<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 12
Prime Succession, Inc. and subsidiaries
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Dollars in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
-------- --------
2000 1999 2000 1999
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Earnings:
Loss before income taxes $(7,066) $(2,446) $(11,276) $(2,222)
Add: Fixed charges, net 7,055 6,258 13,668 12,350
Income (loss) before income taxes and fixed (11) 3,812 2,392 10,128
charges, net
Fixed Charges:
Total interest (1) 6,742 6,003 13,056 11,855
Interest factor in rents(2) 313 255 612 495
Total fixed charges 7,055 6,258 13,668 12,350
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges -- 0.61 0.18 0.82
Coverage deficiency (3) 7,066 2,446 11,276 2,222
</TABLE>
FN
(1) Total interest expense for each period includes amortization of loan
costs.
(2) Interest factor in rents represents one-third of rent expense, which is
considered representative of the interest factor.
(3) The Company's earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges for all
periods presented. Coverage deficiency represents the excess of fixed
charges over income before income taxes and fixed charges, net.
22