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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May&nbsp;8, 2006. Registration No.&nbsp;333-_______
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>______________</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>____________</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</I></DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Louisiana</B><BR>
<I>(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>72-0693290</B><BR>
<I>(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</I></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>1333 South Clearview Parkway, Jefferson, Louisiana 70121</B><BR>
<I>(Address, including zip code, of </I>p<I>rincipal executive offices)</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Stewart Enterprises, Inc. 2005 Directors&#146; Stock Plan</B><BR>
<I>(Full title of the plan)</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Kenneth C. Budde<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
Stewart Enterprises, Inc.<BR>
1333 South Clearview Parkway<BR>
Jefferson, Louisiana 70121<BR>
(504)&nbsp;729-1400</B><BR>
<I>(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,<BR>
including area code, of agent for service)</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">Copy to:<BR>
<B>Margaret F. Murphy<BR>
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere &#038; Denegre, L.L.P.<BR>
201 St. Charles Avenue<BR>
New Orleans, Louisiana 70170-5100</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="21" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Proposed</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">maximum</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">offering</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Proposed maximum</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Amount of</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left">Title of securities</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Amount to be</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">price per</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">aggregate</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">registration</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left">to be registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">registered<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">share</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">offering price</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">fee</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Class&nbsp;A Common Stock
(no par value per share)</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">400,000 shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">5.755</TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">2,302,000</TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">246.31</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="21" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Upon a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction in the future and during the
effectiveness of this Registration Statement involving Class&nbsp;A Common Stock of the Company,
the number of securities registered shall be automatically increased to cover the additional
securities in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c)
and (h)&nbsp;under the Securities Act of 1933, based on the average of the high and low price per
share of the Class&nbsp;A Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on May&nbsp;4, 2006.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h35909exv5.htm">Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h35909exv23w1.htm">Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>





<!-- link1 "PART I" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">Not Applicable.
</DIV>

<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents, which have been filed by Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;)
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;), are incorporated herein by
reference:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The Company&#146;s latest annual report on Form 10-K;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;All other reports filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual
report referred to in (a); and
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;The description of the Class&nbsp;A Common Stock of the Company included in Item&nbsp;1 of the
Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated September&nbsp;5, 1991, incorporated by reference
from pages 37 through 39 of the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
33-42336 filed under the Securities Act of 1933, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose
of updating such description.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment hereto that indicates that all securities offered have
been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall, except to the extent
otherwise provided by Regulation&nbsp;S-K or any other rule promulgated by the Commission, be deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents. Any statements contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other document subsequently filed or incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;83 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law gives Louisiana corporations broad powers
to indemnify their present and former directors and officers and those of affiliated corporations
against expenses incurred in the defense of any lawsuit to which they are made parties by reason of
being or having been such directors or officers; gives a director or officer who successfully
defends an action the right to be so indemnified, subject to specific conditions and exclusions;
and authorizes Louisiana corporations to buy directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance. Such
indemnification is not exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled
under any by-law, agreement, authorization of shareholders or otherwise.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our By-laws make mandatory the indemnification of directors and officers permitted by the
Louisiana Business Corporation Law. The standard to be applied in evaluating any claim for
indemnification (excluding claims for expenses incurred in connection with the successful defense
of any proceeding or matter therein for which indemnification is mandatory without reference to any
such standard) is whether the claimant acted in good faith and
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation. With respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the standard is that the claimant
had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. No indemnification is permitted in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which a director or officer shall have been adjudged by
a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable for willful or intentional misconduct or to have
obtained an improper personal benefit, unless, and only to the extent that the court shall
determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, he is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses that the court shall deem proper.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have in effect a directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance policy that provides for
indemnification of our officers and directors against losses arising from claims asserted against
them in their capacities as officers and directors, subject to limitations and conditions set forth
in such policy.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We enter into indemnity agreements with each of our directors and executive officers, pursuant
to which we agree under certain circumstances to purchase and maintain directors&#146; and officers&#146;
liability insurance, unless such insurance is not reasonably available or, in the reasonable
judgment of the Board of Directors, there is insufficient benefit to us from such insurance. The
agreements also provide that we will indemnify each director and executive officer against any
costs and expenses, judgments, settlements and fines incurred in connection with any claim
involving him by reason of his position as director or officer that are in excess of the coverage
provided by any such insurance, provided that he meets certain standards of conduct.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption From Registration Claimed." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &#038; Den&#232;gre , L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &#038; Den&#232;gre, L.L.P. is
included in their opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made and to the
extent required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
a 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
&#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement;
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 6%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material
change to such information in this registration statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>Provided, however</I>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished by the registrant pursuant to Section
13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in this registration statement.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant
to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceedings) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>The Registrant. </B>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing
on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, on May&nbsp;5,
2006.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/  KENNETH C. BUDDE
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Kenneth C. Budde&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">President and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Kenneth C. Budde and Thomas M. Kitchen, or either one of them, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his
substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ JOHN P. LABORDE<br>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John P. Laborde
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chairman of the Board
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ KENNETH C. BUDDE
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Kenneth C. Budde
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
<I>(Principal Executive Officer)</I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ THOMAS M. KITCHEN
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas M. Kitchen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer, Executive
Vice President and Director
<I>(Principal Financial Officer)</I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ MICHAEL G. HYMEL
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael G. Hymel
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Vice President, Corporate Controller &#038;<BR>
Chief Accounting Officer<BR>
<I>(Principal Accounting Officer)<br></I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Frank
B. Stewart, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ ASHTON J. RYAN, JR.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Ashton J. Ryan, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John
C. McNamara
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Alden
J. McDonald, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ JAMES W. MCFARLAND
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James W. McFarland
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ RONALD H. PATRON
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Ronald H. Patron
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ MICHAEL O. READ
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael O. Read
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">May&nbsp;5, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">EXHIBIT INDEX
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="91%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &#038; Den&#232;gre, L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &#038; Den&#232;gre, L.L.P. is
included in their opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 2006. Registration No. 333-_______
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
____________
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
72-0693290
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1333 South Clearview Parkway, Jefferson, Louisiana 70121
(Address, including zip code, of
p
rincipal executive offices)
Stewart Enterprises, Inc. 2005 Directors' Stock Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Kenneth C. Budde
President and Chief Executive Officer
Stewart Enterprises, Inc.
1333 South Clearview Parkway
Jefferson, Louisiana 70121
(504) 729-1400
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Margaret F. Murphy
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.
201 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70170-5100
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
maximum
offering
Proposed maximum
Amount of
Title of securities
Amount to be
price per
aggregate
registration
to be registered
registered
(1)
share
offering price
fee
Class A Common Stock
(no par value per share)
400,000 shares
$
5.755
(2)
$
2,302,000
(2)
$
246.31
(1)
Upon a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction in the future and during the
effectiveness of this Registration Statement involving Class A Common Stock of the Company,
the number of securities registered shall be automatically increased to cover the additional
securities in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c)
and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933, based on the average of the high and low price per
share of the Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on May 4, 2006.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.
Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, L.L.P.
Table of Contents
PART I
Not Applicable.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents, which have been filed by Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company")
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), are incorporated herein by
reference:
(a) The Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K;
(b) All other reports filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual
report referred to in (a); and
(c) The description of the Class A Common Stock of the Company included in Item 1 of the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated September 5, 1991, incorporated by reference
from pages 37 through 39 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
33-42336 filed under the Securities Act of 1933, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose
of updating such description.
All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to
the filing of a post-effective amendment hereto that indicates that all securities offered have
been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall, except to the extent
otherwise provided by Regulation S-K or any other rule promulgated by the Commission, be deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents. Any statements contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other document subsequently filed or incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 83 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law gives Louisiana corporations broad powers
to indemnify their present and former directors and officers and those of affiliated corporations
against expenses incurred in the defense of any lawsuit to which they are made parties by reason of
being or having been such directors or officers; gives a director or officer who successfully
defends an action the right to be so indemnified, subject to specific conditions and exclusions;
and authorizes Louisiana corporations to buy directors' and officers' liability insurance. Such
indemnification is not exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled
under any by-law, agreement, authorization of shareholders or otherwise.
Our By-laws make mandatory the indemnification of directors and officers permitted by the
Louisiana Business Corporation Law. The standard to be applied in evaluating any claim for
indemnification (excluding claims for expenses incurred in connection with the successful defense
of any proceeding or matter therein for which indemnification is mandatory without reference to any
such standard) is whether the claimant acted in good faith and
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in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation. With respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the standard is that the claimant
had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. No indemnification is permitted in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which a director or officer shall have been adjudged by
a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable for willful or intentional misconduct or to have
obtained an improper personal benefit, unless, and only to the extent that the court shall
determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, he is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses that the court shall deem proper.
We have in effect a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy that provides for
indemnification of our officers and directors against losses arising from claims asserted against
them in their capacities as officers and directors, subject to limitations and conditions set forth
in such policy.
We enter into indemnity agreements with each of our directors and executive officers, pursuant
to which we agree under certain circumstances to purchase and maintain directors' and officers'
liability insurance, unless such insurance is not reasonably available or, in the reasonable
judgment of the Board of Directors, there is insufficient benefit to us from such insurance. The
agreements also provide that we will indemnify each director and executive officer against any
costs and expenses, judgments, settlements and fines incurred in connection with any claim
involving him by reason of his position as director or officer that are in excess of the coverage
provided by any such insurance, provided that he meets certain standards of conduct.
Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
5
Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre , L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P.
23.2
Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P. is
included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made and to the
extent required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
2
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(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material
change to such information in this registration statement;
Provided, however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished by the registrant pursuant to Section
13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant
to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceedings) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
3
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SIGNATURES
The Registrant.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing
on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, on May 5,
2006.
STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
By:
/s/  KENNETH C. BUDDE
Kenneth C. Budde
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Kenneth C. Budde and Thomas M. Kitchen, or either one of them, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his
substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ JOHN P. LABORDE
John P. Laborde
Chairman of the Board
May 5, 2006
/s/ KENNETH C. BUDDE
Kenneth C. Budde
President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
May 5, 2006
/s/ THOMAS M. KITCHEN
Thomas M. Kitchen
Chief Financial Officer, Executive
Vice President and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
May 5, 2006
/s/ MICHAEL G. HYMEL
Michael G. Hymel
Vice President, Corporate Controller &
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
May 5, 2006
Frank
B. Stewart, Jr.
Director
______, 2006
/s/ ASHTON J. RYAN, JR.
Ashton J. Ryan, Jr.
Director
May 5, 2006
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Signature
Title
Date
John
C. McNamara
Director
_____, 2006
Alden
J. McDonald, Jr.
Director
_____, 2006
/s/ JAMES W. MCFARLAND
James W. McFarland
Director
May 5, 2006
/s/ RONALD H. PATRON
Ronald H. Patron
Director
May 5, 2006
/s/ MICHAEL O. READ
Michael O. Read
Director
May 5, 2006
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
5
Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P.
23.2
Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P. is
included in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.