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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 23, 1998
THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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British Columbia, Canada 0-18429 98-0121376
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation)
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4126 Norland Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 3S8
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(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 604-299-9321
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N/A
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Exhibit Index is on page 3
Page 1 of 4
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
Pursuant to Form 8-K, General Instructions F, registrant hereby incorporates by
reference the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND
EXHIBITS.
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Exhibit No. Description
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Exhibit 99 The Loewen Group Inc. Press Release dated December 23, 1998
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: December 29, 1998
THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
By: /s/ Bradley D. Stam
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Name: Bradley D. Stam
Title: Senior Vice President, Law
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Sequential
Number Exhibit Page Number
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99 The Loewen Group Inc. 4
Press Release dated December 23, 1998
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THE LOEWEN GROUP INC.
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(NYSE, TSE, ME: LWN)
NEWS
Contact:
Thomas C. Franco
Broadgate Consultants, Inc.
Tel: (212) 232-2222
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOEWEN GROUP MAKES ANNOUNCEMENTS RE: DIVIDENDS
VANCOUVER, BC, December 23, 1998 -- The Loewen Group Inc. (NYSE, TSE, ME: LWN)
confirmed today that the scheduled quarterly cash dividend of Cdn $0.375 per
share on the Company's 6% Cumulative Redeemable Convertible First Preferred
Shares, Series C has been declared payable on January 4, 1999 to shareholders of
record on December 22, 1998.
The Company also announced that the Board of Directors has declined declaring a
common share dividend at this time. The Company, through the Special Committee
of its Board of Directors, is in the process of considering all strategic
alternatives to maximize shareholder value. The Board concluded that the
shareholders will be best served at this particular time, and the Company
flexibility best maintained, by retaining cash within the Company.
The Loewen Group Inc. is the second largest funeral home and cemetery operator
in North America. The Company employs approximately 16,000 people and owns or
operates more than 1,100 funeral homes and over 500 cemeteries across the United
States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Over 90 percent of the Company's revenue
is derived from the United States.
The Loewen Group's website is located at http://www.loewengroup.com