Table of Contents

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

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
 
     x     	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934	
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012
or
 
     ¨     	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934	
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission File Number: 001-32270

STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
			
Delaware	 	80-0103159	
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)	 	(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)	
		
311 Veterans Highway, Suite B
Levittown, Pennsylvania	 	19056	
(Address of principal executive offices)	 	(Zip Code)	
(215) 826-2800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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   ¨
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   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

							
Large accelerated filer	 	¨	  	Accelerated filer	 	x	
				
Non-accelerated filer	 	¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	  	Smaller reporting company	 	¨	
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x
The number of the registrant’s outstanding common units at November 1, 2012 was 19,538,051.

 

Table of Contents
 Index – Form 10-Q

 	 	 	  	Page	 	
			
Part I	 	Financial Information	  				
			
Item 1.	 	Financial Statements (unaudited)	  	 	1	  	
			
Item 2.	 	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	  	 	30	  	
			
Item 3.	 	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	  	 	51	  	
			
Item 4.	 	Controls and Procedures	  	 	52	  	
			
Part II	 	Other Information	  				
			
Item 1.	 	Legal Proceedings	  	 	53	  	
			
Item 1A.	 	Risk Factors	  	 	53	  	
			
Item 2.	 	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	  	 	53	  	
			
Item 3.	 	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	  	 	53	  	
			
Item 4.	 	Mine Safety Disclosures	  	 	53	  	
			
Item 5.	 	Other Information	  	 	53	  	
			
Item 6.	 	Exhibits	  	 	54	  	
			
	 	Signatures	  	 	55	  	

Table of Contents
 Part I – Financial Information
 
 Item 1.	Financial Statements	
StoneMor Partners L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 	  	September 30,
2012	 	  	December 31,
2011	 	
Assets	  				  				
Current assets:	  				  				
Cash and cash equivalents	  	$	8,128	  	  	$	12,058	  	
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	  	 	48,109	  	  	 	48,837	  	
Prepaid expenses	  	 	4,727	  	  	 	4,266	  	
Other current assets	  	 	15,548	  	  	 	16,670	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total current assets	  	 	76,512	  	  	 	81,831	  	
Long-term accounts receivable, net of allowance	  	 	69,631	  	  	 	68,419	  	
Cemetery property	  	 	309,340	  	  	 	298,938	  	
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	  	 	79,567	  	  	 	73,777	  	
Merchandise trusts, restricted, at fair value	  	 	372,775	  	  	 	344,515	  	
Perpetual care trusts, restricted, at fair value	  	 	282,651	  	  	 	254,679	  	
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization	  	 	9,681	  	  	 	8,817	  	
Deferred selling and obtaining costs	  	 	73,904	  	  	 	68,542	  	
Deferred tax assets	  	 	605	  	  	 	415	  	
Goodwill	  	 	40,393	  	  	 	31,907	  	
Other assets	  	 	14,878	  	  	 	16,918	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	1,329,937	  	  	$	1,248,758	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Liabilities and partners’ capital	  				  				
Current liabilities:	  				  				
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	  	$	22,914	  	  	$	26,428	  	
Accrued interest	  	 	5,688	  	  	 	1,632	  	
Current portion, long-term debt	  	 	1,770	  	  	 	1,487	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total current liabilities	  	 	30,372	  	  	 	29,547	  	
Other long-term liabilities	  	 	1,884	  	  	 	2,830	  	
Long-term debt	  	 	236,118	  	  	 	193,835	  	
Deferred cemetery revenues, net	  	 	484,941	  	  	 	441,678	  	
Deferred tax liabilities	  	 	15,191	  	  	 	16,968	  	
Merchandise liability	  	 	128,452	  	  	 	128,942	  	
Perpetual care trust corpus	  	 	282,651	  	  	 	254,679	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total liabilities	  	 	1,179,609	  	  	 	1,068,479	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Commitments and contingencies	  				  				
Partners’ capital	  				  				
General partner	  	 	944	  	  	 	2,192	  	
Common partners	  	 	149,384	  	  	 	178,087	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total partners’ capital	  	 	150,328	  	  	 	180,279	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total liabilities and partners’ capital	  	$	1,329,937	  	  	$	1,248,758	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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StoneMor Partners L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(in thousands, except unit data)
(unaudited)

 	  	Three months ended
September 30,	 	 	Nine months ended
September 30,	 	
 	  	    2012    	 	 	2011	 	 	    2012    	 	 	2011	 	
Revenues:	  				 				 				 				
Cemetery	  				 				 				 				
Merchandise	  	$	29,943	  	 	$	28,738	  	 	$	87,424	  	 	$	81,277	  	
Services	  	 	11,134	  	 	 	13,295	  	 	 	34,481	  	 	 	35,697	  	
Investment and other	  	 	12,294	  	 	 	10,793	  	 	 	35,769	  	 	 	30,495	  	
Funeral home	  				 				 				 				
Merchandise	  	 	3,548	  	 	 	3,041	  	 	 	11,135	  	 	 	9,137	  	
Services	  	 	5,278	  	 	 	4,458	  	 	 	14,483	  	 	 	13,057	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	62,197	  	 	 	60,325	  	 	 	183,292	  	 	 	169,663	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and Expenses:	  				 				 				 				
Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below):	  				 				 				 				
Perpetual care	  	 	1,616	  	 	 	1,373	  	 	 	4,398	  	 	 	4,097	  	
Merchandise	  	 	6,030	  	 	 	5,787	  	 	 	16,904	  	 	 	15,272	  	
Cemetery expense	  	 	14,252	  	 	 	15,312	  	 	 	41,819	  	 	 	42,860	  	
Selling expense	  	 	11,290	  	 	 	12,192	  	 	 	36,200	  	 	 	33,923	  	
General and administrative expense	  	 	7,015	  	 	 	7,111	  	 	 	21,403	  	 	 	20,569	  	
Corporate overhead (including $216 and $195 in unit-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, and $625 and $576 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	  	 	6,546	  	 	 	5,628	  	 	 	20,905	  	 	 	17,572	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	2,199	  	 	 	1,886	  	 	 	6,759	  	 	 	6,374	  	
Funeral home expense	  				 				 				 				
Merchandise	  	 	1,196	  	 	 	982	  	 	 	3,726	  	 	 	3,197	  	
Services	  	 	3,739	  	 	 	3,107	  	 	 	10,446	  	 	 	8,456	  	
Other	  	 	2,161	  	 	 	1,779	  	 	 	6,295	  	 	 	5,222	  	
Acquisition related costs	  	 	1,085	  	 	 	1,189	  	 	 	2,198	  	 	 	3,147	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total cost and expenses	  	 	57,129	  	 	 	56,346	  	 	 	171,053	  	 	 	160,689	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	 	5,068	  	 	 	3,979	  	 	 	12,239	  	 	 	8,974	  	
					
Expenses related to refinancing	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	453	  	
Gain on termination of operating agreement	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	1,737	  	 	 	—  	  	
Gain on acquisition	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	122	  	 	 	—  	  	
Early extinguishment of debt	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	4,010	  	
Interest expense	  	 	5,273	  	 	 	4,824	  	 	 	15,109	  	 	 	14,266	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net loss before income taxes	  	 	(205	) 	 	 	(845	) 	 	 	(1,011	) 	 	 	(9,755	) 	
Income tax expense (benefit)	  				 				 				 				
State	  	 	(18	) 	 	 	69	  	 	 	224	  	 	 	(829	) 	
Federal	  	 	(1,248	) 	 	 	(691	) 	 	 	(2,157	) 	 	 	(2,304	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total income tax expense (benefit)	  	 	(1,266	) 	 	 	(622	) 	 	 	(1,933	) 	 	 	(3,133	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income (loss)	  	$	1,061	  	 	$	(223	) 	 	$	922	  	 	$	(6,622	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
General partner’s interest in net income (loss) for the period	  	$	21	  	 	$	(4	) 	 	$	18	  	 	$	(132	) 	
					
Limited partners’ interest in net income (loss) for the period	  	$	1,040	  	 	$	(219	) 	 	$	904	  	 	$	(6,490	) 	
					
Net income (loss) per limited partner unit (basic and diluted)	  	$	.05	  	 	$	(.01	) 	 	$	.05	  	 	$	(.35	) 	
					
Weighted average number of limited partners’ units outstanding - basic	  	 	19,491	  	 	 	19,353	  	 	 	19,412	  	 	 	18,807	  	
Weighted average number of limited partners’ units outstanding - diluted	  	 	19,743	  	 	 	19,353	  	 	 	19,672	  	 	 	18,807	  	
Distributions declared per unit	  	$	.590	  	 	$	.585	  	 	$	1.760	  	 	$	1.755	  	
See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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StoneMor Partners L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Partners’ Capital
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 	  	Partners’ Capital	 	
 	  	Common
Unit Holders	 	 	General
Partner	 	 	Total	 	
Balance, December 31, 2011	  	$	178,087	  	 	$	2,192	  	 	$	180,279	  	
Issuance of common units	  	 	4,104	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	4,104	  	
Compensation related to UARs	  	 	381	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	381	  	
General partner contribution	  	 	—  	  	 	 	89	  	 	 	89	  	
Net income	  	 	904	  	 	 	18	  	 	 	922	  	
Cash distribution	  	 	(34,092	) 	 	 	(1,355	) 	 	 	(35,447	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance, September 30, 2012	  	$	149,384	  	 	$	944	  	 	$	150,328	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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StoneMor Partners L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 	  	For the nine months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	 	2011	 	
Operating activities:	  				 				
Net income (loss)	  	$	922	  	 	$	(6,622	) 	
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	  				 				
Cost of lots sold	  	 	6,180	  	 	 	5,004	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	6,759	  	 	 	6,374	  	
Unit-based compensation	  	 	625	  	 	 	576	  	
Accretion of debt discounts	  	 	1,230	  	 	 	950	  	
Gain on acquisition	  	 	(122	) 	 	 	—  	  	
Gain on termination of operating agreement	  	 	(1,737	) 	 	 	—  	  	
Write-off of deferred financing fees	  	 	—  	  	 	 	453	  	
Fees paid related to early extinguishment of debt	  	 	—  	  	 	 	4,010	  	
Changes in assets and liabilities that provided (used) cash:	  				 				
Accounts receivable	  	 	(2,333	) 	 	 	(5,509	) 	
Allowance for doubtful accounts	  	 	3,743	  	 	 	3,597	  	
Merchandise trust fund	  	 	(8,177	) 	 	 	(11,681	) 	
Prepaid expenses	  	 	(368	) 	 	 	586	  	
Other current assets	  	 	(344	) 	 	 	(6,024	) 	
Other assets	  	 	125	  	 	 	244	  	
Accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities	  	 	2,207	  	 	 	(1,290	) 	
Deferred selling and obtaining costs	  	 	(5,363	) 	 	 	(6,398	) 	
Deferred cemetery revenue	  	 	35,440	  	 	 	31,560	  	
Deferred taxes (net)	  	 	(2,341	) 	 	 	(2,476	) 	
Merchandise liability	  	 	(5,649	) 	 	 	(2,285	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash provided by operating activities	  	 	30,797	  	 	 	11,069	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Investing activities:	  				 				
Cash paid for cemetery property	  	 	(5,417	) 	 	 	(4,258	) 	
Purchase of subsidiaries	  	 	(25,676	) 	 	 	(10,300	) 	
Cash paid for property and equipment	  	 	(3,321	) 	 	 	(4,601	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash used in investing activities	  	 	(34,414	) 	 	 	(19,159	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Financing activities:	  				 				
Cash distribution	  	 	(35,447	) 	 	 	(32,827	) 	
Additional borrowings on long-term debt	  	 	63,500	  	 	 	27,800	  	
Repayments of long-term debt	  	 	(26,137	) 	 	 	(74,490	) 	
Proceeds from public offering	  	 	—  	  	 	 	103,207	  	
Proceeds from general partner contribution	  	 	89	  	 	 	2,246	  	
Fees paid related to early extinguishment of debt	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(4,010	) 	
Cost of financing activities	  	 	(2,318	) 	 	 	(1,236	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	  	 	(313	) 	 	 	20,690	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	  	 	(3,930	) 	 	 	12,600	  	
Cash and cash equivalents—Beginning of period	  	 	12,058	  	 	 	7,535	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents—End of period	  	$	8,128	  	 	$	20,135	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information	  				 				
Cash paid during the period for interest	  	$	9,731	  	 	$	9,897	  	
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	  	$	3,978	  	 	$	2,242	  	
Non-cash investing and financing activities	  				 				
Acquisition of assets by financing	  	$	199	  	 	$	237	  	
Issuance of limited partner units for cemetery acquisition	  	$	4,103	  	 	$	264	  	
Acquisition of asset by assumption of directly related liability	  	$	2,048	  	 	$	—  	  	
See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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1.	NATURE OF OPERATIONS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	
Nature of Operations
StoneMor Partners L.P. (“StoneMor”, the “Company” or the “Partnership”) is a provider of funeral and cemetery products and services in the death care industry in the United States. Through its subsidiaries, StoneMor offers a complete range of funeral merchandise and services, along with cemetery property, merchandise and services, both at the time of need and on a pre-need basis. As of September 30, 2012, the Partnership operated 276 cemeteries, 258 of which are owned, in 26 states and Puerto Rico and owned and operated 85 funeral homes in 18 states and Puerto Rico.
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All interim financial data is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim financial data as of September 30, 2012 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for a full year. The December 31, 2011 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements included in the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2011 Form 10-K”) and has been adjusted to include the effects of retrospective adjustments resulting from the Company’s 2011 acquisitions, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP, which are presented in the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K.
Principles of Consolidation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of each of the Company’s subsidiaries. These statements also include the accounts of the merchandise and perpetual care trusts in which the Company has a variable interest and is the primary beneficiary. The Company operates 18 cemeteries under long-term operating or management contracts. The operations of 16 of these managed cemeteries have been consolidated in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 810.
The Company operates 2 cemeteries under long-term operating agreements that do not qualify as acquisitions for accounting purposes. As a result, the Company did not consolidate all of the existing assets and liabilities related to these cemeteries. The Company has consolidated the existing assets and liabilities of each of these cemeteries’ merchandise and perpetual care trusts as variable interest entities since the Company controls and receives the benefits and absorbs any losses from operating these trusts. Under these long-term operating agreements, which are subject to certain termination provisions, the Company is the exclusive operator of these cemeteries. The Company earns revenues related to sales of merchandise, services, and interment rights and incurs expenses related to such sales and the maintenance and upkeep of these cemeteries. Upon termination of these contracts, the Company will retain all of the benefits and related contractual obligations incurred from sales generated during the contract period. The Company has also recognized the existing merchandise liabilities that it assumed as part of these agreements.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are the valuation of assets in the merchandise trust and perpetual care trust, allowance for cancellations, unit-based compensation, merchandise liability, deferred sales revenue, deferred margin, deferred merchandise trust investment earnings, deferred obtaining costs and income taxes. Deferred sales revenue, deferred margin and deferred merchandise trust investment earnings are included in deferred cemetery revenues, net, on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
 
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2.	LONG-TERM ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET OF ALLOWANCE	
Long-term accounts receivable, net, consist of the following:

 	  	As of	 	
 	  	September 30,
2012	 	 	December 31,
2011	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Customer receivables	  	$	156,224	  	 	$	151,517	  	
Unearned finance income	  	 	(18,017	) 	 	 	(16,679	) 	
Allowance for contract cancellations	  	 	(20,467	) 	 	 	(17,582	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
	  	 	117,740	  	 	 	117,256	  	
Less: current portion, net of allowance	  	 	48,109	  	 	 	48,837	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Long-term portion, net of allowance	  	$	69,631	  	 	$	68,419	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Activity in the allowance for contract cancellations is as follows:

 	  	For the nine months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	 	2011	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Balance - Beginning of period	  	$	17,582	  	 	$	15,832	  	
Provision for cancellations	  	 	14,858	  	 	 	13,799	  	
Charge-offs - net	  	 	(11,973	) 	 	 	(10,315	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance - End of period	  	$	20,467	  	 	$	19,316	  	

3.	CEMETERY PROPERTY	
Cemetery property consists of the following:

 	  	As of	 	
 	  	September 30,
2012	 	  	December 31,
2011	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Developed land	  	$	71,128	  	  	$	64,266	  	
Undeveloped land	  	 	168,724	  	  	 	164,723	  	
Mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts	  	 	69,488	  	  	 	69,949	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	309,340	  	  	$	298,938	  	

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4.	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	
Major classes of property and equipment follow:

 	  	As of	 	
 	  	September 30,
2012	 	 	December 31,
2011	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Building and improvements	  	$	82,565	  	 	$	75,076	  	
Furniture and equipment	  	 	40,180	  	 	 	36,863	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
	  	 	122,745	  	 	 	111,939	  	
Less: accumulated depreciation	  	 	(43,178	) 	 	 	(38,162	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Property and equipment - net	  	$	79,567	  	 	$	73,777	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Depreciation expense was $1.7 million and $5.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to $1.4 million and $4.3 million during the same periods last year.
 
5.	MERCHANDISE TRUSTS	
At September 30, 2012, the Company’s merchandise trusts consisted of the following types of assets:
 
 	•	 	Money Market Funds that invest in low risk short term securities;	
 
 	•	 	Publicly traded mutual funds that invest in underlying debt securities;	
 
 	•	 	Publicly traded mutual funds that invest in underlying equity securities;	
 
 	•	 	Equity investments that are currently paying dividends or distributions. These investments include Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REIT’s”), Master Limited Partnerships and global equity securities;	
 
 	•	 	Fixed maturity debt securities issued by various corporate entities;	
 
 	•	 	Fixed maturity debt securities issued by the U.S. Government and U.S. Government agencies; and	
 
 	•	 	Fixed maturity debt securities issued by U.S. states and local government agencies.	
All of these investments are classified as Available for Sale as defined by the Investments in Debt and Equity topic of the ASC. Accordingly, all of the assets are carried at fair value. All of these investments are considered to be either Level 1 or Level 2 assets as defined by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the ASC. See Note 15 for further details. There were no Level 3 assets.
The merchandise trusts are variable interest entities (VIE) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The assets held in the merchandise trusts are required to be used to purchase the merchandise to which they relate. If the value of these assets falls below the cost of purchasing such merchandise, the Company may be required to fund this shortfall.
The Company has included $7.4 million and $6.9 million of investments held in trust by the West Virginia Funeral Directors Association at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, in its merchandise trust assets. As required by law, the Company deposits a portion of certain funeral merchandise sales in West Virginia into a trust that is held by the West Virginia Funeral Directors Association. These trusts are recorded at their account value, which approximates fair value.
 
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The cost and market value associated with the assets held in merchandise trusts at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were as follows:

As of September 30, 2012	  	Cost	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Gains	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Losses	 	 	Fair
Value	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Short-term investments	  	$	48,722	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	48,722	  	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				 				
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	23	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	23	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	8,673	  	  	 	195	  	  	 	(127	) 	 	 	8,741	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	4,320	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	(7	) 	 	 	4,313	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	 	13,016	  	  	 	195	  	  	 	(134	) 	 	 	13,077	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	97,886	  	  	 	2,699	  	  	 	(500	) 	 	 	100,085	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities	  	 	128,537	  	  	 	6,099	  	  	 	(3,264	) 	 	 	131,372	  	
Equity securities	  	 	65,897	  	  	 	3,100	  	  	 	(3,498	) 	 	 	65,499	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	6,569	  	  	 	18	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	6,587	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total managed investments	  	$	360,627	  	  	$	12,111	  	  	$	(7,396	) 	 	$	365,342	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
West Virginia Trust Receivable	  	 	7,433	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	7,433	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	368,060	  	  	$	12,111	  	  	$	(7,396	) 	 	$	372,775	  	

																	
As of December 31, 2011	  	Cost	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Gains	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Losses	 	 	Fair
Value	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Short-term investments	  	$	38,312	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	38,312	  	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				 				
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	23	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	23	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	10,537	  	  	 	19	  	  	 	(791	) 	 	 	9,765	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	1,100	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	1,100	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	 	11,660	  	  	 	19	  	  	 	(791	) 	 	 	10,888	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	68,291	  	  	 	1,711	  	  	 	(2,581	) 	 	 	67,421	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities	  	 	148,209	  	  	 	1,939	  	  	 	(8,860	) 	 	 	141,288	  	
Equity securities	  	 	71,760	  	  	 	3,723	  	  	 	(3,131	) 	 	 	72,352	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	7,326	  	  	 	34	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	7,360	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total managed investments	  	$	345,558	  	  	$	7,426	  	  	$	(15,363	) 	 	$	337,621	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
West Virginia Trust Receivable	  	 	6,894	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	6,894	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	352,452	  	  	$	7,426	  	  	$	(15,363	) 	 	$	344,515	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The contractual maturities of debt securities as of September 30, 2012 are as follows:

As of September 30, 2012	  	Less than
1 year	 	  	1 year through
5 years	 	  	6 years through
10 years	 	  	More than
10 years	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	23	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	5,866	  	  	 	2,742	  	  	 	133	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	4,313	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	$	4,336	  	  	$	5,866	  	  	$	2,742	  	  	$	133	  	

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An aging of unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is presented below:

 	  	Less than 12 months	 	  	12 Months or more	 	  	Total	 	
As of September 30, 2012	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				  				  				  				
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	1,065	  	  	 	29	  	  	 	1,716	  	  	 	98	  	  	 	2,781	  	  	 	127	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	4,313	  	  	 	7	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	4,313	  	  	 	7	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	 	5,378	  	  	 	36	  	  	 	1,716	  	  	 	98	  	  	 	7,094	  	  	 	134	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	13,885	  	  	 	128	  	  	 	4,255	  	  	 	372	  	  	 	18,140	  	  	 	500	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities	  	 	23,238	  	  	 	2,304	  	  	 	25,658	  	  	 	960	  	  	 	48,896	  	  	 	3,264	  	
Equity securities	  	 	20,562	  	  	 	1,205	  	  	 	9,330	  	  	 	2,293	  	  	 	29,892	  	  	 	3,498	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	63,063	  	  	$	3,673	  	  	$	40,959	  	  	$	3,723	  	  	$	104,022	  	  	$	7,396	  	

																									
 	  	Less than 12 months	 	  	12 Months or more	 	  	Total	 	
As of December 31, 2011	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				  				  				  				
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	4,007	  	  	 	351	  	  	 	4,459	  	  	 	440	  	  	 	8,466	  	  	 	791	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	 	4,007	  	  	 	351	  	  	 	4,459	  	  	 	440	  	  	 	8,466	  	  	 	791	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	19,691	  	  	 	1,109	  	  	 	31,916	  	  	 	1,472	  	  	 	51,607	  	  	 	2,581	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities	  	 	32,631	  	  	 	970	  	  	 	59,010	  	  	 	7,890	  	  	 	91,641	  	  	 	8,860	  	
Equity securities	  	 	20,349	  	  	 	1,941	  	  	 	5,775	  	  	 	1,190	  	  	 	26,124	  	  	 	3,131	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	76,678	  	  	$	4,371	  	  	$	101,160	  	  	$	10,992	  	  	$	177,838	  	  	$	15,363	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
A reconciliation of the Company’s merchandise trust activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is presented below:

Fair
Value @
12/31/2011	  	Contributions	  	Distributions	  	Interest/
Dividends	  	Capital
Gain
Distributions	  	Realized
Gain/ Loss	  	Taxes	  	Fees	  	Unrealized
Change in
Fair Value	  	Fair
Value @
9/30/2012	
 	  	(in thousands)	
$ 344,515	  	46,695	  	(46,816)	  	12,240	  	110	  	8,750	  	(3,511)	  	(1,860)	  	12,652	  	$372,775	
The Company made net withdrawals from the trusts of approximately $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, purchases and sales of securities available for sale included in trust investments were approximately $404.7 million and $403.5 million, respectively. Contributions include $12.0 million of assets that were acquired through acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Distributions include $5.8 million of assets that were divested as a result of the termination of an operating agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Other-than-temporary Impairments of Trust Assets
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company determined that there were six securities with an aggregate cost basis of approximately $1.6 million and an aggregate fair value of approximately $0.8 million, resulting in an impairment of $0.8 million, wherein such impairment was considered to be other-than-temporary. During the three months
 
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ended September 30, 2012, the Company determined that there were no other than temporary impairments to the investment portfolio for merchandise trusts. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company determined that there was a single security with an aggregate cost basis of approximately $0.2 million and an aggregate fair value of approximately $0.1 million, resulting in an impairment of $0.1 million, wherein such impairment was considered to be other-than-temporary. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company determined that there were no other than temporary impairments to the investment portfolio for merchandise trusts. Accordingly, the Company adjusted the cost basis of these assets to their current value and offset this change against deferred revenue. This reduction in deferred revenue will be reflected in earnings in future periods as the underlying merchandise is delivered or the underlying service is performed.
 
6.	PERPETUAL CARE TRUSTS	
At September 30, 2012, the Company’s perpetual care trusts consisted of the following types of assets:
 
 	•	 	Money Market Funds that invest in low risk short term securities;	
 
 	•	 	Publicly traded mutual funds that invest in underlying debt securities;	
 
 	•	 	Publicly traded mutual funds that invest in underlying equity securities;	
 
 	•	 	Equity investments that are currently paying dividends or distributions. These investments include REIT’s, Master Limited Partnerships and global equity securities;	
 
 	•	 	Fixed maturity debt securities issued by various corporate entities;	
 
 	•	 	Fixed maturity debt securities issued by the U.S. Government and U.S. Government agencies; and	
 
 	•	 	Fixed maturity debt securities issued by U.S. states and local agencies.	
All of these investments are classified as Available for Sale as defined by the Investments in Debt and Equity topic of the ASC. Accordingly, all of the assets are carried at fair value. All of these investments are considered to be either Level 1 or Level 2 assets as defined by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the ASC. See Note 15 for further details. There were no Level 3 assets.
 
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The cost and market value associated with the assets held in perpetual care trusts at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were as follows:

As of September 30, 2012	  	Cost	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Gains	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Losses	 	 	Fair
Value	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Short-term investments	  	$	20,912	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	20,912	  	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				 				
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	 	408	  	  	 	105	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	513	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	66	  	  	 	81	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	147	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	23,441	  	  	 	784	  	  	 	(327	) 	 	 	23,898	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	371	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	371	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	 	24,286	  	  	 	970	  	  	 	(327	) 	 	 	24,929	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	104,648	  	  	 	3,822	  	  	 	(537	) 	 	 	107,933	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities	  	 	93,917	  	  	 	6,138	  	  	 	(2,329	) 	 	 	97,726	  	
Equity Securities	  	 	23,346	  	  	 	8,201	  	  	 	(396	) 	 	 	31,151	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	267,109	  	  	$	19,131	  	  	$	(3,589	) 	 	$	282,651	  	

																	
As of December 31, 2011	  	Cost	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Gains	 	  	Gross
Unrealized
Losses	 	 	Fair
Value	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Short-term investments	  	$	22,607	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	22,607	  	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				 				
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	 	408	  	  	 	105	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	513	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	66	  	  	 	81	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	147	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	23,359	  	  	 	229	  	  	 	(1,434	) 	 	 	22,154	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	371	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	371	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	 	24,204	  	  	 	415	  	  	 	(1,434	) 	 	 	23,185	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	61,700	  	  	 	185	  	  	 	(1,079	) 	 	 	60,806	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities	  	 	104,824	  	  	 	4,295	  	  	 	(9,621	) 	 	 	99,498	  	
Equity Securities	  	 	39,199	  	  	 	9,326	  	  	 	(112	) 	 	 	48,413	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	327	  	  	 	156	  	  	 	(313	) 	 	 	170	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	252,861	  	  	$	14,377	  	  	$	(12,559	) 	 	$	254,679	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The contractual maturities of debt securities as of September 30, 2012 are as follows:

As of September 30, 2012	  	Less than
1 year	 	  	1 year through
5 years	 	  	6 years through
10 years	 	  	More than
10 years	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	$	129	  	  	$	384	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	147	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	50	  	  	 	16,127	  	  	 	7,295	  	  	 	426	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	371	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	$	697	  	  	$	16,511	  	  	$	7,295	  	  	$	426	  	

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An aging of unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 held in perpetual care trusts is presented below:

 	  	Less than 12 months	 	  	12 Months or more	 	  	Total	 	
As of September 30, 2012	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				  				  				  				
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	3,074	  	  	 	82	  	  	 	4,397	  	  	 	245	  	  	 	7,471	  	  	 	327	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	 	3,074	  	  	 	82	  	  	 	4,397	  	  	 	245	  	  	 	7,471	  	  	 	327	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	5,229	  	  	 	228	  	  	 	1,033	  	  	 	309	  	  	 	6,262	  	  	 	537	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	7,904	  	  	 	2,329	  	  	 	7,904	  	  	 	2,329	  	
Equity securities	  	 	3,135	  	  	 	396	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	3,135	  	  	 	396	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	11,438	  	  	$	706	  	  	$	13,334	  	  	$	2,883	  	  	$	24,772	  	  	$	3,589	  	

																									
 	  	Less than 12 months	 	  	12 Months or more	 	  	Total	 	
As of December 31, 2011	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	  	Fair
Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	  	Fair Value	 	  	Unrealized
Losses	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				  				  				  				
U.S. Government and federal agency	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	
U.S. State and local government agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	7,967	  	  	 	727	  	  	 	8,471	  	  	 	707	  	  	 	16,438	  	  	 	1,434	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturities	  	 	7,967	  	  	 	727	  	  	 	8,471	  	  	 	707	  	  	 	16,438	  	  	 	1,434	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	37,956	  	  	 	772	  	  	 	1,675	  	  	 	307	  	  	 	39,631	  	  	 	1,079	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities	  	 	21,483	  	  	 	3,023	  	  	 	44,416	  	  	 	6,598	  	  	 	65,899	  	  	 	9,621	  	
Equity securities	  	 	2,978	  	  	 	106	  	  	 	351	  	  	 	6	  	  	 	3,329	  	  	 	112	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	170	  	  	 	313	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	170	  	  	 	313	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	70,554	  	  	$	4,941	  	  	$	54,913	  	  	$	7,618	  	  	$	125,467	  	  	$	12,559	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
A reconciliation of the Company’s perpetual care trust activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is presented below:

Fair
Value @
12/31/2011	  	Contributions	  	Distributions	  	Interest/
Dividends	  	Capital
Gain
Distributions	  	Realized
Gain/ Loss	  	Taxes	  	Fees	  	Unrealized
Change in
Fair Value	  	Fair
Value @
9/30/2012	
 	  	(in thousands)	
$ 254,679	  	13,715	  	(10,954)	  	12,310	  	13	  	1,213	  	(681)	  	(1,368)	  	13,724	  	$282,651	
The Company made net contributions to the trusts of approximately $2.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, purchases and sales of securities available for sale included in trust investments were approximately $250.6 million and $247.3 million, respectively. Contributions include $5.0 million of assets that were acquired through acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Other-than-temporary Impairments of Trust Assets
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company determined that there were no other than temporary impairments to the investment portfolio in the perpetual care trusts.
 
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During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company determined that there was a single security with an aggregate cost basis of less than $0.1 million which was substantially impaired, and such impairment was considered to be other-than-temporary. Accordingly, the Company adjusted the cost basis of this asset to its current value and offset this change against the liability for perpetual care trust corpus. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company determined that there were no other than temporary impairments to the investment portfolio for perpetual care trusts.
 
7.	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in acquisitions.
A rollforward of goodwill by reportable segment is as follows:

 	  	Cemeteries	 	  	Funeral
Homes	 	  	Total	 	
 	  	Southeast	 	  	Northeast	 	  	West	 	  			  			
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2011	  	$	5,662	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	11,948	  	  	$	14,297	  	  	$	31,907	  	
Goodwill resulting from acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2012	  	 	532	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	7,954	  	  	 	8,486	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Balance as of September 30, 2012	  	$	6,194	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	11,948	  	  	$	22,251	  	  	$	40,393	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
During the second quarter of 2012, the Company became aware that it will receive a payment of $3.8 million in a legal settlement related to its fourth quarter 2011 acquisition of cemeteries and funeral homes in Tennessee. In addition, there were other adjustments of $0.3 million related to an increase in merchandise trust assets and a small increase in accounts receivable. These amounts have been recorded retrospectively as a purchase price adjustment for this acquisition resulting in a decrease to goodwill of $4.1 million. Also, during the third quarter of 2012, the Company obtained additional information about its third quarter 2011 acquisition in Puerto Rico which resulted in a reduction of goodwill of $0.4 million. See Note 13 for further details. These adjustments have been reflected in the balance as of December 31, 2011 in the table above.
Other Acquired Intangible Assets
The Company has other acquired intangible assets, most of which have been recognized as a result of acquisitions and long-term operating agreements. These amounts are included within other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. All of the intangible assets are subject to amortization. The major classes of intangible assets are as follows:

 	  	As of
September 30, 2012	 	 	Net	 	  	As of
December 31, 2011	 	 	Net	 	
 	  	Gross Carrying
Amount	 	  	Accumulated
Amortization	 	 	Intangible
Asset	 	  	Gross Carrying
Amount	 	  	Accumulated
Amortization	 	 	Intangible
Asset	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Amortized Intangible Assets:	  				  				 				  				  				 				
Underlying contract value	  	$	6,239	  	  	$	(503	) 	 	$	5,736	  	  	$	8,484	  	  	$	(546	) 	 	$	7,938	  	
Non-compete agreements	  	 	5,415	  	  	 	(2,136	) 	 	 	3,279	  	  	 	3,820	  	  	 	(1,413	) 	 	 	2,407	  	
Other intangible assets	  	 	269	  	  	 	(77	) 	 	 	192	  	  	 	205	  	  	 	(67	) 	 	 	138	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total Intangible Assets	  	$	11,923	  	  	$	(2,716	) 	 	$	9,207	  	  	$	12,509	  	  	$	(2,026	) 	 	$	10,483	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The decrease in the underlying contract value is mostly the result of the Company entering into an amended operating agreement with Kingwood Memorial Park Association in January of 2012. See Note 13 for further details.
The increase in non-compete agreements was the result of acquisitions consummated in the second and third quarters of 2012. See Note 13 for further details.
 
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8.	LONG-TERM DEBT	
The Company had the following outstanding debt:

 	  	As of	 	
 	  	September 30,
2012	 	  	December 31,
2011	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Insurance premium financing	  	$	504	  	  	$	211	  	
Vehicle financing	  	 	953	  	  	 	1,147	  	
Acquisition Credit Facility, due January 2017	  	 	—  	  	  	 	10,750	  	
Revolving Credit Facility, due January 2017	  	 	84,700	  	  	 	33,000	  	
Note Payable - Greenlawn acquisition	  	 	1,214	  	  	 	1,321	  	
Note Payable - Nelms acquisition (net of discount)	  	 	363	  	  	 	623	  	
Notes Payable - acquisition non-competes (net of discounts)	  	 	3,062	  	  	 	1,490	  	
10.25% senior notes, due 2017	  	 	150,000	  	  	 	150,000	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	 	240,796	  	  	 	198,542	  	
Less current portion	  	 	1,770	  	  	 	1,487	  	
Less unamortized bond discount	  	 	2,908	  	  	 	3,220	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Long-term portion	  	$	236,118	  	  	$	193,835	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
This note includes a summary of material terms of the Company’s senior notes, senior secured notes, credit facilities and other debt obligations. For a more detailed description of the Company’s long-term debt agreements, see the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K.
10.25% Senior Notes due 2017
The Company has outstanding a $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Senior Notes”), with an original issue discount of approximately $4.0 million. The Company pays 10.25% interest per annum on the principal amount of the Senior Notes, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Senior Notes mature on December 1, 2017. The Company’s Senior Notes are considered to be a Level 2 liability as defined by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the ASC. Based on trades made at the end of the quarter, the Company has estimated the fair value of its Senior Notes to be in excess of par and trading at a premium of 1.54%.
Credit Facility
On January 19, 2012, the Company entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The terms of the Credit Agreement are substantially the same as the terms of the prior agreement. Capitalized terms which are not defined in the following description shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement provides for a total Revolving Credit Facility of $130.0 million (the “Credit Facility”). Previously, the agreement had an Acquisition Credit Facility and a Revolving Credit Facility with different borrowing limits. The proceeds of the Credit Facility may be used to finance working capital requirements, Permitted Acquisitions and the purchase and construction of mausoleums. The maturity date of the Credit Facility is January 19, 2017.
At September 30, 2012, amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at rates between 3.7% and 4.2%. Amounts borrowed may be either Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans and amounts repaid or prepaid during the term may be reborrowed. Depending on the type of loan, borrowings bear interest at the Base Rate or Eurodollar Rate, plus applicable margins ranging from 1.25% to 2.75% and 2.25% to 3.75%, respectively, depending on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio. The Base Rate is the highest of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, or the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0%. The Eurodollar rate is the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate. Amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility approximate their fair value.
 
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The Credit Agreement requires the Company to pay an unused Commitment Fee, which is calculated based on the amount by which the commitments under the Credit Agreement exceed outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility. The Commitment Fee Rate under the Credit Agreement ranges from 0.375% to 0.75% depending on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio.
The Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, prohibit distributions upon defined events of default, restrict investments and sales of assets and require the Company to maintain certain financial covenants, including specified financial ratios. A material decrease in revenues could cause the Company to breach certain of its financial covenants. Any such breach could allow the Lenders to accelerate the Company’s debt which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. The Company’s covenants include a Consolidated Leverage Ratio and a Consolidated Debt Service Coverage Ratio. As of September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all applicable financial covenants.
 
9.	INCOME TAXES	
As of September 30, 2012, the Company’s taxable corporate subsidiaries had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $152.8 million, which will begin to expire in 2019 and $184.1 million in state net operating losses, a portion of which expires annually.
The Partnership is not a taxable entity for federal and state income tax purposes; rather, the Partnership’s tax attributes (except those of its corporate subsidiaries) are to be included in the individual tax returns of its partners. Neither the Partnership’s financial reporting income, nor the cash distributions to unit-holders, can be used as a substitute for the detailed tax calculations that the Partnership must perform annually for its partners. Net income from the Partnership is not treated as “passive income” for federal income tax purposes. As a result, partners subject to the passive activity loss rules are not permitted to offset income from the Partnership with passive losses from other sources.
The Partnership’s corporate subsidiaries account for their income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 is based upon the estimated annual effective tax rates expected to be applicable to the Company for 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate differs from its statutory tax rate primarily because the Company’s legal entity structure includes different tax filing entities, including a significant number of partnerships that are not subject to paying tax.
The Company is not currently under examination by any federal or state jurisdictions. The federal statute of limitations and certain state statutes of limitations are open from 2008 forward. Management believes that the accrual for tax liabilities is adequate for all open years. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events. On the basis of present information, it is the opinion of the Company’s management that there are no pending assessments that will result in a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements over the next twelve months.
 
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10.	DEFERRED CEMETERY REVENUES, NET	
At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, deferred cemetery revenues, net, consisted of the following:

 	  	As of	 	
 	  	September 30,
2012	 	 	December 31,
2011	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Deferred cemetery revenue	  	$	333,439	  	 	$	306,488	  	
Deferred merchandise trust revenue	  	 	59,597	  	 	 	50,419	  	
Deferred merchandise trust unrealized gains (losses)	  	 	4,715	  	 	 	(7,937	) 	
Deferred pre-acquisition margin	  	 	133,141	  	 	 	135,043	  	
Deferred cost of goods sold	  	 	(45,951	) 	 	 	(42,335	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deferred cemetery revenues, net	  	$	484,941	  	 	$	441,678	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deferred selling and obtaining costs	  	$	73,904	  	 	$	68,542	  	
Deferred selling and obtaining costs are carried as an asset on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet in accordance with the Financial Services – Insurance topic of the ASC.
 
11.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	
Legal
The Company is party to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of its business but does not expect the outcome of any proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Leases
At September 30, 2012, the Company was committed to operating lease payments for premises, automobiles and office equipment under various operating leases with initial terms ranging from one to ten years and options to renew at varying terms. Expenses under operating leases were $0.6 million and $1.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and $0.6 million and $1.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30 2011, respectively.
At September 30, 2012, operating leases will result in future payments in the following approximate amounts:

 	  	(in thousands)	 	
2013	  	$	2,074	  	
2014	  	 	1,363	  	
2015	  	 	869	  	
2016	  	 	801	  	
2017	  	 	754	  	
Thereafter	  	 	1,892	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	7,753	  	

12.	PARTNERS’ CAPITAL	
Unit-Based Compensation
The Company has issued to certain key employees and management unit-based compensation in the form of unit appreciation rights and phantom partnership units.
 
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Compensation expense recognized related to unit appreciation rights and restricted phantom unit awards for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 are summarized in the table below:

 	  	Three months ended
September 30,	 	  	Nine months ended
September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Unit appreciation rights	  	$	133	  	  	$	119	  	  	$	381	  	  	$	358	  	
Restricted phantom units	  	 	83	  	  	 	76	  	  	 	244	  	  	 	218	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total unit-based compensation expense	  	$	216	  	  	$	195	  	  	$	625	  	  	$	576	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
As of September 30, 2012, there was approximately $0.8 million in non-vested unit appreciation rights outstanding. These unit appreciation rights will be expensed through the first quarter of 2014.
Other Unit Issuances
On June 6, 2012 and July 31, 2012, the Company issued 13,720 units and 128,299 units, respectively, in connection with separate acquisitions. See Note 13. On June 21, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued 9,853 units in connection with an acquisition consummated in the second quarter of 2010.
 
13.	ACQUISITIONS	
First Quarter 2012 Acquisition
In second quarter of 2009, the Company entered into a long-term operating agreement (the “Operating Agreement”) with Kingwood Memorial Park Association (“Kingwood”) wherein the Company became the exclusive operator of the cemetery. At that time, the Operating Agreement did not qualify as an acquisition for accounting purposes. However, the existing merchandise and perpetual care trusts were consolidated as variable interest entities. In addition, merchandise and other liabilities assumed by the Company were also recorded as of the initial contract date. The consideration paid for this transaction, including cash and an assumed liability, exceeded the net assets recorded as of the initial contract date and an intangible asset was recorded for this amount.
In January of 2012, the Company entered into an amended and restated operating agreement (the “Amended Operating Agreement”), that supersedes the Operating Agreement. The Amended Operating Agreement has a term of 40 years and the Company remains the exclusive operator of the cemetery. As consideration for entering into the Amended Operating Agreement, the Company paid $1.7 million in cash and was relieved of a note payable to Kingwood. In addition, the prior trustees of Kingwood have resigned in favor of new trustees appointed by the Company. As a result of the changes in the Amended Operating Agreement, for accounting purposes, the Company has gained control of Kingwood, and acquisition accounting is now applicable.
 
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The table below reflects the Company’s preliminary assessment of the fair value of net assets acquired, the elimination of debt and other assets and the purchase price, which results in the recognition of goodwill recorded in the Company’s Cemetery Operations – Southeast segment. These amounts may be retrospectively adjusted as additional information is received.

 	  	Preliminary
Assessment	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Net Assets Acquired:	  				
Accounts receivable	  	$	66	  	
Cemetery property	  	 	3,001	  	
Property and equipment	  	 	102	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total net assets acquired	  	 	3,169	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Assets and Liabilities divested:	  				
Note payable to Kingwood	  	 	519	  	
Intangible asset representing underlying contract value	  	 	(2,236	) 	
	  	 	 	 	
Fair value of net assets acquired and divested	  	 	1,452	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Consideration paid	  	 	1,652	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Goodwill from purchase	  	$	200	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Second Quarter 2012 Acquisitions
On April 10, 2012, certain subsidiaries of the Company (collectively the “Buyer”) entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with several individuals (collectively the “Seller”) to purchase all of the stock of Bronswood Cemetery, Inc., an Illinois Corporation. Through the purchase, the Buyer acquired one cemetery in Illinois, including certain related assets, and assumed certain related liabilities. In consideration for the net assets acquired, the Buyer paid the Seller $0.9 million in cash.
The table below reflects the Company’s preliminary assessment of the fair value of net assets acquired, the purchase price and the gain on bargain purchase. These amounts may be retrospectively adjusted as additional information is received.

 	  	Preliminary
Assessment	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Assets:	  				
Accounts receivable	  	$	72	  	
Cemetery property	  	 	842	  	
Property and equipment	  	 	518	  	
Perpetual care trusts, restricted, at fair value	  	 	2,780	  	
Non-compete agreements	  	 	12	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	 	4,224	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Liabilities:	  				
Perpetual care trust corpus	  	 	2,780	  	
Other liabilities	  	 	24	  	
Deferred tax liability	  	 	374	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total liabilities	  	 	3,178	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Fair value of net assets acquired	  	 	1,046	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Consideration paid	  	 	924	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Gain on bargain purchase	  	$	122	  	
	  	 	 	 	
In addition, on June 6, 2012, certain subsidiaries of the Company (collectively the “Buyer”) entered into a Purchase Agreement with several individuals and Lodi Funeral Home, Inc. (collectively the “Seller”) to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Lodi Funeral Home, Inc., a California corporation and all of the stock of Lodi All Faiths Cremation, a California corporation. Through the purchase, the Buyer acquired two funeral homes in California including certain related assets, and assumed certain related liabilities. As part of the agreement, the building and underlying real estate
 
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of Lodi Funeral Home, Inc. is being leased from the Seller. The lease agreement is a ten year agreement that contains one five year renewal term at the Buyer’s election. In addition, at the end of the original lease or renewal term, the Buyer can elect to purchase the property for fair value less 10% of any rental amounts previously paid under the lease agreement. The Buyer also has a right of first refusal related to any potential sale of the property occurring during the lease term.
In consideration for the net assets acquired, the Buyer paid the Seller $0.85 million in cash and issued 13,720 units, which equates to $0.35 million worth of units. The Buyer will also pay an aggregate amount of $0.6 million in equal quarterly installments commencing on January 2, 2013 in exchange for non-compete agreements with the Seller.
The table below reflects the Company’s preliminary assessment of the fair value of net assets acquired. The resulting goodwill is recorded in the Company’s Funeral Homes operating segment. These amounts may be retrospectively adjusted as additional information is received.

 	  	Preliminary
Assessment	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Assets:	  				
Property and equipment	  	$	48	  	
Merchandise trusts, restricted, at fair value	  	 	105	  	
Underlying lease value	  	 	64	  	
Non-compete agreements	  	 	40	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	 	257	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Liabilities:	  				
Merchandise liabilities	  	 	105	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total liabilities	  	 	105	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Fair value of net assets acquired	  	 	152	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Consideration paid - cash	  	 	850	  	
Consideration paid - units	  	 	350	  	
Fair value of debt assumed for non-compete agreements	  	 	544	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total consideration paid	  	 	1,744	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Goodwill from purchase	  	$	1,592	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Third Quarter 2012 Acquisitions
On July 2, 2012, certain subsidiaries of the Company (collectively the “Buyer) entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Farnstrom Agreement”) with Farnstrom Mortuary, LLC and Farnstrom Properties, LLC, both Oregon limited liability companies, Farnstrom Family, Inc. and Care Cremation Society, Inc., both Oregon corporations and two individuals (collectively the “Seller”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Buyer acquired five funeral homes in Oregon, including certain related assets, and assumed certain related liabilities. In consideration for the net assets acquired, the Buyer paid the Seller $2.3 million in cash. The Buyer will also pay an aggregate amount of $0.3 million in equal quarterly installments commencing on July 2, 2012 in exchange for non-compete agreements with the Seller.
 
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The table below reflects the Company’s preliminary assessment of the fair value of net assets acquired. The resulting goodwill is recorded in the Company’s Funeral Homes operating segment. These amounts may be retrospectively adjusted as additional information is received.

 	  	Preliminary
Assessment	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Assets:	  				
Property and equipment	  	$	1,296	  	
Non-compete agreements	  	 	170	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	 	1,466	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total liabilities	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Fair value of net assets acquired	  	 	1,466	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Consideration paid - cash	  	 	2,300	  	
Fair value of debt assumed for non-compete agreements	  	 	274	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total consideration paid	  	 	2,574	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Goodwill from purchase	  	$	1,108	  	
	  	 	 	 	
In addition, on July 31, 2012, certain subsidiaries of the Company (collectively the “Buyer”) entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Lohman Agreement”) with Certain Florida corporations, limited liability companies and four individuals (collectively the “Seller”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Buyer acquired nine funeral homes and four cemeteries in Florida, including certain related assets, and assumed certain related liabilities.
In consideration for the net assets acquired, the Buyer paid the Seller $20.0 million in cash and issued 128,299 units, which equates to $3.5 million worth of units. The Buyer will also pay an aggregate amount of $1.5 million in five equal annual installments commencing on August 1, 2013 in exchange for a consulting and non-compete agreement with the Seller.
 
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The table below reflects the Company’s preliminary assessment of the fair value of net assets acquired. The resulting goodwill is recorded in both the Company’s Cemetery Operations – Southeast segment and Funeral Homes operating segment. These amounts may be retrospectively adjusted as additional information is received.

 	  	Preliminary
Assessment	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Assets:	  				
Accounts receivable	  	$	1,005	  	
Cemetery property	  	 	6,100	  	
Property and equipment	  	 	5,864	  	
Merchandise trusts, restricted , at fair value	  	 	11,884	  	
Perpetual care trusts, restricted, at fair value	  	 	2,232	  	
Other assets	  	 	122	  	
Non-compete agreements	  	 	1,373	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	 	28,580	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Liabilities:	  				
Deferred margin	  	 	3,746	  	
Merchandise liabilities	  	 	3,458	  	
Perpetual care trust corpus	  	 	2,232	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total liabilities	  	 	9,436	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Fair value of net assets acquired	  	 	19,144	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Consideration paid - cash	  	 	20,000	  	
Consideration paid - units	  	 	3,500	  	
Fair value of debt assumed for non-compete agreements	  	 	1,230	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total consideration paid	  	 	24,730	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Goodwill from purchase	  	$	5,586	  	
	  	 	 	 	
First, Second and Third Quarter 2011 Acquisitions
On January 5, 2011, the Operating Company, StoneMor North Carolina LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company and StoneMor North Carolina Subsidiary LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company, each a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (collectively the “Buyer”), entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “1st Quarter Purchase Agreement”) with Heritage Family Services, Inc., a North Carolina corporation and an individual (collectively the “Seller”). Pursuant to the 1st Quarter Purchase Agreement, the Buyer acquired three cemeteries in North Carolina, including certain related assets, and assumed certain related liabilities. In consideration for the net assets acquired, the Buyer paid the Seller $1.7 million in cash.
On June 22, 2011, the Operating Company, StoneMor Missouri LLC, a Missouri limited liability company and StoneMor Missouri Subsidiary LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, each a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (collectively the “Buyer”), entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “2nd Quarter Purchase Agreement”) with SCI International, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Keystone America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively the “Seller” or “SCI Missouri”). Pursuant to the 2nd Quarter Purchase Agreement, the Buyer acquired three cemeteries and four funeral homes in Missouri, including certain related assets, and assumed certain related liabilities. In consideration for the net assets acquired, the Buyer paid the Seller $2.15 million in cash.
On August 1, 2011, the Operating Company and CFS West Virginia, an affiliate of the Operating Company, (collectively the “Buyer”) entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with three individuals (collectively the “Seller”) to purchase all of the stock of Prince George Cemetery Corporation, a Virginia corporation. Through the purchase of Prince George Cemetery Corporation, the Buyer acquired one cemetery in Virginia. In consideration for the stock acquired, the Buyer paid the Seller approximately $1.9 million in cash. The Buyer will also pay $0.3 million in cash in even quarterly installments over a five year period in exchange for non-compete agreements with the Seller.
 
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The table below reflects the Company’s final assessment of the fair value of net assets acquired, the purchase price and the resulting goodwill from these acquisitions. For a detailed breakout of the purchase price for these acquisitions on an individual basis, see our 2011 Form 10-K.

 	  	Final
Assessment	 	
Assets:	  				
Accounts receivable	  	$	211	  	
Cemetery property	  	 	4,833	  	
Merchandise trusts, restricted, at fair value	  	 	4,069	  	
Perpetual care trusts, restricted, at fair value	  	 	2,438	  	
Property and equipment	  	 	2,303	  	
Other assets	  	 	260	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	 	14,114	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Liabilities:	  				
Deferred margin	  	 	2,457	  	
Merchandise liabilities	  	 	2,719	  	
Perpetual care trust corpus	  	 	2,438	  	
Deferred tax liability	  	 	1,287	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total liabilities	  	 	8,901	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Fair value of net assets acquired	  	 	5,213	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Consideration paid	  	 	5,700	  	
Fair value of debt assumed for non-compete agreements	  	 	280	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total consideration paid	  	 	5,980	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Goodwill from purchase	  	$	767	  	
	  	 	 	 	
In addition to the aforementioned 2011 acquisitions, on August 17, 2011, the Operating Company, StoneMor Puerto Rico LLC, a Puerto Rico limited liability company and StoneMor Puerto Rico Subsidiary LLC, a Puerto Rico limited liability company, each a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (collectively the “Buyer”), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Alderwoods Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Seller” or “SCI Puerto Rico”) to purchase all of the stock of SCI Puerto Rico Funeral and Cemetery Services, Inc., a Puerto Rico corporation. Through the purchase of SCI Puerto Rico Funeral and Cemetery Services, Inc., the Buyer acquired five cemeteries and four funeral homes in Puerto Rico. In consideration for the stock acquired, the Buyer paid the Seller $4.6 million in cash.
 
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The table below reflects the Company’s final assessment of the fair value of net assets acquired, the purchase price and the resulting goodwill from the purchase and displays the adjustments made to the revised values reported at December 31, 2011. The Company obtained additional information in the third quarter of 2012 and has retrospectively adjusted these values as noted below.

 	  	Revised
Assessment	 	  	Adjustments	 	 	Final
Assessment	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Assets:	  				  				 				
Accounts receivable	  	$	4,575	  	  	$	25	  	 	$	4,600	  	
Cemetery property	  	 	4,666	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	4,666	  	
Perpetual care trusts, restricted, at fair value	  	 	981	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	981	  	
Property and equipment	  	 	4,124	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	4,124	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	 	14,346	  	  	 	25	  	 	 	14,371	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Liabilities:	  				  				 				
Deferred margin	  	 	5,217	  	  	 	(200	) 	 	 	5,017	  	
Merchandise liabilities	  	 	4,799	  	  	 	(167	) 	 	 	4,632	  	
Deferred tax liability	  	 	766	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	766	  	
Perpetual care trust corpus	  	 	981	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	981	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total liabilities	  	 	11,763	  	  	 	(367	) 	 	 	11,396	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Fair value of net assets acquired	  	 	2,583	  	  	 	392	  	 	 	2,975	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Consideration paid	  	 	4,600	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	4,600	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Goodwill from purchase	  	$	2,017	  	  	$	(392	) 	 	$	1,625	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
If the acquisitions from 2012 had been consummated on January 1, 2011, on a pro forma basis, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, consolidated revenues would have been $62.5 million and $176.2 million, respectively, consolidated net income (loss) would have been $0.3 million and $(5.1) million, respectively and net income (loss) per limited partner unit (basic and diluted) would have been $0.01 and $(0.27), respectively. Further, on a pro forma basis, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, consolidated revenues would have been $62.7 million and $187.7 million, respectively, consolidated net income would have been $1.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively and net income per limited partner unit (basic and diluted) would have been $0.06 and $0.10, respectively. These pro forma results are unaudited and have been prepared for comparative purposes only and include certain adjustments such as increased interest on the acquisition of debt. They do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the combination been in effect on January 1, 2011 or of future results of operations of the locations. Since their respective dates of acquisition, our properties acquired in 2012 have contributed $1.7 million and $2.1 million of revenue and $0.4 million and $0.5 million of operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
The results of operations and pro forma results related to the acquisitions made in 2011 are not material to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
The Company has made retrospective adjustments to its fourth quarter 2011 acquisition in Tennessee. See Note 7 for further details.
First Quarter 2012 Contract Termination
During the third quarter of 2010, certain subsidiaries of the Company entered into a long-term operating agreement (the “Operating Agreement”) with the Archdiocese of Detroit (the “Archdiocese”) wherein the Company became the exclusive operator of certain cemeteries in Michigan owned by the Archdiocese. The Operating Agreement did not qualify as an acquisition for accounting purposes. However, the existing merchandise trust had been consolidated as a variable interest entity as the Company controlled and directly benefited from the operations of the merchandise trust. In addition, liabilities assumed were also recorded as of the contract date. As no consideration was paid in this transaction, the Company had recorded a deferred gain of approximately $3.1 million within deferred cemetery revenues, net, which represented the excess of the value of the merchandise trust over the liabilities assumed.
Effective March 31, 2012, the Company and the Archdiocese agreed to terminate the Operating Agreement. As of the termination date, the Company no longer operated these properties. All activity occurring after March 31, 2012 is the responsibility of the Archdiocese and the Company has no remaining obligation to fulfill any merchandise liabilities or responsibility to perform any obligations of the properties.
 
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In the first and second quarters of 2012, the Company received payments of approximately $2.0 million from the Archdiocese as a result of the termination. Consequently, the Company recognized a gain of $1.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, which is the amount by which the payments from the Archdiocese exceeded the value of the net assets transferred to the Archdiocese.
 
14.	SEGMENT INFORMATION	
The Company is organized into five distinct reportable segments which are classified as Cemetery Operations – Southeast, Cemetery Operations – Northeast, Cemetery Operations – West, Funeral Homes, and Corporate.
The Company has chosen this level of organization of reportable segments due to the fact that a) each reportable segment has unique characteristics that set it apart from other segments; b) the Company has organized its management personnel at these operational levels; and c) it is the level at which the Company’s chief decision makers and other senior management evaluate performance.
The cemetery operations segments sell interment rights, caskets, burial vaults, cremation niches, markers and other cemetery related merchandise. The nature of the Company’s customers differs in each of our regionally based cemetery operating segments. Cremation rates in the West region are substantially higher than they are in the Southeast region. Rates in the Northeast region tend to be somewhere between the two. Statistics indicate that customers who select cremation services have certain attributes that differ from customers who select other methods of interment. The disaggregation of cemetery operations into the three distinct regional segments is primarily due to these differences in customer attributes along with the previously mentioned management structure and senior management analysis methodologies.
The Company’s Funeral Homes segment offers a range of funeral-related services such as family consultation, the removal of and preparation of remains and the use of funeral home facilities for visitation. These services are distinctly different than the cemetery merchandise and services sold and provided by the cemetery operations segments.
The Company’s Corporate segment includes various home office selling and administrative expenses that are not allocable to the other operating segments.
Segment information as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
 
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As of and for the three months ended September 30, 2012:

 	  	Cemeteries	 	  	Funeral
Homes	 	  	Corporate	 	 	Adjustment	 	 	Total	 	
 	  	Southeast	 	  	Northeast	 	  	West	 	  			  			 			 			
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Revenues	  				  				  				  				  				 				 				
Sales	  	$	24,723	  	  	$	8,087	  	  	$	9,420	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	(8,107	) 	 	$	34,123	  	
Service and other	  	 	9,084	  	  	 	6,108	  	  	 	8,045	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(3,989	) 	 	 	19,248	  	
Funeral home	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	9,603	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(777	) 	 	 	8,826	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	33,807	  	  	 	14,195	  	  	 	17,465	  	  	 	9,603	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(12,873	) 	 	 	62,197	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and expenses	  				  				  				  				  				 				 				
Cost of sales	  	 	5,208	  	  	 	2,156	  	  	 	1,628	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	52	  	 	 	(1,398	) 	 	 	7,646	  	
Cemetery	  	 	6,635	  	  	 	3,574	  	  	 	4,042	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	1	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	14,252	  	
Selling	  	 	7,356	  	  	 	2,762	  	  	 	2,875	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	163	  	 	 	(1,866	) 	 	 	11,290	  	
General and administrative	  	 	3,694	  	  	 	1,486	  	  	 	1,828	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	7	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	7,015	  	
Corporate overhead	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	6,546	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	6,546	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	513	  	  	 	220	  	  	 	551	  	  	 	529	  	  	 	386	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	2,199	  	
Funeral home	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	7,161	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(65	) 	 	 	7,096	  	
Acquisition related costs	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	1,085	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	1,085	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	23,406	  	  	 	10,198	  	  	 	10,924	  	  	 	7,690	  	  	 	8,240	  	 	 	(3,329	) 	 	 	57,129	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	10,401	  	  	$	3,997	  	  	$	6,541	  	  	$	1,913	  	  	$	(8,240	) 	 	$	(9,544	) 	 	$	5,068	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	512,446	  	  	$	297,736	  	  	$	393,685	  	  	$	104,914	  	  	$	21,156	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	1,329,937	  	
Amortization of cemetery property	  	$	1,396	  	  	$	526	  	  	$	275	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	108	  	 	$	2,305	  	
Long lived asset additions	  	$	6,641	  	  	$	1,133	  	  	$	684	  	  	$	8,023	  	  	$	64	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	16,545	  	
Goodwill	  	$	6,194	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	11,948	  	  	$	22,251	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	40,393	  	
As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

 	  	Cemeteries	 	  	Funeral
Homes	 	  	Corporate	 	 	Adjustment	 	 	Total	 	
 	  	Southeast	 	  	Northeast	 	  	West	 	  			  			 			 			
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Revenues	  				  				  				  				  				 				 				
Sales	  	$	69,415	  	  	$	26,090	  	  	$	29,743	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	(25,988	) 	 	$	99,260	  	
Service and other	  	 	27,867	  	  	 	19,820	  	  	 	22,940	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(12,213	) 	 	 	58,414	  	
Funeral home	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	27,065	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(1,447	) 	 	 	25,618	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	97,282	  	  	 	45,910	  	  	 	52,683	  	  	 	27,065	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(39,648	) 	 	 	183,292	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and expenses	  				  				  				  				  				 				 				
Cost of sales	  	 	14,471	  	  	 	5,857	  	  	 	5,031	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	104	  	 	 	(4,161	) 	 	 	21,302	  	
Cemetery	  	 	19,085	  	  	 	10,453	  	  	 	12,280	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	1	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	41,819	  	
Selling	  	 	22,072	  	  	 	9,220	  	  	 	9,482	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	995	  	 	 	(5,569	) 	 	 	36,200	  	
General and administrative	  	 	11,130	  	  	 	4,499	  	  	 	5,751	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	23	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	21,403	  	
Corporate overhead	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	20,905	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	20,905	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	1,559	  	  	 	660	  	  	 	1,666	  	  	 	1,667	  	  	 	1,207	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	6,759	  	
Funeral home	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	20,648	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(181	) 	 	 	20,467	  	
Acquisition related costs	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	2,198	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	2,198	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	68,317	  	  	 	30,689	  	  	 	34,210	  	  	 	22,315	  	  	 	25,433	  	 	 	(9,911	) 	 	 	171,053	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	28,965	  	  	$	15,221	  	  	$	18,473	  	  	$	4,750	  	  	$	(25,433	) 	 	$	(29,737	) 	 	$	12,239	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	512,446	  	  	$	297,736	  	  	$	393,685	  	  	$	104,914	  	  	$	21,156	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	1,329,937	  	
Amortization of cemetery property	  	$	3,397	  	  	$	1,939	  	  	$	844	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	105	  	 	$	6,285	  	
Long lived asset additions	  	$	11,435	  	  	$	2,490	  	  	$	3,889	  	  	$	8,361	  	  	$	670	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	26,845	  	
Goodwill	  	$	6,194	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	11,948	  	  	$	22,251	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	40,393	  	
 
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As of and for the three months ended September 30, 2011:

 	  	Cemeteries	 	  	Funeral
Homes	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	  	Southeast	 	  	Northeast	 	  	West	 	  			  	Corporate	 	 	Adjustment	 	 	Total	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Revenues	  				  				  				  				  				 				 				
Sales	  	$	19,480	  	  	$	7,744	  	  	$	11,939	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	(5,000	) 	 	$	34,163	  	
Service and other	  	 	7,354	  	  	 	6,007	  	  	 	7,136	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(1,834	) 	 	 	18,663	  	
Funeral home	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	7,705	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(206	) 	 	 	7,499	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	26,834	  	  	 	13,751	  	  	 	19,075	  	  	 	7,705	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(7,040	) 	 	 	60,325	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and expenses	  				  				  				  				  				 				 				
Cost of sales	  	 	4,056	  	  	 	1,965	  	  	 	2,127	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(988	) 	 	 	7,160	  	
Cemetery	  	 	6,009	  	  	 	3,770	  	  	 	5,533	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	15,312	  	
Selling	  	 	6,686	  	  	 	2,693	  	  	 	3,621	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	130	  	 	 	(938	) 	 	 	12,192	  	
General and administrative	  	 	3,279	  	  	 	1,535	  	  	 	2,297	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	7,111	  	
Corporate overhead	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	5,628	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	5,628	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	425	  	  	 	219	  	  	 	444	  	  	 	391	  	  	 	407	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	1,886	  	
Funeral home	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	5,868	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	5,868	  	
Acquisition related costs	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	1,189	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	1,189	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	20,455	  	  	 	10,182	  	  	 	14,022	  	  	 	6,259	  	  	 	7,354	  	 	 	(1,926	) 	 	 	56,346	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	6,379	  	  	$	3,569	  	  	$	5,053	  	  	$	1,446	  	  	$	(7,354	) 	 	$	(5,114	) 	 	$	3,979	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	438,032	  	  	$	275,081	  	  	$	365,985	  	  	$	54,895	  	  	$	35,865	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	1,169,858	  	
Amortization of cemetery property	  	$	839	  	  	$	442	  	  	$	441	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	(268	) 	 	$	1,454	  	
Long lived asset additions	  	$	7,013	  	  	$	436	  	  	$	1,841	  	  	$	5,133	  	  	$	236	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	14,659	  	
Goodwill	  	$	2,700	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	11,949	  	  	$	5,897	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	20,546	  	
As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

 	  	Cemeteries	 	  	Funeral
Homes	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	  	Southeast	 	  	Northeast	 	  	West	 	  			  	Corporate	 	 	Adjustment	 	 	Total	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Revenues	  				  				  				  				  				 				 				
Sales	  	$	59,448	  	  	$	24,277	  	  	$	34,960	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	5	  	 	$	(25,203	) 	 	$	93,487	  	
Service and other	  	 	23,533	  	  	 	17,586	  	  	 	22,207	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(9,344	) 	 	 	53,982	  	
Funeral home	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	22,749	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(555	) 	 	 	22,194	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	82,981	  	  	 	41,863	  	  	 	57,167	  	  	 	22,749	  	  	 	5	  	 	 	(35,102	) 	 	 	169,663	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and expenses	  				  				  				  				  				 				 				
Cost of sales	  	 	12,128	  	  	 	5,281	  	  	 	5,743	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(3,783	) 	 	 	19,369	  	
Cemetery	  	 	17,036	  	  	 	10,739	  	  	 	15,085	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	42,860	  	
Selling	  	 	20,292	  	  	 	8,464	  	  	 	10,336	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	807	  	 	 	(5,976	) 	 	 	33,923	  	
General and administrative	  	 	9,547	  	  	 	4,555	  	  	 	6,469	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	(2	) 	 	 	—  	  	 	 	20,569	  	
Corporate overhead	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	17,572	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	17,572	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	1,183	  	  	 	663	  	  	 	1,686	  	  	 	1,118	  	  	 	1,724	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	6,374	  	
Funeral home	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	16,875	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	16,875	  	
Acquisition related costs	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	3,147	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	3,147	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	60,186	  	  	 	29,702	  	  	 	39,319	  	  	 	17,993	  	  	 	23,248	  	 	 	(9,759	) 	 	 	160,689	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	22,795	  	  	$	12,161	  	  	$	17,848	  	  	$	4,756	  	  	$	(23,243	) 	 	$	(25,343	) 	 	$	8,974	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	438,032	  	  	$	275,081	  	  	$	365,985	  	  	$	54,895	  	  	$	35,865	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	1,169,858	  	
Amortization of cemetery property	  	$	2,592	  	  	$	1,582	  	  	$	835	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	(597	) 	 	$	4,412	  	
Long lived asset additions	  	$	10,900	  	  	$	1,239	  	  	$	5,062	  	  	$	7,269	  	  	$	540	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	25,010	  	
Goodwill	  	$	2,700	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	11,949	  	  	$	5,897	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	20,546	  	
 
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Results of individual business units are presented based on our management accounting practices and management structure. There is no comprehensive, authoritative body of guidance for management accounting equivalent to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; therefore, the financial results of individual business units are not necessarily comparable with similar information for any other company. The management accounting process uses assumptions and allocations to measure performance of the business units. Methodologies are refined from time to time as management accounting practices are enhanced and businesses change. Revenues and associated expenses are not deferred in accordance with SAB No. 104 therefore, the deferral of these revenues and expenses is provided in the adjustment column to reconcile the Company’s managerial financial statements to those prepared in accordance with GAAP. Pre-need sales revenues included within the sales category consist primarily of the sale of burial lots, burial vaults, mausoleum crypts, grave markers and memorials, and caskets. Management accounting practices included in the Southeast, Northeast, and Western Regions reflect these pre-need sales when contracts are signed by the customer and accepted by the Company. Pre-need sales reflected in the consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with GAAP, recognize revenues for the sale of burial lots and mausoleum crypts when the product is constructed and at least 10% of the sales price is collected. With respect to the other products, the consolidated financial statements prepared under GAAP recognize sales revenues when the criteria for delivery under SAB No. 104 are met. These criteria include, among other things, purchase of the product, delivery and installation of the product in the ground, and transfer of title to the customer. In each case, costs are accrued in connection with the recognition of revenues; therefore, the consolidated financial statements reflect Deferred Cemetery Revenue, Net and Deferred Selling and Obtaining Costs on the balance sheet, whereas the Company’s management accounting practices exclude these items.
 
15.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	
The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the ASC defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to observable inputs and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by this topic are described below.
Level 1: Quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company includes short-term investments, consisting primarily of money market funds, U.S. Government debt securities and publicly traded equity securities and mutual funds in its level 1 investments.
Level 2: Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets; quoted prices in non-active markets for identical or similar assets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable. The Company includes U.S. state and municipal, corporate and other fixed income debt securities in its level 2 investments.
Level 3: Any and all pricing inputs that are generally unobservable and not corroborated by market data.
 
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The following table allocates the Company’s assets measured at fair value as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
As of September 30, 2012
Merchandise Trust

Description	  	Level 1	 	  	Level 2	 	  	Total	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Assets	  				  				  				
Short-term investments	  	$	48,722	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	48,722	  	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				
U.S. government and federal agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
U.S. state and local government agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	23	  	  	 	23	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	8,741	  	  	 	8,741	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	4,313	  	  	 	4,313	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturity investments	  	 	—  	  	  	 	13,077	  	  	 	13,077	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	100,085	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	100,085	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - real estate sector	  	 	43,432	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	43,432	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - energy sector	  	 	5,767	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	5,767	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - MLP’s	  	 	28,476	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	28,476	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - other	  	 	53,697	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	53,697	  	
				
Equity securities	  				  				  				
Preferred REIT’s	  	 	1,638	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	1,638	  	
Master limited partnerships	  	 	41,378	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	41,378	  	
Global equity securities	  	 	22,483	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	22,483	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	—  	  	  	 	6,587	  	  	 	6,587	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	345,678	  	  	$	19,664	  	  	$	365,342	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Perpetual Care Trust

Description	  	Level 1	 	  	Level 2	 	  	Total	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Assets	  				  				  				
Short-term investments	  	$	20,912	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	20,912	  	
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				
U.S. government and federal agency	  	 	513	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	513	  	
U.S. state and local government agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	147	  	  	 	147	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	23,898	  	  	 	23,898	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	371	  	  	 	371	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturity investments	  	 	513	  	  	 	24,416	  	  	 	24,929	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	107,933	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	107,933	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - real estate sector	  	 	39,083	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	39,083	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - energy sector	  	 	12,911	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	12,911	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - MLP’s	  	 	36,583	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	36,583	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - other	  	 	9,149	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	9,149	  	
				
Equity securities	  				  				  				
Preferred REIT’s	  	 	953	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	953	  	
Master limited partnerships	  	 	29,453	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	29,453	  	
Global equity securities	  	 	745	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	745	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	258,235	  	  	$	24,416	  	  	$	282,651	  	

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As of December 31, 2011
Merchandise Trust

Description	  	Level 1	 	  	Level 2	 	  	Total	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Assets	  				  				  				
Short-term investments	  	$	38,312	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	38,312	  	
				
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				
U.S. government and federal agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
U.S. state and local government agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	23	  	  	 	23	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	9,765	  	  	 	9,765	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	1,100	  	  	 	1,100	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturity investments	  	 	—  	  	  	 	10,888	  	  	 	10,888	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	67,421	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	67,421	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - real estate sector	  	 	22,847	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	22,847	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - energy sector	  	 	28,057	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	28,057	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - MLP’s	  	 	20,308	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	20,308	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - other	  	 	70,076	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	70,076	  	
				
Equity securities	  				  				  				
Preferred REIT’s	  	 	9,001	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	9,001	  	
Master limited partnerships	  	 	41,469	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	41,469	  	
Global equity securities	  	 	21,882	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	21,882	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	—  	  	  	 	7,360	  	  	 	7,360	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	319,373	  	  	$	18,248	  	  	$	337,621	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Perpetual Care Trust

Description	  	Level 1	 	  	Level 2	 	  	Total	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Assets	  				  				  				
Short-term investments	  	$	22,607	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	22,607	  	
				
Fixed maturities:	  				  				  				
U.S. government and federal agency	  	 	513	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	513	  	
U.S. state and local government agency	  	 	—  	  	  	 	147	  	  	 	147	  	
Corporate debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	22,154	  	  	 	22,154	  	
Other debt securities	  	 	—  	  	  	 	371	  	  	 	371	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total fixed maturity investments	  	 	513	  	  	 	22,672	  	  	 	23,185	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Mutual funds - debt securities	  	 	60,806	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	60,806	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - real estate sector	  	 	24,580	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	24,580	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - energy sector	  	 	20,069	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	20,069	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - MLP’s	  	 	13,515	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	13,515	  	
Mutual funds - equity securities - other	  	 	41,334	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	41,334	  	
				
Equity securities	  				  				  				
Preferred REIT’s	  	 	19,720	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	19,720	  	
Master limited partnerships	  	 	27,998	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	27,998	  	
Global equity securities	  	 	695	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	695	  	
Other invested assets	  	 	—  	  	  	 	170	  	  	 	170	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	231,837	  	  	$	22,842	  	  	$	254,679	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
All level 2 assets are priced utilizing independent pricing services. There were no level 3 assets.
 
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 Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	
The words “we,” “us,” “our,” “StoneMor,” the “Partnership,” the “Company” and similar words, when used in a historical context prior to the closing of the initial public offering of StoneMor Partners L.P. on September 20, 2004, refer to Cornerstone Family Services, Inc. (“Cornerstone”), (and, after its conversion, CFSI LLC), and its subsidiaries and thereafter refer to StoneMor Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries.
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including the notes thereto).
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including, but not limited to, information regarding the status and progress of our operating activities, the plans and objectives of our management, assumptions regarding our future performance and plans, and any financial guidance provided, as well as certain information in other filings with the SEC and elsewhere are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” “expect,” “predict” and similar expressions identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, including, but not limited to, the following: uncertainties associated with future revenue and revenue growth; the effect of the current economic downturn; the impact of our significant leverage on our operating plans; our ability to service our debt and pay distributions; the decline in the fair value of certain equity and debt securities held in our trusts; our ability to attract, train and retain an adequate number of sales people; uncertainties associated with the volume and timing of pre-need sales of cemetery services and products; increased use of cremation; changes in the death rate; changes in the political or regulatory environments, including potential changes in tax accounting and trusting policies; our ability to successfully implement a strategic plan relating to producing operating improvements, strong cash flows and further deleveraging; our ability to successfully compete in the cemetery and funeral home industry; uncertainties associated with the integration or anticipated benefits of our recent acquisitions or any future acquisitions; our ability to complete and fund additional acquisitions; our ability to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; the effects of cyber security attacks due to our significant reliance on information technology; uncertainties relating to the financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our pre-need funeral contracts; and various other uncertainties associated with the death care industry and our operations in particular.
When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our other reports filed with the SEC. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Organization
We were organized on April 2, 2004 to own and operate the cemetery and funeral home business conducted by Cornerstone and its subsidiaries. On September 20, 2004, in connection with our initial public offering of common units representing limited partner interests, Cornerstone contributed to us substantially all of its assets, liabilities and businesses, and then converted into CFSI LLC, a limited liability company. Cornerstone had been founded in 1999 by members of our management team and a private equi t y investment firm in order to acquire a group of 123 cemetery properties and 4 funeral homes. Since that time, Cornerstone, succeeded by us, has acquired additional cemeteries and funeral homes, entered into long term cemetery operating agreements, built funeral homes, and sold cemeteries and funeral homes, resulting in the operation of 276 cemeteries and 85 funeral homes as of September 30, 2012.
Capitalization
On September 20, 2004, we completed our initial public offering. Since that time, we have completed additional follow on public offerings and debt offerings. Our most recent follow on public offering was on February 9, 2011.
 
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Overview
Cemetery Operations
We are currently the second largest owner and operator of cemeteries in the United States. As of September 30, 2012, we operated 276 cemeteries in 26 states and Puerto Rico. We own 258 of these cemeteries, and we operate the remaining 18 under management or operating agreements with the nonprofit cemetery corporations that own the cemeteries. As a result of the agreements, other control arrangements and applicable accounting rules, we have treated 16 of these cemeteries as acquisitions for accounting purposes.
We operate 2 cemeteries under long-term operating agreements that do not qualify as acquisitions for accounting purposes. As a result, we did not consolidate all of the existing assets and liabilities related to these cemeteries. We have consolidated the existing assets and liabilities of each of these cemeteries’ merchandise and perpetual care trusts as variable interest entities since we control and receive the benefits and absorb any losses from operating these trusts. Under these long-term operating agreements, which are subject to certain termination provisions, we are the exclusive operator of these cemeteries. We earn revenues related to sales of merchandise, services, and interment rights and incur expenses related to such sales and the maintenance and upkeep of these cemeteries. Upon termination of these contracts, we will retain all of the benefits and related contractual obligations incurred from sales generated during the contract period. We have also recognized the existing merchandise liabilities assumed as part of these agreements.
We sell cemetery products and services both at the time of death, which we refer to as at-need, and prior to the time of death, which we refer to as pre-need. Revenues from cemetery operations accounted for approximately 85.8% and 86.0% of our revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 87.6% and 86.9% during the same periods last year.
Our results of operations for our Cemetery Operations are determined primarily by the volume of sales of products and services and the timing of product delivery and performance of services. We derive our cemetery revenues primarily from:
 
 	•	 	at-need sales of cemetery interment rights, merchandise and services, which we recognize as revenue when we have delivered the related merchandise or performed the service;	
 
 	•	 	pre-need sales of cemetery interment rights, which we generally recognize as revenues when we have collected 10% of the sales price from the customer;	
 
 	•	 	pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise, which we recognize as revenues when we satisfy the criteria specified below for delivery of the merchandise to the customer;	
 
 	•	 	pre-need sales of cemetery services which we recognize as revenues when we perform the services for the customer;	
 
 	•	 	investment income from assets held in our merchandise trust, which we recognize as revenues when we deliver the underlying merchandise or perform the underlying services and recognize the associated sales revenue as discussed above;	
 
 	•	 	investment income from perpetual care trusts, excluding realized gains and losses on the sale of trust assets, which we recognize as revenues as the income is earned in the trust; and	
 
 	•	 	other items, such as interest income on pre-need installment contracts and sales of land.	
The criteria for recognizing revenue related to the sale of cemetery merchandise is that such merchandise is “delivered” to our customer, which generally means that:
 
 	•	 	the merchandise is complete and ready for installation; or	
 
 	•	 	the merchandise is either installed or stored at an off-site location, at no additional cost to us, and specifically identified with a particular customer; and	
 
 	•	 	the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer.	
We generally satisfy these delivery criteria by purchasing the merchandise and either installing it on our cemetery property or storing it, at the customer’s request, in third-party warehouses, at no additional cost to us, until the time of need. With respect to burial vaults, we install the vaults rather than storing them to satisfy the delivery criteria. When merchandise is stored for a customer, we may issue a certificate of ownership to the customer to evidence the transfer to the customer of the risks and rewards of ownership.
 
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Pre-need Sales
As previously noted, we do not recognize revenue on pre-need sales of merchandise and services until we have delivered the merchandise or performed the services. Accordingly, deferred revenues from pre-need sales and related merchandise trust earnings are reflected as a liability on our balance sheet in deferred cemetery revenues, net.
Total deferred cemetery revenues, net, also includes deferred revenues from pre-need sales that were entered into by entities we acquired prior to the time we acquired them. This includes both those entities that we acquired at the time of the formation of Cornerstone and other subsequent acquisitions. Our profit margin on pre-need sales entered into by entities we subsequently acquired is generally less than our profit margin on other pre-need sales because, in accordance with industry practice at the time these acquired pre-need sales were made, none of the selling expenses were recognized at the time of sale. As a result, we are required to recognize all of the expenses (including deferred selling expenses) associated with these acquired pre-need sales when we recognize the revenues from that sale.
Pre-need products and services are typically sold on an installment basis. Subject to state law, these contracts are normally subject to “cooling-off” periods, generally between three and thirty days, during which the customer may elect to cancel the contract and receive a full refund of amounts paid. Also subject to applicable state law, we are generally permitted to retain the amounts already paid on contracts, including any amounts that were required to be deposited into trust, on contracts cancelled after the “cooling-off” period. Historical post “cooling-off” period cancellations total approximately 10% of our pre-need sales (based on contract dollar amounts). If the products and services purchased under a pre-need contract are needed for interment before payment has been made in full, generally the balance due must be immediately paid in full.
Contracts related to pre-need installment sales are usually for a period not to exceed 60 months, with payments of principal and interest required. Pre-need sales contracts normally contain provisions for both principal and interest. For those contracts that do not bear a market rate of interest, we impute such interest based upon the prime rate plus 150 basis points, which resulted in a rate of 4.75% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.
We normally offer prepayment incentives to customers whose pre-need contracts are longer than 36 months and bear interest. If those customers pay their contracts in full in less than 12 months, we rebate the interest that we have collected from them. Even though this rebate policy reduces the amount of interest income we receive on our accounts receivable, the net effect is an increase in our immediate cash flow.
In certain cases, pre-need contracts will be cancelled before they are fully paid. In these circumstances, we are generally permitted to retain amounts already paid to us, including any amounts that were required to be deposited into trust. In certain other cases, the products and services purchased under a pre-need contract are needed for interment before payment has been made in full. In these cases, we are generally entitled to be immediately paid in full for any amounts still outstanding.
At-need Sales
Revenue on at-need merchandise sales is deferred until the time that such merchandise is delivered. The lag between the contract origination and delivery is normally minimal. At-need sales of products and services are generally required to be paid for in full at the time of sale. At that time, we will deposit amounts, as legally required, into our perpetual care trusts. We are not required to deposit any amounts into merchandise trusts for products or services that have already been delivered.
Expenses
We analyze and categorize our operating expenses as follows:
1. Cost of goods sold and selling expenses
Cost of goods sold reflects the actual cost of purchasing products and performing services. Sales of cemetery lots and interment rights, whether at-need or pre-need, typically have a lower cost of goods sold than other merchandise that we sell.
Selling expenses consist of salesperson and sales management payroll costs, including selling commissions, bonuses and employee benefits. We self-insure medical expenses of our employees up to certain individual and aggregate limits over which we have stop-loss insurance coverage. Our self-insurance policy may result in variability in our future operating expenses. Selling expenses also includes other costs of obtaining product and service sales, such as advertising, marketing, postage and telephone.
Direct costs associated with pre-need sales of cemetery merchandise and services, such as sales commissions and cost of goods sold, are reflected in the balance sheet in deferred selling and obtaining costs and deferred cemetery revenues, net, respectively and are expensed as the merchandise is delivered or the services are performed. Indirect costs, such as marketing and advertising costs, are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
 
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2. Cemetery Expenses
Cemetery expenses represent the cost to maintain and repair our cemetery properties and consist primarily of labor and equipment, utilities, real estate taxes and other maintenance items. Repairs necessary to maintain our cemeteries are expensed as they are incurred. Other maintenance costs required over the long term to maintain the operating capacity of our cemeteries, such as to build roads and install sprinkler systems, are capitalized.
3. General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses, which do not include corporate overhead, primarily includes personnel costs, insurance and other costs necessary to maintain our cemetery offices.
4. Depreciation and amortization
We depreciate our property and equipment on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
5. Acquisition related costs
Acquisition related costs which include legal fees and other third party costs incurred in acquisition related activities are expensed as incurred.
Funeral Home Operations
As of September 30, 2012, we owned and operated 85 funeral homes. These properties are located in 18 states and Puerto Rico. Forty of our funeral homes are located on the grounds of cemeteries that we own.
We derive revenues at our funeral homes from the sale of funeral home merchandise, including caskets and related funeral merchandise, and services, including removal and preparation of remains, the use of our facilities for visitation, worship and performance of funeral services and transportation services. We sell these services and merchandise almost exclusively at the time of need utilizing salaried licensed funeral directors. Funeral home revenues accounted for approximately 14.2% and 14.0% of our revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 12.4% and 13.1% during the same periods last year.
Pursuant to state law, a portion of proceeds received from pre-need funeral service contracts is put into trust while amounts used to defray the initial administrative costs are not. All investment earnings generated by the assets in the trust (including realized gains and losses) are deferred until the associated merchandise is delivered or the services are performed. The balance of the amounts in these trusts is included within the merchandise trusts above.
We generally include revenues from pre-need casket sales in the results of our cemetery operations. However, some states require that caskets be sold by funeral homes, and revenues from casket sales in those states are included in our funeral home results.
Our funeral home operating expenses consist primarily of compensation to our funeral directors, day to day costs of managing the business and the cost of caskets.
Corporate
We incur fixed costs for corporate overhead primarily for centralized functions, such as payroll, accounting, collections and professional fees. We also incur expenses relating to reporting requirements under U.S. federal securities laws and certain other additional expenses of being a public company.
 
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2012 Developments
Significant business developments for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 include the following:
 
 	•	 	On January 19, 2012, we amended our Credit Agreement. See Liquidity and Capital Resources for further discussion.	
 
 	•	 	Effective March 31, 2012, we and the Archdiocese of Detroit terminated an operating agreement where we had been the exclusive operator of three cemeteries in Michigan. All activity occurring after March 31, 2012 is the responsibility of the Archdiocese and we have no remaining obligations under this agreement. Upon termination, we received payments of approximately $2.0 million from the Archdiocese, resulting in a gain of $1.7 million, which is the amount by which the payments from the Archdiocese exceeded the value of the net assets transferred to the Archdiocese.	
 
 	•	 	On April 10, 2012, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with several individuals to purchase all of the stock of Bronswood Cemetery, Inc., an Illinois Corporation. Pursuant to this agreement, we acquired one cemetery in Illinois. In consideration for the net assets acquired, we paid $0.9 million in cash.	
 
 	•	 	On June 6, 2012, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with several individuals and Lodi Funeral Home, Inc. to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Lodi Funeral Home, Inc., a California corporation and all of the stock of Lodi All Faiths Cremation, a California corporation. Pursuant to this agreement, we acquired two funeral homes in California. In consideration for the net assets acquired, we paid $0.85 million in cash and issued $0.35 million in units.	
 
 	•	 	On July 2, 2012, we entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement with several individuals, two Oregon corporations and two limited liability companies to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of five funeral homes in Oregon. In consideration for the net assets acquired, we paid $2.3 million in cash and will pay an additional aggregate amount of $0.3 million in equal quarterly installments commencing on July 2, 2012.	
 
 	•	 	On July 31, 2012, we entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement with several individuals, certain Florida corporations and limited liability companies to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of nine funeral homes and four cemeteries in Florida. In consideration for the net assets acquired, we paid $20.0 million in cash, issued $3.5 million in units and will pay an additional $1.5 million in five equal annual installments commencing on August 1, 2013.	
Current Market Conditions and Economic Developments
The overall markets have experienced fluctuation during 2012 but have generally improved since December 31, 2011. As of September 30, 2012, the market value of assets in our merchandise trusts exceeded their amortized cost by 1.3%. This is an improvement from December 31, 2011 when the ratio of market value to amortized cost was 97.7%. As of September 30, 2012, the market value of the assets in our perpetual care trust exceeded their amortized cost by 5.8%, which is an improvement from December 31, 2011 when the same ratio was 0.7%.
As of September 30, 2012, the majority of our long-term debt consisted of $150.0 million in Senior Notes due in 2017 and $84.7 million of borrowings on our Credit Facility which expires in 2017. As of September 30, 2012, we had an unused line of $45.3 million under our Credit Agreement.
The value of pre-need and at-need contracts written has continued to grow and the aggregate values of contracts written were $65.1 million and $192.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to $59.8 million and $180.9 million during the same periods last year.
Impact on Our Ability to Meet Our Debt Covenants
Current market conditions have not negatively impacted our ability to meet our significant debt covenants. These covenants specifically relate to a certain measure of profitability (the “Profitability Measure”) and certain coverage and leverage ratios as defined in the Credit Agreement described below.
The Profitability Measure is primarily related to the current period value of contracts written, investment income from the merchandise and perpetual care trusts, and current expenses incurred. The revenue recognition rules that we must follow for GAAP purposes is not considered.
 
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We have two primary debt covenants that are dependent upon our financial results, the leverage ratio and the consolidated debt service coverage ratio. The leverage ratio relates to the ratio of consolidated debt to the Profitability Measure. Our leverage ratio was 3.17 at September 30, 2012 compared to a maximum allowed ratio of 3.65. The consolidated debt service coverage ratio relates to the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Debt Service. Our consolidated debt service coverage ratio was 3.42 at September 30, 2012 compared to a minimum allowed ratio of 2.50.
Segment Reporting and Related Information
The Company is organized into five distinct reportable segments which are classified as Cemetery Operations—Southeast, Cemetery Operations—Northeast, Cemetery Operations—West, Funeral Homes, and Corporate.
We chose this level of organization and disaggregation of reportable segments due to the fact that a) each reportable segment has unique characteristics that set it apart from each other; b) we have organized our management personnel at these operational levels; and c) this is the level at which our chief decision makers and other senior management evaluate performance.
The Cemetery Operations segments sell interment rights, caskets, burial vaults, cremation niches, markers and other cemetery related merchandise. The nature of our customers differs in each of our regionally based cemetery operating segments. Cremation rates in the West region are substantially higher than they are in the Southeast region. Rates in the Northeast region tend to be somewhere between the two. Statistics indicate that customers who select cremation services have certain attributes that differ from customers who select other methods of interment. The disaggregation of cemetery operations into the three distinct regional segments is primarily due to these differences in customer attributes along with the previously mentioned management structure and senior management analysis methodologies.
Our Funeral Homes segment offers a range of funeral-related services such as family consultation, the removal of and preparation of remains and the use of funeral home facilities for visitation. These services are distinctly different than the cemetery merchandise and services sold and provided by the Cemetery Operations segments.
Our Corporate segment includes various home office expenses, miscellaneous selling, cemetery and general administrative expenses that are not allocable to other operating segments, certain depreciation and amortization expenses and acquisition related costs.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements required us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affected the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods (see Note 1 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements). Our critical accounting policies are those that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgment. These critical accounting policies are discussed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our 2011 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies since the filing of our 2011 Form 10-K.
Results of Operations – Segments
We account for and analyze the results of operations for our segments on a basis of accounting that is different from generally accepted accounting principles. We reconcile these non-GAAP accounting results of operations to GAAP based amounts at the consolidated level. This reconciliation is included in Note 14 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The method of accounting we utilize to analyze our overall results of operations, including segment results, provides for a production based view of our business. Under the production based view, we recognize revenues at their contract value at the point in time in which the contract is written, less a historic cancellation reserve. All related costs are expensed in the period the contract is recognized as revenue. In contrast, GAAP requires that we defer all revenues, and the direct costs associated with these revenues, until we meet certain delivery and performance requirements. The nature of our business is such that there is no meaningful relationship between the time that elapses from the date a contract is executed and the date the underlying merchandise is delivered or the service, delivery and performance requirements are met. Further, certain factors affecting this time period, such as weather and supplier issues, are out of our control. As a result, during a period of growth, operating profits as defined by GAAP will tend to lag behind operating profits on a production based view because of the required deferral of
 
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revenues. Our performance based view ignores these delays and presents results based upon the underlying value of contracts written. We believe this is the most reliable indicator of our performance for a given period as the value of contracts written less a historical cancellation reserve reflects the economic value added during a given period of time. Accordingly, the ensuing segment discussion is on a basis of accounting that differs from generally accepted accounting principles. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 for a more detailed discussion of our accounting policies under GAAP.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
Cemetery Segments
Cemetery Operations – Southeast
In 2011 and 2012, we made several acquisitions in our Cemetery Operations – Southeast segment. Of these acquisitions, 6 occurred during the third quarter of 2011, 5 occurred during the fourth quarter of 2011 and 4 occurred during the third quarter of 2012. Therefore, the results of operations for these properties have little or no impact on the three months ended September 30, 2011, but are included in the three months ended September 30, 2012. These additions are contributing close to half of the increase in revenues and the majority of costs and expenses for this segment.
The table below compares the results of operations for our Cemetery Operations – Southeast for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Three months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	  	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Total revenues	  	$	33,807	  	  	$	26,834	  	  	$	6,973	  	  	 	26.0	% 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	23,406	  	  	 	20,455	  	  	 	2,951	  	  	 	14.4	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	10,401	  	  	$	6,379	  	  	$	4,022	  	  	 	63.1	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Revenues
The increase in revenues was related to an overall increase in the value of contracts written, with an increase of $4.7 million in the value of pre-need contracts and $1.0 million in the value of at-need contracts. In addition, we had an increase of $1.2 million in income from our trusts.
Total costs and expenses
The increase in costs and expenses was primarily related to:
 
 	•	 	A $1.2 million increase in cost of goods sold. This was attributable to the corresponding increase in the value of contracts written.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.7 million increase in selling expenses. This was primarily attributable to increases of $0.7 million in commission related expenses and $0.2 million in labor costs offset by a decrease of $0.2 million in telemarketing costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.6 million increase in cemetery expenses. The increase was primarily due to increases of $0.1 million in labor costs, $0.4 million in repair and maintenance costs and $0.1 million in utility and fuel costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.4 million increase in general and administrative expense primarily due to increases of $0.2 million in labor costs, $0.2 million in insurance costs and $0.1 million in professional fees offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in general office costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.1 million increase in depreciation.	
 
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Cemetery Operations – Northeast
The table below compares the results of operations for our Cemetery Operations – Northeast for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Three months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	  	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Total revenues	  	$	14,195	  	  	$	13,751	  	  	$	444	  	  	 	3.2	% 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	10,198	  	  	 	10,182	  	  	 	16	  	  	 	0.2	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	3,997	  	  	$	3,569	  	  	$	428	  	  	 	12.0	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Revenues
The increase in revenues was related to an overall increase in the value of contracts written, with an increase of $0.4 million in the value of pre-need contracts offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in the value of at-need contracts. In addition, we had an increase of $0.5 million in other income which was offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in interest and income from our trusts.
Total costs and expenses
The increase in costs and expenses was primarily related to:
 
 	•	 	A $0.2 million increase in cost of goods sold. This was attributable to the corresponding increase in the value of contracts written.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.1 million increase in selling expenses primarily attributable to increases in commission and labor costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.2 million decrease in cemetery expenses primarily due to a decrease in labor costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.1 million decrease in general and administrative expenses.	
Cemetery Operations – West
Effective March 31, 2012, we terminated our operating agreement with the Archdiocese of Detroit. Therefore, the results of operations for these properties have no impact on the three months ended September 30, 2012, but are included in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The removal of these properties from our results of operations resulted in a $2.0 million decrease in revenues and $2.0 million decrease in costs and expenses, which is more than the entire decrease in revenues, and the majority of the decrease in costs and expenses.
Further, in the second quarter of 2012 we made one acquisition in our Cemetery Operations – West segment. The results of operations for this property have no impact on the three months ended September 30, 2011, but are included in the three months ended September 30, 2012.
The table below compares the results of operations for our Cemetery Operations – West for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Three months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	 	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Total revenues	  	$	17,465	  	  	$	19,075	  	  	$	(1,610	) 	 	 	-8.4	% 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	10,924	  	  	 	14,022	  	  	 	(3,098	) 	 	 	-22.1	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	6,541	  	  	$	5,053	  	  	$	1,488	  	 	 	29.4	% 	

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Revenues
The decrease in revenues was driven by a decrease in the value of contracts written as a result of the aforementioned contract termination. There was a decrease of $1.9 million in the value of pre-need contracts written and a decrease of $1.3 million in the value of at-need contracts written. This was partially offset by increases of $1.0 million of other income and $0.5 million in income from our trusts.
Total costs and expenses
The decrease in costs and expenses was driven by reduced expenses as a result of the aforementioned contract termination and primarily related to:
 
 	•	 	A $0.5 million decrease in cost of goods sold. This was attributable to the corresponding decrease in the value of contracts written.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.7 million decrease in selling expense. This was primarily attributable to decreases of $0.3 million in labor costs, $0.3 million in commission related expenses and $0.1 million in telemarketing costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $1.5 million decrease in cemetery expenses. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $1.2 million in labor costs, $0.2 million in repairs and maintenance and $0.1 million in utility and fuel costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.5 million decrease in general and administrative expenses. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $0.3 million in labor costs and $0.2 million in general office costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.1 million increase in depreciation.	
Funeral Home Segment
In 2011 and 2012, we acquired several funeral homes. Of these acquisitions, 4 occurred during the third quarter of 2011, 4 occurred during the fourth quarter of 2011, 2 occurred during the second quarter of 2012 and 14 occurred during the third quarter of 2012. Therefore, the results of operations for these properties have little or no impact on the three months ended September 30, 2011, but are included in the three months ended September 30, 2012. These additions are primarily responsible for the increase to revenues and costs and expenses for this segment.
The table below compares the results of operations for our Funeral Home segment for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Three months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	  	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Total revenues	  	$	9,603	  	  	$	7,705	  	  	$	1,898	  	  	 	24.6	% 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	7,690	  	  	 	6,259	  	  	 	1,431	  	  	 	22.9	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	1,913	  	  	$	1,446	  	  	$	467	  	  	 	32.3	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Revenues
The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to a $0.2 million increase in pre-need revenues, a $0.9 million increase in at-need revenues and a $0.8 million increase in other revenues.
 
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Total costs and expenses
The increase in costs and expenses was primarily attributable to an increase of $0.6 million in personnel expenses, $0.3 in merchandise costs, $0.3 million in facility related costs and $0.1 million in depreciation expense, with the remainder attributable to various increases in general and administrative and other expense categories.
Corporate Segment
The table below compares expenses incurred by the Corporate segment for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Three months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	 	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Selling, cemetery and general and administrative expenses	  	$	223	  	  	$	130	  	  	$	93	  	 	 	71.5	% 	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	386	  	  	 	407	  	  	 	(21	) 	 	 	-5.2	% 	
Acquisition related costs	  	 	1,085	  	  	 	1,189	  	  	 	(104	) 	 	 	-8.7	% 	
					
Corporate expenses	  				  				  				 				
Corporate personnel expenses	  	 	3,001	  	  	 	3,050	  	  	 	(49	) 	 	 	-1.6	% 	
Other corporate expenses	  	 	3,545	  	  	 	2,578	  	  	 	967	  	 	 	37.5	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total corporate overhead	  	 	6,546	  	  	 	5,628	  	  	 	918	  	 	 	16.3	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total corporate expenses	  	$	8,240	  	  	$	7,354	  	  	$	886	  	 	 	12.0	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The increase in selling, cemetery and general and administrative expenses allocated to the Corporate segment was primarily attributable to commissions and training. The increase in total corporate overhead was primarily attributable to an increase of $0.2 million in professional fees, $0.5 million in advertising expenses and $0.2 million of other corporate expenses. Acquisition related costs will vary from period to period depending on the amount of acquisition activity that takes place.
Reconciliation of Segment Results of Operations to Consolidated Results of Operations
As discussed in the segment sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, cemetery revenues and their associated costs as reported at the segment level are not deferred until such time that we meet the delivery component for revenue recognition.
Periodic consolidated revenues recorded in accordance with GAAP reflect the amount of total merchandise and services which were delivered during the period. Accordingly, period over period changes to revenues can be impacted by:
 
 	•	 	Changes in the value of contracts written and other revenues generated during a period that are delivered in their period of origin and are recognized as revenue and not deferred as of the end of their period of origination.	
 
 	•	 	Changes in merchandise and services that are delivered during a period that had been originated during a prior period.	
 
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The table below analyzes results of operations and the changes therein for the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period last year. The table is structured so that our readers can determine whether changes were based upon changes in the level of merchandise and services and other revenues generated during each period and/ or changes in the timing of when merchandise and services were delivered:

 	  	Three months ended
September 30, 2012	 	  	Three months ended
September 30, 2011	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	  	(in thousands)	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues	  	Segment
Results
(non-GAAP)	 	  	GAAP
Adjustments	 	 	GAAP
Results	 	  	Segment
Results
(non-GAAP)	 	  	GAAP
Adjustments	 	 	GAAP
Results	 	  	Change in
GAAP results
($)	 	 	Change in
GAAP results
(%)	 	
Pre-need cemetery revenues	  	$	32,976	  	  	$	(7,211	) 	 	$	25,765	  	  	$	29,794	  	  	$	(4,103	) 	 	$	25,691	  	  	$	74	  	 	 	0.3	% 	
At-need cemetery revenues	  	 	19,256	  	  	 	(1,218	) 	 	 	18,038	  	  	 	19,565	  	  	 	(746	) 	 	 	18,819	  	  	 	(781	) 	 	 	-4.2	% 	
Investment income from trusts	  	 	9,809	  	  	 	(4,023	) 	 	 	5,786	  	  	 	8,315	  	  	 	(2,155	) 	 	 	6,160	  	  	 	(374	) 	 	 	-6.1	% 	
Interest income	  	 	1,238	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	1,238	  	  	 	1,442	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	1,442	  	  	 	(204	) 	 	 	-14.1	% 	
Funeral home revenues	  	 	9,603	  	  	 	(777	) 	 	 	8,826	  	  	 	7,705	  	  	 	(206	) 	 	 	7,499	  	  	 	1,327	  	 	 	17.7	% 	
Other cemetery revenues	  	 	2,188	  	  	 	356	  	 	 	2,544	  	  	 	544	  	  	 	170	  	 	 	714	  	  	 	1,830	  	 	 	256.3	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	75,070	  	  	 	(12,873	) 	 	 	62,197	  	  	 	67,365	  	  	 	(7,040	) 	 	 	60,325	  	  	 	1,872	  	 	 	3.1	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and expenses	  				  				 				  				  				 				  				 				
Cost of goods sold	  	 	9,044	  	  	 	(1,398	) 	 	 	7,646	  	  	 	8,148	  	  	 	(988	) 	 	 	7,160	  	  	 	486	  	 	 	6.8	% 	
Cemetery expense	  	 	14,252	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	14,252	  	  	 	15,312	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	15,312	  	  	 	(1,060	) 	 	 	-6.9	% 	
Selling expense	  	 	13,156	  	  	 	(1,866	) 	 	 	11,290	  	  	 	13,130	  	  	 	(938	) 	 	 	12,192	  	  	 	(902	) 	 	 	-7.4	% 	
General and administrative expense	  	 	7,015	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	7,015	  	  	 	7,111	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	7,111	  	  	 	(96	) 	 	 	-1.4	% 	
Corporate overhead	  	 	6,546	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	6,546	  	  	 	5,628	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	5,628	  	  	 	918	  	 	 	16.3	% 	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	2,199	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	2,199	  	  	 	1,886	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	1,886	  	  	 	313	  	 	 	16.6	% 	
Funeral home expense	  	 	7,161	  	  	 	(65	) 	 	 	7,096	  	  	 	5,868	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	5,868	  	  	 	1,228	  	 	 	20.9	% 	
Acquisition related costs	  	 	1,085	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	1,085	  	  	 	1,189	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	1,189	  	  	 	(104	) 	 	 	-8.7	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	60,458	  	  	 	(3,329	) 	 	 	57,129	  	  	 	58,272	  	  	 	(1,926	) 	 	 	56,346	  	  	 	783	  	 	 	1.4	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	14,612	  	  	$	(9,544	) 	 	$	5,068	  	  	$	9,093	  	  	$	(5,114	) 	 	$	3,979	  	  	$	1,089	  	 	 	27.4	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues
Pre-need cemetery revenues were $25.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.1 million, or 0.3%, as compared to $25.7 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily caused by an increase of $3.2 million in the value of cemetery contracts written which was offset by an increase of $3.1 million in deferred revenue.
At-need cemetery revenues were $18.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 4.2%, as compared to $18.8 million during the same period last year. The decrease was primarily caused by a decrease of $0.3 million in the value of cemetery contracts written and an increase of $0.5 million in deferred revenue.
The value of pre-need and at-need contracts was negatively impacted by the termination of our operating agreement with the Archdiocese of Detroit that occurred March 31, 2012. Further, the value of pre-need and at-need contracts was positively impacted by the acquisitions consummated during 2011 and 2012 as the results of operations for these cemeteries are included in the three months ended September 30, 2012, but have little or no impact on the three months ended September 30, 2011.
Investment income from trusts was $5.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 6.1%, as compared to $6.2 million during the same period last year. On a segment basis, we had an increase of $1.5 million, which was offset by an adjustment of $1.9 million related to funds for which we have not met the requirements that allow us to recognize them as revenue.
Interest income on accounts receivable was $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 14.1%, as compared to $1.4 million during the same period last year.
Revenues for the Funeral Home segment were $8.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $1.3 million, or 17.7%, compared to $7.5 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily caused by an increase of $1.9 million in the value of contracts written which was offset by an increase of $0.6 million in deferred revenue. The majority of the increase was driven by the 20 funeral homes we acquired subsequent to the third quarter of 2011.
Other cemetery revenues were $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $1.8 million, or 256.3%, as compared to $0.7 million during the same period last year.
Costs and Expenses
Cost of goods sold were $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.5 million, or 6.8%, as compared to $7.1 million during the same period last year. The ratio of cost of goods sold to cemetery revenues increased to 17.5% during the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 16.1% during the same period last year. The change in the ratio primarily relates to changes in product mix.
 
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Cemetery expenses were $14.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 6.9%, compared to $15.3 million during the same period last year. The major components of the overall expense decrease were a decrease of $1.2 million in labor costs, offset by increases of $0.2 million in repairs and maintenance and real estate taxes. Cemetery expenses relate to the current costs of managing and maintaining our cemetery properties. These costs are expensed as incurred and are not deferred. Accordingly, from a margin standpoint, the most effective gauge of measuring cemetery expenses is as a ratio of segment level pre-need and at-need cemetery revenues. Changes in this ratio give an indication of our ability to manage and control our operating costs relative to our overall cemetery operations. An increase in the ratio indicates that expense increases related to the operation and maintenance of our cemetery properties exceeded increases in the value of contracts written, while a decrease in the ratio indicates that expense growth did not exceed increases in the value of contracts written. In the short-term, this ratio can be positively or negatively impacted by our acquisitions, including such factors as how long it takes us to fully implement our pre-need sales programs and whether there are any unanticipated costs. Over the long-term, we would expect this ratio to slightly decline as many of the expenses in this category are fixed in nature. The ratio of cemetery expenses to segment level pre-need and at-need cemetery revenues was 27.3% during the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 31.0% during the same period last year.
Selling expenses were $11.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 7.4%, as compared to $12.2 million during the same period last year. The overall expense decrease was caused by an increase in deferred selling expenses of $0.9 million. The ratio of selling expenses to cemetery revenues was 25.8% during the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 27.4% during the same period last year. This ratio gives some indication of how effectively the money we invest in selling efforts is translating into sales. However, the majority of our selling expenses are sales commissions and bonuses which are based on a percentage of the value of actual contracts written. As a result, we would expect this ratio to remain fairly consistent.
General and administrative expenses were $7.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 1.4%, compared to $7.1 million during the same period last year. The majority of the decrease was primarily due to decreases of $0.1 million in labor costs, $0.2 million in management information system costs and $0.1 million in general office costs, which were offset in part by an increase of $0.3 million in professional fees and insurance costs. General and administrative expenses are expensed as incurred and are not deferred. Accordingly, from a margin standpoint, the most effective gauge of measuring general and administrative expenses is as a ratio of segment level pre-need and at-need cemetery revenues. Changes in this ratio give an indication of our ability to manage and control our general and administrative costs relative to our overall cemetery operations. An increase in the ratio indicates that general and administrative percentage expense increases related to our cemetery properties exceeded percent increases in the value of contracts written, while a decrease in the ratio indicates that expense growth on a percentage basis did not exceed percentage increases in the value of contracts written. In the short-term, this ratio can be positively or negatively impacted by our acquisitions, including such factors as how long it takes us to fully implement our pre-need sales programs and whether there are any unanticipated costs. Over the long-term, we would expect this ratio to slightly decrease as many of the expenses in this category are fixed in nature. The ratio of general and administrative expenses to segment level pre-need and at-need cemetery revenues was 13.4% and 14.4% during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Total corporate overhead was $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.9 million, or 16.3% compared to $5.6 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $0.2 million in professional fees, $0.5 million in advertising expenses and $0.2 million of other corporate expenses.
Depreciation and amortization was $2.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.3 million, or 16.6%, as compared to $1.9 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization from recent acquisitions.
Funeral home expenses were $7.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $1.2 million, or 20.9%, compared to $5.9 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $0.6 million in personnel expenses, $0.3 in merchandise costs, and $0.3 million in facility related costs.
Acquisition related costs were $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 8.7%, as compared to $1.2 million during the same period last year. These costs will vary from period to period depending on the amount of acquisition activity that takes place.
Non-segment Allocated Results
As previously mentioned, certain income statement amounts are not allocated to segment operations. These amounts are those line items that can be found on our income statement below operating profit and above income before income taxes.
 
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The table below summarizes these items and the changes between the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 	  	Three months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	 	2011	 	 	Change ($)	 	 	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Interest expense	  	 	5,273	  	 	 	4,824	  	 	 	449	  	 	 	9.3	% 	
Income tax benefit	  	$	(1,266	) 	 	$	(622	) 	 	$	(644	) 	 	 	103.5	% 	
Interest expense has increased during the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period last year. This increase is caused by increased borrowings on our credit facility, which are offset in part by reduced interest rates. Average amounts outstanding under our credit facility were $83.2 million and $18.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. However, amendments that we made to our credit facility have reduced our interest rate to a lower rate than what we paid in the same period last year.
We had an income tax benefit of $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to a benefit of $0.6 million during the same period last year. Our effective tax rate differs from our statutory tax rate primarily because our legal entity structure includes different tax filing entities, including a significant number of partnerships that are not subject to paying tax.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Cemetery Operations – Southeast
In 2011 and 2012, we made several acquisitions in our Cemetery Operations – Southeast segment. Of these acquisitions, 6 occurred during the third quarter of 2011, 5 occurred during the fourth quarter of 2011 and 4 occurred during the third quarter of 2012. Therefore, the results of operations for these properties have little or no impact on the nine months ended September 30, 2011, but are included in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. These additions are contributing just over half of the increase in revenues and the majority of the increase in costs and expenses for this segment.
The table below compares the results of operations for our Cemetery Operations – Southeast for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Nine months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	  	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Total revenues	  	$	97,282	  	  	$	82,981	  	  	$	14,301	  	  	 	17.2	% 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	68,317	  	  	 	60,186	  	  	 	8,131	  	  	 	13.5	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	28,965	  	  	$	22,795	  	  	$	6,170	  	  	 	27.1	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Revenues
The increase in revenues was related to an overall increase in the value of contracts written, with an increase of $8.8 million in the value of pre-need contracts and $2.2 million in the value of at-need contracts. We also had increases of $2.3 million in income from our trusts, $0.5 million in interest on accounts receivable and $0.5 million in other income.
Total costs and expenses
The increase in costs and expenses was primarily related to:
 
 	•	 	A $2.3 million increase in cost of goods sold. This was attributable to the corresponding increase in the value of contracts written.	
 
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 	•	 	A $1.8 million increase in selling expenses. This was primarily attributable to increases of $0.6 million in salary and benefit expenses and $1.3 million in commission related expenses, offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in telephone and telemarketing costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $2.0 million increase in cemetery expenses. The increase was primarily due to increases of $0.9 million in labor costs, $0.9 million in repair and maintenance costs, and $0.2 million in utility and fuel costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $1.6 million increase in general and administrative expense primarily due to an increase of $0.8 million in labor costs, $0.4 million in insurance costs, $0.2 million in professional fees and $0.2 million in general office costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.4 million increase in depreciation.	
Cemetery Operations – Northeast
The table below compares the results of operations for our Cemetery Operations – Northeast for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Nine months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	  	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Total revenues	  	$	45,910	  	  	$	41,863	  	  	$	4,047	  	  	 	9.7	% 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	30,689	  	  	 	29,702	  	  	 	987	  	  	 	3.3	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	15,221	  	  	$	12,161	  	  	$	3,060	  	  	 	25.2	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Revenues
The increase in revenues was related to an overall increase in the value of contracts written, with an increase of $1.3 million in the value of pre-need contracts and $0.5 million in the value of at-need contracts. In addition, we had an increase of $1.8 million in income from our trusts and $0.5 million in other income.
Total costs and expenses
The increase in costs and expenses was primarily related to:
 
 	•	 	A $0.6 million increase in cost of goods sold. This was attributable to the corresponding increase in the value of contracts written.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.8 million increase in selling expenses. This was primarily attributable to an increase of $0.3 million in labor costs, $0.3 million in commissions and $0.1 million in telephone and telemarketing costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.3 million decrease in cemetery expenses primarily attributable to a decrease in labor costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.1 million decrease in general and administrative expense.	
Cemetery Operations – West
Effective March 31, 2012, we terminated our operating agreement with the Archdiocese of Detroit. Therefore, the results of operations for these properties are only included in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 up to that point, but are included in the entire period for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The removal of these properties from our results of operations is responsible for a $4.2 million decrease in revenues and $3.4 million decrease in costs and expenses period over period, and therefore is responsible for the majority of the decrease in revenues and costs and expenses.
Further, in the second quarter of 2011 we made 3 acquisitions and in the second quarter of 2012 we made one acquisition in our Cemetery Operations – West segment. The results of operations for these properties have little or no impact on the nine months ended September 30, 2011, but are included in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The addition of these properties to our results of operations is responsible for a $1.0 million increase in revenues and $0.8 million increase in costs and expenses period over period.
 
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The table below compares the results of operations for our Cemetery Operations – West for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Nine months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	 	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Total revenues	  	$	52,683	  	  	$	57,167	  	  	$	(4,484	) 	 	 	-7.8	% 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	34,210	  	  	 	39,319	  	  	 	(5,109	) 	 	 	-13.0	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	18,473	  	  	$	17,848	  	  	$	625	  	 	 	3.5	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues
The decrease in revenues was driven by a decrease in the value of contracts written as a result of the aforementioned contract termination. There was a decrease of $3.9 million in the value of pre-need contracts written and a decrease of $2.4 million in the value of at-need contracts written, offset by an increase of $0.5 million in income from our trusts and $1.3 million of other income.
Total costs and expenses
The decrease in costs and expenses was driven by reduced expenses as a result of the aforementioned contract termination and primarily related to:
 
 	•	 	A $0.7 million decrease in cost of goods sold. This was attributable to the corresponding decrease in the value of contracts written.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.9 million decrease in selling expense. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $0.4 million in commissions and $0.4 million in labor costs.	
 
 	•	 	A $2.8 million decrease in cemetery expenses. The decrease was primarily due to decreases of $1.8 million in labor costs, $0.3 million in utility costs, $0.3 million in repair and maintenance costs and $0.3 million in real estate taxes.	
 
 	•	 	A $0.7 million decrease in general and administrative expenses. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of $0.4 million in labor costs and $0.3 million in other office costs.	
Funeral Home Segment
In 2011 and 2012 we acquired several funeral homes. Of these acquisitions, 4 occurred during the second quarter of 2011, 4 occurred during the third quarter of 2011, 4 occurred during the fourth quarter of 2011, 2 occurred during the second quarter of 2012 and 14 occurred during the third quarter of 2012. Therefore, the results of operations for these properties have either no impact, or in some cases have a lesser impact, on the nine months ended September 30, 2011, but are included in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. These additions are primarily responsible for the increase to revenues and costs and expenses for this segment.
The table below compares the results of operations for our Funeral Home segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Nine months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	 	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Total revenues	  	$	27,065	  	  	$	22,749	  	  	$	4,316	  	 	 	19.0	% 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	22,315	  	  	 	17,993	  	  	 	4,322	  	 	 	24.0	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	4,750	  	  	$	4,756	  	  	$	(6	) 	 	 	-0.1	% 	

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Revenues
The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to a $2.0 million increase in at-need revenues, a $1.2 million increase in pre-need revenues and a $1.1 million increase in other revenues.
Total costs and expenses
The increase in costs and expenses was primarily attributable to an increase of $2.0 million in personnel expenses, $0.5 million in facility costs, $0.6 million in merchandise costs and $0.6 million in depreciation, with the remainder attributable to increases in other general expense categories.
Corporate Segment
The table below compares expenses incurred by the Corporate segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to the same period last year:

 	  	Nine months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	Change ($)	 	 	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
 	  	(non-GAAP)	 	
Selling, cemetery and general and administrative expenses	  	$	1,123	  	  	$	805	  	  	$	318	  	 	 	39.5	% 	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	1,207	  	  	 	1,724	  	  	 	(517	) 	 	 	-30.0	% 	
Acquisition related costs	  	 	2,198	  	  	 	3,147	  	  	 	(949	) 	 	 	-30.2	% 	
Corporate expenses	  				  				  				 				
Corporate personnel expenses	  	 	9,198	  	  	 	8,708	  	  	 	490	  	 	 	5.6	% 	
Other corporate expenses	  	 	11,707	  	  	 	8,864	  	  	 	2,843	  	 	 	32.1	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total corporate overhead	  	 	20,905	  	  	 	17,572	  	  	 	3,333	  	 	 	19.0	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total corporate expenses	  	$	25,433	  	  	$	23,248	  	  	$	2,185	  	 	 	9.4	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The increase in selling, cemetery and general and administrative expenses allocated to the Corporate segment was primarily attributable to commissions and training. The increase in total corporate overhead was primarily attributable to an increase of $0.5 million in labor costs, $1.3 million in professional fees, and $0.5 million in advertising costs, with the remainder attributable to various corporate expenses. Acquisition related costs will vary from period to period depending on the amount of acquisition activity that takes place.
Reconciliation of Segment Results of Operations to Consolidated Results of Operations
As discussed in the segment sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, cemetery revenues and their associated costs as reported at the segment level are not deferred until such time that we meet the delivery component for revenue recognition.
 
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The table below analyzes results of operations and the changes therein for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period last year. The table is structured so that our readers can determine whether changes were based upon changes in the level of merchandise and services and other revenues generated during each period and/ or changes in the timing of when merchandise and services were delivered:

 	  	Nine months ended
September 30, 2012	 	  	Nine months ended
September 30, 2011	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	  	(in thousands)	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues	  	Segment
Results
(non-GAAP)	 	  	GAAP
Adjustments	 	 	GAAP
Results	 	  	Segment
Results
(non-GAAP)	 	  	GAAP
Adjustments	 	 	GAAP
Results	 	  	Change in
GAAP results
($)	 	 	Change in
GAAP results
(%)	 	
Pre-need cemetery revenues	  	$	96,595	  	  	$	(22,936	) 	 	$	73,659	  	  	$	90,451	  	  	$	(21,314	) 	 	$	69,137	  	  	$	4,522	  	 	 	6.5	% 	
At-need cemetery revenues	  	 	60,113	  	  	 	(3,198	) 	 	 	56,915	  	  	 	59,772	  	  	 	(4,207	) 	 	 	55,565	  	  	 	1,350	  	 	 	2.4	% 	
Investment income from trusts	  	 	30,214	  	  	 	(12,931	) 	 	 	17,283	  	  	 	25,582	  	  	 	(9,596	) 	 	 	15,986	  	  	 	1,297	  	 	 	8.1	% 	
Interest income	  	 	4,972	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	4,972	  	  	 	4,580	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	4,580	  	  	 	392	  	 	 	8.6	% 	
Funeral home revenues	  	 	27,065	  	  	 	(1,447	) 	 	 	25,618	  	  	 	22,749	  	  	 	(555	) 	 	 	22,194	  	  	 	3,424	  	 	 	15.4	% 	
Other cemetery revenues	  	 	3,981	  	  	 	864	  	 	 	4,845	  	  	 	1,631	  	  	 	570	  	 	 	2,201	  	  	 	2,644	  	 	 	120.1	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	222,940	  	  	 	(39,648	) 	 	 	183,292	  	  	 	204,765	  	  	 	(35,102	) 	 	 	169,663	  	  	 	13,629	  	 	 	8.0	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and expenses	  				  				 				  				  				 				  				 				
Cost of goods sold	  	 	25,463	  	  	 	(4,161	) 	 	 	21,302	  	  	 	23,152	  	  	 	(3,783	) 	 	 	19,369	  	  	 	1,933	  	 	 	10.0	% 	
Cemetery expense	  	 	41,819	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	41,819	  	  	 	42,860	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	42,860	  	  	 	(1,041	) 	 	 	-2.4	% 	
Selling expense	  	 	41,769	  	  	 	(5,569	) 	 	 	36,200	  	  	 	39,899	  	  	 	(5,976	) 	 	 	33,923	  	  	 	2,277	  	 	 	6.7	% 	
General and administrative expense	  	 	21,403	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	21,403	  	  	 	20,569	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	20,569	  	  	 	834	  	 	 	4.1	% 	
Corporate overhead	  	 	20,905	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	20,905	  	  	 	17,572	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	17,572	  	  	 	3,333	  	 	 	19.0	% 	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	6,759	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	6,759	  	  	 	6,374	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	6,374	  	  	 	385	  	 	 	6.0	% 	
Funeral home expense	  	 	20,648	  	  	 	(181	) 	 	 	20,467	  	  	 	16,875	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	16,875	  	  	 	3,592	  	 	 	21.3	% 	
Acquisition related costs	  	 	2,198	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	2,198	  	  	 	3,147	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	3,147	  	  	 	(949	) 	 	 	-30.2	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	180,964	  	  	 	(9,911	) 	 	 	171,053	  	  	 	170,448	  	  	 	(9,759	) 	 	 	160,689	  	  	 	10,364	  	 	 	6.4	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating profit	  	$	41,976	  	  	$	(29,737	) 	 	$	12,239	  	  	$	34,317	  	  	$	(25,343	) 	 	$	8,974	  	  	$	3,265	  	 	 	36.4	% 	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Revenues
Pre-need cemetery revenues were $73.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $4.5 million, or 6.5%, as compared to $69.2 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily caused by an increase of $6.1 million in the value of cemetery contracts written which was offset by an increase of $1.6 million in deferred revenue.
At-need cemetery revenues were $56.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $1.3 million, or 2.4%, as compared to $55.6 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily caused by an increase of $0.3 million in the value of cemetery contracts written and a decrease in deferred revenue of $1.0 million.
The majority of the increase in the value of pre-need and at-need contracts was primarily driven by our Cemetery Operations—Southeast segment where we acquired 6 cemeteries during the third quarter of 2011, 5 cemeteries during the fourth quarter of 2011, and 4 cemeteries during the third quarter of 2012. Therefore, the results of operations for these cemeteries are included in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, but have little to no impact on the nine months ended September 30, 2011. In addition, the value of pre-need and at-need contracts was negatively impacted by the termination of our operating agreement with the Archdiocese of Detroit that occurred March 31, 2012.
Investment income from trusts was $17.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $1.3 million, or 8.1%, as compared to $16.0 million during the same period last year. On a segment basis, we had an increase of $4.6 million, which was offset by an adjustment of $3.3 million related to funds for which we have not met the requirements that would allow us to recognize them as revenue.
Interest income on accounts receivable was $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.4 million, or 8.6%, as compared to $4.6 million during the same period last year.
Revenues for the Funeral Home segment were $25.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $3.4 million, or 15.4%, compared to $22.2 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily caused by an increase of $4.3 million in the value of contracts written which was offset by an increase of $0.9 million in deferred revenue. The majority of the increase was driven by the 28 funeral homes we acquired in 2011 and 2012.
Other cemetery revenues were $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $2.6 million, or 120.1%, as compared to $2.2 million during the same period last year.
Costs and Expenses
Cost of goods sold were $21.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $1.9 million, or 10.0%, as compared to $19.4 million during the same period last year. The ratio of cost of goods sold to cemetery revenues was 16.3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 15.5% during the same period last year.
 
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Cemetery expenses were $41.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 2.4%, compared to $42.9 million during the same period last year. Overall expense decreases of $1.2 million in labor costs, $0.4 million in real estate taxes, and $0.1 million in utilities were offset by an increase of $0.6 million in repairs and maintenance. Cemetery expenses relate to the current costs of managing and maintaining our cemetery properties. These costs are expensed as incurred and are not deferred. Accordingly, from a margin standpoint, the most effective gauge of measuring cemetery expenses is as a ratio of segment level pre-need and at-need cemetery revenues. The ratio of cemetery expenses to segment level pre-need and at-need cemetery revenues was 26.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 28.5% during the same period last year.
Selling expenses were $36.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $2.3 million, or 6.7%, as compared to $33.9 million during the same period last year. The majority of our selling expenses are directly related to sales commissions and bonuses, which would be directly related to changes in the value of pre-need and at-need contracts written. The ratio of selling expenses to cemetery revenues increased to 27.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 27.2% during the same period last year. The major components of the overall expense increase include $1.1 million in commissions, $0.5 million in salaries and benefits, $0.1 million in training costs and $0.1 million in telephone and telemarketing expense, as well as a reduction in deferred selling expenses of $0.4 million.
General and administrative expenses were $21.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.8 million, or 4.1%, compared to $20.6 million during the same period last year. The majority of the increase was due to increases of $0.4 million in labor costs, $0.4 million in insurance costs, $0.3 million in professional fees and $0.2 million in overall general office costs offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in management information system costs and other general expenses. General and administrative expenses are expensed as incurred and are not deferred. Accordingly, from a margin standpoint, the most effective gauge of measuring general and administrative expenses is as a ratio of segment level pre-need and at-need cemetery revenues. The ratio of general and administrative expenses to segment level pre-need and at-need cemetery revenues was 13.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.
Total corporate overhead was $20.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $3.3 million, or 19.0%, compared to $17.6 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $0.5 million in labor costs, $1.3 million in professional fees, and $0.5 million in advertising costs, with the remainder attributable to various corporate expenses.
Depreciation and amortization was $6.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.4 million, or 6.0%, as compared to $6.4 million during the period last year. The increase was primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization from recent acquisitions.
Funeral home expenses were $20.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $3.6 million, or 21.3%, as compared to $16.9 million during the same period last year. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $2.0 million in personnel expenses, $0.5 million in facility costs, and $0.6 million in merchandise costs, with the remainder attributable to increases in other general expense categories.
Acquisition related costs were $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 30.2%, as compared to $3.1 million during the same period last year. These costs will vary from period to period depending on the amount of acquisition activity that takes place.
Non-segment Allocated Results
As previously mentioned, certain income statement amounts are not allocated to segment operations. These amounts are those line items that can be found on our income statement below operating profit and above income before income taxes.
The table below summarizes these items and the changes between the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 	  	Nine months ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	 	2011	 	 	Change ($)	 	 	Change (%)	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Expenses related to refinancing	  	$	—  	  	 	$	453	  	 	$	(453	) 	 	 	-100.0	% 	
Early extinguishment of debt	  	 	—  	  	 	 	4,010	  	 	 	(4,010	) 	 	 	-100.0	% 	
Gain on termination of operating agreement	  	 	1,737	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	1,737	  	 	 	n/a	  	
Gain on acquisition	  	 	122	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	122	  	 	 	n/a	  	
Interest expense	  	 	15,109	  	 	 	14,266	  	 	 	843	  	 	 	5.9	% 	
Income tax benefit	  	$	(1,933	) 	 	$	(3,133	) 	 	$	1,200	  	 	 	-38.3	% 	
 
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During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we incurred $0.5 million of expenses when we amended our credit facilities in January of 2011 and incurred an early extinguishment of debt charge of $4.0 million related to a one-time make-whole premium we paid in connection with the early repayment of our $35.0 million in Class B and Class C Senior Secured Notes.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recognized a gain of $1.7 million related to the termination of an operating agreement. The gain on acquisition relates to one of our second quarter 2012 acquisitions. Refer to Note 13 of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of the Form 10-Q for a more detailed discussion.
Interest expense has increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period last year. This increase is caused by increased borrowings on our credit facility, which are offset in part by a change in our debt mix and reduced interest rates. Average amounts outstanding under our credit facility were $64.3 million and $12.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. However, amendments that we made to our credit facility have reduced our interest rate to a lower rate than what we paid in the same period last year. In addition, we had $35.0 million of Senior Secured Notes which bore interest at 12.5% outstanding at the beginning of 2011. The Senior Secured Notes were repaid in February of 2011.
We had an income tax benefit of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to a benefit of $3.1 million during the same period last year. Our effective tax rate differs from our statutory tax rate primarily because our legal entity structure includes different tax filing entities, including a significant number of partnerships that are not subject to paying tax.
Supplemental data
The following table presents supplemental operating data for the periods presented:

 	  	Three months
ended
September 30, 2012	 	  	Three months
ended
September 30, 2011	 	  	Nine months
ended
September 30, 2012	 	  	Nine months
ended
September 30, 2011	 	
Operating Data:	  				  				  				  				
Interments performed	  	 	10,701	  	  	 	10,846	  	  	 	33,629	  	  	 	33,626	  	
Interment rights sold:	  				  				  				  				
Lots	  	 	7,356	  	  	 	6,130	  	  	 	21,213	  	  	 	20,408	  	
Mausoleum crypts (including pre-construction)	  	 	574	  	  	 	422	  	  	 	1,775	  	  	 	1,970	  	
Niches	  	 	243	  	  	 	277	  	  	 	762	  	  	 	859	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total interment rights sold	  	 	8,173	  	  	 	6,829	  	  	 	23,750	  	  	 	23,237	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Number of contracts written	  	 	24,296	  	  	 	24,670	  	  	 	74,536	  	  	 	75,809	  	
Aggregate contract amount, in thousands (excluding interest)	  	$	65,119	  	  	$	59,753	  	  	$	192,213	  	  	$	180,888	  	
Average amount per contract (excluding interest)	  	$	2,680	  	  	$	2,422	  	  	$	2,579	  	  	$	2,386	  	
Number of pre-need contracts written	  	 	12,171	  	  	 	11,909	  	  	 	36,687	  	  	 	37,124	  	
Aggregate pre-need contract amount, in thousands (excluding interest)	  	$	43,150	  	  	$	38,558	  	  	$	125,128	  	  	$	115,758	  	
Average amount per pre-need contract (excluding interest)	  	$	3,545	  	  	$	3,238	  	  	$	3,411	  	  	$	3,118	  	
Number of at-need contracts written	  	 	12,125	  	  	 	12,761	  	  	 	37,849	  	  	 	38,685	  	
Aggregate at-need contract amount, in thousands	  	$	21,969	  	  	$	21,195	  	  	$	67,085	  	  	$	65,130	  	
Average amount per at-need contract	  	$	1,812	  	  	$	1,661	  	  	$	1,772	  	  	$	1,684	  	
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary short-term liquidity needs are to fund general working capital requirements, repay our debt obligations, service our debt, make routine maintenance capital improvements and pay distributions. We will need additional liquidity to construct mausoleum and lawn crypts on the grounds of our cemetery properties.
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flow from operations and amounts available under our credit facilities as described below. In the past, we have been able to increase our liquidity through long-term bank borrowings and the issuance of additional common units and other partnership securities, including debt, subject to the restrictions in our credit facility and under our senior secured notes.
 
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We believe that cash generated from operations and our borrowing capacity under our credit facility, which is discussed below, will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements as well as our anticipated capital expenditures for the foreseeable future.
In addition to macroeconomic conditions, our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations, fund planned capital expenditures, make acquisitions and pay distributions to partners will depend upon our future operating performance. Our operating performance is primarily dependent on the sales volume of customer contracts, the cost of purchasing cemetery merchandise that we have sold, the amount of funds withdrawn from merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts and the timing and amount of collections on our pre-need installment contracts.
Long-term Debt
10.25% Senior Notes due 2017
We have outstanding $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Senior Notes”), with an original issue discount of approximately $4.0 million. We pay 10.25% interest per annum on the principal amount of the Senior Notes, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Senior Notes mature on December 1, 2017. As of September 30, 2012, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants included in the Indenture governing the Senior Notes.
Credit Facility
On January 19, 2012, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The terms of the Credit Agreement are substantially the same as the terms of the prior agreement which was amended numerous times prior to entering into the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms which are not defined in the following description shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement provides for a total Revolving Credit Facility of $130.0 million (the “Credit Facility”). Previously, the agreement had an Acquisition Credit Facility and a Revolving Credit Facility with different borrowing limits. The proceeds of the Credit Facility may be used to finance working capital requirements, Permitted Acquisitions and the purchase and construction of mausoleums. The maturity date of the Credit Facility is January 19, 2017.
At September 30, 2012, amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at rates between 3.7% and 4.2%. Amounts borrowed may be either Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans and amounts repaid or prepaid during the term may be reborrowed. Depending on the type of loan, borrowings bear interest at the Base Rate or Eurodollar Rate, plus applicable margins ranging from 1.25% to 2.75% and 2.25% to 3.75%, respectively, depending on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio. The Base Rate is the highest of the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, or the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0%. The Eurodollar rate is the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate.
The Credit Agreement requires us to pay an unused Commitment Fee, which is calculated based on the amount by which the commitments under the Credit Agreement exceed the outstanding amounts under the Credit Facility. The Commitment Fee Rate under the Credit Agreement ranges from 0.375% to 0.75% depending on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio.
The Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, prohibit distributions upon defined events of default, restrict investments and sales of assets and require us to maintain certain financial covenants, including specified financial ratios. A material decrease in revenues could cause us to breach certain financial covenants. Any such breach could allow the Lenders to accelerate our debt which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. As of September 30, 2012 we were in compliance with all applicable covenants under the Credit Agreement.
Amounts outstanding under our credit facility fluctuated during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. At the beginning of 2012, we had $43.8 million outstanding on our credit facilities. These amounts were combined into one facility in January of 2012. We borrowed an additional $7.3 million, $10.9 million and $22.7 million during the first, second and third quarters of 2012, respectively, and have outstanding borrowings of $84.7 million on our Credit Facility at September 30, 2012. At the beginning of 2011, we had $33.5 million outstanding on our credit facilities which we repaid in February of 2011. We did not have any additional borrowings on our credit facilities from this point through the end of May 2011, when we borrowed $8.0 million. During the third quarter of 2011, we borrowed an additional $15.5 million on our credit facilities, bringing the total outstanding borrowings on these facilities to $23.5 million at September 30, 2011. The average amounts borrowed under our credit facilities were $64.3 million and $12.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
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For a more detailed description of our long-term debt agreements, see our 2011 Form 10-K.
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities were $30.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $19.7 million compared to $11.1 million during the same period last year. The increase is due to many factors including a decrease in cash used for payables, a decrease of cash inflows into the merchandise trusts, and a decrease in acquisition related costs, combined with increased cash flows from our accounts receivable and the use of more cash to satisfy merchandise liabilities.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $34.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to $19.2 million during the same period last year. Cash flows used for investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $25.7 million for the acquisition of 5 cemetery properties and 16 funeral homes and $8.7 million for other capital expenditures. Cash flows used for investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $10.3 million for the acquisition of 12 cemetery properties and 8 funeral homes and $8.9 million for other capital expenditures.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Cash flows used in financing activities were $0.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to cash flows provided by financing activities of $20.7 million during the same period last year. Cash flows used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were cash distributions to unit holders of $35.4 million and financing costs related to our amended credit facility of $2.3 million, offset by net borrowings of $37.4 million. Cash flows provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $103.2 million of proceeds from our public offering and a contribution from our general partner of $2.2 million offset by net repayments of long-term debt of $46.7 million, cash distributions to unit holders of $32.8 million and the payment of a $4.0 million make-whole premium related to the pay-off of $35.0 million in senior secured notes.
Capital Expenditures
The following table summarizes total maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures, including expenditures for the construction of mausoleums and for acquisitions, for the periods presented:

 	  	Three months ended
September 30,	 	  	Nine months ended
September 30,	 	
 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	  	2012	 	  	2011	 	
 	  	(in thousands)	 	  	(in thousands)	 	
Maintenance capital expenditures	  	$	1,486	  	  	$	1,397	  	  	$	3,321	  	  	$	4,601	  	
Expansion capital expenditures	  	 	24,067	  	  	 	8,438	  	  	 	31,093	  	  	 	14,558	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total capital expenditures	  	$	25,553	  	  	$	9,835	  	  	$	34,414	  	  	$	19,159	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Pursuant to our partnership agreement, in connection with determining operating cash flows available for distribution, costs to construct mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts may be considered to be a combination of maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures depending on the purposes for construction. Our general partner, with the concurrence of its conflicts committee, has the discretion to determine how to allocate a capital expenditure for the construction of a mausoleum crypt or a lawn crypt between maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures. In addition, maintenance capital expenditures for the construction of a mausoleum crypt or a lawn crypt are not subtracted from operating surplus in the quarter incurred but rather are subtracted from operating surplus ratably during the estimated number of years it will take to sell all of the available spaces in the mausoleum or lawn crypt. Estimated life is determined by our general partner, with the concurrence of its conflicts committee.
 
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Seasonality
The death care business is relatively stable and predictable. Although we experience seasonal increases in deaths due to extreme weather conditions and winter flu, these increases have not historically had any significant impact on our results of operations. In addition, we perform fewer initial openings and closings in the winter when the ground is frozen.
 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
The information presented below should be read in conjunction with the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included under Part I “Item 1 – Financial Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The market risk inherent in our market risk sensitive instruments and positions is the potential change arising from increases or decreases in interest rates and the prices of marketable equity securities, as discussed below. Our exposure to market risk includes forward-looking statements and represents an estimate of possible changes in fair value or future earnings that would occur assuming hypothetical future movements in interest rates or debt and equity markets. Our views on market risk are not necessarily indicative of actual results that may occur and do not represent the maximum possible gains and losses that may occur, since actual gains and losses will differ from those estimated, based on actual fluctuations in interest rates, equity markets and the timing of transactions. We classify our market risk sensitive instruments and positions as “other than trading.”
Interest-Bearing Investments
Our fixed-income securities subject to market risk consist primarily of investments in our merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts. As of September 30, 2012, the fair value of fixed-income securities in our merchandise trusts represented 3.5% of the fair value of total trust assets while the fair value of fixed-income securities in our perpetual care trusts represented 8.8% of the fair value of total trust assets. The aggregate quoted fair value of these fixed-income securities was $13.1 million and $24.9 million in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, as of September 30, 2012. Each 1% change in interest rates on these fixed-income securities would result in changes of approximately $131,000 and $249,000 in the fair market value of the assets in our merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, based on discounted expected future cash flows. If these securities are held to maturity, no change in fair market value will be realized.
Our money market and other short-term investments subject to market risk consist primarily of investments in our merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts. As of September 30, 2012, the fair value of money market and short-term investments in our merchandise trusts represented 13.1% of the fair value of total trust assets while the fair value of money market and short-term investments in our perpetual care trusts represented 7.4% of the fair value of total trust assets. The aggregate quoted fair value of these money market and short-term investments was $48.7 million and $20.9 million in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, as of September 30, 2012. Each 1% change in interest rates on these money market and short-term investments would result in changes of approximately $487,000 and $209,000 in the fair market value of the assets in our merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, based on discounted expected future cash flows.
Marketable Equity Securities
Our marketable equity securities subject to market risk consist primarily of investments held in our merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts. These assets consist of both individual equity securities as well as closed and open ended mutual funds. As of September 30, 2012, the fair value of marketable individual equity securities in our merchandise trusts represented 17.6% of the fair value of total trust assets while the fair value of marketable individual equity securities in our perpetual care trusts represented 11.0% of total trust assets. The aggregate quoted fair market value of these marketable individual equity securities was $65.5 million and $31.2 million in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, as of September 30, 2012, based on final quoted sales prices. Each 10% change in the average market prices of the individual equity securities would result in a change of approximately $6.6 million and $3.1 million in the fair market value of securities held in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, the fair value of marketable closed and open ended mutual funds in our merchandise trusts represented 62.1% of the fair value of total trust assets while the fair value of closed and open ended mutual funds in our perpetual care trusts represented 72.8% of total trust assets. The aggregate quoted fair market value of these closed and open ended mutual funds was $231.5 million and $205.7 million in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively, as of September 30, 2012, based on final quoted sales prices. Each 10% change in the average market prices of the closed and open ended mutual funds would result in a change of approximately $23.2 million and $20.6 million in the fair market value of securities held in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts, respectively.
Investment Strategies and Objectives
Our internal investment strategies and objectives for funds held in merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts are specified in an Investment Policy Statement which requires us to do the following:
 
 	•	 	State in a written document our expectations, objectives, tolerances for risk and guidelines in the investment of our assets;	
 
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 	•	 	Set forth a disciplined and consistent structure for managing all trust assets. This structure is based on a long-term asset allocation strategy, which is diversified across asset classes, investment styles and strategies. We believe this structure is likely to meet our stated objectives within our tolerances for risk and variability. This structure also includes ranges around the target allocations allowing for adjustments when appropriate to reduce risk or enhance returns. It further includes guidelines for the selection of investment managers and vehicles through which to implement the investment strategy;	
 
 	•	 	Provide specific guidelines for each investment manager. These guidelines control the level of overall risk and liquidity assumed in each portfolio;	
 
 	•	 	Appoint third-party investment advisors to oversee the specific investment managers and advise our Trust and Compliance Committee; and	
 
 	•	 	Establish criteria to monitor, evaluate and compare the performance results achieved by the overall trust portfolios and by our investment managers. This allows us to compare the performance results of the trusts to our objectives and other benchmarks, including peer performance, on a regular basis.	
Our investment guidelines are based on relatively long investment horizons, which vary with the type of trust. Because of this, interim fluctuations should be viewed with appropriate perspective. The strategic asset allocation of the trust portfolios is also based on this longer-term perspective. However, in developing our investment policy, we have taken into account the potential negative impact on our operations and financial performance of significant short-term declines in market value.
We recognize the challenges we face in achieving our investment objectives in light of the uncertainties and complexities of contemporary investment markets. Furthermore, we recognize that, in order to achieve the stated long-term objectives, we may have short-term declines in market value. Given the need to maintain consistent values in the portfolio, we have attempted to develop a strategy which is likely to maximize returns and earnings without experiencing overall declines in value in excess of 3% over any 12-month period.
In order to consistently achieve the stated return objectives within our tolerance for risk, we use a strategy of allocating appropriate portions of our portfolio to a variety of asset classes with attractive risk and return characteristics, and low to moderate correlations of returns. See the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a breakdown of the assets held in our merchandise trusts and perpetual care trusts by asset class.
Debt Instruments
Our Credit Facility bears interest at a floating rate, based on LIBOR, which is adjusted quarterly. This subjects us to increases in interest expense resulting from movements in interest rates. As of September 30, 2012, we had $84.7 million of borrowings outstanding under our Credit Facility. After borrowings, our unused line of credit under the Credit Facility is $45.3 million. The interest rates on amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility ranged from approximately 3.7% to 4.2% at September 30, 2012.
 
 Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Disclosure Committee and management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b). Based upon, and as of the date of this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 Part II – Other Information
 
 Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	
We and certain of our subsidiaries are parties to legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We carry insurance with coverage and coverage limits that we believe to be customary in the funeral home and cemetery industries. Although there can be no assurance that such insurance will be sufficient to protect us against all contingencies, we believe that our insurance protection is reasonable in view of the nature and scope of our operations.
 
 Item 1A.	Risk Factors	
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, and in other reports filed with the SEC which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.
The risks described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and in other reports filed with the SEC 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 and/or operating results.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including the risks faced by us described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and in other reports filed with the SEC.
 
 Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	
On July 31, 2012, certain subsidiaries of the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of nine funeral homes and four cemeteries in Florida. As part of the consideration in the transaction, the Company issued 128,299 units. See Note 13 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description of this acquisition.
The Company offered and issued the units in reliance upon the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The Company relied on this exemption from registration based in part on representations made by the investors in the Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement related to the transaction.
 
 Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	
None.
 
 Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	
None.
 
 Item 5.	Other Information	
None.
 
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 Item 6.	Exhibits	

Exhibit
Number	  	Description	
		
  31.1	  	Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Lawrence Miller, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors.	
		
  31.2	  	Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Timothy K. Yost, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.	
		
  32.1	  	Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350) and Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) of Lawrence Miller, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (furnished herewith).	
		
  32.2	  	Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350) and Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) of Timothy K. Yost, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (furnished herewith).	
		
101	  	Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following Interactive Data Files formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Capital; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011; and (v) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 401 of Regulation S-T that the information contained in the XBRL documents is unaudited and these are not the official publicly filed financial statements of StoneMor Partners, L.P.	
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
 
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 SIGNATURES
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.

	 	STONEMOR PARTNERS L.P.	
	 	By: StoneMor GP LLC	
	 	its general partner	
		
November 6, 2012	 	/s/ Lawrence Miller	
	 	Lawrence Miller	
	 	Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (Principal Executive Officer)	
		
November 6, 2012	 	/s/ Timothy K. Yost	
	 	Timothy K. Yost	
	 	Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)	
 
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Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number	  	Description	
		
  31.1	  	Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Lawrence Miller, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors.	
		
  31.2	  	Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) of Timothy K. Yost, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary.	
		
  32.1	  	Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350) and Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) of Lawrence Miller, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors (furnished herewith).	
		
  32.2	  	Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350) and Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) of Timothy K. Yost, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (furnished herewith).	
		
101	  	Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following Interactive Data Files formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012, and December 31, 2011; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Capital; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011; and (v) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 401 of Regulation S-T that the information contained in the XBRL documents is unaudited and these are not the official publicly filed financial statements of StoneMor Partners, L.P.	
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
 
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Lawrence Miller, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of StoneMor Partners L.P.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 6, 2012

By:	 	/s/ Lawrence Miller	
	 	Lawrence Miller	
	 	President and Chief Executive Officer	
	 	(Principal Executive Officer)	

Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Timothy K. Yost, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of StoneMor Partners L.P.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)), for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 6, 2012

By:	 	/s/ Timothy K. Yost	
	 	Timothy K. Yost	
	 	Chief Financial Officer and Secretary	
	 	(Principal Financial Officer)	

Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code), the undersigned officer of StoneMor GP LLC, the general partner of StoneMor Partners L.P. (the “Partnership”), does hereby certify with respect to the Quarterly Report of the Partnership on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 (the “Report”) that:
 
 	1.	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and	
 
 	2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.	

/s/ Lawrence Miller	 		 		 		
President and Chief Executive Officer	 		 	Date: November 6, 2012	 		
(Principal Executive Officer)	 		 		 		
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code), the undersigned officer of StoneMor GP LLC, the general partner of StoneMor Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”), does hereby certify with respect to the Quarterly Report of the Partnership on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 (the “Report”) that:
 
 	1.	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and	
 
 	2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.	

/s/ Timothy K. Yost	 		 		 		
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary	 		 	Date: November 6, 2012	 		
(Principal Financial Officer)	 		 		 		
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.