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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 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 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: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


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

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

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><I>(Exact name of registrant as specified in is charter)</I></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="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Delaware<BR>
<I>(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation)</I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">76-0423828<BR>
<I>(IRS Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</I></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite&nbsp;300<BR>
Houston, Texas 77056<BR>
<I>(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)</I>

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.<BR>
2006 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN</B><BR>
<I>(Full title of plan)</I>

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Melvin C. Payne<BR>
3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite&nbsp;300<BR>
Houston, Texas 77056<BR>
<I>(Name and address of agent for service)</I>

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">(713)&nbsp;332-8400<BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></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="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" 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: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount of</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">Title of Securities</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Offering Price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Registration</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">to be Registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Registered<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(1)</sup></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Per Share Price<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Offering</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, $0.01
par value</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">1,350,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">4.17</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">5,629,500</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">602.36</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><I>Notes:</I>

</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 6pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the &#147;Act&#148;) this
registration statement covers an indeterminate number of additional shares of Registrant&#146;s
common stock that may become issuable pursuant to provisions of the 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar
transactions.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The proposed maximum offering price per share was estimated solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Act and is
calculated using the average of the high and low sales prices of the common stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange on August&nbsp;1, 2006 in accordance with Rule&nbsp;457 (c).</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<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>








<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>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#009">ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#010">ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#011">SIGNATURE</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#012">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#013">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h38425exv3w1.htm">2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h38425exv5w1.htm">Opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h38425exv23w1.htm">Consent of KPMG, LLP</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
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<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: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B></DIV>

<!-- link2 "ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carriage Services, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148; or &#147;Carriage&#148;) will send or give the documents
containing the information specified in this Item&nbsp;1 to each participant as specified by Rule
428(b). In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
the instructions to Form S-8, Carriage is not filing such documents with the Securities and
Exchange Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 of the Securities Act.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant will provide without charge the information specified in Item&nbsp;2 to each
participant as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b). In accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the instructions to Form S-8, Carriage is not filing such
documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission either as part of this Registration Statement
or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 of the Securities Act.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">1
</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">
<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></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: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B></DIV>

<!-- link2 "ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carriage hereby incorporates by reference the documents listed below. All documents
subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or
7.01 on a current report on Form 8-K), shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and
to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
</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="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31,
2005.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>All other documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, since December&nbsp;31, 2005, to the date of this filing (excluding any
information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 on a current report on Form 8-K).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>A description of Carriage&#146;s Common Stock is contained in Carriage&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A/A, File No.&nbsp;001-11961, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December&nbsp;2, 2002.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement contained herein or in any document incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that
another statement contained herein or in any other document subsequently filed, which also is
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. Upon the written or oral request of any person to whom a copy of this
Registration Statement has been delivered, we will provide without charge to such person a copy of
any and all documents (excluding exhibits thereto unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into such documents) that have been incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement but not delivered herewith. Requests for such documents should be addressed
to: Carriage Services, Inc., 3040 Post Oak Blvd., Suite&nbsp;300, Houston, Texas 77056, Attention:
Corporate Secretary, (713)&nbsp;332-8400.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 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 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 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>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-1
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link2 "ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 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;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation, under specified
circumstances, to indemnify its directors, officer, employees or agents against expenses (including
attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred
by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties by reason of the
fact that they were or are directors, officers, employees or agents of the corporation, if such
directors, officers, employees or agents acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the corporation and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their conduct was unlawful. In a
derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made
only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents in
connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter
as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be
made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the
extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that
the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a certificate of
incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director
to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director:
</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="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>for any breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders,</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law,</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>under Section&nbsp;174 (relating to liability for unauthorized acquisitions or
redemptions of, or dividends on, capital stock) of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, or</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%" nowrap align="left">(4)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our amended and restated bylaws require indemnification of the officers and directors. In
addition, Carriage has entered into contractual agreements with all of its directors and executive
officers whereby it agrees to indemnify them against any expenses, amounts paid in settlement or
other amounts incurred by them by reason of the fact that they are directors or officers of
Carriage.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 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 8. EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another filing of the
Company with the Commission, each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:
</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">3.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Carriage Services, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-2
</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 style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">



</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">5.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Opinion of Thompson &#038; Knight LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">23.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of KPMG, LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">23.2</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of Thompson &#038; Knight LLP (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">24.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 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">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">(ii)&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the 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 the 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 and of the estimated maximum offering range may
be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and prices represent no more than
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; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">(iii)&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement;
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (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 to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;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.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;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>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-3
</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="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 proceeding) 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 whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in such Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-4
</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 "SIGNATURE" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="011"></A></DIV>

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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, Carriage Services, Inc.
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of 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 Houston, State of Texas on August&nbsp;4,
2006.
</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="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</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>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" 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 align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Melvin C. Payne
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Melvin C. Payne
</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 align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><BR></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-5
</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 "POWER OF ATTORNEY" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="012"></A></DIV>

<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 the undersigned directors and officers of Carriage
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with
the Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, hereby constitute
and appoint Melvin C. Payne and Joseph Saporito, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any
or all amendments to the Registration Statement, and all other documents in connection therewith to
be filed with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to
be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact as agents or any of them,
or their 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 4<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of August,
2006.
</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="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center">SIGNATURE</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">TITLE</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Melvin C. Payne
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Melvin C. Payne
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board, President<br>
and Chief Executive Officer (Principal<br>
Executive Officer)</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>
    <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">/s/ Joseph Saporito
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Joseph Saporito
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Vice President and Chief<br>
Financial Officer (Principal Financial<br>
Officer)</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>
    <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">/s/ Terry E. Sanford
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Terry E. Sanford
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Senior V.P., Treasurer and Chief<br>
Accounting Officer (Principal<br>
Accounting Officer)</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>
    <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">/s/ Vincent D. Foster
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Vincent D. Foster</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</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>
    <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">/s/ Joe R. Davis
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Joe R. Davis</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</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>
    <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">/s/ Ronald A. Erickson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ronald A. Erickson</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</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>
    <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">/s/ Mark F. Wilson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mark F. Wilson</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-6
</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 "INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="013"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
</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="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="92%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Carriage Services, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan</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">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Thompson &#038; Knight LLP</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 KPMG, LLP</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 Thompson &#038; Knight LLP (included as part of Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 hereto)</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">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">II-7
</DIV>

</BODY>
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sv8
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in is charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
76-0423828
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77056
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
2006 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of plan)
Melvin C. Payne
3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77056
(Name and address of agent for service)
(713) 332-8400
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Maximum
Maximum
Amount of
Title of Securities
Amount to be
Offering Price
Aggregate
Registration
to be Registered
Registered
(1)
Per Share Price
(2)
Offering
Fee
Common Stock, $0.01
par value
1,350,000
$
4.17
$
5,629,500
$
602.36
Notes:
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Act") this
registration statement covers an indeterminate number of additional shares of Registrant's
common stock that may become issuable pursuant to provisions of the 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar
transactions.
(2)
The proposed maximum offering price per share was estimated solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Act and is
calculated using the average of the high and low sales prices of the common stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange on August 1, 2006 in accordance with Rule 457 (c).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION
ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION
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
SIGNATURE
POWER OF ATTORNEY
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP
Consent of KPMG, LLP
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION.
Carriage Services, Inc. (the "Registrant" or "Carriage") will send or give the documents
containing the information specified in this Item 1 to each participant as specified by Rule
428(b). In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
the instructions to Form S-8, Carriage is not filing such documents with the Securities and
Exchange Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule 424 of the Securities Act.
ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.
The Registrant will provide without charge the information specified in Item 2 to each
participant as specified by Rule 428(b). In accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the instructions to Form S-8, Carriage is not filing such
documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission either as part of this Registration Statement
or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 of the Securities Act.
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PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
Carriage hereby incorporates by reference the documents listed below. All documents
subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or
7.01 on a current report on Form 8-K), shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and
to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
(a)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005.
(b)
All other documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, since December 31, 2005, to the date of this filing (excluding any
information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 on a current report on Form 8-K).
(c)
A description of Carriage's Common Stock is contained in Carriage's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A/A, File No. 001-11961, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December 2, 2002.
Any statement contained herein or in any document incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that
another statement contained herein or in any other document subsequently filed, which also is
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. Upon the written or oral request of any person to whom a copy of this
Registration Statement has been delivered, we will provide without charge to such person a copy of
any and all documents (excluding exhibits thereto unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into such documents) that have been incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement but not delivered herewith. Requests for such documents should be addressed
to: Carriage Services, Inc., 3040 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77056, Attention:
Corporate Secretary, (713) 332-8400.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
Not applicable.
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ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation, under specified
circumstances, to indemnify its directors, officer, employees or agents against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred
by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties by reason of the
fact that they were or are directors, officers, employees or agents of the corporation, if such
directors, officers, employees or agents acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the corporation and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their conduct was unlawful. In a
derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made
only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents in
connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter
as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be
made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the
extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that
the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.
Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a certificate of
incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director
to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director:
(1)
for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders,
(2)
for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law,
(3)
under Section 174 (relating to liability for unauthorized acquisitions or
redemptions of, or dividends on, capital stock) of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, or
(4)
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
Our amended and restated bylaws require indemnification of the officers and directors. In
addition, Carriage has entered into contractual agreements with all of its directors and executive
officers whereby it agrees to indemnify them against any expenses, amounts paid in settlement or
other amounts incurred by them by reason of the fact that they are directors or officers of
Carriage.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another filing of the
Company with the Commission, each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:
3.1
Carriage Services, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan
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5.1
Opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP
23.1
Consent of KPMG, LLP
23.2
Consent of Thompson & Knight LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement)
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, 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 the 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 the 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 and of the estimated maximum offering range may
be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and prices represent no more than
20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (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 to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the 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.
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(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 proceeding) 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 whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in such Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, Carriage Services, Inc.
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of 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 Houston, State of Texas on August 4,
2006.
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
By:
/s/ Melvin C. Payne
Melvin C. Payne
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned directors and officers of Carriage
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with
the Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, hereby constitute
and appoint Melvin C. Payne and Joseph Saporito, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any
or all amendments to the Registration Statement, and all other documents in connection therewith to
be filed with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to
be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact as agents or any of them,
or their 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 4
th
day of August,
2006.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
/s/ Melvin C. Payne
Melvin C. Payne
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer (Principal
Executive Officer)
/s/ Joseph Saporito
Joseph Saporito
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer)
/s/ Terry E. Sanford
Terry E. Sanford
Senior V.P., Treasurer and Chief
Accounting Officer (Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Vincent D. Foster
Director
Vincent D. Foster
/s/ Joe R. Davis
Director
Joe R. Davis
/s/ Ronald A. Erickson
Director
Ronald A. Erickson
/s/ Mark F. Wilson
Director
Mark F. Wilson
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Description
3.1
Carriage Services, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan
5.1
Opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP
23.1
Consent of KPMG, LLP
23.2
Consent of Thompson & Knight LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement)
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