EXHIBIT 10.9



                               FIRST SUPPLEMENT TO
                       APPENDIX A TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                        BETWEEN STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                       AND
                                MICHAEL K. CRANE

                  BASE SALARY, BONUS COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

1.       Effective February 1, 2002, Employee's title(s) shall be Senior Vice
         President and President - Central Division, Employee's Base Salary
         shall be $250,000, and Employee's principal work location shall be the
         New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area.

2.       For Fiscal Year 2002 ("FY 2002"), the Employee shall be eligible to
         receive a Bonus of up to $243,350.

         [Items 2(a) through (c) and 3 are unaffected by this Supplement.]


                                Agreed to and accepted:

                                STEWART ENTERPRISES, INC.


Date: April __, 2002            By:
                                   ---------------------------------------
                                          James W. McFarland
                                    Compensation Committee Chairman


                                EMPLOYEE:


Date: April __, 2002
                                ------------------------------------------
                                            Michael K. Crane