FTC Requests Public Comments on SCI’s Applications to Approve Sale of Funeral Assets in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Maryland

The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on three applications by Service Corporation International (SCI) to sell certain funeral and cemetery assets, as required under the FTC’s December 2013 proposed order settling charges that SCI’s acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. would be anticompetitive. In total, the proposed order requires the combined SCI/Stewart to divest 53 funeral homes and 38 cemeteries to ensure competition is maintained in 59 communities throughout the United States.

In the three applications, SCI has petitioned the FTC to approve the divestiture of the following assets in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Maryland:

To William Gregory (through a newly created Cole & Garrett LLC) who also owns and operates funeral homes and cemeteries collectively called Family Legacy:

• Cole & Garrett Funeral Home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee;

To Rollings Funeral Services, Inc.:

• Cannon Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations in Fountain Inn, South Carolina;
• Cannon Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations, Jones Chapel in Simpsonville, South Carolina; and
• Bush River Memorial Gardens/Caughman-Harman Funeral Home in Columbia, South Carolina; and

To Edward Sagel, previous owner of Edward Sagel Funeral Direction, Inc.:

• Edward Sagel Funeral Direction, Inc. in Rockville, Maryland.

According to SCI’s applications, Cole & Garrett LLC, Rollings, and Sagel will be strong and effective competitors in each local market, and have the expertise to successfully operate the businesses they plan to acquire.

The Commission will decide whether to approve the proposed divestitures after expiration of a 30-day public comment period. Public comments may be submitted until May 7, 2014. Written comments should be sent to: FTC Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Comments can also be submitted electronically on the proposed sales to Cole & Garrett LLC, Rollings, and Sagel. Copies of the application can be found on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release. (FTC File No. 131-0163, Docket No. C-4423; the staff contact is Elizabeth A. Piotrowski, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2623)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20001. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.