 million in acquisitionacquisitions; (c) to make certain capital expenditures; (d) to pay interest on certain subordinated indebtedness and capital lease obligations.refinancing
As
indebtedness (subject to the satisfaction of June 30, 2017, we had a $300 millioncertain terms and conditions); (e) to prepay, repay, purchase or redeem certain subordinated indebtedness; and (f) for general corporate purposes;
(iii) modify the maximum senior secured bank credit facility with Bankleverage ratio covenant; and
(iv) release the mortgage liens of America, N.A., asthe Administrative Agent (the “Credit Agreement”),on certain real property collateral located in a flood plain, among other things.
Following the effectiveness of the Eighth Amendment, the Former Credit Agreement was comprised of a $150$200 million revolving credit facility and a $150 million term loanloan. Under the Former Credit Agreement, as amended by the Eighth Amendment, we were required to comply with a covenant to maintain a maximum senior secured leverage ratio. We incurred approximately $0.7 million in transaction costs related to the Eighth Amendment of our Former Credit Agreement, which were recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt.
On May 7, 2018, we used the remaining capacity from the Eighth Amendment to redeem approximately 80% of the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Notes. We recognized (i) a net gain of approximately $1.2 million related to the redemption of our Convertible Notes; and (ii) a loss of approximately $0.5 million related to transaction costs incurred for the redemption of our Convertible Notes, all of which were recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt.
On May 31, 2018, we completed the issuance of $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes.
On May 31, 2018, we used approximately $291.4 million of the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes to repay all amounts outstanding under our Former Credit Agreement and all commitments thereunder were terminated. In connection with the repayment in full of all amounts due thereunder, the Former Credit Agreement was retired and $2.0 million of letters of credit previously issued under the Former Credit Agreement were deemed issued under (and remain outstanding under) the New Credit Facility. We did not incur any material early termination penalties in connection with the repayment of the Former Credit Agreement. In connection with the termination of the Former Credit Agreement, we recognized (i) a loss of approximately $0.7 million related to the Eighth Amendment transaction costs; and (ii) a loss of approximately $0.9 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Former Credit Agreement, all of which were recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt.
On May 31, 2018, in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, we entered into a $150 million New Credit Facility with Credit Facility Guarantors (as defined below), the financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. Our obligations under the New Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the same subsidiaries which guarantee the Senior Notes and certain of our subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “Credit Facility”Facility Guarantors”).
At closing, we had no outstanding borrowings under the New Credit Facility and $148.0 million of availability after giving effect to the $2.0 million of letters of credit previously issued under the Former Credit Agreement that were deemed issued under (and remain outstanding under) the New Credit Facility. The New Credit Facility includes an accordion feature allowing for future increases in the facility size by an additional amount of up to $75.0 million. The New Credit Facility matures on May 31, 2023. Interest will accrue on amounts outstanding under the New Credit Facility at either a prime rate or a LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin based upon our total leverage ratio.
We incurred approximately $0.9 million in transactions costs related to our New Credit Facility, which were capitalized and will be amortized over the remaining term of the related debt using the straight-line method and are recorded in Intangible and other non-current assets.
The New Credit Facility is secured by a first-priority perfected security interest in and lien on substantially all of our personal property assets and those of the Credit Facility Guarantors, and will include provisions which require us and such subsidiaries, upon the occurrence of an event of default under the New Credit Facility, to grant additional liens on real property assets accounting for no less than 50% of our and the Credit Facility Guarantors' funeral operations.
The New 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 our business and the maintenance of existing rights and privileges, the maintenance of property and insurance, amongst others.
In addition, the New Credit Facility also contains an accordion provisioncustomary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, borrow upcovenants that, among other things, restrict (subject to an additional $75certain exceptions) our ability and the Credit Facility Guarantor's ability to incur indebtedness, grant liens, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, and pay dividends and other restricted payments, and the following financial covenants: a total leverage ratio not to exceed 5.50 to 1.00, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1.00 as of the end of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters. We will calculate the financial covenants on a consolidated basis.

As of June 30, 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings under the New Credit Facility and $16.5 million in revolving loans, subject to certain conditions. The Credit Facility is collateralized by all personal propertyacquisition indebtedness and funeral home real property in certain states.
capital lease obligations. We havehad one letter of credit issued on November 30, 20162017 and outstanding under the New Credit Facility for approximately $2.0 million, which bears interest at 2.125% and will expire on November 27, 2017.26, 2018. The letter of credit automatically renews annually and

secures our obligations under our various self-insured policies. Under theOutstanding borrowings under our New Credit Facility outstanding borrowings bear interest at either a prime rate or a LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin based upon our leverage ratio. AtAs of June 30, 2017,2018, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 1.125%1.00% and the LIBOR margin was 2.125%2.00%. The weighted average interest rate on theour Former Credit FacilityAgreement for the three and six months ended June 30, 20172018 was 3.1%4.2% and 3.0%4.0%, respectively.
We have no material assets or operations independentAs of our subsidiaries. All assets and operations are held and conducted by our subsidiaries, each of which have fully and unconditionally guaranteed our obligations under the Credit Facility. Additionally,June 30, 2018, we do not currently have any significant restrictions on our ability to receive dividends or loans from any subsidiary guarantor under the Credit Facility.
We were in compliance with the covenants contained in the New Credit Agreement as of June 30, 2017. The Credit Agreement contains key ratiosFacility, with which we must comply, including a requirement to maintain a leverage ratio of no more than 3.55.03 to 1.00 and a covenant to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.20 to 1.00. As of June 30, 2017, the leverage ratio was 2.75 to 1.00 and the fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.011.93 to 1.00.
Amortization of debt issuance costs related to our New Credit Facility was approximately $0.1 million$13,000 for both the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017 and $0.2 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017.2018. The unamortized debt issuance costs related to the New Credit Facility are being amortized over the remaining term of the related debt using the effectivestraight-line method.
Acquisition debt consisted of deferred purchase price and promissory notes payable to sellers. Imputed interest methodexpense related to our acquisition debt was $0.2 million for our term loanboth the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 and $0.4 million for both the straight line method for our revolving credit facility.six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018.
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2021
On March 19, 2014, we issued $143.75 million aggregate principal amount of 2.75% convertible subordinated notes due March 15, 2021 (the “Convertible Notes”).our Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes bear interest at 2.75% per year. Interest on the Convertible Notes began to accrue on March 19, 2014 and is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year.
On May 7, 2018, we completed our Exchange of approximately $115.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes in privately negotiated exchange agreements with a limited number of convertible noteholders, for approximately $74.8 million in cash (plus accrued interest of $0.4 million totaling $75.2 million) and 2,822,859 newly issued shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share, pursuant to a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The cash portion of the exchange consideration was funded from our Former Credit Agreement. Following the settlement of the Exchange, the aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Notes outstanding was reduced to approximately $28.8 million.
We recognized a net gain of approximately $1.2 million, which was recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt, related to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes. The gain is composed of a difference of approximately $2.5 million between the fair value and the carrying amount of the liability component of our Convertible Notes immediately preceding the Exchange, partially offset by a write-off of approximately $1.3 million in unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes. The gain does not include the impact of any transaction costs we incurred to exchange the Convertible Notes.
We incurred approximately $0.8 million in transactions costs related to the Exchange of our Convertible Notes, of which approximately $0.5 million was expensed and recorded in Net loss on early extinguishment of debt and approximately $0.3 million was allocated to the equity component and recorded in Additional paid-in capital.
At June 30, 2017,2018, the carrying amount of the equity component was approximately $18.0 million. At June 30, 2017,$3.6 million, the principal amount of the liability component was $143.75approximately $28.8 million and the net carrying amount was $122.0approximately $25.7 million. The remaining unamortized debt discount of $19.8 million and the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.0 million as of June 30, 2017 are being amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the Convertible Notes. The effective interest rate on the unamortized debt discount and the debt issuance costs for both the three and six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2018 was 11.4%. The effective interest rate on the unamortized debt issuance costs for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2018 was 6.75% and 2.75%, respectively.3.2%.
Interest expense on the Convertible Notes included contractual coupon interest expense of approximately $1.0 million and $0.5 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2017 and 2018, respectively and approximately $2.0 million and $1.5 million for both the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017.2018, respectively. Accretion of the discount on the Convertible Notes was $1.0approximately $1.1 million and $1.1$0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively and $1.9approximately $2.1 million and $2.1$1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017,2018, respectively. Amortization of debt issuance costs related to our Convertible Notes was approximately $0.1 million for both the three months ended June 30, 20162017 and 20172018 and approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million for both the six months ended June 30, 20162017 and 2017.2018, respectively.
The initial conversion rate of the Convertible Notes, as of March 19, 2014, was 44.3169 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $22.56 per share of common stock. The adjusted conversion rate of the Convertible Notes, in effect at June 30, 2017,2018, is 44.493844.7976 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, equivalent to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $22.47$22.32 per share of common stock.

Senior Notes
On May 31, 2018, we completed the issuance of $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes and related guarantees in a private offering under Rule 144A and Regulation S of the Securities Act.
We received proceeds of $320.1 million, net of a 1.5% debt discount of $4.9 million, of which we used $291.4 million to repay our existing indebtedness under our Former Credit Agreement and intend to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. We incurred approximately $1.4 million in transaction costs related to the Senior Notes.
The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of May 31, 2018 (the “Indenture”), among us, certain of our existing subsidiaries (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association., as trustee.
The Senior Notes bear interest at 6.625% per year. Interest on the Senior Notes began to accrue on May 31, 2018 and is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2018 to holders of record on each May 15 and November 15 preceding an interest payment date. The Senior Notes mature on June 1, 2026, unless earlier redeemed or purchased. 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.
We may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes at any time prior to June 1, 2021 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Senior Notes redeemed, plus a “make whole” premium, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. We have the right to redeem the Senior Notes at any time on or after June 1, 2021 at the redemption prices described in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Additionally, at any time before June 1, 2021, we may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes issued with an amount equal to the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a price equal to 106.625% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption; provided that (1) at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes (including any additional Senior Notes) originally issued under the Indenture remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Senior Notes held by us); and (2) each such redemption must occur within 180 days of the date of the closing of each such equity offering.
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, it 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 of $4.9 million and the debt issuance costs of $1.4 million are being amortized using the effective interest method over the remaining term of approximately 95 months of the Senior Notes. The effective interest rate on the unamortized discount and the debt issuance costs for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was 6.87% and 6.69%, respectively.
Interest expense on the Senior Notes included contractual coupon interest expense of approximately $1.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Amortization of the debt discount and debt issuance costs on the Senior Notes was $38,000 and $11,000 for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.
SEASONALITY
Our business can be affected by seasonal fluctuations in the death rate. Generally, the death rate is higher during the winter months because the incidences of death from influenza and pneumonia are higher during this period than other periods of the year.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
In the ordinary course of business, we are typically exposed to a variety of market risks. Currently, these are primarily related to interest rate risk and changes in the values of securities associated with the preneed and perpetual care trusts. Management is actively involved in monitoring exposure to market risk and developing and utilizing appropriate risk management techniques when appropriate and when available for a reasonable price. We are not exposed to any other significant market risks.
The following quantitative and qualitative information is provided about financial instruments to which we are a party at June 30, 20172018 and from which we may incur future gains or losses from changes in market conditions. We do not enter into derivative or other financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
Hypothetical changes in interest rates and the values of securities associated with the preneed and perpetual care trusts chosen for the following estimated sensitivity analysis are considered to be reasonable near-term changes generally based on

consideration of past fluctuations for each risk category. However, since it is not possible to accurately predict future changes in interest rates, these hypothetical changes may not necessarily be an indicator of probable future fluctuations.
The following information about our market-sensitive financial instruments constitutes a “forward-looking statement.”
In connection with our preneed funeral operations and preneed cemetery merchandise and service sales, the related funeral and cemetery trust funds own investments in equity and debt securities and mutual funds, which are sensitive to current market prices. Cost and market values of such investments as of June 30, 20172018 are presented in Item 1, “Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” Notes 34 and 67 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The sensitivity of the fixed income securities is such that a 0.25% change in interest rates causes an approximate 1.52%1.82% change in the value of the fixed income securities.
We monitor current and forecasted interest rate risk in the ordinary course of business and seek to maintain optimal financial flexibility, quality and solvency. As of June 30, 2017,2018, we had no outstanding borrowings of $62.1 million under our $150.0 million revolving credit facility and approximately $133.1 million outstanding on our term loan.the New Credit Facility. Any furtherfuture borrowings or voluntary prepayments against the revolving credit facilityNew Credit Facility or any change in the floating rate would cause a change in interest expense. We have the option to pay interest under the New Credit Facility at either prime rate or LIBOR rate plus a margin. At June 30, 2017,2018, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 1.125%1.00% and the LIBOR margin was 2.125%2.00%. Assuming the outstanding balance remains unchanged, a change of 100 basis points in our borrowing rate would result in a change in income before taxes of $2.0 million. We have not entered into interest rate hedging arrangements in the past. Management continually evaluates the cost and potential benefits of interest rate hedging arrangements.
Our Convertible Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.75% per year. The Convertible Notes do not contain a call feature. At June 30, 2017,2018, the fair value of these notes was approximately $187.6$34.3 million based on the last traded or broker quoted price. Increases in market interest rates may cause the value of the Convertible Notes to decrease, but such changes will not affect our interest costs. 
Our Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.625% per year. The Senior Notes do not contain a call feature. At June 30, 2018, the fair value of these notes was approximately $329.3 million based on the last traded or broker quoted price. Increases in market interest rates may cause the value of the Senior Notes to decrease, but such changes will not affect our interest costs. 
The remainder of our long-term debt and leases consists of non-interest bearing notes and fixed rate instruments that do not trade in a market and do not have a quoted market value. Any increase in market interest rates could cause the fair value of those liabilities to decrease, but such changes will not affect our interest costs.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures.
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our principal executive and financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange(the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive and financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of June 30, 20172018 and that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with US GAAP.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our system of internal control over financial reporting (defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly reportQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings.
We and our subsidiaries are parties to a number of legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. While the outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements. We self-insure against certain risks and carry insurance with coverage and coverage limits for risk in excess of the coverage amounts consistent with our assessment of risks in our business and of an acceptable level of financial exposure. Although there can be no assurance that self-insurance reserves and insurance will be sufficient to mitigate all damages, claims, or contingencies, we believe that the reserves and our insurance provides reasonable coverage for known asserted and unasserted claims. In the event we sustain a loss from a claim and the insurance carrier disputes coverage or coverage limits, we may record a charge in a different period than the recovery, if any, from the insurance carrier.
Item 1A.Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes in our risk factors as previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Readers should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Our level of indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.
Our indebtedness requires significant interest and principal payments. As of June 30, 2018, we had approximately $360.3 million of total debt (excluding debt issuance costs, debt discounts and capital lease obligations), consisting of $9.9 million of acquisition debt (consisting of deferred purchase price and promissory notes payable to sellers of businesses we purchased), $25.4 million of carrying value of the liability of our Convertible Notes, and $325.0 million of our Senior Notes, and we had no borrowings and $148.0 million of availability under the New Credit Facility after giving effect to $2.0 million of outstanding letters of credit.
Our and our subsidiaries’ level of indebtedness could have important consequences to holders of the notes, including:
continuing to require us and certain of our subsidiaries to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of our indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available for operations and any future business opportunities;
limiting flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business or the industry in which we operate;
placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness;
increasing our vulnerability to adverse general economic or industry conditions;
making us and our subsidiaries more vulnerable to increases in interest rates, as borrowings under our New Credit Facility are at variable rates; and
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements and increasing our cost of borrowing.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future from operations, financings or asset sales. Our ability to generate cash is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. We may not generate sufficient funds to service our debt and meet our business needs, such as funding working capital or the expansion of our operations. If we are not able to repay or refinance our debt as it becomes due, we may be forced to take certain actions, including reducing spending on day-to-day operations, reducing future financing for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, selling assets or dedicating an unsustainable level of our cash flow from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness. In addition, our ability to withstand competitive pressures and to react to changes in our industry could be impaired. The lenders who hold our debt could also accelerate amounts due in the event that we default, which could potentially trigger a default or acceleration of the maturity of our other debt, including the notes.
Additionally, our leverage could put us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged. These competitors could have greater financial flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions and secure additional financing for their operations. Our leverage could also impede our ability to withstand downturns in our industry or the economy in general.

Despite our current levels of indebtedness, we may still incur additional indebtedness. This could further exacerbate the risks associated with our indebtedness.
We may incur additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the New Credit Facility and the indenture governing our Senior Notes will limit, but not prohibit, us from incurring additional indebtedness. Additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions also do not prevent us or our subsidiaries from incurring obligations, such as trade payables, that do not constitute indebtedness as defined under our debt agreements. To the extent new debt is added to our current debt levels, the leverage risks associated with our indebtedness would increase.
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to repurchases of our common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2017:2018:
Period 
Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)
 Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program 
Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program(2)
         
April 1, 2018 - April 30, 2018 
 $
 
 $26,019,052
May 1, 2018 - May 31, 2018 
 $
 
 $26,019,052
June 1, 2018 - June 30, 2018 235
 $24.69
 
 $26,019,052
Total for quarter ended June 30, 2018 235
   
  
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid Per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced ProgramDollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
     
April 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017(1)
$

$
Represents shares surrendered by employees to pay taxes withheld upon the vesting of restricted stock awards.
May 1, 2017 - May 31, 2017(2)
$

$
June 1, 2017 - June 30, 2017
$

$
TotalSee Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for quarter ended June 30, 2017

additional information on our publicly announced share repurchase program.
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5.Other Information.
None.
Item 6.Exhibits.
The exhibits required to be filed pursuant to the requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K are set forth in the Exhibit Index accompanying this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are incorporated herein by reference.



SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
  CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
Date:July 27, 201731, 2018/s/ Viki K. Blinderman
  Viki K. Blinderman
  Senior Vice President, Principal Financial Officer and Secretary
   

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
4.1
4.2
   
10.1 Third
   
10.2 Carriage Services, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
10.3
   
*31.1 
   
*31.2 
   
**32 
   
*101 Interactive Data Files.

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


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