-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Pi0M/T7XXUwiL1GRL+5FpaVyQxjkwZyV8o3OCnZL7EWp3i0G8Df1s/iHagEmAAyZ
 FRnD2/RlFdT4/TJ/rFYCJg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000084581-04-000054.txt : 20040824
<SEC-HEADER>0000084581-04-000054.hdr.sgml : 20040824
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040824115820
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000084581-04-000054
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040816
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040824
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040824

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Dearwater Derek E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001300397

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-29464
		FILM NUMBER:		04993387

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7142969174

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		16951 RED ROCK CIRCLE
		CITY:			HUNTINGTON BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92649

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ROCK OF AGES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000084581
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CUT STONE & STONE PRODUCTS [3281]
		IRS NUMBER:				030153200
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		369 NORTH STATE STREET
		CITY:			CONCORD
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03301
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6032258397

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		369 NO STATE STREET
		CITY:			CONCORD
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03301
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-16</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000084581</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ROCK OF AGES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ROAC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001300397</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Dearwater Derek E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>16951 RED ROCK CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HUNTINGTON BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92649</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President/Wholesale Sales</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>7.9</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-08-16</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-08-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant to reporting person of option to buy shares of common stock under the Rock of Ages 1994 Stock Plan in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3. The option vests in 1/3 increments on 08/16/05, 08/16/06 and 08/16/07, respectively.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Derek E. Dearwater</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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