FTC Requests Public Comments on SCI’s Application to Approve Sale of Funeral Assets in Maryland and West Virginia

The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Service Corporation International (SCI) to sell certain 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 current application, SCI has petitioned the FTC to approve the divestiture of Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Annapolis, Maryland, to Hillcrest Memorial Association MD, Inc., and Pleasant View Memory Gardens in Kearneysville, West Virginia, to Pleasant View Memorial Association, Inc.  The proposed acquirers are owned in equal part by Guy N. Saxton and John L. Yeatman.

According to SCI’s application, Saxton and Yeatman will be strong and effective competitors in the local markets, 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 June 5, 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. 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.