UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
CLASS A COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE
(Title of Class of Securities)
143905-10-7
(CUSIP Number)
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement: [X].
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CUSIP No. 143905-10-7
1) Name of Reporting Person Melvin C. Payne
S.S. or I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person
2) Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (a)N/A
(b)N/A
3) SEC Use Only
4) Citizenship or place of organization U.S.A.
Number of Shares (5) Sole Voting Power 504,771
Beneficially Owned (6) Shared Voting Power 124,999
by Each Reporting (7) Sole Dispositive Power 504,771
Person with (8) Shared Dispositive Power 124,999
9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by
Each Reporting Person 629,770
(represents shares of Class B Common Stock
which are convertible at the holder's option
into shares of Class A Common Stock on a
share for share basis)
10) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9)
Excludes certain Shares N/A
11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 9 8.0%
12) Type of Reporting Person IN
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SCHEDULE 13G - TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS
FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(c)
Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:
Carriage Services, Inc.
Item 1(b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1500
Houston, Texas 77056
Item 2(a). Name of Person Filing:
Melvin C. Payne
Item 2(b). Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence:
1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1500
Houston, TX 77056
Item 2(c). Citizenship:
U.S.A.
Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities:
Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
Item 2(e). CUSIP Number:
143905-10-7
Item 3. This statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c).
Item 4. Ownership
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 629,770
(represents shares of Class B Common Stock which are
convertible at the holder's option into shares of Class A
Common Stock on a share for share basis)
(b) Percent of Class: 8.0%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 504,771
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 124,999
(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition
of: 504,771
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of: 124,999
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
Not applicable.
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Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which
Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding
Company.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Certification.
Not applicable (statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c)).
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Dated: September 25, 1996
/s/ MELVIN C. PAYNE
Melvin C. Payne
