Today more than ever, people understand the wisdom of planning ahead by taking out insurance policies, setting aside savings and making out a will. Advance planning for a memorial is no different. In each case, it's the wisdom of planning now to make sure the future won't be so uncertain.

There are countless good reasons for making your memorial choices ahead of time. Here are just ten we believe are especially important.

1. A memorial should be a joint decision.

As husband and wife, you've shared your lives. You've made important decisions together. Since a memorial is the most enduring thing you will ever purchase, it should be a joint decision, too. If you wish, other family members can be involved in the selection process as well. Yet all too often, couples and families put it off. "We talked about planning together, but we just never got around to it"-these are words our Rock of Ages retailers hear time and again from surviving spouses and other family members.

2. It completes your estate planning.

Most people realize the importance of estate planning. What fewer realize is that estate planning isn't complete without memorial planning. As a result, the surviving spouse is often left with the burden of choosing-and paying for-a memorial. By choosing your memorial now, you can avoid this difficult situation. And you can avoid ending up with a memorial of inferior materials or workmanship.

3. The choice will reflect your wishes.

Your choice of a home, car or vacation spot reflects your personal preferences, your tastes and wishes. Why let others select your memorial? Your Authorized Rock of Ages Retailer will work with you to personalize your family memorial so that it tells a story in stone-one that reflects your family members' lives, your interests, your beliefs and your accomplishments.

4. Your heirs won't be left guessing.

It is both unwise and unfair to burden your heirs with the task of choosing your memorial. They can only guess at your wishes.

5. Your insurance will fulfill its intended purpose.

If you purchase a memorial now and pay for it out of income, the cost will hardly be noticed. And you'll have the security of knowing that your estate, savings and insurance funds can all go toward their intended purpose: providing for those you love most.

6. The decision won't have to be made at an emotional time.

At times of grief and loss, it can be very difficult to make important decisions. Why place even more stress on your family? Not only may they find it difficult to think clearly about your wishes, but they may overlook such issues as quality and craftsmanship and the soundness of a strong guarantee. By working with Rock of Ages now, you'll be assured of the finest quality granite and the finest quality workmanship-all backed by the strongest guarantee possible: the Rock of Ages Full Perpetual Warranty.

7. Unlike a pre-paid funeral, you can move your memorial with you if you relocate to a new home.

Some people tell us they don't want to buy and place a memorial in advance because they are concerned they may move later in life. But just as a cemetery lot can be re-sold (you'll be given a deed and you'll own the land), a Rock of Ages granite memorial can easily and inexpensively be moved should the need arise. In fact, we advise that you start your planning with the memorial itself, since it will be the only permanent remembrance of a life well-lived.

8. No matter what happens, memorialization will be assured.

No one can predict the future. Financial troubles can delay memorial purchases by families, sometimes indefinitely. Disagreements can have the same effect. Pre-purchase is your protection against these uncertainties-your guarantee that your memorial will happen as you want it to. Rock of Ages can continue that guarantee for you-because our unique warranty is valid forever, without limitations or exceptions.

9. We can promise you and your family peace of mind.

A memorial should be forever. Yet only Rock of Ages gives you the strongest written guarantee that yours will be so. The famed Rock of Ages Warranty explicitly states that Rock of Ages Corporation will replace without charge any granite part of your memorial should that part prove defective in a way attributable to our granite or our workmanship. Our warranty extends not only to you and your heirs, but to the cemetery as well, remaining in effect even if your family moves away. Moreover, we have established a substantial trust fund, independent of the company, to ensure that we can meet this warranty forever.

10. A Rock of Ages memorial is now easier to afford than ever.

A Rock of Ages Authorized Retailer can help you with a financing plan designed to make America's finest memorials easier than ever to purchase in advance. When you purchase now, you'll have a payment schedule that allows you to spread the cost over three years. Yet the price you receive will be today's price-and it's guaranteed not to increase. Naturally, you will still be able to personalize your own memorial and you still receive the same guaranteed quality that only Rock of Ages offers.

It takes only a little time with your Authorized Rock of Ages Retailer to complete your memorial planning.

Is this the right time to arrange for your memorial? Only you can answer that. But now that you understand the many reasons for acting today, why put it off? Work with a memorial specialist at your Authorized Rock of Ages Retailer, and you'll gain peace of mind, you'll make the decisions you want, and you'll be sure your memorial fits easily within your budget.

When you decide you're ready, you'll have help you can trust from an experienced memorial counselor Authorized Rock of Ages Retailer. We are experts in memorial design and in other matters such as cemetery regulations. And unlike anyone else, only an Authorized Rock of Ages Retailer can offer you the unmatched assurance of Rock of Ages quality and craftsmanship.