FTC Requests Public Comments on SCI’s Application to Approve Sale of Funeral and Cemetery Assets in California, Florida, and Texas to NorthStar Memorial Group, LLC

The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application 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 current application, SCI has petitioned the FTC to approve the divestiture of the following funeral home and cemetery assets to NorthStar Memorial Group, LLC (NorthStar):

• Clairemont Mortuary in San Diego, California;
• Greenwood Memorial Park Crematory in San Diego, California;
• Greenwood Memorial Park & Mortuary in San Diego, California;
• Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, California;
• Moss Feaster Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Clearwater, Florida;
• Moss Feaster Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Dunedin, Florida;
• Woodlawn Memory Gardens in St. Petersburg, Florida;
• Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida;
• Grace Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Hudson, Florida;
• Boza & Roel Funeral Home in Tampa, Florida;
• Sunset Funeral Home and Memory Gardens in Thonotosassa, Florida;
• South Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Pearland, Texas;
• San Jacinto Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Houston, Texas;
• Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas; and
• Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas.

According to SCI’s application, NorthStar will be a strong and effective competitor in the local markets, and has the expertise to successfully operate the businesses it plans to acquire.

The Commission will decide whether to approve the proposed divestiture after expiration of a 30-day public comment period. Public comments may be submitted until June 9, 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.