CONTACT: Martin R. de Laureal FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stewart Enterprises, Inc.
1333 S. Clearview Parkway
Jefferson, LA 70121
504-729-1400

STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC. ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GONZALEZ FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY IN DALLAS

JEFFERSON, La. - March 16, 2012 -- Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq GS: STEI) reported today that it has purchased Gonzalez Funeral Home and Crematory in Dallas.
"As a part of our growth strategy, we continue to seek to acquire quality firms that complement our existing infrastructure in major markets. We are pleased to announce the decision by the Gonzalez family and proud to have this quality operation join our Stewart family of businesses serving the Dallas-Ft. Worth market," said President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Kitchen. "The Gonzalez family has long enjoyed a strong reputation and held to the same very high standards we strive to achieve every day. It will complement our nearby locations and significantly enhance our capabilities to better serve the growing Hispanic community throughout this market and beyond," Kitchen added.
Based in Dallas, Regional Vice President Brian Shake looks forward to working with the Gonzalez family and their dedicated staff at Gonzalez Funeral Home and Crematory. "This operation has been serving the community for more than 35 years," Shake said. "That is a strong foundation that gives us the opportunity to serve even more families."
Founded in 1910, Stewart Enterprises, Inc. is the second largest provider of products and services in the death care industry in the United States, currently owning and operating 218 funeral homes and 141 cemeteries. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides a complete range of funeral and cremation merchandise and services, along with cemetery property, merchandise and services, both at the time of need and on a preneed basis.
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This press release was issued by Stewart Enterprises Inc. and was initially posted at http://www.stewartenterprises.com. It was distributed, unedited and unaltered, by noodls on 2012-03-16 19:53:20 PM. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained therein.