Last year, we announced plans for Stewart to construct and operate mortuaries on land leased in six of our cemeteries.
adding, "Everyone I spoke with at the groundbreaking ceremonies, including area families, local clergy and cemetery employees, welcomed the mortuaries as a valuable addition to the cemeteries and expressed an eagerness for construction to begin.
He added, "Stewart brings to the Archdiocese over 80 years of experience and expertise in the design, construction and operation of mortuaries, mausoleums and cemeteries.
Today, Stewart, itself, owns and operates mortuaries in many different communities, providing caring service to hundreds of thousands of families with diverse customs and traditions.
The mortuaries will be constructed and operated by Stewart in a manner in keeping with Catholic traditions.
The development of mortuaries within our cemeteries is a key element in the Archdiocese Strategic Plan for its cemeteries," added Msgr.
nationally renowned designers of mortuaries, has designed site plans, exterior elevations and floor plans for each of the mortuaries.
It is anticipated that the first of these new mortuaries, All Souls Mortuary, will be open by the fall of 1998 with the remainder scheduled for completion soon thereafter.
Quist, first vice president, stated that while the company had revenue growth in all three of its business segments, decreased pre-need sales at its cemetery locations, lower case counts at some
mortuaries, and interest rate pressures at its mortgage loan operations led to decreased margins versus those achieved a year ago.
