CARRIAGE SERVICES INC
10-Q, 1996-09-20
PERSONAL SERVICES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                            -------------------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)
   [X]           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1996

                                       OR

   [ ]           TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the transition period from ______ to ________

                         Commission file number: 1-11961

                            -------------------------

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            DELAWARE                                         
 (State or other jurisdiction of                         76-0423828     
 incorporation or organization)             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

               1300 POST OAK BLVD., SUITE 1500, HOUSTON, TX 77056
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (713) 556-7400

                            ------------------------

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X]   No [ ]

        The number of shares of the Registrant's Class A Common Stock, $.01 par
value per share, and Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding
as of September 13, 1996 was 3,926,666 and 4,501,466, respectively.

<PAGE>

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

                                      INDEX
                                                                       PAGE
                                                                       ----
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

        Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
           June 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 .......................    3

        Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
           Three Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995
           and the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 ...........    5

        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
           Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 ...................    6

        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ...................    7

    ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
            FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ............   10

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

    ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS ......   15

    ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K .........................   15

Signature ............................................................   16

                                       -2-

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (in thousands)

                                                         June 30,   December 31,
                                                           1996         1995
                                                         --------   ------------
                          ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
     Cash and cash equivalents .....................     $  4,490      $  7,573
     Accounts receivable --
          Trade, net of allowance for
               doubtful accounts of $360 in
               1996 and $305 in 1995 ...............        3,748         2,637
          Other ....................................          198           505
                                                         --------      --------
                                                            3,946         3,142
     Marketable securities, available for sale .....            1           864
     Inventories and other current assets ..........        3,158         2,106
                                                         --------      --------
               Total current assets ................       11,595        13,685
                                                         --------      --------

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:
     Land ..........................................        7,316         4,416
     Buildings and improvements ....................       25,529        14,200
     Furniture and equipment .......................        7,273         5,365
                                                         --------      --------
                                                           40,118        23,981
     Less - accumulated depreciation ...............       (2,994)       (2,311)
                                                         --------      --------
                                                           37,124        21,670
CEMETERY PROPERTY, at cost .........................        2,384           496
NAMES AND REPUTATIONS, net of accumulated
     amortization of $1,316 in 1996
     and $959 in 1995 ..............................       37,527        22,559

DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER NONCURRENT
     ASSETS ........................................        5,407         3,336
                                                         --------      --------
                                                         $ 94,037      $ 61,746
                                                         ========      ========

                                                                    (continued)
                                       -3-

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (in thousands)

                                                        June 30,    December 31,
                                                          1996         1995
                                                        --------    ------------
         LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
     Accounts payable ............................      $  1,236       $  1,041
     Accrued liabilities .........................         3,539          2,957
     Current portion of long-term debt and
          obligations under capital leases .......         5,359          3,215
                                                        --------       --------
               Total current liabilities .........        10,134          7,213
PRENEED LIABILITIES, net .........................         2,817            709
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current portion ...........        60,277         42,057
OBLIGATIONS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES, net of
     current portion .............................           732            716
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES ............................         2,882          1,900
                                                        --------       --------
               Total liabilities .................        76,842         52,595
                                                        --------       --------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK .......................         8,545           --
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
     Preferred Stock, $.01 par value;
          40,000,000 shares authorized;
          16,215,000 shares issued and
          16,045,000 shares outstanding
          in 1996 and 15,660,000 shares
          issued and outstanding in 1995 .........           162            157
     Common Stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000
          shares authorized; 2,521,000
          and 2,520,000 shares issued
          and outstanding in 1996 and
          1995, respectively .....................            25             25
     Treasury stock ..............................          (330)          --
     Contributed capital .........................        15,650         15,100
     Unrealized loss on securities available
          for sale ...............................          --              (36)
     Retained deficit ............................        (6,857)        (6,095)
                                                        --------       --------
               Total stockholders' equity ........         8,650          9,151
                                                        --------       --------
                                                        $ 94,037       $ 61,746
                                                        ========       ========

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       -4-

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                      (in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            For the three months            For the six months
                                                                               ended June 30,                  ended June 30,
                                                                          -----------------------         ------------------------
                                                                            1996           1995             1996            1995
                                                                          -------         -------         --------        --------
                                                                        (unaudited)     (unaudited)                      (unaudited)
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>     
Revenues, net ....................................................        $ 9,290         $ 5,786         $ 16,925         $ 11,501
Costs and expenses ...............................................          7,571           4,864           13,536            9,329
                                                                          -------         -------         --------         --------
     Gross profit ................................................          1,719             922            3,389            2,172
General and administrative expenses ..............................            606             433            1,155              832
                                                                          -------         -------         --------         --------
     Operating income ............................................          1,113             489            2,234            1,340
Interest expense, net ............................................          1,461             770            2,644            1,648
                                                                          -------         -------         --------         --------
     (Loss) before income taxes ..................................           (348)           (281)            (410)            (308)
Provision for income taxes .......................................            120              86              251              390
                                                                          -------         -------         --------         --------
     Net (loss) ..................................................           (468)           (367)            (661)            (698)
Preferred stock dividend requirements ............................             91            --                101             --
                                                                          -------         -------         --------         --------
     Net (loss) attributable to common stockholders ..............        $  (559)        $  (367)        $   (762)        $   (698)
                                                                          =======         =======         ========         ========
Loss per share:
     (Loss) per common and common equivalent share ...............        $  (.12)        $  (.10)        $   (.17)        $   (.20)
                                                                          =======         =======         ========         ========
     Weighted average number of common and common
          equivalent shares outstanding ..........................          4,516           3,543            4,512            3,543
                                                                          =======         =======         ========         ========
</TABLE>
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                            -5-

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)

                                                             For the six months
                                                               ended June 30,
                                                            ------------------
                                                              1996      1995
                                                            --------   -------
                                                                     (Unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net (loss) .............................................. $   (661)  $  (698)
  Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) to net cash
     provided by operating activities --
     Depreciation and amortization ........................    1,389       907
     Deferred income taxes ................................       74       157
     Changes in assets and liabilities net of effects
       from acquisitions:
          Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable ......     (113)      265
          Decrease (increase) in inventories and other
       current assets .....................................     (370)      164
          (Increase) decrease in other deferred charges ...     (242)       44
          Increase (decrease) in accounts payable .........      163      (475)
          Increase in accrued liabilities .................      180       400
          Increase in preneed liabilities .................       45        40
                                                            --------   -------
               Net cash provided by operating
                 activities ...............................      465       804

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired ......................  (24,415)   (5,960)
  Dispositions of businesses formerly owned ...............      397      --
  Disposal of marketable securities available
    for sale ..............................................      900     3,052
  Purchase of property, plant and
    equipment .............................................   (2,004)   (1,257)
                                                            --------   -------
               Net cash (used in) investing activities ....  (25,122)   (4,165)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from long-term debt ............................   23,772     6,234
  Payments on long-term debt, obligations under
     capital leases .......................................   (1,575)   (1,180)
  Payment of preferred stock dividends ....................     (101)     --
  Exercise of stock options ...............................       10      --
  Purchase of treasury stock ..............................     (330)     --
  Payment of deferred debt charges ........................     (202)      (45)
                                                            --------   -------
               Net cash provided by
                 financing activities .....................   21,574     5,009
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
  EQUIVALENTS .............................................   (3,083)    1,648
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF
  PERIOD ..................................................    7,573       836
                                                            --------   -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD ................ $  4,490   $ 2,484
                                                            ========   =======

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
  INFORMATION:
  Interest paid through issuance of new debt .............. $    825   $   648
                                                            ========   =======
  Cash interest paid ...................................... $  2,399   $ 1,611
                                                            ========   =======
  Issuance of preferred stock for
    acquisitions .......................................... $  9,100   $  --
                                                            ========   =======
  Retirement of debt through disposition
    of business ........................................... $  2,642   $  --
                                                            ========   =======

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       -6-

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

    The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Carriage
Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

    The information for the three and six months ended June 30, 1995 and the
three months ended June 30, 1996 is unaudited, but in the opinion of management,
reflects all adjustments, which are of a normal, recurring nature, necessary for
a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the
interim periods. The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
contained in the Company's Prospectus dated August 8, 1996.

    The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 1996
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 1996.

2.  ACQUISITIONS

    During the six months ended June 30, 1996, the Company purchased 24 funeral
homes and four cemeteries. Five funeral homes were acquired during the six
months ended June 30, 1995. These acquisitions have been accounted for by the
purchase method, and their results of operations are included in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition.

    The effect of the above acquisitions on the Consolidated Balance Sheets was
as follows:

                                                    Six months ended June 30,
                                                    -------------------------
                                                        1996         1995
                                                      --------      -------
                                                          (in thousands)

Current Assets ...................................    $  2,857      $    51
Cemetery Property ................................       1,927         --
Property, Plant and Equipment ....................      15,104          320
Deferred Charges and Other Noncurrent Assets .....         500            3
Names and Reputations ............................      17,344        5,890
Current Liabilities ..............................      (1,293)         (69)
Debt .............................................        --           (235)
Other Liabilities ................................      (2,924)        --
                                                      --------      -------
                                                        33,515        5,960
Preferred Stock issued ...........................      (9,100)        --
                                                      --------      -------
     Cash used for acquisitions ..................    $ 24,415      $ 5,960
                                                      ========      =======

                                       -7-

    The following table represents the unaudited pro forma results of operations
for the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, assuming the above noted
acquisitions had occurred as of January 1, 1995. Appropriate adjustments have
been made to reflect the accounting basis used in recording the acquisitions.
These pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do
not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that would have
resulted had the combinations been in effect on the dates indicated, that have
resulted since the dates of acquisition or that may result in the future.

                                                     Six months ended June 30,
                                                     ------------------------
                                                       1996            1995
                                                     --------        --------
                                                    (Unaudited and in thousands)

Revenues, net ..................................     $ 20,952        $ 19,100
Net (loss) before income taxes .................       (1,357)           (630)
Net (loss) attributable to common stockholders .       (1,493)         (1,161)
(Loss) per common and common equivalent share ..         (.33)           (.33)

3.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

ACQUISITIONS

    From July 1, 1996 through September 13, 1996, the Company acquired eight
funeral homes and one cemetery for approximately $18.6 million. These
acquisitions were funded through additional debt, issuance of preferred stock,
issuance of Class A Common Stock and available cash.

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

    On August 8, 1996 the Company completed the initial public offering
("Offering") of 3,910,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock at $13.50 per
share, including 510,000 shares sold to underwriters pursuant to the
overallotment option granted to them, for net proceeds of approximately
$47,700,000 after selling commissions and related expenses of approximately
$5,100,000. The net proceeds of the Offering were used to repay outstanding
indebtedness of the company. In connection with the Offering, the Company
performed a recapitalization of its Common Stock into two classes of Common
Stock (Class A and Class B), provided separate voting rights to each class and
converted existing Common Stock to Class B Common Stock. The holders of Class A
Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters
submitted to a vote of common stockholders. The holders of Class B Common Stock
are entitled to ten votes for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote
of common stockholders. Additionally, under their respective terms, the Series
A, B and C Preferred Stocks automatically converted into Class B Common Stock.
Series D Preferred Stock remains outstanding after the Offering.

REVERSE STOCK SPLIT

    On July 18, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors and stockholders approved
an amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation which authorized a
one for two reverse stock split. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been
restated as if the reverse stock split had occurred at the beginning of the
earliest period presented. For each two shares of Class B Common Stock at $.01
par, the stockholder received one share of Class B Common Stock at $.01 par. The
number of shares held by
                                       -8-

each Series A, B and C Preferred stockholder remained the same; however, the
conversion prices for Class B Common Stock on those preferred shares doubled in
conjunction with the above-mentioned reverse stock split. In addition, the
exercise prices on outstanding stock options also doubled related to this
reverse stock split, and the number of shares of Class B Common Stock covered by
such options decreased by 50%.

NEW CREDIT FACILITY

    In conjunction with the closing of the Offering, the Company entered into a
new credit facility for a $75 million revolving line of credit. The credit
facility provides for both LIBOR and base rate interest options. The facility is
unsecured with a term of three years and contains customary restrictive
covenants, including a restriction on the payment of dividends on common stock,
and requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios. As of September
13, 1996, $21,500,000 was outstanding under the line of credit.

                                      -9-

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

    The Company was formed in 1991 in order to take advantage of the attractive
fundamentals and significant opportunities to consolidate the death care
industry. Although the Company provides products and services in both the
funeral home and cemetery businesses, the Company has historically focused on
acquiring funeral home businesses. From 1992 through 1995, the Company acquired
42 funeral homes and four cemeteries, for consideration ranging from
approximately $9 million to $14 million in each of the four years. The Company
intentionally took a disciplined, deliberate approach to acquisitions that
allowed management the time to integrate early acquisitions, to develop and
implement systems, including operational procedures, administrative policies,
financial systems and related controls, and to promote a decentralized service
culture.

    The Company believes that management's focus on controlled growth, while
implementing sophisticated operational, administrative systems and related
controls to effectively manage a highly decentralized management structure,
positioned it to pursue an accelerated growth strategy beginning in late 1995.

    Upon acquisition, the operations team focuses on increasing historic
operating income by improving the merchandising approach, pricing structure and
marketing strategy of acquired businesses. These enhancements, complemented by
discounts from consolidated purchasing, generally result in improved margins
within the first 12 months following acquisition.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    The following is a discussion of the Company's results of operations for the
three and six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995. For purposes of this
discussion, funeral homes and cemeteries owned and operated for the entirety of
each period being compared are referred to as "existing operations." Operations
acquired or opened during either period being compared are referred to as
"acquired operations."

THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995

                                            Three Months Ended
                                                 June 30,            Change
                                             ----------------    ---------------
                                              1996      1995     Amount  Percent
                                             ------    ------    ------  -------
                                                     (dollars in thousands)
Net revenues:
   Existing operations ..................    $5,696    $5,448    $  248     4.6%
   Acquired operations ..................     3,594       338     3,256      *
                                             ------    ------    ------
             Total net revenues .........    $9,290    $5,786    $3,504    60.6%
                                             ======    ======    ======

                                      -10-

                                            Three Months Ended
                                                 June 30,            Change
                                             ----------------    ---------------
                                              1996      1995     Amount  Percent
                                             ------    ------    ------  -------
                                                     (dollars in thousands)
Gross profit:
   Existing operations ..................     $1,087     $848     $239     28.2%
   Acquired operations ..................        632       74      558       *
                                              ------     ----     ----     
             Total gross profit .........     $1,719     $922     $797     86.4%
                                              ======     ====     ====      
- ------------
*  Not meaningful.

    Total net revenue for the three months ended June 30, 1996 increased $3.5
million or 60.6% over the three months ended June 30, 1995. The higher net
revenues reflect an increase of $3.3 million in net revenues from acquired
operations and an increase in net revenues of $248,000 or 4.6% from existing
operations. The increase in net revenues for the existing operations was due to
a 6.5% increase in the
average revenue per funeral service which was partially offset by a decrease in
net revenues attributable to fewer funeral services being performed due
primarily to the divestiture of three funeral homes. As of June 30, 1996, the
Company operated seven cemeteries, the net revenues and gross profit of which
were not significant.

    Total gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 1996 increased
$797,000 or 86.4% over the first three months of 1995. The higher total gross
profit reflects an increase of $558,000 from acquired operations and an increase
of $239,000 or 28.2% from existing operations. The increase in gross profit for
the existing operations was due to the efficiencies gained by consolidation and
an expanded product offering. Total gross margin increased from 15.9% for the
three months ended June 30, 1995 to 18.5% for the three months ended June 30,
1996 due to the factors mentioned above.

    General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 1996
increased $173,000 over the first three months of 1995 due primarily to the
increased personnel expense necessary to support a higher rate of growth and
increased acquisition activity. However, general and administrative expenses as
a percentage of net revenues decreased from 7.5% for the first three months of
1995 to 6.5% for the comparable period of 1996 because revenues increased at a
higher rate, due to acquisitions, than general and administrative expenses.

    Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 1996 increased $691,000
over the first three months of 1995 principally due to increased borrowings for
acquisitions.

    The Company experienced net operating losses before tax, and the Company's
policy to fully reserve operating loss carryforwards created a tax provision of
$120,000 in the three months ended June 30, 1996 and $86,000 in the three months
ended June 30, 1995.

                                      -11-

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Six Months Ended
                                                          June 30,                      Change
                                              --------------------------------  -------------------------
                                                   1996             1995            Amount        Percent
                                              --------------   ---------------  ---------------  --------
                                                              (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                              <C>               <C>            <C>              <C> 
Net revenues:
          Existing operations .............      $  11,102         $  10,849      $        253     2.3%
          Acquired operations .............          5,823               652             5,171      *
                                              --------------   ---------------  ---------------
                    Total net revenues ....      $  16,925         $  11,501      $      5,424    47.2%
                                              ==============   ===============  ===============
Gross profit:
          Existing operations .............     $    2,231        $    2,013      $        218    10.8%
          Acquired operations .............          1,158               159               999      *
                                              --------------   ---------------  ---------------
                    Total gross profit ....     $    3,389        $    2,172      $      1,217    56.0%
                                              ==============   ===============  ===============
</TABLE>
- ------------
*  Not meaningful.

    Total net revenue for the six months ended June 30, 1996 increased $5.4
million or 47.2% over the six months ended June 30, 1995. The higher net
revenues reflect an increase of $5.2 million in net revenues from acquired
operations and an increase in net revenues of $253,000 or 2.3% from existing
operations. The increase in net revenues for the existing operations was due to
a 4.4% increase in the average revenue per funeral service which was partially
offset by a decrease in net revenues attributable to fewer funeral services
being performed due primarily to the divestiture of three funeral homes.

    Total gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 1996 increased $1.2
million or 56.0% over the first six months of 1995. The higher total gross
profit reflects an increase of $999,000 from acquired operations and an increase
of $218,000 or 10.8% from existing operations. The increase in gross profit for
the existing operations was due to the efficiencies gained by consolidation and
an expanded product offering. Total gross margin increased from 18.9% for the
six months ended June 30, 1995 to 20.0% for the six months ended June 30, 1996
due to the factors mentioned above.

    General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1996
increased $323,000 over the first six months of 1995 due primarily to the
increased personnel expense necessary to support a higher rate of growth and
increased acquisition activity. However, general and administrative expenses as
a percentage of net revenues decreased from 7.2% for the first six months of
1995 to 6.8% for the comparable period of 1996 because revenues increased at a
higher rate, due to acquisitions, than general and administrative expenses.

    Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 1996 increased $996,000
over the first six months of 1995 principally due to increased borrowings for
acquisitions.

    The Company experienced net operating losses before tax, and the Company's
policy to fully reserve operating loss carryforwards created a tax provision of
$251,000 in the six months ended June 30, 1996 and $390,000 in the six months
ended June 30, 1995.
                                      -12-

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    Cash and cash equivalents totaled $4.5 million at June 30, 1996,
representing a decrease of $3.1 million from December 31, 1995. For the six
months ended June 30, 1996, cash flow from operations decreased to $465,000 from
$804,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1995. Cash used in investing
activities produced a negative cash flow of $25.1 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 compared to a negative cash flow of $4.2 million in the
prior period, due primarily to cash used for acquisitions. In the first half of
1996, cash flow provided by financing activities amounted to approximately $21.6
million, primarily due to debt incurred of approximately $23.8 million.

    Historically, the Company has financed its acquisitions with proceeds from
debt and the issuance of preferred stock. As of June 30, 1996, the Company has
issued 8,545,616 shares of Series D Preferred Stock which are convertible into
Class B Common Stock. The holders of Series D Preferred Stock are entitled to
receive annual cash dividends of $.06, $.0625 or $.07 per share depending upon
when such shares were issued. Commencing on the second anniversary of the
completion of the initial public offering (the "Offering"), the Company may, at
its option, redeem all or any portion of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock
then outstanding at a redemption price of $1.00 per share, together with all
accrued and unpaid dividends. Such redemption is subject to the right of each
holder of Series D Preferred Stock to convert such holder's shares into shares
of Class B Common Stock. On December 21, 2001, the Company must redeem all
shares of Series D Preferred Stock then outstanding at a redemption price of
$1.00 per share, together with all accrued and unpaid dividends.

    In connection with the Company's formation in June 1991, the Company's
Chairman, C. Byron Snyder, provided an initial capital commitment of $6 million,
funded in the form of subordinated notes for working capital and acquisitions.
The Snyder Notes bear interest at a predetermined rate plus 3%, subject to
adjustment in certain circumstances, and are payable annually in the form of
cash or additional subordinated notes. As of June 30, 1996, the aggregate amount
outstanding under the Snyder Notes was $7,841,000. The Company used a portion of
the proceeds from the Offering to repay the Snyder Notes.

    In addition, Provident Services, Inc. has provided long-term acquisition
financing to the Company on a senior secured basis (the "Provident Loans"). The
Provident Loans were made pursuant to the Ninth Amended and Restated Loan
Agreement, dated as of August 31, 1994, as amended, and bear interest at prime
plus 1.5% and the prime rate. As of June 30, 1996, approximately $37,860,000 was
outstanding under the Provident Loans. The Company used a portion of the
proceeds from the Offering to repay the Provident Loans.

    The Company also had in place three senior secured term loan arrangements
with Texas Commerce Bank National Association ("TCB") which bear interest at a
weighted average of 7.87% for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and are
indirectly guaranteed in whole or in part by Messrs. Payne, Duffey and Snyder.
As of June 30, 1996, approximately $16,709,000 was outstanding under these
notes. The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the Offering to repay the
TCB loans.

    In connection with repayment of debt, a substantial portion of the
capitalized debt issuance cost (approximately $840,000) will be written off in
the third quarter of 1996 (the quarter in which the debt was repaid).

    In conjunction with the closing of the Offering, the Company entered into a
new Credit Facility for a $75 million revolving line of credit. The Credit
Facility provides for both LIBOR and base rate interest

                                      -13-

options. The facility is unsecured with a term of three years and contains
customary restrictive covenants, including a restriction on the payment of
dividends on common stock, and requires the Company to maintain certain
financial ratios, which may effectively limit the Company's borrowing capacity. 
As of September 13, 1996, $21,500,000 was outstanding under the line of credit.

    Eight funeral homes and one cemetery were acquired from July 1, 1996 through
September 13, 1996 for approximately $18.6 million. These acquisitions were
funded through additional debt, issuance of preferred stock, issuance of Class A
Common Stock and available cash.

    The Company expects to continue to aggressively pursue additional
acquisitions of funeral homes and cemeteries following the completion of the
Offering to take advantage of the trend toward consolidation of funeral homes
and cemeteries occurring in the industry which will require significant levels
of funding from various sources. Management believes that cash flow from
operations, borrowings under the Credit Facility and potential issuances of
equity securities will be used to fund such acquisitions.

    The Company currently expects to incur approximately $1.2 million for
capital expenditures in the remainder of 1996, primarily for upgrading funeral
home facilities. Management believes that cash flows from operations and the
borrowing capacity available under the Credit Facility should be sufficient to
meet its anticipated capital expenditures and other operating requirements for
the remainder of 1996 and 1997. However, because future cash flows and the
availability of financing are subject to a number of variables, such as the
number and size of acquisitions made by the Company, there can be no assurance
that the Company's capital resources will be sufficient to fund acquisitions.
Additional debt and equity financing may be required in connection with future
acquisitions.

SEASONALITY

    Although the death care business is relatively stable and fairly
predictable, the Company's business can be affected by seasonal fluctuations in
the death rate. Generally, death rates are higher during the winter months. In
addition the quarterly results of the Company may fluctuate depending on the
magnitude and timing of acquisitions.

                                      -14-

PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

           In connection with the Company's initial public offering, the
           Company's stockholders approved by written consent an amendment and
           restatement to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and the
           Company's Bylaws. An information statement concerning the proposed
           changes to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws was first
           mailed to the Company's stockholders on June 15, 1996. Pursuant to
           Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, holders of each
           of the classes of securities of the Company outstanding as of June
           15, 1996 approved the proposed changes to the Certificate of
           Incorporation and the Bylaws. The Amended and Restated Certificate of
           Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
           Delaware on July 3, 1996.

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)     Exhibits

        3.1 -- Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company

       10.1 -- Loan Agreement by and among the Company and NationsBank of
               Texas, N.A., Provident Services, Inc. and Bank One Texas, N.A. 
               dated August 13, 1996

       11.1 -- Statement regarding computation of per share earnings

       27.1 -- Financial Data Schedule

(b)     Reports on Form 8-K

    No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended June 30, 1996.

                                      -15-

                                    SIGNATURE

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                        CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

September 13, 1996                          /s/ MARK W. DUFFEY
Date                                    Mark W. Duffey, Executive Vice
                                        President and Chief Financial Officer
                                        (Principal Financial Officer and Duly
                                        Authorized Officer)

                                      -16-


                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1

                AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

          (Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation
                          Law of the State of Delaware)

        Carriage Services, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and
by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
"Corporation"), does hereby certify as follows:

        1. The name of the Corporation is Carriage Services, Inc. and the name
under which the Corporation was originally incorporated was Carriage Funeral
Services, Inc. Th date of filing of the Corporation's original Certificate of
Incorporation was December 29, 1993.

        2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Restated
Certificate of Incorporation") restates and integrates and further amends the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

        3. The text of the Certificate of Incorporation as amended or
supplemented heretofore is further amended hereby to read in full as set forth
herein and in Exhibits A, B, C and D hereto containing the Amended and Restated
Certificates of Designation, Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the
Corporation's Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C
Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, respectively:

                                   ARTICLE I.

        The name of the Corporation is Carriage Services, Inc.

                                   ARTICLE II

        The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is
located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of
Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the registered agent of the
Corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

                                   ARTICLE III

        The purpose for which the Corporation is organized is to engage in any
and all lawful acts and activity for which corporations may be organized under
the General Corporation Law of Delaware. The Corporation will have perpetual
existence.

                                   ARTICLE IV.

                                        1

        The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have
authority to issue is, 80,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i)
50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share ("Preferred
Stock"); (ii)15,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
("Class A Common Stock"); and (iii) 15,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share ("Class B Common Stock"; the Class A Common Stock and
the Class B Common Stock are collectively referred to as "Common Stock").

        Effective upon filing of this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, 1996, each
issued and outstanding share of previously authorized common stock of the
Corporation ("Old Common Stock") shall represent one validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable share of Class B Common Stock. Each certificate which
theretofore represented shares of Old Common Stock shall thereafter represent
that number of shares of Class B Common Stock; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that each
person holding of record a stock certificate or certificates which represented
shares of Old Common Stock shall receive, upon surrender of such certificate or
certificates, a new certificate or certificates evidencing and representing the
number of shares of Class B Common Stock to which such person is entitled.

        The designations and the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications,
limitations, and restrictions of the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock are as
follows:

1.      Provisions Relating to the Common Stock.

        (a) DIVIDENDS. Subject to the prior rights and preferences, if any,
applicable to shares of the Preferred Stock or any class or series thereof, each
share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder of record thereof to receive
dividends out of funds legally available therefor, when, as and if declared by
the board of directors of the Corporation with respect to any of such class of
stock. No dividend shall be declared or paid in respect of any Common Stock
unless the holders of both the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock
receive the same per share dividend, payable in the same amount and type of
consideration, as if such classes constituted a single class, except that if any
dividend is declared that is payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or Class
B Common Stock, such dividend shall be declared and paid at the same rate per
share with respect to the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, and
the dividend payable on shares of Class A Common Stock shall be payable only in
shares of Class A Common Stock and the dividend payable on shares of Class B
Common Stock shall be payable only in shares of Class B Common Stock.

        (b) LIQUIDATION RIGHTS. The holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to
participate in the net assets of the Corporation remaining after any
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation,
whether voluntary or involuntary, and after payment or provision for the payment
of the debts and liabilities of the Corporation and payment of the liquidation
preference of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation having such a
preference, distributing such proceeds pro-rata among the holders of Common
Stock. The holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock
shall participate in such assets as if such classes constituted a single class
of stock. A dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Corporation, as such
terms are used in this paragraph (b), shall not be deemed to be occasioned by or
to include any consolidation or merger of

                                        2

the Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations or other
entity or a sale, lease, exchange, or conveyance of all or a part of the assets
of the Corporation.

        (c) VOTING RIGHTS.

               (i) Except as may otherwise be expressly required by the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and
the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a single
class, provided, however, that with respect to each matter properly brought
before the shareholders for their consideration and vote, each share of Class A
Common Stock shall entitle the registered holder thereof to one vote on all
matters brought before the common stockholders of the Corporation for a vote and
each share of Class B Common Stock shall entitle the registered holder thereof
to ten votes on all matters brought before the common stockholders of the
Corporation for a vote.

               (ii) In the case of each share of Class B Common Stock held of
record by a bank, voting trustee, broker, dealer, clearing agency, or any
nominee thereof, or by any other nominee of the beneficial owner of such share,
the registered holder of such share will be entitled, notwithstanding the
foregoing limitation, to cast ten votes with respect to such share if such
holder shall establish to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such share
has been beneficially owned continuously from the date of issuance by the
original beneficial owner (whose name and address must be specified to the
Corporation), or by a Permitted Transferee (as defined in paragraph 1(e) of
Article IV hereof) of such original beneficial owner. Any such registered holder
who wishes to cast ten votes per share shall file with the transfer agent for
the Class B Common Stock a certificate, on a form that will be mailed to such
holder by such transfer agent on request, certifying as to the information
specified in the preceding sentence and specifying the date on which such holder
desires to exercise voting rights (the "Voting Date"). Any such certificate
shall be deemed filed only if received by the transfer agent not less than ten
nor more than 30 days prior the Voting Date. If such certificate shall not
establish to the satisfaction of the Corporation that the registered holder is
entitled to cast ten votes per share, then, within five business days after the
receipt thereof by the transfer agent, the Corporation shall mail to the person
filing such certificate a notice that describes the deficiency and, unless the
Corporation determines that such person shall have a reasonable opportunity to
cure such deficiency prior to the Voting Date, notifies such person that such
person shall be entitled to only one vote per share on the Voting Date.

        (d) CONVERSION BY REGISTERED HOLDER.

               (i) Each share of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible at
any time, at the option of the registered holder thereof, into one fully paid
and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock of the Corporation.

               (ii) No fractional shares of Class A Common Stock shall be issued
upon such conversion, but in lieu thereof the Corporation shall pay to the
holder an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such fractional
share.

               (iii) To convert shares of Class B Common Stock under this
paragraph 1(d), the registered holder thereof shall surrender the certificate or
certificates representing such shares, duly

                                        3

endorsed to the Corporation or in blank (which endorsement shall correspond
exactly with the name or names of the registered holder or holders set forth on
the face of the certificates and on the stock transfer records of the
Corporation), at the office of the transfer agent for the shares of Class B
Common Stock (which may be either the Corporation or any third party retained by
it for such purpose), and shall give written notice to the transfer agent and
the Corporation that such holder elects to convert all or part of the shares
represented thereby, stating therein the names or names (with the address or
addresses) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Class A Common
Stock are to be issued.

               (iv) If the registered holder fully complies with paragraph
(iii), the Corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, instruct the
transfer agent to deliver to such holder, or to such holder's nominee or
nominees, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Class A
Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled, rounded to the nearest
whole number of shares, and a check for any amount payable hereunder in lieu of
a fractional share, along with a certificate representing any shares of Class B
Common Stock that the holder has not elected to convert hereunder but which
constituted part of the shares of Class B Common Stock represented by the
certificate or certificates surrendered.

               (v) Shares of Class B Common Stock shall be deemed to have been
converted as of the close of business on the date of the due surrender of the
certificates representing the shares to be converted as provided above, and the
person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record
holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock at such time.

               (vi) If the Corporation shall in any manner split or subdivide
the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, the
outstanding shares of the other such class of Common Stock shall be split or
subdivided in the same manner, proportionately and on the same basis per share.

               (vii) When shares of Class B Common Stock have been converted
pursuant to this paragraph (d), they shall be irrevocably canceled and not
reissued.

        (e) AUTOMATIC CONVERSION. Any shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding
on December 31, 2001, without further action of the holder thereof, shall be
automatically converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and certificates
formerly representing outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall thereupon
and thereafter represent the like number of shares of Class A Common Stock.

        (f) TRANSFERS OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK. No person holding any share of
Class B Common Stock shall transfer, and the Corporation shall not register (nor
permit the transfer agent for the Class B Common Stock to register) the transfer
of, any shares of Class B Common Stock or any interest therein, whether by sale,
assignment, gift, bequest, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or any other
disposition, except to a "Permitted Transferee" of such person (as defined below
in this paragraph). If a holder of shares of Class B Common Stock transfers any
such shares to any person or entity other than a "Permitted Transferee," such
transfer, without any further action of the parties or the Corporation, shall
automatically and irrevocably convert such shares into an equal number of

                                        4

shares of Class A Common Stock from the date of such transfer. The term
"Permitted Transferee" shall mean only:

               (i) the spouse and any lineal descendant (including adopted
        children) of any person duly holding shares of Class A Common Stock (a
        "Qualified Holder"), and any spouse of any such lineal descendant (all
        such spouses and lineal descendants being hereinafter referred to as
        "Family Members");

               (ii) the trustee of a trust for the sole benefit of a Qualified
        Holder or Family Members;

               (iii) a partnership made up exclusively of Qualified Holders or
        Family Members or a corporation or limited liability company wholly
        owned by Qualified Holders or Family Members, provided, however, that as
        of the date that such partnership, corporation or company no longer
        comprised of or owned exclusively by Qualified Holders or Family
        Members, such partnership, corporation or company will no longer be a
        Permitted Transferee and any Class B Common Stock held by it shall
        automatically and irrevocably be converted into Class A Common Stock
        without any further action of the parties or the Corporation; or

               (iv) the executor, administrator or personal representative of
        the estate of a qualified holder or of any Family Member, or the
        guardian or conservator of a Qualified Holder or any Family Member who
        has been adjudged disabled by a court of competent jurisdiction.

2.      Provisions Relating to the Preferred Stock.

        (a) The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more
classes or series, the shares of each class or series to have any designations
and powers, preferences, and rights, and qualifications, limitations, and
restrictions thereof as are stated and expressed in this Article IV and in the
resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such class or series
adopted by the board of directors of the Corporation as hereafter prescribed.

        (b) Authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the board of
directors of the Corporation to authorize the issuance of the Preferred Stock
from time to time in one or more classes or series, and with respect to each
class or series of the Preferred Stock, to state by the resolution or
resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the
following:

               (i) whether or not the class or series is to have voting rights,
special, or limited, or is to be without voting rights, and whether or not such
class or series is to be entitled to vote as a separate class either alone or
together with the holders of one or more other classes or series of stock;

               (ii) the number of shares to constitute the class or series and
the designations thereof;

                                        5

               (iii) the preferences and relative, participating, optional, or
other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations, or
restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any class or series;

               (iv) whether or not the shares of any class or series shall be
redeemable at the option of the Corporation or the holders thereof or upon the
happening of any specified event, and, if redeemable, the redemption price or
prices (which may be payable in the form of cash, notes, securities, or other
property), and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions upon
which, such shares shall be redeemable and the manner of redemption;

               (v) whether or not the shares of a class or series shall be
subject to the operation of retirement or sinking funds to be applied to the
purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement, and, if such retirement or
sinking fund or funds are to be established, the periodic amount thereof, and
the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;

               (vi) the dividend rate, whether dividends are payable in cash,
stock of the Corporation, or other property, the conditions upon which and the
times when such dividends are payable, the preference to or the relation to the
payment of dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock,
whether or not such dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and if
cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall accumulate;

               (vii) the preferences, if any, and the amounts thereof which the
holders of any class or series thereof shall be entitled to receive upon the
voluntary or involuntary dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets
of, the Corporation;

               (viii) whether or not the shares of any class or series, at the
option of the Corporation or the holder thereof or upon the happening of any
specified event, shall be convertible into or exchangeable for the shares of any
other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or
classes of stock, securities, or other property of the Corporation and the
conversion price or prices or ratio or ratios or the rate or rates at which such
conversion or exchange may be made, with such adjustments, if any, as shall be
stated and expressed or provided for in such resolution or resolutions; and

               (ix) any other special rights and protective provisions with
respect to any class or series as may to the board of directors of the
Corporation seem advisable.

        (c) The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary
from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any or all of the
foregoing respects and in any other manner. The board of directors of the
Corporation may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated
for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series
authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any
other class or series. The board of directors of the Corporation may decrease
the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or
series by a resolution subtracting from such class or series authorized and
unissued shares of the Preferred Stock designated for such existing class or
series, and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued, and
undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock.

                                        6

3.      General.

        (a) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, the Corporation may issue shares of its Preferred Stock and
Common Stock from time to time for such consideration (not less than the par
value thereof) as may be fixed by the board of directors of the Corporation,
which is expressly authorized to fix the same in its absolute discretion subject
to the foregoing conditions. Shares so issued for which the consideration shall
have been paid or delivered to the Corporation shall be deemed fully paid stock
and shall not be liable to any further call or assessment thereon, and the
holders of such shares shall not be liable for any further payments in respect
of such shares.

        (b) The Corporation shall have authority to create and issue rights and
options entitling their holders to purchase shares of the Corporation's capital
stock of any class or series or other securities of the Corporation, and such
rights and options shall be evidenced by instrument(s) approved by the board of
directors of the Corporation. The board of directors of the Corporation shall be
empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise, and other
terms of such rights or options; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the consideration to be
received for any shares of capital stock subject thereto shall not be less than
the par value thereof.

                                   ARTICLE V.

        The number, classification, and terms of the board of directors of the
Corporation and the procedures to elect directors, to remove directors, and to
fill vacancies in the board of directors shall be as follows:

        (a) The number of directors that shall constitute the whole board of
directors shall from time to time be fixed exclusively by the board of directors
by a resolution adopted by a majority of the whole board of directors serving at
the time of that vote. In no event shall the number of directors that constitute
the whole board of directors be fewer than three. No decrease in the number of
directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent
director. Directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot
unless the by-laws of the Corporation otherwise provide.

        (b) The board of directors of the Corporation shall be divided into
three classes designated Class I, Class II, and Class III, respectively, all as
nearly equal in number as possible, with each director then in office receiving
the classification that at least a majority of the board of directors
designates. The initial term of office of directors of Class I shall expire at
the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation in 1997, of Class II shall
expire at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation in 1998, and of
Class III shall expire at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation
in 1999, and in all cases as to each director until his successor is elected and
qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. At each annual
meeting of stockholders beginning with the annual meeting of stockholders in
1997, each director elected to succeed a director whose term is then expiring
shall hold his office until the third annual meeting of stockholders after his
election and until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier
death, resignation or removal. If the number of directors that constitutes the
whole board of directors is changed as permitted by this Article V, the majority
of the whole board of directors that adopts

                                        7

the change shall also fix and determine the number of directors comprising each
class; provided, however, that any increase or decrease in the number of
directors shall be apportioned among the classes as equally as possible.

        (c) Vacancies in the board of directors resulting from death,
resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office, or other cause
and newly-created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized
number of directors may be filled by no less than a majority vote of the
remaining directors then in office, though less than a quorum, who are
designated to represent the same class or classes of stockholders that the
vacant position, when filled, is to represent or by the sole remaining director
(but not by the stockholders except as required by law), and each director so
chosen shall receive the classification of the vacant directorship to which he
has been appointed or, if it is a newly-created directorship, shall receive the
classification that at least a majority of the board of directors designates and
shall hold office until the first meeting of stockholders held after his
election for the purpose of electing directors of that classification and until
his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation,
or removal from office.

        (d) A director of any class of directors of the Corporation may be
removed before the expiration date of that director's term of office, only for
cause, by an affirmative vote of the holders of not less than eighty percent
(80%) of the votes of the outstanding shares of the class or classes or series
of stock then entitled to be voted at an election of directors of that class or
series, voting together as a single class, cast at the annual meeting of
stockholders or at any special meeting of stockholders called by a majority of
the whole board of directors for this purpose.

        (e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser or no
vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular
class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders
of not less than eighty percent (80%) of the votes of the outstanding shares of
the Corporation then entitled to be voted in an election of directors, voting
together as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt
any provision inconsistent with, this Article V.

                                   ARTICLE VI.

        All of the power of the Corporation, insofar as it may be lawfully
vested by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the board of directors,
is hereby conferred upon the board of directors of the Corporation. In
furtherance of and not in limitation of that power or the powers conferred by
law, (1) a majority of directors then in office (or such higher percentage as
may be specified in the by-laws with respect to any provision thereof) shall
have the power to adopt, amend, and repeal the by-laws of the Corporation; (2)
the stockholders of the Corporation shall have no power to appoint or remove
directors as members of committees of the board of directors, nor to abrogate
the power of the board of directors to establish any such committees or the
power of any such committee to exercise the powers and authority of the board of
directors; (3) the stockholders of the Corporation shall have no power to elect
or remove officers of the Corporation nor to abrogate the power of the board of
directors to elect and remove officers of the Corporation; and (4)
notwithstanding any other provision of this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser or no
vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular

                                        8

class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the by-laws of the Corporation shall
not be adopted, altered, amended or repealed by the stockholders of the
Corporation except in accordance with the provisions of the by-laws and by the
vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of
stock then entitled to vote upon the election of directors, voting together as a
single class, or such higher vote as is set forth in the by-laws. In the event
of a direct conflict between the by-laws of the Corporation and this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the provisions of this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation shall be controlling. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might
otherwise permit a lesser or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of
the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock of the
Corporation required by law or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than eighty percent (80%) of the
votes of the shares of the Corporation then entitled to be voted in an election
of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend or
repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article VI.

                                  ARTICLE VII.

        Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the
Corporation may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting
forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having
not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize
or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon
were present and voted.

                                  ARTICLE VIII.

        Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation, and any
proposals to be considered at such meetings, may be called and proposed
exclusively by the board of directors, pursuant to a resolution approved by a
majority of the members of the board of directors at the time in office, and no
stockholder of the Corporation shall require the board of directors to call a
special meeting of common stockholders or to propose business at a special
meeting of stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law or regulation, no
business proposed by a stockholder to be considered at an annual meeting of the
stockholders (including the nomination of any person to be elected as a director
of the Corporation) shall be considered by the stockholders at that meeting
unless, no later than sixty (60) days before the annual meeting of stockholders
or (if later) ten days after the first public notice of that meeting is sent to
stockholders, the Corporation receives from the stockholder proposing that
business a written notice that sets forth (1) the nature of the proposed
business with reasonable particularity, including the exact text of any proposal
to be presented for adoption, and the reasons for conducting that business at
the annual meeting; (2) with respect to each such stockholder, that
stockholder's name and address (as they appear on the records of the
Corporation), business address and telephone number, residence address and
telephone number, and the number of shares of each class of stock of the
Corporation beneficially owned by that stockholder; (3) any interest of the
stockholder in the proposed business; (4) the name or names of each person
nominated by the stockholder to be elected or re-elected as a director, if any;
and (5) with respect to each nominee, that nominee's name, business address and
telephone number, and residence address and telephone number, the number of
shares, if any, of each class of stock of the Corporation owned directly and
beneficially by that nominee, and all information relating to that nominee that
is required

                                        9

to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for elections of directors, or is
otherwise required, pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (or any provision of law subsequently
replacing Regulation 14A), together with a duly acknowledged letter signed by
the nominee stating his or her acceptance of the nomination by that stockholder,
stating his or her intention to serve as director if elected, and consenting to
being named as a nominee for director in any proxy statement relating to such
election. The person presiding at the annual meeting shall determine whether
business (including the nomination of any person as a director) has been
properly brought before the meeting and, if the facts so warrant, shall not
permit any business (or voting with respect to any particular nominee) to be
transacted that has not been properly brought before the meeting.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser or no
vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular
class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders
of not less than eighty percent (80%) of the shares of the Corporation then
entitled to be voted in an election of directors, voting together as a single
class, shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision
inconsistent with, this Article VIII.

                                   ARTICLE IX.

        No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of
its directors, officers, or stockholders or between the Corporation and any
person (as used herein "person" means any corporation, partnership, association,
firm, trust, joint venture, political subdivision, or instrumentality) or other
organization in which one or more of its directors, officers, or stockholders
are directors, officers, or stockholders, or have a financial interest, shall be
void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or
officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the board or any
committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely
because his, her, or their votes are counted for such purpose, if: (i) the
material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract
or transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of directors or the
committee, and the board of directors or the committee in good faith authorizes
the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the
disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a
quorum; or (ii) the material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and
as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders
entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically
approved in good faith by majority vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the
contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is
authorized, approved, or ratified by the board of directors, a committee
thereof, or the stockholders. Interested directors may be counted in determining
the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors or of a
committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

                                    ARTICLE X

        The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless any person who was,
is, or is threatened to be made a party to a proceeding (as hereinafter defined)
by reason of the fact that he or she (i) is or was a director or officer of the
Corporation or (ii) while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was
serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner,
venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, or similar functionary of
another foreign or domestic corporation, partner ship, joint venture, sole
proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, to the
fullest extent permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same
exists or may hereafter be amended. Such right shall be a contract right and as
such shall run to the benefit of any director or officer who is elected and
accepts the position of director or officer of the Corporation or elects to
continue to serve as a director or officer of the Corporation while this Article
X is in effect. Any repeal or amendment of this Article X shall be prospective
only and shall not limit the rights of any such director or officer or the
obligations of the Corporation with respect to any claim arising from or related
to the services of such director or officer in any of the foregoing capacities
prior to any such repeal or amendment to this Article X. Such right shall
include the right to be paid by the Corporation expenses incurred in defending
any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the maximum extent
permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses
hereunder is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a
written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time
thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of
the claim, and if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall also be
entitled to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a
defense to any such action that such indemnification or advancement of costs of
defense are not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law, but the
burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure
of the Corporation (including its board of directors, independent legal counsel,
or stockholders) to have made its determination prior to the commencement of
such action that in demnification of, or advancement of costs of defense to, the
claimant is permissible in the circumstances nor an actual determination by the
Corporation (including its board of directors, independent legal counsel, or
stockholders) that such indemnification or advancement is not permissible shall
be a defense to the action or create a presumption that such indemnification or
advancement is not permissible. In the event of the death of any person having a
right of indemnification under the foregoing provisions, such right shall inure
to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors, administrators, and personal
representatives. The rights conferred above shall not be exclusive of any other
right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, bylaw,
resolution of stockholders or directors, agreement, or otherwise.

        The Corporation may additionally indemnify any employee or agent of the
Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

        As used herein, the term "proceeding" means any threatened, pending, or
completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative,
arbitrative, or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit, or
proceeding, and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action,
suit, or proceeding.

                                   ARTICLE XI

        Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the by-laws
of the Corporation shall so provide.

                                       10

                                   ARTICLE XII

        A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing
violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit. Any repeal or amendment of this Article XI by the stockholders
of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any
limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation arising
from an act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or amendment.
In addition to the circumstances in which a director of the Corporation is not
personally liable as set forth in the foregoing provisions of this Article XI, a
director shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders to such
further extent as permitted by any law hereafter enacted, including, without
limitation, any subsequent amendment to the Delaware General Corporation Law.

        4. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly
adopted by vote of the stockholders in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245
of the General Corporation Law of the state of Delaware.

                                       11

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said Carriage Services, Inc. has caused this Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by Melvin C. Payne, its
President, this 2nd day of July, 1996.


                             Carriage Services, Inc.



                             By: /s/ MELVIN C. PAYNE
                                     Melvin C. Payne, 
                                     President

                                       12
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                    CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION, PREFERENCES,
                             RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

                                       OF

                            SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

        Pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the
Corporation by its Certificate of Incorporation, and pursuant to the provisions
of Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, such Board of
Directors by written unanimous consent dated January 14, 1994, duly adopted a
resolution providing for the issuance of a series of Seven Million (7,000,000)
shares of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, to be
designated "Series A Preferred Stock", and fixing the voting powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof. The following is a restatement of the
original Certificate of Designation, Preferences, Rights and Limitations to
reflect amendments to the original resolution that were adopted by the
stockholders of the Corporation, including the holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock, by written consent pursuant to Section 228 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware:
               There shall be established and authorized for issuance a series
        of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share,
        designated "Series A Preferred Stock" (herein referred to as "Series A
        Preferred Stock"), consisting of Seven Million (7,000,000) shares, each
        of the par value of $.01 per share, and having the voting powers,
        preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights, and
        the qualifications, limitations or restrictions set forth below:

        1.     DEFINITIONS. For purposes hereof, the following terms shall have
               the following definitions or shall be subject to the following
               rules of construction:

                      (a) "Act" means the General Corporation Law of Delaware,
               as amended, or any successor state statute.

                      (b) "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of
               the Corporation.

                      (c) "Common Stock" means (i) shares of Class A Common
               Stock, or (ii) shares of Class B Common Stock, as applicable.
               "Class A Common Stock" means the Corporation's Class A Common
               Stock, par value $.01 per share. "Class B Common Stock" means the
               Corporation's Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

                      (d) "Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of the Corporation
               determined from time to time by the Board of Directors for
               financial reporting purposes.

                      (e) "Initial Public Offering" means an underwritten public
               offering of either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock
               pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities
               Act (other than any registration statement relating to warrants,
               options or shares of capital stock of the Corporation granted or
               to be granted or sold primarily to employees, directors, or
               officers of the Corporation, a registration statement filed
               pursuant to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor
               rule, a registration statement relating to employee benefit plans
               or interests therein or any registration statement covering
               securities issued in connection with any debt financing of the
               Corporation).

                      (f) "Major Transaction" means a single transaction
               involving, or a series of transactions having the cumulative
               effect of, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets or
               the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, or a merger or
               consolidation of the Corporation with or into another corporation
               or other entity in which the Corporation is not the survivor, or
               any combination of the foregoing involving the Corporation or one
               or more of its subsidiaries.

                      (g) The term "outstanding", when used with reference to
               shares of capital stock, shall mean issued shares, excluding
               shares held by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the
               Corporation.

                      (h) "Preferred Stock" means shares of any series of the
               Corpo ration's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (i) "Return Amount" means an amount expressed in dollars
               computed by multiplying the Return Percentage times $1.00 (in the
               case of Series A Preferred Stock) or the initial Conversion Price
               under Section 5(c) below (in the case of Class B Common Stock),
               as the case may be.

                                       -2-

                      (j) "Return Percentage" means, for any given period of
               time, the aggregate percentage computed at the rate of five
               percent (5%) per annum from the date of issuance of the Series A
               Preferred Stock through the date in question.

                      (k) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
               amended.

                      (l) "Series A Preferred Stock" means the series of
               Preferred Stock designated by the Corporation as its Series A
               Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (m) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly
               defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in
               accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
               consistently applied and in effect as of the date of the relevant
               calculation.

                      (n) Whenever any reference is made herein to the
               outstanding shares of Common Stock determined "on a fully diluted
               basis," such reference shall mean the total number of shares of
               Common Stock which would be outstanding after giving effect to
               the full conversion, exercise or exchange of all capital stock,
               convertible notes, warrants, options and other securities
               convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable with the Common
               Stock, including (without limitation) the Series A Preferred
               Stock, without regard to vesting rights and other similar
               contingencies.

        2.     DIVIDENDS. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
               shall be entitled to receive dividends on account of such shares
               only when and as declared by the Board of Directors.

        3.     REDEMPTION.

                      (a) MANDATORY REDEMPTION. On December 31, 2003, the
               Corporation shall redeem all of the shares of Series A Preferred
               Stock then outstanding (subject, however, to the right of the
               holders of the Series A Preferred Stock to convert their shares
               pursuant to Section 5), at a redemption price of $1.50 per share.

                      (b) GENERAL. From and after the setting aside of the funds
               necessary for redemption, notwithstanding that any certificate
               for shares of Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption
               shall not have been sur rendered for cancellation, the shares to
               be redeemed shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and the
               holders of certificates representing such shares shall have with
               respect to such shares no rights in or with respect to the
               Corporation except the right to receive, upon the surrender of
               such certificates, the redemption price therefor. Shares of
               Series A Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to
               this Section 3, or shares of Series A

                                      -3-

               Preferred Stock otherwise purchased by the Corporation, shall not
               be reissued and shall be cancelled and retired in the manner
               provided by the laws of the State of Delaware, and no shares of
               Series A Preferred Stock shall be issued in lieu thereof.

        4.     PREFERENCE ON LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP.

                      (a) DEFINITION. A consolidation or merger of the
               Corporation, a sale or transfer of substantially all of its
               assets as an entirety, or any purchase or redemption of capital
               stock of the Corporation of any class, shall not be regarded as
               "liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
               Corporation" within the meaning of this Section 4, unless
               pursuant to such event or transaction the Corporation is
               permanently or indefinitely ceasing its business activities in
               the funeral service industry.

                      (b) SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK. During any proceedings for
               the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
               up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of the Series A
               Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, before any
               distribution of the assets of the Corporation shall be made in
               respect of the outstanding Common Stock, an amount in cash for
               each share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to (i) $1.25, if
               such proceedings occur on or before December 31, 1998, or (ii)
               $1.00 plus the Return Amount, if such proceedings occur after
               December 31, 1998 (in either event the "Liquidation Preference"),
               or funds necessary for such payment shall have been set aside in
               trust for the account of the holders of the out standing Series A
               Preferred Stock so as to be and continue available therefor. If
               upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the assets
               distributable to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock
               shall be insufficient to permit the payment to them of such
               Liquidation Preference per share, the assets of the Corporation
               shall be distributed to the holders of the Series A Preferred
               Stock ratably until they shall have received the full amount to
               which they would otherwise be entitled. If the assets of the
               Corporation are sufficient to permit the payment of such amounts
               to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the remainder of
               the assets of the Corporation, if any, after the dis tributions
               as aforesaid shall be distributed and divided ratably among the
               holders of the Common Stock then outstanding according to their
               respective shares.

        5.     CONVERSION. The Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible
               into Class B Common Stock in accordance with the following
               provisions of this Section 5.

                      (a) OPTIONAL CONVERSION. Subject to and upon compliance
               with the provisions of this Section 5, each holder of shares of
               Series A Preferred Stock shall have the right at such holder's
               option, at any time prior to December 31, 2003, to convert all or
               any portion of such holder's shares of Series A Preferred Stock
               into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Class B Common Stock,
               at the Conversion Price (hereafter defined) in effect on the

                                       -4-

               Conversion Date (hereafter defined), upon the terms hereinafter
               set forth. In the event of any mandatory redemption of Series A
               Preferred Stock under Section 3, each holder of Series A
               Preferred Stock may elect to convert all or any portion of such
               holder's shares into Class B Common Stock pursuant to this
               Section 5, in which case the provisions of this Section 5 shall
               govern and control as to the shares so converted.

                      (b) AUTOMATIC CONVERSION. On the date that either (i) a
               registration statement that has been filed with the Securities
               and Exchange Commission with respect to an Initial Public
               Offering shall become effective under the Securities Act, in
               which the public offering price per share is at least equal to
               one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the Conversion Price
               then in effect, or (ii) a Major Transaction has occurred, in
               which the net proceeds that the Board of Directors in good faith
               determines will be paid to a holder of Common Stock therefrom is
               anticipated to be at least equal to one hundred twenty-five
               percent (125%) of the Conversion Price then in effect, then in
               either such event each share of Series A Preferred Stock then
               outstanding shall be automatically converted into shares of Class
               B Common Stock in accordance with the following provisions of
               this Section 5. In the case of net proceeds from a Major
               Transaction other than in cash, the value of such proceeds shall
               be determined by the Board of Directors, and for purposes of this
               paragraph (b) and paragraph (f)(vii) below, the good faith
               determination of the Board of Directors shall be conclusive.
               Notwithstanding that any certificates for shares of Series A
               Preferred Stock shall not have been surrendered for cancellation,
               the shares of Series A Preferred Stock so converted shall no
               longer be deemed outstanding, and the holders of certificates
               representing such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have,
               from and after the date referred to above, the same rights in or
               with respect to the Corporation has holders of shares of the
               number of shares of Class B Common Stock into which such shares
               of Series A Preferred Stock have been so converted. Each such
               holder shall have the right, upon surrender of such certificates,
               to receive from the Corporation a certificate or certificates
               representing the number of shares of Class B Common Stock
               calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this
               Section 5 registered in the name of such holder. Within 30 days
               following the effective date of such registration statement or
               the consummation of such Major Transaction, the Corporation shall
               deliver to each holder whose shares of Series A Preferred Stock
               have been converted into Class B Common Stock as provided
               hereunder a written notice setting forth the fact and effective
               date of such conversion, the number of shares of Class B Common
               Stock into which such holder's shares of Series A Preferred Stock
               were converted, and a statement that such holder is entitled to
               receive a new certificate representing such number of shares of
               Class B Common Stock in exchange for the certificates
               representing such holder's shares of Series A Preferred Stock;
               provided, however, that the failure of the Corporation to provide
               such notice to any holder or any deficiency in any such notice
               shall not impair or affect the

                                      -5-

               automatic conversion of such holder's Series A Preferred Stock
               into Class B Common Stock as provided herein.

                      (c) CONVERSION PRICE. The shares of Series A Preferred
               Stock to be converted shall be convertible into the number of
               shares of Class B Common Stock as is determined by multiplying
               the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted
               by a fraction, the numerator of which is $1.00 and the
               denominator of which is the Conversion Price in effect on the
               Conversion Date. The Conversion Price at which shares of Class B
               Common Stock shall initially be issuable upon conversion of
               shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be $3.57-1/7 per share
               (subject to adjustment for certain events including subdivisions
               and combinations of the Common Stock and as provided below,
               hereafter the "Conversion Price").

                      (d) MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. The holder of any shares of
               Series A Preferred Stock may exercise the conversion right
               specified in paragraph (a) above by surrendering to the
               Corporation or any transfer agent of the Corporation the
               certificate or certificates for the shares to be converted,
               accompanied by written notice stating that the holder elects to
               convert all or a specified portion of the shares represented
               thereby. Optional conversion under paragraph (a) shall be deemed
               to have been effected on the date when notice of an election to
               convert and certificates for the shares to be converted has been
               delivered, and automatic conversion under paragraph (b) shall be
               deemed to have been effected as therein provided; any such date
               is referred to herein as the "Conversion Date". As promptly as
               practicable thereafter the Corporation shall issue and deliver to
               or upon the written order of such holders a certificate or
               certificates for the number of full shares of Class B Common
               Stock to which such holders are entitled rounded down to the next
               whole share as provided in paragraph (e) below. The person in
               whose name the certificate or certificates of Class B Common
               Stock are to be issued shall be deemed to have become a holder of
               record of such Class B Common Stock on the Conversion Date.

                      (e) FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Class B
               Common Stock or scrip shall be issued upon conversion of shares
               of Series A Preferred Stock. Instead of any fractional shares of
               Class B Common Stock which would otherwise be issuable upon
               conversion of any shares of Series A Pre ferred Stock, the number
               of full shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon conversion
               thereof shall be reduced to the next lowest number of whole
               shares, and the Corporation will pay a cash adjustment in respect
               of any surrendered shares of Series A Preferred Stock not
               converted into Class B Common Stock in an amount equal to $1.00
               per share of Series A Preferred Stock.

                       (f) CONVERSION PRICE ADJUSTMENTS. The Conversion Price
               and the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon
               conversion

                                      -6-

               ("Conversion Shares") shall be subject to adjustment from time
               to time as follows:

                             (i) CERTAIN ISSUANCES OF EQUITY STOCK. If, at any
                      time following issuance of any Series A Preferred Stock,
                      the Corporation issues any Common Stock, or any security
                      or evidence of indebt edness which is convertible into or
                      exchangeable for Common Stock, or any warrant, option or
                      other right to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock or
                      any security or evidence of indebtedness which is
                      convertible or exchangeable for Common Stock (hereinafter,
                      "Equity Stock"), other than Excluded Stock (as defined in
                      clause (D) below), for a consideration per share less than
                      the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such
                      issuance, then the Conversion Price shall immediately be
                      reduced to a price per share determined by dividing (x) an
                      amount equal to the sum of (i) the number of shares of
                      Equity Stock of the Corporation outstanding immediately
                      prior to such issue or sale multiplied by the then
                      existing Conversion Price and (ii) the consideration, if
                      any, received by the Corporation upon such issue or sale,
                      by (y) the total number of shares of Equity Stock of the
                      Corporation outstanding immediately after such issue or
                      sale. The number of shares of Equity Stock outstanding at
                      any given time for the purposes of the foregoing
                      computation means the shares of Common Stock outstanding
                      together with all shares of Common Stock issuable upon
                      conversion or exercise of any such Equity Stock, excluding
                      any shares of Common Stock previously outstanding that
                      have been reacquired by the Corporation and constitute
                      treasury shares.

                             For purposes of any adjustment of the Conversion
                      Price pursuant to this subparagraph (i) of this Section
                      5(f), the following provisions shall be applicable:

                                    (A) CASH. In the case of the issuance of
                             Equity Stock for cash, the amount of the
                             consideration received by the Corporation shall be
                             deemed to be the amount of the cash proceeds
                             received by the Corporation for such Equity Stock
                             before deducting therefrom any discounts,
                             commissions, taxes, legal and accounting fees or
                             other expenses allowed, paid or incurred by the
                             Corporation in connection with the issuance and
                             sale thereof.

                                    (B) CONSIDERATION OTHER THAN CASH. In the
                             case of the issuance of Equity Stock (other than as
                             described in clause (C) below) for a consideration
                             in whole or in part other than cash, including
                             securities acquired in exchange therefor (other
                             than securities by their terms so exchangeable),
                             the considera tion other than cash shall be deemed
                             to be the fair market

                                      -7-

                             value thereof as reasonably determined by the
                             Board of Directors in good faith.

                                    (C) OPTIONS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES, ETC.
                             In the case of the issuance of (i) options,
                             warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire
                             Common Stock or other Equity Stock (whether or not
                             at the time exercisable), (ii) securities by their
                             terms convertible into or exchangeable for Common
                             Stock or other Equity Stock (whether or not at the
                             time so convertible or exercisable) or (iii)
                             options, warrants or rights to purchase such
                             convertible or exchangeable securities (whether or
                             not at the time exercisable):

                                            (1) the aggregate maximum number of
                                    shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
                                    exercise of such options, warrants or other
                                    rights to purchase or acquire Common Stock
                                    shall be deemed to have been issued at the
                                    time such options, warrants or rights were
                                    issued and for a consideration equal to the
                                    aggre gate consideration (determined in the
                                    manner provided in clauses (A) and (B)
                                    above), if any, re ceived by the Corporation
                                    upon the issuance of such options, warrants
                                    or rights plus the aggregate mini mum
                                    purchase price provided in such options,
                                    warrants or rights for the Common Stock
                                    covered thereby;

                                            (2) the aggregate maximum number of
                                    shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
                                    conversion of or in exchange for any such
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities, or
                                    upon the exercise of options, warrants or
                                    other rights to purchase or acquire such
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities and
                                    the subsequent conversion or exchange
                                    thereof, shall be deemed to have been issued
                                    at the time such securities were issued or
                                    such options, warrants or rights were issued
                                    and for a consideration equal to the
                                    consideration, if any, received by the
                                    Corporation for any such securities and
                                    related options, warrants or rights
                                    (excluding any cash received on account of
                                    accrued interest or accrued dividends), plus
                                    the addi tional consideration, if any, to be
                                    received by the Corporation upon the
                                    conversion or exchange of such securities
                                    and the exercise of any related options,
                                    warrants or rights (the consideration in
                                    each case to be determined in the manner
                                    provided in clauses (A) and (B) above);

                                      -8-

                                            (3) on any change in the number of
                                    shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
                                    exercise of any such options, warrants or
                                    rights or conversion of or exchange for such
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities or
                                    any change in the consideration to be
                                    received by the Corporation upon such
                                    exercise, conversion or exchange, including,
                                    but not limited to, a change resulting from
                                    the anti-dilution provisions thereof, the
                                    Conversion Price as then in effect shall
                                    forthwith be readjusted to such Conversion
                                    Price as would have been obtained had an
                                    adjustment been made upon the issuance of
                                    such options, warrants or rights not
                                    exercised prior to such change, or
                                    securities not converted or exchanged prior
                                    to such change, on the basis of the terms of
                                    such options, warrants, rights or
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities as so
                                    changed;

                                            (4) on the expiration or
                                    cancellation of any such options, warrants
                                    or rights, or the termination of the right
                                    to convert or exchange such convertible or
                                    exchangeable securities, if the Conversion
                                    Price shall have been adjusted upon the
                                    issuance thereof, the Conversion Price shall
                                    forthwith be readjusted to such Conversion
                                    Price as would have been obtained had an
                                    adjustment been made upon the issuance of
                                    such options, warrants, rights or securities
                                    on the basis of the issuance of only the
                                    number of shares of Common Stock actually
                                    issued upon the exercise of such options,
                                    warrants or rights, or upon the conversion
                                    or exchange of such securities; and

                                            (5) regardless of whether the
                                    Conversion Price shall have been adjusted
                                    upon the issuance of any such options,
                                    warrants, rights or convertible or
                                    exchangeable securities, no further
                                    adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be
                                    made for the actual issuance of Common Stock
                                    upon the exercise, conversion or exchange
                                    thereof;

                                    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no adjustment
                             pursuant to this clause (C) shall have the effect
                             of increasing the Conversion Price above the
                             initial Conversion Price.

                                    (D) EXCLUDED STOCK. For purposes hereof,
                             "Excluded Stock" means shares of Common Stock
                             issued or reserved for issuance by the Corporation
                             (i) upon conversion

                                      -9-

                             of the Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) pursuant to a
                             stock dividend, subdivision or split-up covered by
                             paragraph (ii) of this Section 5(f), (iii) to any
                             one or more unaffiliated persons with whom the
                             Corporation or one or more of its subsidiaries
                             effect a business combination (however structured),
                             whether issued in shares of Common Stock or other
                             securities convertible into or exchangeable with
                             the Common Stock, and (iv) upon exercise of options
                             issued to employees of the Corporation or its
                             subsidiaries (other than employees who were the
                             record holders of any Common Stock on December 31,
                             1993) entitling them to acquire Common Stock at a
                             price per share less than the Conversion Price,
                             provided that such exercise price per share is not
                             less than the fair market value per share of Common
                             Stock determined in good faith by the Board of
                             Directors at the time such options are granted.

                             (ii) STOCK DIVIDENDS. If the number of shares of
                      Class B Common Stock outstanding at any time after the
                      issuance of any Series A Preferred Stock is increased by a
                      stock dividend payable in shares of Class B Common Stock
                      or by a subdivision or split-up of shares of Class B
                      Common Stock, then immediately after the record date fixed
                      for the determination of holders of Class B Common Stock
                      entitled to receive such stock dividend or the effective
                      date of such subdivision or split-up, as the case may be,
                      the Conversion Price shall be appropriately decreased and
                      the number of Conversion Shares proportionately increased
                      so that the holders of any shares of Series A Preferred
                      Stock shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of
                      Class B Common Stock of the Corporation which they would
                      have owned immediately following such action had such
                      shares of Series A Preferred Stock been converted
                      immediately prior thereto.

                             (iii) COMBINATION OF STOCK. If the number of shares
                      of Class B Common Stock outstanding at any time after
                      issuance of any class of Series A Preferred Stock is
                      decreased by a combination of the outstanding shares of
                      Class B Common Stock, then, immediately after the
                      effective date of such combination, the Conversion Price
                      shall be appropriately increased and the number of
                      Conversion Shares proportionately decreased so that the
                      holders of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
                      entitled to receive the number of shares of Class B Common
                      Stock of the Corporation which they would have owned
                      immediately following such action had such shares of
                      Series A Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior
                      thereto.

                             (iv) REORGANIZATIONS. In case of any capital
                      reorganization of the Corporation, or of any
                      reclassification of the Common Stock, or in case of the
                      consolidation of the Corporation with or the merger

                                      -10-

                      of the Corporation with or into any other corporation,
                      partnership or other business entity in which the
                      Corporation is not the survivor, or of the sale, lease or
                      other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
                      of the Corporation to any other corporation, partnership
                      or other business entity, or in the case of any
                      distribution of cash (other than dividends not exceeding
                      net income earned in the current fiscal year to the date
                      on which such dividend is declared) or other assets or of
                      notes or other indebtedness of the Corporation or any
                      other securities of the Corporation (except Common Stock)
                      to the holders of its Common Stock, each share of Series A
                      Preferred Stock shall, after such capital reorganization,
                      reclassification, consolidation, mer ger, sale, lease or
                      other transfer or such distribution, be convertible into
                      the number of shares of stock or other securities or
                      property to which the Class B Common Stock issuable (at
                      the time of such capital reorganization, reclassification,
                      consolidation, merger, sale, lease or other transfer or
                      such distribution) upon conversion of such share of Series
                      A Preferred Stock would have been entitled upon such
                      capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation,
                      merger, sale, lease or other transfer or such distribution
                      in place of (or in addition to, in the case of any such
                      event after which Class B Common Stock remains
                      outstanding) the shares of Class B Common Stock into which
                      such share of Series A Preferred Stock would otherwise
                      have been convertible; and in any such case, if necessary,
                      the provisions set forth herein with respect to the rights
                      and interests thereafter of the holders of the shares of
                      Series A Preferred Stock shall be appropri ately adjusted
                      so as to be applicable, as nearly as may reasonably be, to
                      any share of stock or other securities or property
                      thereafter deliverable on the conversion of the shares of
                      Series A Preferred Stock. The subdivision or combination
                      of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon conversion
                      of shares of Series A Preferred Stock at any time
                      outstanding into a greater or lesser number of shares of
                      Class B Common Stock (whether with or without par value)
                      shall not be deemed to be a reclassification of the Class
                      B Common Stock of the Corporation for the purposes of this
                      subparagraph (iii).

                             (v) ROUNDING OF CALCULATIONS; MINIMUM ADJUSTMENT.
                      All calculations under this paragraph (f) shall be made to
                      the nearest cent or to the nearest one hundredth (1/100th)
                      of a share, as the case may be. Any provision of this
                      paragraph (f) to the contrary notwithstanding, no
                      adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be made if the
                      amount of such adjustment would be less than $0.10, but
                      any such amount shall be carried forward and an adjustment
                      with respect thereto shall be made at the time of and
                      together with any subsequent adjustment which, together
                      with such amount and any other amount or amounts so
                      carried forward, shall aggregate $0.10 or more.

                                      -11-

                             (vi) TIMING OF ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL CLASS B
                      COMMON STOCK UPON CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. In any case in
                      which the provisions of this paragraph (f) requires that
                      an adjustment shall become effective immediately after a
                      record date for an event, the Corporation may defer until
                      the occurrence of such event issuing to the holder of any
                      shares of Series A Preferred Stock converted after such
                      record date and before the occurrence of such event the
                      additional shares of Class B Common Stock or other
                      property issuable or deliverable upon exercise by reason
                      of the adjustment required by such event over and above
                      the shares of Class B Common Stock or other property
                      issuable or deliverable upon such conversion before giving
                      effect to such adjustment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER that the
                      Corporation upon request shall deliver to such holder a
                      due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such
                      holder's right to receive such additional shares or other
                      property, and such cash, upon the occurrence of the event
                      re quiring such adjustment.

                             (vii) ADJUSTMENT IF NO INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OR
                      MAJOR TRANSACTION. If on or before December 31, 2000 there
                      has not occurred an Initial Public Offering or a Major
                      Transaction in which the public offering price per share
                      in the Initial Public Offering, or the net proceeds that
                      the Board of Directors in good faith determines will be
                      paid to a holder of Common Stock from the Major
                      Transaction, as the case may be, is at least equal to the
                      Conversion Price then in effect plus the Return Amount,
                      then the Conversion Price then in effect for the Series A
                      Preferred Stock shall be automatically reduced effective
                      as of such date to a price per share determined by
                      reducing the initial Conversion Price under paragraph (c)
                      above to $2.65 per share, and then adjusting the initial
                      Conversion Price (as so reduced) to give effect to any
                      other adjustments to the Conversion Price under this
                      paragraph (f) which have occurred after the date of
                      issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock and prior to the
                      date of adjustment under this subparagraph (vii).

                      (g) STATEMENT REGARDING ADJUSTMENTS. Whenever the
               Conversion Price shall be adjusted as provided in paragraph (f),
               the Corporation shall forthwith file, at the office of any
               transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Stock and at the
               principal office of the Corporation, a statement showing in
               detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Conversion
               Price that shall be in effect after such adjustment, and the
               Corporation shall also cause a copy of such statement to be sent
               by mail, first class postage prepaid, to each holder of the
               Series A Preferred Stock at his or its address appearing on the
               Corporation's records. Each such statement shall be signed by the
               Cor poration's chief financial officer. Where appropriate, such
               copy may be given in advance and may be included as part of a
               notice required to be mailed under the provisions of subparagraph
               (g) below.

                                      -12-

                      (h) NOTICE TO HOLDERS. In the event the Corporation
               proposes to take any action of the type described in subparagraph
               (i), (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (f) above, the Corporation shall
               give notice to each holder of the Series A Preferred Stock in the
               manner set forth in subparagraph (f) above, which notice shall
               specify the record date, if any, with respect to any such action
               and the approximate date on which such action is to take place.
               Such notice shall also set forth such facts with respect thereto
               as shall be reasonably necessary to indicate the effect of such
               action (to the extent such effect may be known at the date of
               such notice) on the Conversion Price and the number, kind or
               class of shares or other securities or property which shall be
               deliverable or purchasable upon the occurrence of such action or
               deliverable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock. In
               the case of any action which would require the fixing of a record
               date, such notice shall be given at least 10 days prior to the
               date so fixed, and in case of all other action, such notice shall
               be given at least 15 days prior to the taking of such proposed
               action.

                      (i) COSTS. The Corporation shall pay all documentary,
               stamp, transfer or other transactional taxes attributable to the
               issuance or delivery of shares of Class B Common Stock of the
               Corporation or other securities or property upon conversion of
               the shares of Series A Preferred Stock; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
               the Corporation shall not be required to pay any taxes which may
               be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or
               delivery of any certificate for such shares or securities in the
               name other than that of the holder of the shares of Series A
               Preferred Stock in respect of which such shares are being issued.

                      (j) RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Corporation shall reserve
               at all times so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock
               remain outstanding, free from preemptive rights, out of its
               treasury stock or its authorized but unissued shares of Class B
               Common Stock, or both, solely for the purpose of effecting the
               conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, sufficient
               shares of Class B Common Stock to provide for the conversion of
               all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and set aside
               and keep available any other property deliverable upon conversion
               of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

                      (k) APPROVALS. If any shares of Class B Common Stock or
               other securities to be reserved for the purpose of conversion of
               shares of Series A Preferred Stock require registration with or
               approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or state
               law before such shares or other securities may be validly issued
               or delivered upon conversion, then the Corporation will in good
               faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to secure such
               regis tration or approval, as the case may be.

                      (l) VALID ISSUANCE. All shares of Class B Common Stock or
               other securities which may be issued upon conversion of the
               shares of Series A

                                      -13-

               Preferred Stock will upon issuance by the Corporation be duly and
               validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all
               taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof and
               the Corporation shall take no action which will cause a contrary
               result.

        6.     VOTING RIGHTS.

                      (a) GENERAL. Except as otherwise provided by law and as
               provided in paragraph (b) below, the holders of Series A
               Preferred Stock shall have no right or power to vote on the
               election of directors or on any other question or in any
               proceedings involving the Corporation.

                      (b) SPECIAL VOTING REQUIREMENTS. Without the consent of
               the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of
               Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, the
               Corporation shall not (i) amend, alter or repeal any provision of
               this Certificate of Designation so as to adversely affect the
               rights or powers of any of the Series A Preferred Stock, or (ii)
               issue any additional shares of another class or series of
               Preferred Stock that has a liquidation preference which is
               superior to the preference given to Series A Preferred Stock
               under Section 4 herein.

                      (c) NOTICE OF CERTAIN STOCKHOLDER ACTIONS. If any action
               is taken by the written consent of less than all of the
               stockholders of the Corporation based upon any proposal submitted
               for consideration by the Board of Directors, then the Corporation
               shall, prior to the time such action by written consent is to
               become effective, send a written notice, by mail, first class
               postage prepaid, to each holder of the Series A Preferred Stock,
               at his or its address appearing on the Corporation's records,
               setting forth a description of the action to be so taken. The
               failure of the Corporation to give the foregoing notice shall not
               affect or impair the validity of the action so taken. The
               foregoing notice requirement shall not confer upon any holder of
               the Series A Preferred Stock any voting rights that are not
               otherwise expressly granted herein.

        7.     EXCLUSION OF OTHER RIGHTS. Unless otherwise required by law,
               neither the shares of Series A Preferred Stock nor the shares of
               Common Stock shall have any voting powers, preferences or
               relative, participating, optional or other special rights other
               than those specifically set forth herein.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                    CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION, PREFERENCES,
                             RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

                                       OF

                            SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

        Pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the
Corporation by its Certificate of Incorporation, and pursuant to the provisions
of Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, such Board of
Directors by written unanimous consent dated October 26, 1994, duly adopted a
resolution providing for the issuance of a series of One Million (1,000,000)
shares of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, to be
designated "Series B Preferred Stock", and fixing the voting powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof. The following is a restatement of the
original Certificate of Designation, Preferences, Rights and Limitations to
reflect amendments to the original resolution that were adopted by the
stockholders of the Corporation, including the holders of the Series B Preferred
Stock, by written consent pursuant to Section 228 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware:

               There shall be established and authorized for issuance a series
        of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share,
        designated "Series B Preferred Stock" (herein referred to as "Series B
        Preferred Stock"), consisting of One Million (1,000,000) shares, each of
        the par value of $.01 per share, and having the voting powers,
        preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights, and
        the qualifications, limitations or restrictions set forth below:

        1.     DEFINITIONS. For purposes hereof, the following terms shall have
               the following definitions or shall be subject to the following
               rules of construction:

                                       -1-

                      (a) "Act" means the General Corporation Law of Delaware,
               as amended, or any successor state statute.

                      (b) "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of
               the Corporation.

                      (c) "Common Stock" means (i) shares of Class A Common
               Stock, or (ii) shares of Class B Common Stock, as applicable.
               "Class A Common Stock" means the Corporation's Class A Common
               Stock, par value $.01 per share. "Class B Common Stock" means the
               Corporation's Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

                      (d) "Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of the Corporation
               determined from time to time by the Board of Directors for
               financial reporting purposes.

                      (e) "Initial Public Offering" means an underwritten public
               offering of either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock
               pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities
               Act (other than any registration statement relating to warrants,
               options or shares of capital stock of the Corporation granted or
               to be granted or sold primarily to employees, directors, or
               officers of the Corporation, a registration statement filed
               pursuant to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor
               rule, a registration statement relating to employee benefit plans
               or interests therein or any registration statement covering
               securities issued in connection with any debt financing of the
               Corporation).

                      (f) "Major Transaction" means a single transaction
               involving, or a series of transactions having the cumulative
               effect of, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets or
               the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, or a merger or
               consolidation of the Corporation with or into another corporation
               or other entity in which the Corporation is not the survivor, or
               any combination of the foregoing involving the Corporation.

                      (g) The term "outstanding", when used with reference to
               shares of capital stock, shall mean issued shares, excluding
               shares held by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the
               Corporation.

                      (h) "Preferred Stock" means shares of any series of the
               Corpo ration's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (i) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
               amended.

                      (j) "Senior Stock" means the series of Preferred Stock
               designated by the Corporation as its Series A Preferred Stock,
               $.01 par value per share,

                                       -2-

               and the series of Preferred Stock designated by the Corporation
               as its Series C Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (k) "Series B Preferred Stock" means the series of
               Preferred Stock designated by the Corporation as its Series B
               Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (l) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly
               defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in
               accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
               consistently applied and in effect as of the date of the relevant
               calculation.

        2.     DIVIDENDS. The holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock
               shall be entitled to receive dividends on account of such shares
               only when and as declared by the Board of Directors out of funds
               legally available therefor. The declaration or payment of
               dividends in respect of any other class or series of the
               Corporation's stock by authority of the Board of Directors shall
               not confer upon the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock any
               right or preference to receive any dividend in respect of such
               shares.

        3.     PREFERENCE ON LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP.

                      (a) DEFINITION. A consolidation or merger of the
               Corporation, a sale or transfer of substantially all of its
               assets as an entirety, or any purchase or redemption of capital
               stock of the Corporation of any class, shall not be regarded as
               "liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
               Corporation" within the meaning of this Section 3.

                      (b) SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK. During any proceedings for
               the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
               up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of the Series B
               Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, before any
               distribution of the assets of the Corporation shall be made in
               respect of the outstanding Common Stock, but subject to any
               distribution to the holders of the Senior Stock in respect of
               such shares and any other preferential class or series of capital
               stock of the Corporation, an amount in cash for each share of
               Series B Preferred Stock equal to $1.00, or funds necessary for
               such payment shall have been set aside in trust for the account
               of the holders of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock so as
               to be and continue available therefor. If upon such liquidation,
               dissolution or winding up, the assets distributable to the
               holders of the Series B Preferred Stock as aforesaid shall be
               insufficient to permit the payment to them (together with any
               distributions to the holders of any other class or series of the
               Corporation's stock which ranks pari passe with the Series B
               Preferred Stock) of $1.00 per share, the assets of the
               Corporation shall be distributed to the holders of the Series B
               Preferred Stock ratably until they shall have received the full
               amount to which they would otherwise be entitled but subject to
               any distribution of the assets of the Corporation in respect of
               the

                                       -3-

               Senior Stock and any other preferential class or series of
               capital stock of the Corporation. If the assets of the
               Corporation are sufficient to permit the payment of such amounts
               to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, the remainder of
               the assets of the Corporation, if any, after the distributions as
               aforesaid shall be distributed and divided ratably among the
               holders of the Common Stock (and any other shares of the
               Corporation's stock which rank inferior to the Series B Preferred
               Stock) then outstanding according to their respective shares.

        4.     CONVERSION. The Series B Preferred Stock shall be convertible
               into Class B Common Stock in accordance with the following
               provisions of this Section 4.

                      (a) OPTIONAL CONVERSION. Subject to and upon compliance
               with the provisions of this Section 4, each holder of shares of
               Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right at such holder's
               option, at any time or from time to time, from and after the date
               of original issuance to convert all or any part of his shares of
               Series B Preferred Stock into fully paid and nonassessable shares
               of Class B Common Stock, at the Conversion Price (hereafter
               defined) in effect on the Conversion Date (hereafter defined),
               upon the terms hereinafter set forth.

                      (b) AUTOMATIC CONVERSION. On the date that either (i) a
               registration statement that has been filed with the Securities
               and Exchange Commission with respect to an Initial Public
               Offering shall become effective under the Securities Act, or (ii)
               a Major Transaction has occurred, then in either such event each
               share of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be
               automatically converted into shares of Class B Common Stock in
               accordance with the following provisions of this Section 4.
               Notwithstanding that any certificates for shares of Series B
               Preferred Stock shall not have been surrendered for cancellation,
               the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so converted shall no
               longer be deemed outstanding, and the holders of certificates
               representing such shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have,
               from and after the date referred to above, the same rights in or
               with respect to the Corporation as holders of shares of the
               number of shares of Class B Common Stock into which such shares
               of Series B Preferred Stock have been so converted. Each such
               holder shall have the right, upon surrender of such certificates,
               to receive from the Corporation a certificate or certificates
               representing the number of shares of Class B Common Stock
               calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this
               Section 4 registered in the name of such holder. Within 30 days
               following the effective date of such registration statement or
               the consummation of such Major Transaction, the Corporation shall
               deliver to each holder whose shares of Series B Preferred Stock
               have been converted into Class B Common Stock as provided
               hereunder a written notice setting forth the fact and effective
               date of such conversion, the number of shares of Class B Common
               Stock into which such holder's shares of Series B Preferred Stock
               were converted, and a statement that such holder is entitled to
               receive a new certificate representing such

                                             -4-

               number of shares of Class B Common Stock in exchange for the
               certificates representing such holder's shares of Series B
               Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the failure of the
               Corporation to provide such notice to any holder or any
               deficiency in any such notice shall not impair or affect the
               automatic conversion of such holder's Series B Preferred Stock
               into Class B Common Stock as provided herein.

                      (c) CONVERSION PRICE. The shares of Series B Preferred
               Stock to be converted shall be convertible into the number of
               shares of Class B Common Stock as is determined by multiplying
               the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted
               by a fraction, the numerator of which is $1.00 and the
               denominator of which is the Conversion Price in effect on the
               Conversion Date. The Conversion Price at which shares of Class B
               Common Stock shall initially be issuable upon conversion of
               shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be an amount per share
               determined from time to time by the Board of Directors at the
               time of issuance of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock
               (subject to adjustment as provided below, hereafter the
               "Conversion Price"). The initial Conversion Price upon issuance
               of any given shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be recorded
               in the minutes of the Board of Directors at which such shares
               were authorized to be issued, and the Conversion Price for such
               shares shall be conclusively evidenced (absent manifest error) by
               a notation to such effect on the face of each certificate
               representing such shares.

                      (d) MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. The holder of any shares of
               Series B Preferred Stock may exercise the conversion right
               specified in paragraph (a) above by surrendering to the
               Corporation or any transfer agent of the Corporation the
               certificate or certificates for the shares to be converted,
               accompanied by written notice stating that the holder elects to
               convert all or a specified portion of the shares represented
               thereby. Optional conversion under paragraph (a) shall be deemed
               to have been effected on the date when notice of an election to
               convert and certificates for the shares to be converted has been
               delivered, and automatic conversion under paragraph (b) shall be
               deemed to have been effected as therein provided; any such date
               is referred to herein as the "Conversion Date". As promptly as
               practicable thereafter the Corporation shall issue and deliver to
               or upon the written order of such holders a certificate or
               certificates for the number of full shares of Class B Common
               Stock to which such holders are entitled rounded down to the next
               whole share as provided in paragraph (e) below. The person in
               whose name the certificate or certificates of Class B Common
               Stock are to be issued shall be deemed to have become a holder of
               record of such Class B Common Stock on the Conversion Date.

                      (e) FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Class B
               Common Stock or scrip shall be issued upon conversion of shares
               of Series B Preferred Stock. Instead of any fractional shares of
               Class B Common Stock which would otherwise be issuable upon
               conversion of any shares of Series B Pre ferred Stock, the number
               of full shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon conversion
               thereof shall be reduced to the next lowest number of whole
               shares, and the Corporation will pay a cash adjustment in respect
               of any surrendered shares of Series B Preferred Stock not
               converted into Class B Common Stock in an amount equal to $1.00
               per share of Series B Preferred Stock.

                      (f) CONVERSION PRICE ADJUSTMENTS. The Conversion Price and
               the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon
               conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be subject to
               adjustment from time to time as follows:

                               (i) STOCK DIVIDENDS. If the number of shares of
                      Class B Common Stock outstanding at any time after the
                      issuance of any Series B Preferred Stock is increased by a
                      stock dividend payable in shares of Class B Common Stock
                      or by a subdivision or split-up of shares of Class B
                      Common Stock, then immediately after the record date fixed
                      for the determination of holders of Class B Common Stock
                      entitled to receive such stock dividend or the effective
                      date of such subdivision or split-up, as the case may be,
                      the Conversion Price shall be appropriately decreased and
                      the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon
                      conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be
                      proportionately increased so that the holders of any
                      shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
                      receive the number of shares of Class B Common Stock of
                      the Corporation which they would have owned immediately
                      following such action had such shares of Series B
                      Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior thereto.

                              (ii) COMBINATION OF STOCK. If the number of shares
                      of Common Stock outstanding at any time after issuance of
                      any class of Series B Preferred Stock is decreased by a
                      combination of the out standing shares of Class B Common
                      Stock, then, immediately after the effective date of such
                      combination, the Conversion Price shall be appropriately
                      increased and the number of shares of Common Stock
                      issuable upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock
                      shall be proportionately decreased so that the holders of
                      any shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled
                      to receive the number of shares of Class B Common Stock of
                      the Corporation which they would have owned immediately
                      following such action had such shares of Series B
                      Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior thereto.

                             (iii) REORGANIZATIONS. In case of any capital
                      reorganization of the Corporation, or of any
                      reclassification of the Class B Common Stock, or in case
                      of the consolidation of the Corporation with or the merger
                      of the Corporation with or into any other corporation,
                      partnership or other business entity in which the
                      Corporation is not

                                       -5-

                      the survivor, or of the sale, lease or other transfer of
                      all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation
                      to any other corporation, partnership or other business
                      entity, each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall,
                      after such capital reorganization, reclassification,
                      consolidation, merger, sale or lease, be convertible into
                      the number of shares of stock or other securities or
                      property to which the Class B Common Stock issuable (at
                      the time of such capital reorganization, reclassification,
                      consolidation, merger, sale or lease) upon conversion of
                      such share of Series B Preferred Stock would have been
                      entitled upon such capital reorganization,
                      reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or lease in
                      place of (or in addition to, in the case of any such event
                      after which Class B Com mon Stock remains outstanding) the
                      shares of Class B Common Stock into which such share of
                      Series B Preferred Stock would otherwise have been
                      convertible; and in any such case, if necessary, the
                      provisions set forth herein with respect to the rights and
                      interests thereafter of the holders of the shares of
                      Series B Preferred Stock shall be appropriately adjusted
                      so as to be applicable, as nearly as may reasonably be, to
                      any share of stock or other securities or property
                      thereafter deliverable on the conversion of the shares of
                      Series B Preferred Stock. The subdivision or combination
                      of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon conversion
                      of shares of Series B Preferred Stock at any time
                      outstanding into a greater or lesser number of shares of
                      Class B Common Stock (whether with or without par value)
                      shall not be deemed to be a reclassification of the Class
                      B Common Stock of the Corporation for the purposes of this
                      subparagraph (iii).

                              (iv) ROUNDING OF CALCULATIONS; MINIMUM ADJUSTMENT.
                      All calculations under this paragraph (f) shall be made to
                      the nearest cent or to the nearest one hundredth (1/100th)
                      of a share, as the case may be. Any provision of this
                      paragraph (f) to the contrary notwithstanding, no
                      adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be made if the
                      amount of such adjustment would be less than $0.01, but
                      any such amount shall be carried forward and an adjustment
                      with respect thereto shall be made at the time of and
                      together with any subsequent adjustment which, together
                      with such amount and any other amount or amounts so
                      carried forward, shall aggregate $0.01 or more.

                               (v) TIMING OF ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL CLASS B
                      COMMON STOCK UPON CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. In any case in
                      which the provisions of this paragraph (f) requires that
                      an adjustment shall become effective immediately after a
                      record date for an event, the Corporation may defer until
                      the occurrence of such event issuing to the holder of any
                      shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted after such
                      record date and before the occurrence of such event the
                      additional shares of Class B Common Stock or other
                      property issuable or deliverable upon

                                       -6-

                      exercise by reason of the adjustment required by such
                      event over and above the shares of Class B Common Stock or
                      other property issuable or deliverable upon such
                      conversion before giving effect to such adjustment;
                      PROVIDED, HOWEVER that the Corporation upon request shall
                      deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate
                      instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such
                      additional shares or other property, and such cash, upon
                      the occurrence of the event re quiring such adjustment.

                      (g) STATEMENT REGARDING ADJUSTMENTS. Whenever the
               Conversion Price shall be adjusted as provided in paragraph (f),
               the Corporation shall forthwith file, at the office of any
               transfer agent for the Series B Preferred Stock and at the
               principal office of the Corporation, a statement showing in
               detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Conversion
               Price that shall be in effect after such adjustment, and the
               Corporation shall also cause a copy of such statement to be sent
               by mail, first class postage prepaid, to each holder of the
               Series B Preferred Stock at his or its address appearing on the
               Corporation's records. Each such statement shall be signed by the
               Cor poration's chief financial officer. Where appropriate, such
               copy may be given in advance and may be included as part of a
               notice required to be mailed under the provisions of subparagraph
               (h) below.

                      (h) NOTICE TO HOLDERS. In the event the Corporation
               proposes to take any action of the type described in subparagraph
               (i), (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (f) above, the Corporation shall
               give notice to each holder of the Series B Preferred Stock in the
               manner set forth in subparagraph (f) above, which notice shall
               specify the record date, if any, with respect to any such action
               and the approximate date on which such action is to take place.
               Such notice shall also set forth such facts with respect thereto
               as shall be reasonably necessary to indicate the effect of such
               action (to the extent such effect may be known at the date of
               such notice) on the Conversion Price and the number, kind or
               class of shares or other securities or property which shall be
               deliverable or purchasable upon the occurrence of such action or
               deliverable upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock. In
               the case of any action which would require the fixing of a record
               date, such notice shall be given at least 10 days prior to the
               date so fixed, and in case of all other action, such notice shall
               be given at least 15 days prior to the taking of such proposed
               action.

                      (i) COSTS. The Corporation shall pay all documentary,
               stamp, transfer or other transactional taxes attributable to the
               issuance or delivery of shares of Class B Common Stock of the
               Corporation or other securities or property upon conversion of
               the shares of Series B Preferred Stock; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
               the Corporation shall not be required to pay any taxes which may
               be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or
               delivery of any certificate for such shares or securities in the
               name other than that of

                                       -7-

               the holder of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock in respect
               of which such shares are being issued.

                      (j) RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Corporation shall reserve
               at all times so long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock
               remain outstanding, free from preemptive rights, out of its
               treasury stock or its authorized but unissued shares of Class B
               Common Stock, or both, solely for the purpose of effecting the
               conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, sufficient
               shares of Class B Common Stock to provide for the conversion of
               all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and set aside
               and keep available any other property deliverable upon conversion
               of all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

                      (k) APPROVALS. If any shares of Class B Common Stock or
               other securities to be reserved for the purpose of conversion of
               shares of Series B Preferred Stock require registration with or
               approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or state
               law before such shares or other securities may be validly issued
               or delivered upon conversion, then the Corporation will in good
               faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to secure such
               regis tration or approval, as the case may be.

                      (l) VALID ISSUANCE. All shares of Class B Common Stock or
               other securities which may be issued upon conversion of the
               shares of Series B Preferred Stock will upon issuance by the
               Corporation be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
               nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with
               respect to the issuance thereof and the Corporation shall take no
               action which will cause a contrary result.

        5.     VOTING RIGHTS. Except as provided by law, the holders of Series
               B Preferred Stock shall have no right or power to vote on the
               election of directors or on any other question or in any
               proceedings involving the Corporation.

        6.     EXCLUSION OF OTHER RIGHTS. Unless otherwise required by law,
               neither the shares of Series B Preferred Stock nor the shares of
               Common Stock shall have any voting powers, preferences or
               relative, participating, optional or other special rights other
               than those specifically set forth herein.

                                       -8-
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                    CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION, PREFERENCES,
                             RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

                                       OF

                            SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

        Pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the
Corporation by its Certificate of Incorporation, and pursuant to the provisions
of Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, such Board of
Directors by written unanimous consent dated September 1, 1995, duly adopted a
resolution providing for the issuance of a series of Eight Million Five Hundred
Thousand (8,500,000) shares of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value
per share, to be designated "Series C Preferred Stock", and fixing the voting
powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and
the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The following is a
restatement of the original Certificate of Designation, Preferences, Rights and
Limitations to reflect amendments to the original resolution that were adopted
by the stockholders of the Corporation, including the holders of the Series C
Preferred Stock, by written consent pursuant to Section 228 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware:

               There shall be established and authorized for issuance a series
        of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share,
        designated "Series C Preferred Stock" (herein referred to as "Series C
        Preferred Stock"), consisting of Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand
        (8,500,000) shares, each of the par value of $.01 per share, and having
        the voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and
        other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions set
        forth below:

        1.     DEFINITIONS. For purposes hereof, the following terms shall have
               the following definitions or shall be subject to the following
               rules of construction:

                                       -1-

                      (a) "Act" means the General Corporation Law of Delaware,
               as amended, or any successor state statute.

                      (b) "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of
               the Corporation.

                      (c) "Common Stock" means (i) shares of Class A Common
               Stock, or (ii) shares of Class B Common Stock. "Class A Common
               Stock" means the Corporation's Class A Common Stock, par value
               $.01 per share. "Class B Common Stock" means the Corporation's
               Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

                      (d) "Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of the Corporation
               determined from time to time by the Board of Directors for
               financial reporting purposes.

                      (e) "Initial Public Offering" means an underwritten public
               offering of either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock
               pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities
               Act (other than any registration statement relating to warrants,
               options or shares of capital stock of the Corporation granted or
               to be granted or sold primarily to employees, directors, or
               officers of the Corporation, a registration statement filed
               pursuant to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor
               rule, a registration statement relating to employee benefit plans
               or interests therein or any registration statement covering
               securities issued in connection with any debt financing of the
               Corporation).

                      (f) "Junior Stock" means the Common Stock, the Series B
               Preferred Stock and any other class or series of the
               Corporation's stock which by its terms is subordinate to the
               Series C Preferred Stock in any distribution of the Corporation's
               assets in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding
               up of the affairs of the Corporation.

                      (g) "Major Transaction" means a single transaction
               involving, or a series of transactions having the cumulative
               effect of, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets or
               the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, or a merger or
               consolidation of the Corporation with or into an other
               corporation or other entity (other than a Nominal Transaction),
               or any combination of the foregoing involving the Corporation or
               one or more of its subsidiaries.

                      (h) "Nominal Transaction" means a merger, consolidation or
               similar transaction involving the Corporation (regardless of
               whether or not it is the surviving entity), such as the
               reincorporation of the Corporation under the laws of another
               state, in which the relative rights, preferences, powers,
               qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series C
               Preferred

                                       -2-

               Stock (or of the equivalent class or series of equity securities
               of the surviving entity issued to the holders of the Series C
               Preferred Stock) are not adversely affected.

                      (i) The term "outstanding", when used with reference to
               shares of capital stock, shall mean issued shares, excluding
               shares held by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the
               Corporation.

                      (j) "Parity Stock" means the Series A Preferred Stock and
               any other class or series of the Corporation's stock which by its
               terms is neither subordinate nor superior to or in preference of
               the Series C Preferred Stock in any distribution of the
               Corporation's assets in connection with the liqui dation,
               dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

                      (k) "Preferred Stock" means shares of any series of the
               Corpo ration's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (l) "Return Amount" means an amount expressed in dollars
               computed by multiplying the Return Percentage times $1.00 (in the
               case of Series C Preferred Stock) or the initial Conversion Price
               under Section 5(c) below (in the case of Class B Common Stock),
               as the case may be.

                      (m) "Return Percentage" means, for any given period of
               time, the aggregate percentage computed at the rate of five
               percent (5%) per annum from the date of issuance of the Series C
               Preferred Stock through the date in question.

                      (n) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
               amended.

                      (o) "Series A Preferred Stock" means the series of
               Preferred Stock designated by the Corporation as its Series A
               Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (p) "Series B Preferred Stock" means the series of
               Preferred Stock designated by the Corporation as its Series B
               Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (q) "Series C Preferred Stock" means the series of
               Preferred Stock designated by the Corporation as its Series C
               Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (r) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly
               defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in
               accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
               consistently applied and in effect as of the date of the relevant
               calculation.

                                       -3-

                      (s) Whenever any reference is made herein to the
               outstanding shares of Common Stock determined "on a fully diluted
               basis," such reference shall mean the total number of shares of
               Common Stock which would be outstanding after giving effect to
               the full conversion, exercise or exchange of all capital stock,
               convertible notes, warrants, options and other securities
               convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable with the Common
               Stock, including (without limitation) each Series of the
               Preferred Stock having conversion rights, without regard to
               vesting rights and other similar contingencies.

        2.     DIVIDENDS. The holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock
               shall be entitled to receive dividends on account of such shares
               only when and as declared by the Board of Directors.

        3.     REDEMPTION.

                      (a) MANDATORY REDEMPTION. On August 31, 2005, the
               Corporation shall redeem all of the shares of Series C Preferred
               Stock then outstanding (subject, however, to the right of the
               holders of the Series C Preferred Stock to convert their shares
               pursuant to Section 5), at a redemption price of $1.50 per share.

                      (b) GENERAL. From and after the setting aside of the funds
               necessary for redemption, notwithstanding that any certificate
               for shares of Series C Preferred Stock so called for redemption
               shall not have been sur rendered for cancellation, the shares to
               be redeemed shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and the
               holders of certificates representing such shares shall have with
               respect to such shares no rights in or with respect to the
               Corporation except the right to receive, upon the surrender of
               such certificates, the redemption price therefor. Shares of
               Series C Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to
               this Section 3, or shares of Series C Preferred Stock otherwise
               purchased by the Corporation, shall not be reissued and shall be
               canceled and retired in the manner provided by the laws of the
               State of Delaware, and no shares of Series C Preferred Stock
               shall be issued in lieu thereof.

        4.     PREFERENCE ON LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP.

                      (a) DEFINITION. A consolidation or merger of the
               Corporation or a sale or transfer of substantially all of its
               assets as an entirety (except for any such transaction
               constituting a Major Transaction meeting the criteria specified
               in clause (ii) of Section 5(b), and except for a Nominal
               Transaction), shall be included as "liquidation, dissolution or
               winding up of the affairs of the Corporation" within the meaning
               of this Section 4. A Major Transaction meeting such criteria, a
               Nominal Transaction, or any purchase or redemption of capital
               stock of the Corporation of any class, shall not be

                                       -4-

               regarded as a "liquidation dissolution or winding up of the
               affairs of the Corporation" within the meaning of this Section 4.

                      (b) SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK. During any proceedings for
               the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
               up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of the Series C
               Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, PARI PASSU with any
               distribution of assets to the holders of outstanding Parity Stock
               but before any distribution of the assets of the Corporation
               shall be made in respect of the outstanding Junior Stock, an
               amount in cash for each share of Series C Preferred Stock equal
               to (i) $1.25, if such proceedings occur on or before August 31,
               2000, or (ii) $1.00 plus the Return Amount, if such proceedings
               occur after August 31, 2000 (in either event the "Liquidation
               Preference"), or funds necessary for such payment shall have been
               set aside in trust for the account of the holders of the out
               standing Parity Stock and Series C Preferred Stock so as to be
               and continue to be available therefor. If upon such liquidation,
               dissolution or winding up, the assets distributable to the
               holders of the Parity Stock and Series C Pre ferred Stock shall
               be insufficient to permit the payment to them of such Liquidation
               Preference per share, the assets of the Corporation shall be dis
               tributed to the holders of the Parity Stock and Series C
               Preferred Stock ratably until they shall have received the full
               amount to which they would otherwise be entitled. If the assets
               of the Corporation are sufficient to permit the payment of such
               amounts to the holders of the Parity Stock and Series C Preferred
               Stock, the remainder of the assets of the Corporation, if any,
               after the distributions as aforesaid shall be distributed and
               divided ratably among the holders of the Junior Stock and Common
               Stock then outstanding according to their respective shares.

        5.     CONVERSION. The Series C Preferred Stock shall be convertible
               into Class B Common Stock in accordance with the following
               provisions of this Section 5.


                      (a) OPTIONAL CONVERSION. Subject to and upon compliance
               with the provisions of this Section 5, each holder of shares of
               Series C Preferred Stock shall have the right at such holder's
               option, at any time prior to August 31, 2005, to convert all or
               any portion of such holder's shares of Series C Preferred Stock
               into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Class B Common Stock,
               at the Conversion Price (hereafter defined) in effect on the
               Conversion Date (hereafter defined), upon the terms hereinafter
               set forth. In the event of any mandatory redemption of Series C
               Preferred Stock under Section 3, each holder of Series C
               Preferred Stock may elect to convert all or any portion of such
               holder's shares into Class B Common Stock pursuant to this
               Section 5, in which case the provisions of this Section 5 shall
               govern and control as to the shares so converted.

                      (b) AUTOMATIC CONVERSION. On the date that either (i) a
               registration statement that has been filed with the Securities
               and Exchange

                                       -5-

               Commission with respect to an Initial Public Offering shall
               become effective under the Securities Act, in which the public
               offering price per share is at least equal to one hundred fifty
               percent (150%) of the Conversion Price then in effect, or (ii) a
               Major Transaction has occurred, in which the net proceeds that
               the Board of Directors in good faith determines will be paid to a
               holder of each share of Common Stock therefrom is anticipated to
               be at least equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the
               Conversion Price then in effect, then in either such event each
               share of Series C Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be
               automatically converted into shares of Class B Common Stock in
               accordance with the following provisions of this Section 5.
               Conversion under clause (i) above shall be subject to the
               condition subsequent that the Initial Public Offering shall have
               been consummated within 45 days after the effective date of such
               registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto,
               and if the Initial Public Offering is not so consummated within
               such 45-day period, then the conversion of the Series C Preferred
               Stock into Class B Common Stock shall thereupon be rescinded as
               if such conversion had never occurred, subject, however, to
               future automatic conversion pursuant to any subsequent Initial
               Public Offering. In the case of net proceeds from a Major
               Transaction other than in cash, the value of such proceeds shall
               be determined by the Board of Directors, and for purposes of this
               paragraph (b) and paragraph (f)(vii) below, the good faith
               determination of the Board of Directors shall be conclusive.
               Notwithstanding that any certificates for shares of Series C
               Preferred Stock shall not have been surrendered for cancellation,
               the shares of Series C Preferred Stock so converted shall no
               longer be deemed outstanding, and the holders of certificates
               representing such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall have,
               from and after the date referred to above, the same rights in or
               with respect to the Corporation as holders of shares of the
               number of shares of Class B Common Stock into which such shares
               of Series C Preferred Stock have been so converted. Each such
               holder shall have the right, upon surrender of such certificates,
               to receive from the Corporation a certificate or certificates
               representing the number of shares of Class B Common Stock
               calculated in accordance with the following provisions of this
               Section 5 registered in the name of such holder. Within 30 days
               following the effective date of such registration statement or
               the consummation of such Major Transaction, the Corporation shall
               deliver to each holder whose shares of Series C Preferred Stock
               have been converted into Class B Common Stock as provided
               hereunder a written notice setting forth the fact and effective
               date of such conversion, the number of shares of Class B Common
               Stock into which such holder's shares of Series C Preferred Stock
               were converted, and a statement that such holder is entitled to
               receive a new certificate representing such number of shares of
               Class B Common Stock in exchange for the certificates
               representing such holder's shares of Series C Preferred Stock;
               provided, however, that the failure of the Corporation to provide
               such notice to any holder or any deficiency in any such notice
               shall not impair or affect the automatic conversion of such
               holder's Series C Preferred Stock into Class B Common Stock as
               provided herein.

                                       -6-

                      (c) CONVERSION PRICE. The shares of Series C Preferred
               Stock to be converted shall be convertible into the number of
               shares of Class B Common Stock as is determined by multiplying
               the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be converted
               by a fraction, the numerator of which is $1.00 and the
               denominator of which is the Conversion Price in effect on the
               Conversion Date. The Conversion Price at which shares of Class B
               Common Stock shall initially be issuable upon conversion of
               shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be $4.50 per share
               (subject to adjustment for certain events including subdivisions
               and combinations of the Common Stock and as provided below,
               hereafter the "Conversion Price").

                      (d) MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. The holder of any shares of
               Series C Preferred Stock may exercise the conversion right
               specified in paragraph (a) above by surrendering to the
               Corporation or any transfer agent of the Corporation the
               certificate or certificates for the shares to be converted,
               accompanied by written notice stating that the holder elects to
               convert all or a specified portion of the shares represented
               thereby. Optional conversion under paragraph (a) shall be deemed
               to have been effected on the date when notice of an election to
               convert and certificates for the shares to be converted has been
               delivered, and automatic conversion under paragraph (b) shall be
               deemed to have been effected as therein provided; any such date
               is referred to herein as the "Conversion Date". As promptly as
               practicable thereafter the Corporation shall issue and deliver to
               or upon the written order of such holders a certificate or
               certificates for the number of full shares of Class B Common
               Stock to which such holders are entitled rounded down to the next
               whole share as provided in paragraph (e) below. The person in
               whose name the certificate or certificates of Class B Common
               Stock are to be issued shall be deemed to have become a holder of
               record of such Class B Common Stock on the Conversion Date.

                      (e) FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Class B
               Common Stock or scrip shall be issued upon conversion of shares
               of Series C Preferred Stock. Instead of any fractional shares of
               Class B Common Stock which would otherwise be issuable upon
               conversion of any shares of Series C Pre ferred Stock, the number
               of full shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon conversion
               thereof shall be reduced to the next lowest number of whole
               shares, and the Corporation will pay a cash adjustment in respect
               of any sur rendered shares of Series C Preferred Stock not
               converted into Class B Common Stock in an amount equal to $1.00
               per share of Series C Preferred Stock.

                      (f) CONVERSION PRICE ADJUSTMENTS. The Conversion Price and
               the number of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon
               conversion ("Conversion Shares") shall be subject to adjustment
               from time to time as fol lows:

                                       -7-

                             (i) CERTAIN ISSUANCES OF EQUITY STOCK. If, at any
                      time following issuance of any Series C Preferred Stock,
                      the Corporation issues any Common Stock, or any security
                      or evidence of indebt edness which is convertible or
                      exercisable into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or any
                      warrant, option or other right to subscribe for or
                      purchase Common Stock or any security or evidence of
                      indebtedness which is convertible or exchangeable for
                      Common Stock (hereinafter, "Equity Stock"), other than
                      Excluded Stock (as defined in clause (D) below), for a
                      consideration per share less than the Conversion Price in
                      effect immediately prior to such issuance, then the
                      Conversion Price shall immediately be reduced to a price
                      per share determined by dividing (x) an amount equal to
                      the sum of (i) the number of shares of Equity Stock of the
                      Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such issue or
                      sale multiplied by the then existing Conversion Price and
                      (ii) the consideration, if any, received by the
                      Corporation upon such issue or sale, by (y) the total
                      number of shares of Equity Stock of the Corporation
                      outstanding immediately after such issue or sale. The
                      number of shares of Equity Stock outstanding at any given
                      time for the purposes of the foregoing computation means
                      the shares of Common Stock outstanding together with all
                      shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or
                      exercise of any such Equity Stock, excluding any shares of
                      Common Stock previously outstanding that have been
                      reacquired by the Corporation and constitute treasury
                      shares.

                             For purposes of any adjustment of the Conversion
                      Price pursuant to this subparagraph (i) of this Section
                      5(f), the following provisions shall be applicable:

                                    (A) CASH. In the case of the issuance of
                             Equity Stock for cash, the amount of the
                             consideration received by the Corporation shall be
                             deemed to be the amount of the cash proceeds
                             received by the Corporation for such Equity Stock
                             before deducting therefrom any discounts,
                             commissions, taxes, legal and accounting fees or
                             other expenses allowed, paid or incurred by the
                             Corporation in connection with the issuance and
                             sale thereof.

                                    (B) CONSIDERATION OTHER THAN CASH. In the
                             case of the issuance of Equity Stock (other than as
                             described in clause (C) below) for a consideration
                             in whole or in part other than cash, including
                             securities acquired in exchange therefor (other
                             than securities by their terms so exchangeable),
                             the considera tion other than cash shall be deemed
                             to be the fair market value thereof as reasonably
                             determined by the Board of Directors in good faith.


                                       -8-

                                    (C) OPTIONS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES, ETC.
                             In the case of the issuance of (i) options,
                             warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire
                             Common Stock or other Equity Stock (whether or not
                             at the time exercisable), (ii) securities which by
                             their terms are convertible or exercisable into or
                             exchange able for Common Stock or other Equity
                             Stock (whether or not at the time so convertible,
                             exercisable or exchangeable) or (iii) options,
                             warrants or rights to purchase such convertible or
                             exchangeable securities (whether or not at the time
                             exer cisable):

                                            (1) the aggregate maximum number of
                                    shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
                                    exercise of such options, warrants or other
                                    rights to purchase or acquire Common Stock
                                    shall be deemed to have been issued at the
                                    time such options, warrants or rights were
                                    issued and for a consideration equal to the
                                    aggre gate consideration (determined in the
                                    manner provided in clauses (A) and (B)
                                    above), if any, re ceived by the Corporation
                                    upon the issuance of such options, warrants
                                    or rights plus the aggregate mini mum
                                    purchase price provided in such options, war
                                    rants or rights for the Common Stock covered
                                    thereby;

                                            (2) the aggregate maximum number of
                                    shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
                                    conversion of or in exchange for any such
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities, or
                                    upon the exercise of options, warrants or
                                    other rights to purchase or acquire such
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities and
                                    the subsequent conversion or exchange
                                    thereof, shall be deemed to have been issued
                                    at the time such securities were issued or
                                    such options, warrants or rights were issued
                                    and for a consideration equal to the
                                    consideration, if any, received by the
                                    Corporation for any such securities and
                                    related options, warrants or rights
                                    (excluding any cash received on account of
                                    accrued interest or accrued dividends), plus
                                    the addi tional consideration, if any, to be
                                    received by the Corporation upon the
                                    conversion or exchange of such securities
                                    and the exercise of any related options,
                                    warrants or rights (the consideration in
                                    each case to be determined in the manner
                                    provided in clauses (A) and (B) above);

                                            (3) on any change in the number of
                                    shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
                                    exercise of any

                                       -9-

                                    such options, warrants or rights or
                                    conversion of or exchange for such
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities or
                                    any change in the consideration to be
                                    received by the Corporation upon such
                                    exercise, conversion or exchange, including,
                                    but not limited to, a change resulting from
                                    the anti-dilution provisions thereof, the
                                    Conversion Price as then in effect shall
                                    forthwith be readjusted to such Conversion
                                    Price as would have been obtained had an
                                    adjustment been made upon the issuance of
                                    such options, warrants or rights not
                                    exercised prior to such change, or
                                    securities not converted or exchanged prior
                                    to such change, on the basis of the terms of
                                    such options, warrants, rights or
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities as so
                                    changed;

                                            (4) on the expiration or
                                    cancellation of any such options, warrants
                                    or rights, or the termination of the right
                                    to convert or exchange such convertible or
                                    exchangeable securities, if the Conversion
                                    Price shall have been adjusted upon the
                                    issuance thereof, the Conversion Price shall
                                    forthwith be readjusted to such Conversion
                                    Price as would have been obtained had an
                                    adjustment been made upon the issuance of
                                    such options, warrants, rights or securities
                                    on the basis of the issuance of only the
                                    number of shares of Common Stock actually
                                    issued upon the exercise of such options,
                                    warrants or rights, or upon the conversion
                                    or exchange of such securities; and

                                            (5) regardless of whether the
                                    Conversion Price shall have been adjusted
                                    upon the issuance of any such options,
                                    warrants, rights or convertible or
                                    exchangeable securities, no further
                                    adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be
                                    made for the actual issuance of Common Stock
                                    upon the exercise, conversion or exchange
                                    thereof;

                                    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no adjustment
                             pursuant to this clause (C) shall have the effect
                             of increasing the Conversion Price above the
                             initial Conversion Price.

                                    (D) EXCLUDED STOCK. For purposes hereof,
                             "Excluded Stock" means shares of Common Stock
                             issued or reserved for issuance by the Corporation
                             (i) upon conversion of any of the Series A
                             Preferred Stock or the Series C Preferred Stock,
                             (ii) pursuant to a stock dividend, subdivision

                                      -10-

                             or split-up covered by paragraph (ii) of this
                             Section 5(f), (iii) to any one or more unaffiliated
                             persons with whom the Corporation or one or more of
                             its subsidiaries effect a business combination
                             (however structured), whether issued in shares of
                             Common Stock or other securities convertible or
                             exercisable into or exchangeable with the Common
                             Stock, and (iv) upon exercise of options issued to
                             employees of the Corporation or its subsidiaries
                             (other than employees who were the record holders
                             of any Common Stock on December 31, 1993) entitling
                             them to acquire Common Stock at a price per share
                             less than the Conversion Price, provided that such
                             exercise price per share is not less than the fair
                             market value per share of Common Stock determined
                             in good faith by the Board of Directors at the time
                             such options are granted.

                             (ii) STOCK DIVIDENDS. If the number of shares of
                      Class B Common Stock outstanding at any time after the
                      issuance of any Series C Preferred Stock is increased by a
                      stock dividend payable in shares of Class B Common Stock
                      or by a subdivision or split-up of shares of Class B
                      Common Stock, then immediately after the record date fixed
                      for the determination of holders of Class B Common Stock
                      entitled to receive such stock dividend or the effective
                      date of such subdivision or split-up, as the case may be,
                      the Conversion Price shall be appropriately decreased and
                      the number of Conversion Shares proportionately increased
                      so that the holders of any shares of Series C Preferred
                      Stock shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of
                      Class B Common Stock of the Corporation which they would
                      have owned immediately following such action had such
                      shares of Series C Preferred Stock been converted
                      immediately prior thereto.

                             (iii) COMBINATION OF STOCK. If the number of shares
                      of Class B Common Stock outstanding at any time after
                      issuance of any class of Series C Preferred Stock is
                      decreased by a combination of the outstanding shares of
                      Class B Common Stock, then, immediately after the
                      effective date of such combination, the Conversion Price
                      shall be appropriately increased and the number of
                      Conversion Shares proportionately decreased so that the
                      holders of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be
                      entitled to receive the number of shares of Class B Common
                      Stock of the Corporation which they would have owned
                      immediately following such action had such shares of
                      Series C Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior
                      thereto.

                             (iv) REORGANIZATIONS. In case of any capital
                      reorganization of the Corporation, or of any
                      reclassification of the Common Stock, or in case of the
                      consolidation of the Corporation with or the merger of the
                      Corporation with or into any other corporation,
                      partnership or other

                                      -11-

                      business entity (other than a Nominal Transaction), or of
                      the sale, lease or other transfer of all or substantially
                      all of the assets of the Corporation to any other
                      corporation, partnership or other business entity, or in
                      the case of any distribution of cash (other than dividends
                      not exceeding net income earned in the current fiscal year
                      to the date on which such dividend is declared) or other
                      assets or of notes or other indebtedness of the
                      Corporation or any other securities of the Corporation
                      (except Common Stock) to the holders of its Common Stock,
                      each share of Series C Preferred Stock shall, after such
                      capital reorganization, reclassification, consolidation,
                      merger, sale, lease or other transfer or such
                      distribution, be convertible into the number of shares of
                      stock or other securities or property to which the Class B
                      Common Stock issuable (at the time of such capital
                      reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger,
                      sale, lease or other transfer or such distribution) upon
                      conversion of such share of Series C Preferred Stock would
                      have been entitled upon such capital reorganization,
                      reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, lease or
                      other transfer or such distribution in place of (or in
                      addition to, in the case of any such event after which
                      Class B Common Stock remains outstanding) the shares of
                      Class B Common Stock into which such share of Series C
                      Preferred Stock would otherwise have been con vertible;
                      and in any such case, if necessary, the provisions set
                      forth herein with respect to the rights and interests
                      thereafter of the holders of the shares of Series C
                      Preferred Stock shall be appropriately adjusted so as to
                      be applicable, as nearly as may reasonably be, to any
                      share of stock or other securities or property thereafter
                      deliverable on the conversion of the shares of Series C
                      Preferred Stock. The subdivision or combination of shares
                      of Class B Common Stock issu able upon conversion of
                      shares of Series C Preferred Stock at any time outstanding
                      into a greater or lesser number of shares of Class B
                      Common Stock (whether with or without par value) shall not
                      be deemed to be a reclassification of the Class B Common
                      Stock of the Corporation for the purposes of this
                      subparagraph (iii).

                             (v) ROUNDING OF CALCULATIONS; MINIMUM ADJUSTMENT.
                      All calculations under this paragraph (f) shall be made to
                      the nearest cent or to the nearest one hundredth (1/100th)
                      of a share, as the case may be. Any provision of this
                      paragraph (f) to the contrary notwithstanding, no
                      adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be made if the
                      amount of such adjustment would be less than $0.10, but
                      any such amount shall be carried forward and an adjustment
                      with respect thereto shall be made at the time of and
                      together with any subsequent adjustment which, together
                      with such amount and any other amount or amounts so
                      carried forward, shall aggregate $0.10 or more.

                             (vi) TIMING OF ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL CLASS B
                      COMMON STOCK UPON CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. In any case in
                      which the provisions

                                      -12-

                      of this paragraph (f) requires that an adjustment shall
                      become effective immediately after a record date for an
                      event, the Corporation may defer until the occurrence of
                      such event issuing to the holder of any shares of Series C
                      Preferred Stock converted after such record date and
                      before the occurrence of such event the additional shares
                      of Class B Common Stock or other property issuable or
                      deliverable upon exercise by reason of the adjustment
                      required by such event over and above the shares of Class
                      B Common Stock or other property issuable or deliverable
                      upon such conversion before giving effect to such
                      adjustment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER that the Corporation upon
                      request shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other
                      appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to
                      receive such additional shares or other property, and such
                      cash, upon the occurrence of the event re quiring such
                      adjustment.

                             (vii) ADJUSTMENT IF NO INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OR
                      MAJOR TRANSACTION. If on or before August 31, 2002 there
                      has not occurred an Initial Public Offering or a Major
                      Transaction in which the public offering price per share
                      in the Initial Public Offering, or the net proceeds that
                      the Board of Directors in good faith determines will be
                      paid to a holder of each share of Common Stock from the
                      Major Transaction, as the case may be, is at least equal
                      to the Conversion Price then in effect plus the Return
                      Amount, then the Conversion Price then in effect for the
                      Series C Preferred Stock shall be automatically reduced
                      effective as of such date to a price per share determined
                      by reducing the initial Conversion Price under paragraph
                      (c) above to $3.52 per share, and then adjusting the
                      initial Conversion Price (as so reduced) to give effect to
                      any other adjustments to the Conversion Price under this
                      paragraph (f) which have occurred after the date of
                      issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock and prior to the
                      date of adjustment under this subparagraph (vii).

                      (g) STATEMENT REGARDING ADJUSTMENTS. Whenever the
               Conversion Price shall be adjusted as provided in paragraph (f),
               the Corporation shall forthwith file, at the office of any
               transfer agent for the Series C Preferred Stock and at the
               principal office of the Corporation, a statement showing in
               detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Conversion
               Price that shall be in effect after such adjustment, and the
               Corporation shall also cause a copy of such statement to be sent
               by mail, first class postage prepaid, to each holder of the
               Series C Preferred Stock at his or its address appearing on the
               Corporation's records. Each such statement shall be signed by the
               Cor poration's chief financial officer. Where appropriate, such
               copy may be given in advance and may be included as part of a
               notice required to be mailed under the provisions of subparagraph
               (h) below.

                      (h) NOTICE TO HOLDERS. In the event the Corporation
               proposes to take any action of the type described in subparagraph
               (i), (ii) or (iii) of

                                      -13-

               paragraph (f) above, the Corporation shall give notice to each
               holder of the Series C Preferred Stock in the manner set forth in
               subparagraph (f) above, which notice shall specify the record
               date, if any, with respect to any such action and the approximate
               date on which such action is to take place. Such notice shall
               also set forth such facts with respect thereto as shall be
               reasonably necessary to indicate the effect of such action (to
               the extent such effect may be known at the date of such notice)
               on the Conversion Price and the number, kind or class of shares
               or other securities or property which shall be deliverable or
               purchasable upon the occurrence of such action or deliverable
               upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock. In the case of
               any action which would require the fixing of a record date, such
               notice shall be given at least 10 days prior to the date so
               fixed, and in case of all other action, such notice shall be
               given at least 15 days prior to the taking of such proposed
               action.

                      (i) COSTS. The Corporation shall pay all documentary,
               stamp, transfer or other transactional taxes attributable to the
               issuance or delivery of shares of Class B Common Stock of the
               Corporation or other securities or property upon conversion of
               the shares of Series C Preferred Stock; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
               the Corporation shall not be required to pay any taxes which may
               be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or
               delivery of any certificate for such shares or securities in the
               name other than that of the holder of the shares of Series C
               Preferred Stock in respect of which such shares are being issued.

                      (j) RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Corporation shall reserve
               at all times so long as any shares of Series C Preferred Stock
               remain outstanding, free from preemptive rights, out of its
               treasury stock or its authorized but unissued shares of Class B
               Common Stock, or both, solely for the purpose of effecting the
               conversion of shares of Series C Preferred Stock, sufficient
               shares of Class B Common Stock to provide for the conversion of
               all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and set aside
               and keep available any other property deliverable upon conversion
               of all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock.

                      (k) APPROVALS. If any shares of Class B Common Stock or
               other securities to be reserved for the purpose of conversion of
               shares of Series C Preferred Stock require registration with or
               approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or state
               law before such shares or other securities may be validly issued
               or delivered upon conversion, then the Corporation will in good
               faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to secure such
               regis tration or approval, as the case may be.

                      (l) VALID ISSUANCE. All shares of Class B Common Stock or
               other securities which may be issued upon conversion of the
               shares of Series C Preferred Stock will upon issuance by the
               Corporation be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
               nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges

                                      -14-

               with respect to the issuance thereof and the Corporation shall
               take no action which will cause a contrary result.

        6.     VOTING RIGHTS.

                      (a) GENERAL. Except as otherwise provided by law and as
               provided in paragraph (b) below, the holders of Series C
               Preferred Stock shall have no right or power to vote on the
               election of directors or on any other question or in any
               proceedings involving the Corporation.

                      (b) SPECIAL VOTING REQUIREMENTS. Without the consent of
               the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of
               Series C Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, the
               Corporation shall not (i) amend, alter or repeal any provision of
               the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or this
               Certificate of Designation, in any event so as to adversely
               affect the rights or powers of any of the Series C Preferred
               Stock; (ii) issue after the date of this Certificate of
               Designation any additional shares of another class or series of
               Preferred Stock that has (x) a liquidation preference which is
               superior to the preference given to Series C Preferred Stock
               under Section 4 herein, or which requires or calls for the
               Corporation to declare or pay dividends in respect of any such
               class or series (other than Excluded Stock issued in connection
               with business combinations pursuant to clause (iii) of Section
               5(f)(i)(D) hereof), or (y) a liquidation preference which is pari
               passu to the preference given to the Series C Preferred Stock
               under Section 4 herein, except that the Corporation may hereafter
               issue such Parity Stock having an aggregate liquidation
               preference of up to $25 million without need for any such vote or
               consent of the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock; or (iii)
               pay or declare any dividends in respect of the Common Stock or
               any class or series of Preferred Stock (other than Excluded Stock
               as described above), unless, concurrently with the payment
               thereof, the Corporation shall have declared and paid to the
               holders of the Series C Preferred Stock a dividend in respect of
               the Series C Preferred Stock in an equivalent amount per share,
               determined on a fully diluted basis as if all stock and other
               securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable for
               the Common Stock (including the Series C Preferred Stock and, if
               other than the Common Stock, the other class or series of
               Preferred Stock in respect of which such dividend was declared or
               paid) had been so converted or exercised into or exchanged for
               the Common Stock.

                      (c) NOTICE OF CERTAIN STOCKHOLDER ACTIONS. If any action
               is taken by the written consent of less than all of the
               stockholders of the Corporation based upon any proposal submitted
               for consideration by the Board of Directors, then the Corporation
               shall, prior to the time such action by written consent is to
               become effective, send a written notice, by mail, first class
               postage prepaid, to each holder of the Series C Preferred Stock,
               at his or its address appearing on the Corporation's records,
               setting forth a description of the action to be so taken. The
               failure of the Corporation to give the

                                      -15-

               foregoing notice shall not affect or impair the validity of the
               action so taken. The foregoing notice requirement shall not
               confer upon any holder of the Series C Preferred Stock any voting
               rights that are not otherwise expressly granted herein.

        7.     EXCLUSION OF OTHER RIGHTS. Unless otherwise required by law,
               neither the shares of Series C Preferred Stock nor the shares of
               Common Stock shall have any voting powers, preferences or
               relative, participating, optional or other special rights other
               than those specifically set forth herein.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                    CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION, PREFERENCES,
                             RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

                                       OF

                            SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

        Pursuant to authority conferred upon the Board of Directors of the
Corporation by its Certificate of Incorporation, and pursuant to the provisions
of Section 151(g) of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, such Board of
Directors by written unanimous consent dated March 4, 1996, duly adopted a
resolution providing for the issuance of a series of Twenty Million (20,000,000)
shares of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, to be
designated "Series D Preferred Stock", and fixing the voting powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof. The following is a restatement of the
original Certificate of Designation, Preferences, Rights and Limitations to
reflect amendments to the original resolution that were adopted by the
stockholders of the Corporation, including the holders of the Series D Preferred
Stock, by written consent pursuant to Section 228 of the General Corporation Law
of Delaware:

               There shall be established and authorized for issuance a series
        of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share,
        designated "Series D Preferred Stock" (herein referred to as "Series D
        Preferred Stock"), consisting of Twenty Million (20,000,000) shares,
        each of the par value of $.01 per share, and having the voting powers,
        preferences and relative, participating, optional and other rights, and
        the qualifications, limitations or restrictions set forth below:

        1.     DEFINITIONS. For purposes hereof, the following terms shall have
               the following defi nitions or shall be subject to the following
               rules of construction:

                                       -1-

                      (a) "Affiliate" of any person shall mean (a) any member of
               the immediate family of such person, including parents, siblings,
               spouse and lineal descendants (including those by adoption); the
               parents, siblings, spouse, or lineal descendants (including those
               by adoption) of such immediate family member; and in any such
               case any trust whose primary beneficiary is such person or one or
               more members of such immediate family and/or such person's lineal
               descendants; (b) the legal representative or guardian of such
               person or of any such immediate family members in the event such
               person or any such immediate family members becomes mentally
               incompetent; and (c) any person, corporation or other entity
               controlling, controlled by or under common control with such
               person. As used in this definition, the term "control", including
               the correlative terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under
               common control with" shall mean possession, directly or
               indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
               management or policies (whether through ownership of securities
               or any partnership or other ownership interest, by contract or
               otherwise) of a person, corporation or other entity.

                      (b) "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of
               the Corporation.

                      (c) "Common Stock" means (i) shares of Class A Common
               Stock, or (ii) shares of Class B Common Stock. "Class A Common
               Stock" means the Corporation's Class A Common Stock, par value
               $.01 per share. "Class B Common Stock" means the Corporation's
               Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

                      (d)    "Conversion Base Price" means:

                              (i) Until consummation of an Initial Public
                      Offering, the Initial Conversion Base Price;

                              (ii) From the date of consummation of an Initial
                      Public Offering until the date which is the last day of
                      the sixth full calendar month thereafter, the LESSER of
                      (x) Initial Conversion Base Price per share of Common
                      Stock, or (y) the Initial Public Offering Price.

                             (iii) From the first day of the seventh full
                      calendar month following consummation of an Initial Public
                      Offering until the last day of the twelfth full calendar
                      month after such consummation, the price calculated under
                      subparagraph (ii) above PLUS $.50.

                              (iv) From the first day of the thirteenth full
                      calendar month following consummation of an Initial Public
                      Offering until the last day of the eighteenth full
                      calendar month after such consummation, the price
                      calculated under subparagraph (ii) above PLUS $1.00.

                                       -2-

                      (e)    "Conversion Price" means:

                               (i) From the date of original issuance of the
                      Series D Preferred Stock until the last day of the
                      eighteenth full calendar month following consummation of
                      an Initial Public Offering, the Conversion Base Price.

                              (ii) From and after the first day of the
                      nineteenth full calendar month following consummation of
                      an Initial Public Offering, the Market Price.

                      (f) "Dividend Rate" shall mean an annual rate (expressed
               in dollars or portions thereof) as shall be determined from time
               to time by the Board of Directors at the time of issuance of any
               shares of Series D Preferred Stock. The Dividend Rate applicable
               to any shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be recorded in
               the minutes of the Board of Directors at which such shares are
               authorized to be issued, and shall be conclusively evidenced
               (absent manifest error) by a notation to such effect on the face
               of each certificate representing such shares.

                      (g) "Initial Conversion Base Price" means an amount
               (expressed in dollars or portions thereof) as shall be determined
               from time to time by the Board of Directors at the time of
               issuance of any shares of Series D Preferred Stock. The Initial
               Conversion Base Price applicable to any shares of Series D
               Preferred Stock shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board of
               Directors at which such shares are authorized to be issued, and
               shall be conclusively evidenced (absent manifest error) by a
               notation to such effect on the face of each certificate
               representing such shares.

                      (h) "Initial Public Offering" means (i) an underwritten
               public offering of either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common
               Stock by the Corporation for cash pursuant to a registration
               statement filed under the Securities Act (other than any
               registration statement relating solely to warrants, options or
               shares of capital stock of the Corporation granted or to be
               granted or sold primarily to employees, directors, or officers of
               the Corporation, a registration statement filed pursuant to Rule
               145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule, a
               registration statement relating solely to employee benefit plans
               or interests therein or any registration statement covering only
               securities issued in connection with any debt financing of the
               Corporation, or any combination of the foregoing), or (ii) the
               consummation of a consolidation of the Corporation with or the
               merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or
               other business entity, as a consequence of which the holders of
               the Common Stock immediately prior thereto receive shares of
               common stock of the survivor that are covered by a registration
               statement filed under the Securities Act.

                      (i) "Initial Public Offering Price" means the gross price
               per share of Common Stock offered by the Corporation to the
               public in an Initial Public Offering,

                                       -3-

               or in the case of a merger or consolidation the price per share
               at which the Corporation's Common Stock is valued in accordance
               with the applicable plan or agreement of merger or consolidation,
               in either event without regard to underwriters discounts or
               commissions, or other expenses of the Initial Public Offering.

                      (j) "Market Price" means the average Trading Price of a
               share of Common Stock for the ten trading days of the Common
               Stock preceding the date of delivery of a written conversion
               notice under Section 5(c).

                      (k) The term "outstanding", when used with reference to
               shares of capital stock, shall mean issued shares, excluding
               shares held by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the
               Corporation.

                      (l) "Parity Stock" means the Corporation's Series B
               Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, the Corporation's Series E
               Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, and any other class or series of
               the Corporation's stock (other than Common Stock) which by its
               terms is neither subordinate nor superior to or in preference of
               the Series D Preferred Stock in any distribution of the
               Corporation's assets in connection with the liquidation,
               dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

                      (m) "Preferred Stock" means shares of any series of the
               Corporation's Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (n) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
               amended.

                      (o) "Senior Stock" means the Corporation's Series A
               Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, Series C Preferred Stock, $.01
               par value, or any other class or series of the Corporation's
               capital stock which by its terms is in preference to the Series D
               Preferred Stock in any distribution of the Corporation's assets
               in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
               the affairs of the Corporation.

                      (p) "Series D Preferred Stock" means the series of
               Preferred Stock designated by the Corporation as its Series D
               Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share.

                      (q) "Trading Price" means, on any trading day for the
               Common Stock, (i) if the Common Stock is traded on a national
               securities exchange on such trading day, then the closing price
               on such trading day as reflected in the consolidated trading
               tables of the WALL STREET JOURNAL or any other appropriate
               publication, (ii) if the Common Stock is traded over-the-counter
               and reported on the NASDAQ National Market System, then the
               average of the high and low sales prices on such trading day as
               reported in such publication or, if not so published, then as
               reported by the NASDAQ National Market System, or (iii) if the
               Common Stock is not traded on a

                                       -4-

               national securities exchange or in the NASDAQ National Market
               System on such trading day, then the representative bid and asked
               prices at the end of such trading day in such market as reported
               by NASDAQ.

                      (r) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly
               defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in
               accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
               consistently applied and in effect as of the date of the relevant
               calculation.

                                       -5-

2.      DIVIDENDS.

                      (a) SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK. The holders of Series D
               Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common Stock,
               shall be entitled to receive, but only out of any funds legally
               available for the declaration of dividends, cumulative,
               preferential dividends in cash at an annual rate equal to the
               Dividend Rate, payable quarter-annually on or before the last
               calendar day of each March, June, September and December in each
               year in which the Series D Preferred Stock is outstanding. Such
               dividends shall commence to accrue on the shares of Series D
               Preferred Stock and be cumulative from and after the date of
               issuance of such shares of Series D Preferred Stock and shall be
               deemed to accumulate and accrue from day to day thereafter. So
               long as any shares of Series D Preferred Stock remain
               outstanding, no dividends or distributions (other than dividends
               or distributions on Common Stock payable in Common Stock) shall
               be paid upon, or declared or set apart for, the Common Stock, nor
               shall any Common Stock (other than Common Stock acquired in
               exchange for, or out of cash proceeds of, the issue of other
               Common Stock or out of cash contributions to the capital of the
               Corporation) be purchased, redeemed, retired or otherwise
               acquired by the Corporation, unless and until in either case all
               past due, cumulative dividends on the then outstanding shares of
               Series D Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods shall have
               been or concurrently shall be paid.

                      (b) OTHER STOCK. Subject to paragraph (a) above, (i)
               dividends may be declared and paid on the Common Stock and any
               other class or series of the Corporation's capital stock, and
               (ii) Common Stock or such other capital stock may be purchased,
               retired or otherwise acquired, when and as determined by the
               Board of Directors, out of any funds legally available for such
               purposes.

        3.     REDEMPTION.

                      (a) MANDATORY REDEMPTION. On December 31, 2001, the
               Corporation shall redeem all of the shares of Series D Preferred
               Stock then outstanding (subject, however, to the right of the
               holders of the Series D Preferred Stock to convert their shares
               pursuant to Section 5 by providing the written conversion notice
               referred to in Section 5(c) below on or before November 30,
               2001), at a redemption price of $1.00 per share, together with
               all accrued and unpaid dividends through the effective date of
               redemption.

                      (b) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. At any time during the period
               commencing on the second anniversary of the date of consummation
               of an Initial Public Offering and ending on December 31, 2001
               (the "Optional Redemption Period"), the Corporation, at the
               option of the Board of Directors, may redeem from the holders of
               Series D Preferred Stock, at a redemption price of $1.00 per
               share, together with accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the
               date fixed for redemption, all or any portion of the

                                       -6-

               shares of Series D Preferred Stock outstanding on such date.
               Written notice of such redemption of the shares of Series D
               Preferred Stock to be so redeemed, which shall include a
               certification of an executive officer of the Corporation that the
               Corporation is ready, willing and able (financially and
               otherwise) to effect such redemption, shall be mailed, postage
               prepaid, to the holders of record of the shares to be so redeemed
               at their respective addresses then appearing on the books of the
               Corporation, not less than 45 nor more than 75 days prior to the
               date designated for such redemption, which shall occur during the
               Optional Redemption Period. In case less than all of the
               outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock are to be
               redeemed, the Corporation's notice shall so state and such
               redemption shall be made on or pro rata basis in accordance with
               each holder's respective holdings of Series D Preferred Stock.
               Such redemption by the Corporation shall be subject, however, to
               the right of each such holder to convert such holder's shares of
               Series D Preferred Stock into Class B Common Stock or Class A
               Common Stock (as the case may be) pursuant to Section 5 by
               delivering the written conversion notice referred to in Section
               5(c) at least 15 days prior to the date fixed for redemption.

                      (c) GENERAL. From and after the effective date of
               redemption and the setting aside of the funds necessary for
               redemption, notwithstanding that any certificate for shares of
               Series D Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall not have
               been surrendered for cancellation, the shares to be redeemed
               shall no longer be deemed outstanding, and the holders of
               certificates representing such shares shall have with respect to
               such shares no rights in or with respect to the Corporation
               except the right to receive, upon the surrender of such
               certificates, the redemption price therefor. Shares of Series D
               Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to this
               Section 3, or shares of Series D Preferred Stock otherwise
               purchased by the Corporation, shall not be reissued and shall be
               cancelled and retired in the manner provided by the laws of the
               State of Delaware, and no other shares of Series D Preferred
               Stock shall be issued in lieu thereof.

        4.     PREFERENCE ON LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP.

                      (a) DEFINITION. A consolidation or merger of the
               Corporation, a sale or transfer of substantially all of its
               assets as an entirety, or any purchase or redemption of capital
               stock of the Corporation of any class, shall not be regarded as
               "liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
               Corporation" within the meaning of this Section 4.

                      (b) SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK. During any proceedings for
               the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
               up of the affairs of the Corporation, the holders of the Series D
               Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, before any
               distribution of the assets of the Corporation shall be made in
               respect of the outstand ing Common Stock, PARI PASSU with any
               distribution of assets to the holders of

                                       -7-

               outstanding Parity Stock but subject to any distribution to the
               holders of the Senior Stock, an amount in cash for each share of
               Series D Preferred Stock equal to $1.00 together with all accrued
               and unpaid dividend through the effective date of such
               liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or funds necessary for
               such payment shall have been set aside in trust for the account
               of the holders of the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock so as
               to be and continue available therefor. If upon such liqui dation,
               dissolution or winding up, the assets distributable to the
               holders of the Series D Preferred Stock as aforesaid shall be
               insufficient to permit the payment to them (together with any
               distributions to the holders of Parity Stock) of $1.00 per share
               (plus such accrued and unpaid dividends), the assets of the
               Corporation shall be dis tributed to the holders of the Series D
               Preferred Stock and the Parity Stock ratably until they shall
               have received the full amount to which they would otherwise be
               enti tled but subject to any distribution of the assets of the
               Corporation in respect of the Senior Stock. If the assets of the
               Corporation are sufficient to permit the payment of such amounts
               to the holders of the Series D Preferred Stock and the Parity
               Stock, the remainder of the assets of the Corporation, if any,
               after the distributions as afore said shall be distributed and
               divided ratably among the holders of the Common Stock then
               outstanding according to their respective shares. In calculating
               any amount distributable to the holders of the Series D Preferred
               Stock as aforesaid, there shall be credited against such amount
               any sums distributed or payable to such holders other than
               pursuant to the terms hereof, whether under any letter of credit,
               security or other similar right or interest.

        5.     CONVERSION. The Series D Preferred Stock shall be convertible
               into Common Stock in accordance with the following provisions of
               this Section 5.

                      (a) OPTIONAL CONVERSION. Subject to and upon compliance
               with the provisions of this Section 5, each holder of shares of
               Series D Preferred Stock shall have the right at such holder's
               option, at any time or from time to time, from and after the date
               of original issuance to convert all or any part of his shares of
               Series D Preferred Stock into fully paid and nonassessable shares
               of Class B Common Stock, provided however, that shares of Series
               D Preferred Stock issued after the effective date of the
               Registration Statement filed in connection with an Initial Public
               Offering shall be convertible only into shares of Class A Common
               Stock, at the Conversion Price in effect on the Conversion Date,
               upon the terms hereinafter set forth. In any event, after
               December 31, 2001, shares of Series D Preferred Stock will be
               convertible only into shares of Class A Common Stock.

                      (b) CONVERSION PRICE. The shares of Series D Preferred
               Stock to be converted shall be convertible into the number of
               shares of Common Stock as is determined by multiplying the number
               of shares of Series D Preferred Stock to be converted by a
               fraction, the numerator of which is $1.00 and the denominator of
               which is the Conversion Price in effect on the Conversion Date.

                                       -8-

                      (c) MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. The holder of any shares of
               Series D Pre ferred Stock may exercise the optional conversion
               right specified in paragraph (a) above by surrendering to the
               Corporation or any transfer agent of the Corporation the
               certificate or certificates for the shares to be converted,
               accompanied by written notice stating that the holder elects to
               convert all or a specified portion of the shares represented
               thereby. Optional conversion under paragraph (a) shall be deemed
               to have been effected on the date when notice of an election to
               convert and certificates for the shares to be converted has been
               delivered; any such date is referred to herein as the "Conversion
               Date". As promptly as practicable thereafter the Corporation
               shall issue and deliver to or upon the written order of such
               holders a certificate or cer tificates for the number of full
               shares of Common Stock to which such holders are entitled rounded
               down to the next whole share as provided in paragraph (d) below.
               The person in whose name the certificate or certificates of
               Common Stock are to be issued shall be deemed to have become a
               holder of record of such Common Stock on the Conversion Date.

                      (d) FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Common
               Stock or scrip shall be issued upon conversion of shares of
               Series D Preferred Stock. Instead of any fractional shares of
               Common Stock which would otherwise be issuable upon conversion of
               any shares of Series D Preferred Stock, the number of full shares
               of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall be reduced
               to the next lowest number of whole shares, and the Corporation
               will pay a cash adjustment in respect of any surrendered shares
               of Series D Preferred Stock not converted into Common Stock in an
               amount equal to $1.00 per share of Series D Preferred Stock.

                      (e) CONVERSION BASE PRICE ADJUSTMENTS. The Conversion Base
               Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as
               follows:

                             (i) CERTAIN ISSUANCES OF EQUITY STOCK. If, at any
                      time following issuance of any Series D Preferred Stock,
                      the Corporation issues any Common Stock, or any security
                      or evidence of indebtedness which is convertible or
                      exercisable into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or any
                      warrant, option or other right to subscribe for or
                      purchase Common Stock or any security or evidence of
                      indebtedness which is convertible or exchangeable for
                      Common Stock (hereinafter, "Equity Stock"), other than
                      Excluded Stock (as defined in clause (D) below), for a
                      consideration per share less than $4.50 per share, subject
                      to adjustment for certain events including subdivisions
                      and combinations of the Common Stock, ( the "Base Price"),
                      and if the Conversion Price is then based upon the
                      Conversion Base Price, then the Conversion Base Price
                      shall immediately be reduced to a price per share
                      determined by multiplying the Conversion Base Price then
                      in effect by a fraction, the numerator of which is an
                      amount equal to the sum of (x) the number of shares of
                      Equity Stock of the Corporation outstanding immediately

                                       -9-

                      prior to such issue or sale multiplied by the Base Price
                      plus (y) the consideration, if any, received by the
                      Corporation upon such issue or sale, and the denominator
                      of which is the total number of shares of Equity Stock of
                      the Corporation outstanding immediately after such issue
                      or sale multiplied by the Base Price. The number of shares
                      of Equity Stock outstanding at any given time for the
                      purposes of the foregoing computation means the shares of
                      Common Stock outstanding together with all shares of
                      Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise of any
                      such Equity Stock, excluding any shares of Common Stock
                      previously outstanding that have been reacquired by the
                      Corporation and constitute treasury shares.

                             For purposes of any adjustment of the Conversion
                      Base Price pursuant to this subparagraph (i) of this
                      Section 5(e), the following provisions shall be
                      applicable:

                                    (A) CASH. In the case of the issuance of
                             Equity Stock for cash, the amount of the
                             consideration received by the Corporation shall be
                             deemed to be the amount of the cash proceeds
                             received by the Corporation for such Equity Stock
                             before deducting therefrom any discounts,
                             commissions, taxes, legal and accounting fees or
                             other ex penses allowed, paid or incurred by the
                             Corporation in connection with the issuance and
                             sale thereof.

                                    (B) CONSIDERATION OTHER THAN CASH. In the
                             case of the issuance of Equity Stock (other than as
                             described in clause (C) below) for a consideration
                             in whole or in part other than cash, including
                             securities acquired in exchange therefor (other
                             than securities by their terms so exchangeable),
                             the consideration other than cash shall be deemed
                             to be the fair market value thereof as reasonably
                             determined by the Board of Directors in good faith.

                                    (C) OPTIONS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES, ETC.
                             In the case of the issuance of (i) options,
                             warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire
                             Common Stock or other Equity Stock (whether or not
                             at the time exercisable), (ii) securities which by
                             their terms are convertible or exercisable into or
                             exchangeable for Common Stock or other Equity Stock
                             (whether or not at the time so convertible,
                             exercisable or exchangeable) or (iii) options,
                             warrants or rights to purchase such convertible or
                             exchangeable securities (whether or not at the time
                             exercisable):

                                            (1) the aggregate maximum number of
                                    shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
                                    exercise of such options,

                                      -10-

                                    warrants or other rights to purchase or
                                    acquire Common Stock shall be deemed to have
                                    been issued at the time such options,
                                    warrants or rights were issued and for a
                                    consideration equal to the aggregate
                                    consideration (determined in the manner
                                    provided in clauses (A) and (B) above), if
                                    any, received by the Corporation upon the
                                    issuance of such options, warrants or rights
                                    plus the aggregate minimum purchase price
                                    provided in such options, warrants or rights
                                    for the Common Stock cov ered thereby;

                                            (2) the aggregate maximum number of
                                    shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
                                    conversion of or in ex change for any such
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities, or
                                    upon the exercise of options, warrants or
                                    other rights to pur chase or acquire such
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities and
                                    the subsequent conversion or exchange
                                    thereof, shall be deemed to have been issued
                                    at the time such securities were issued or
                                    such options, warrants or rights were issued
                                    and for a consideration equal to the
                                    consideration, if any, received by the
                                    Corporation for any such securities and
                                    related options, warrants or rights
                                    (excluding any cash received on account of
                                    accrued interest or accrued dividends), plus
                                    the additional consideration, if any, to be
                                    received by the Corporation upon the
                                    conversion or exchange of such securities
                                    and the exercise of any related options,
                                    warrants or rights (the consideration in
                                    each case to be determined in the manner
                                    provided in clauses (A) and (B) above);

                                            (3) on any change in the number of
                                    shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
                                    exercise of any such options, warrants or
                                    rights or conversion of or exchange for such
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities or
                                    any change in the consideration to be
                                    received by the Corporation upon such
                                    exercise, conversion or exchange, including,
                                    but not limited to, a change resulting from
                                    the anti-dilution provisions there of, the
                                    Conversion Base Price as then in effect
                                    shall forthwith be readjusted to such
                                    Conversion Base Price as would have been
                                    obtained had an adjustment been made upon
                                    the issu ance of such options, warrants or
                                    rights not exercised prior to such change,
                                    or securities not converted or exchanged
                                    prior to such change, on the basis of the
                                    terms of such options, war rants, rights or
                                    convertible or exchangeable securities as so
                                    changed;

                                      -11-

                                            (4) on the expiration or
                                    cancellation of any such options, warrants
                                    or rights, or the termination of the right
                                    to convert or exchange such convertible or
                                    exchangeable securities, if the Conversion
                                    Base Price shall have been adjusted upon the
                                    issuance thereof, the Conversion Base Price
                                    shall forthwith be readjusted to such
                                    Conversion Base Price as would have been
                                    obtained had an adjustment been made upon
                                    the issuance of such options, warrants,
                                    rights or secur ities on the basis of the
                                    issuance of only the number of shares of
                                    Common Stock actually issued upon the
                                    exercise of such options, warrants or
                                    rights, or upon the conversion or exchange
                                    of such securities; and

                                            (5) regardless of whether the
                                    Conversion Base Price shall have been
                                    adjusted upon the issuance of any such
                                    options, warrants, rights or convertible or
                                    exchangeable securities, no further
                                    adjustment of the Conversion Base Price
                                    shall be made for the actual issuance of
                                    Common Stock upon the exercise, conversion
                                    or exchange thereof;

                                    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no adjustment
                             pursuant to this clause (C) shall have the effect
                             of increasing the Conversion Base Price above the
                             Initial Conversion Base Price.

                                    (D) EXCLUDED STOCK. For purposes hereof,
                             "Excluded Stock" means shares of Common Stock
                             issued or reserved for issu ance by the Corporation
                             (i) upon conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock
                             or Series C Preferred Stock; (ii) pursuant to a
                             stock dividend, subdivision or split-up covered by
                             paragraph (ii) of this Section 5(e); (iii) to any
                             one or more unaffiliated persons with whom the
                             Corporation or one or more of its subsidiaries
                             effect a business combination (however structured),
                             whether issued in shares of Common Stock or other
                             securities convertible or exercisable into or
                             exchangeable with the Common Stock and (iv) upon
                             exercise of options issued to employees of the
                             Corporation or its subsidiaries (other than
                             employees who were the record holders of any Common
                             Stock on December 31, 1993), provided that the
                             exercise price thereof is not less than the fair
                             market value per share of Common Stock determined
                             in good faith by the Board of Directors at the time
                             such options are granted.

                               (ii) STOCK DIVIDENDS. If the number of shares of
                      Common Stock outstanding at any time after the issuance of
                      any Series D Preferred Stock is

                                      -12-

                      increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Common
                      Stock or by a subdivision or split-up of shares of Common
                      Stock, and if the Conversion Price then in effect is based
                      upon the Conversion Base Price, then immediately after the
                      record date fixed for the determination of holders of
                      Common Stock entitled to receive such stock dividend or
                      the effective date of such subdivision or split-up, as the
                      case may be, the Conversion Base Price shall be
                      appropriately decreased so that the holders of any shares
                      of Series D Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive
                      the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
                      which they would have owned immediately fol lowing such
                      action had such shares of Series D Preferred Stock been
                      converted immediately prior thereto.

                              (iii) COMBINATION OF STOCK. If the number of
                      shares of Common Stock outstanding at any time after
                      issuance of any class of Series D Preferred Stock is
                      decreased by a combination of the outstanding shares of
                      Common Stock, and if the Conversion Price then in effect
                      is based upon the Conversion Base Price then, immediately
                      after the effective date of such combination, the
                      Conversion Base Price shall be appropriately increased so
                      that the holders of any shares of Series D Preferred Stock
                      shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of
                      Common Stock of the Corporation which they would have
                      owned immediately following such action had such shares of
                      Series D Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior
                      thereto.

                             (iv) REORGANIZATIONS. In case of any capital
                      reorganization of the Corporation, or of any
                      reclassification of the Common Stock, or in case of the
                      consolidation of the Corporation with or the merger of the
                      Corporation with or into any other corporation,
                      partnership or other business entity in which the
                      Corporation is not the survivor, or of the sale, lease or
                      other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
                      of the Corporation to any other corporation, partnership
                      or other business entity, each share of Series D Preferred
                      Stock shall, after such capital reorganization,
                      reclassification, consolidation, mer ger, sale or lease,
                      be convertible into the number of shares of stock or other
                      securities or property to which the Common Stock issuable
                      (at the time of such capital reorganization,
                      reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or lease)
                      upon conversion of such share of Series D Preferred Stock
                      would have been entitled upon such capital reorganization,
                      reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or lease in
                      place of (or in addition to, in the case of any such event
                      after which Common Stock remains outstanding) the shares
                      of Common Stock into which such share of Series D
                      Preferred Stock would otherwise have been convertible; and
                      in any such case, if necessary, the provisions set forth
                      herein with respect to the rights and interests thereafter
                      of the holders of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock
                      shall be appropriately adjusted so as to be applicable, as
                      nearly as may reasonably be, to any share

                                      -13-

                      of stock or other securities or property thereafter
                      deliverable on the conver sion of the shares of Series D
                      Preferred Stock. The subdivision or combination of shares
                      of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of
                      Series D Preferred Stock at any time outstanding into a
                      greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock
                      (whether with or without par value) shall not be deemed to
                      be a reclassification of the Common Stock of the
                      Corporation for the purposes of this subparagraph (iv).

                              (v) ROUNDING OF CALCULATIONS; MINIMUM ADJUSTMENT.
                      All cal culations under this paragraph (e) shall be made
                      to the nearest cent or to the nearest one hundredth
                      (1/100th) of a share, as the case may be. Any provision of
                      this paragraph (e) to the contrary notwithstanding, no
                      adjustment in the Conversion Base Price shall be made if
                      the amount of such adjustment would be less than $0.01,
                      but any such amount shall be carried forward and an
                      adjustment with respect thereto shall be made at the time
                      of and together with any subsequent adjustment which,
                      together with such amount and any other amount or amounts
                      so carried forward, shall aggregate $0.01 or more.

                               (vi) TIMING OF ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL COMMON
                      STOCK UPON CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS. In any case in which the
                      provisions of this paragraph (e) requires that an
                      adjustment shall become effective immediately after a
                      record date for an event, the Corporation may defer until
                      the occurrence of such event issuing to the holder of any
                      shares of Series D Preferred Stock converted after such
                      record date and before the occurrence of such event the
                      additional shares of Common Stock or other property
                      issuable or deliverable upon exercise by reason of the
                      adjustment required by such event over and above the
                      shares of Common Stock or other property issuable or
                      deliverable upon such conversion before giving effect to
                      such adjustment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER that the Corporation
                      upon request shall deliver to such holder a due bill or
                      other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's
                      right to receive such additional shares or other property,
                      and such cash, upon the occurrence of the event requiring
                      such adjustment.

                      (f) STATEMENT REGARDING ADJUSTMENTS. Whenever the
               Conversion Base Price shall be adjusted as provided in paragraph
               (e), the Corporation shall forthwith file, at the office of any
               transfer agent for the Series D Preferred Stock and at the
               principal office of the Corporation, a statement showing in
               detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Conversion
               Base Price that shall be in effect after such adjustment, and the
               Corporation shall also cause a copy of such statement to be sent
               by mail, first class postage prepaid, to each holder of the
               Series D Preferred Stock at his or its address appearing on the
               Corporation's records. Each such statement shall be signed by the
               Corporation's chief financial officer. Where appropriate, such
               copy

                                      -14-

               may be given in advance and may be included as part of a notice
               required to be mailed under the provisions of subparagraph (g)
               below.

                      (g) NOTICE TO HOLDERS. In the event the Corporation
               proposes to take any action of the type described in subparagraph
               (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of paragraph (e) above, the Corporation
               shall give notice to each holder of the Series D Preferred Stock
               in the manner set forth in subparagraph (f) above, which notice
               shall specify the record date, if any, with respect to any such
               action and the approximate date on which such action is to take
               place. Such notice shall also set forth such facts with respect
               thereto as shall be reasonably necessary to indicate the effect
               of such action (to the extent such effect may be known at the
               date of such notice) on the Conversion Base Price and the number,
               kind or class of shares or other securities or property which
               shall be deliverable or purchasable upon the occurrence of such
               action or deliverable upon conversion of the Series D Preferred
               Stock. In the case of any action which would require the fixing
               of a record date, such notice shall be given at least 10 days
               prior to the date so fixed, and in case of all other action, such
               notice shall be given at least 15 days prior to the taking of
               such proposed action.

                      (h) COSTS. The Corporation shall pay all documentary,
               stamp, transfer or other transactional taxes attributable to the
               issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
               or other securities or property upon conversion of the shares of
               Series D Preferred Stock; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Corporation
               shall not be required to pay any taxes which may be payable in
               respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of
               any certificate for such shares or securities in the name other
               than that of the holder of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock
               in respect of which such shares are being issued.

                      (i) RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Corporation shall reserve
               at all times so long as any shares of Series D Preferred Stock
               remain outstanding, free from preemptive rights, out of its
               treasury stock or its authorized but unissued shares of Common
               Stock, or both, solely for the purpose of effecting the
               conversion of shares of Series D Preferred Stock, sufficient
               shares of Common Stock to provide for the conversion of all
               outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock and set aside and
               keep available any other property deliverable upon conversion of
               all outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock.

                      (j) APPROVALS. If any shares of Common Stock or other
               securities to be reserved for the purpose of conversion of shares
               of Series D Preferred Stock require registration with or approval
               of any governmental authority under any Federal or state law
               before such shares or other securities may be validly issued or
               delivered upon conversion, then the Corporation will in good
               faith and as expeditiously as possible use its commercially
               reasonable efforts to secure such registration or approval, as
               the case may be. The foregoing does not include registration of
               such shares under the

                                      -15-

               Securities Act or state securities laws, except to the extent and
               in the manner described in Section 8.

                      (k) VALID ISSUANCE. All shares of Common Stock or other
               securities which may be issued upon conversion of the shares of
               Series D Preferred Stock will upon issuance by the Corporation be
               duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free
               from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance
               thereof and the Corporation shall take no action which will cause
               a contrary result.

        6.     VOTING RIGHTS.

                      (a) GENERAL. At any annual or special meeting of
               shareholders or otherwise in respect of any matter submitted for
               the vote of shareholders generally, the holders of the Series D
               Preferred Stock shall be entitled to such number of votes (or
               fractions thereof) as shall be determined by (i) multiplying (1)
               vote for each share of Series D Preferred Stock held by a
               fraction, the numerator of which is $1.00 and the denominator of
               which is the Conversion Price in effect on the record date for
               determining shareholders entitled to vote on such matter; and
               (ii) dividing the resulting product by twenty (20).

                      (b) SPECIAL VOTING REQUIREMENTS. Without limiting the
               generality of paragraph (a) above, the Corporation shall not,
               without the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the
               outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock, voting together
               as a single class, amend, alter or repeal any provision of the
               Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or this
               Certificate of Designation, in any event so as to adversely
               affect the rights or powers of any of the Series D Preferred
               Stock as provided herein. As to any record holder of Series D
               Preferred Stock, the Corporation will not, without the consent of
               such holder, alter or amend the Initial Conversion Base Price
               applicable to the Series D Preferred Stock held by such holder,
               the Dividend Rate applicable to the Series D Preferred Stock held
               by such holder, or the date on which such holder's Series D
               Preferred Stock is required to be redeemed under Section 3(a).

        7.     REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Subject to paragraph (h) below and the other
               provisions of this Section 8, the holders of the Series D
               Preferred Stock shall be entitled to have their respective shares
               of Class A Common Stock, issuable upon conversion of their Series
               D Preferred Stock into Class B Common Stock and subsequently
               converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, included in any
               registration of Class A Common Stock under the Securities Act
               proposed by the Corporation.

                      (a) INCIDENTAL RIGHTS. If at any time or from time to time
               the Corporation proposes to file with the Securities and Exchange
               Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement (whether
               on Form S-1, S-2 or S-3 or any equivalent form

                                      -16-

               then in effect) for the registration under the Securities Act of
               any shares of Class A Common Stock for sale to the public by the
               Corporation or on behalf of a shareholder of the Corporation for
               cash (excluding any shares of Class A Common Stock issuable by
               the Corporation upon the exercise of employee or director stock
               options or in con nection with the merger or consolidation of the
               Corporation or one of its subsidiaries with one or more other
               corporations if the Corporation is the surviving corporation),
               the Corporation shall give each holder of the Series D Preferred
               Stock at least 30 days' prior written notice of the filing of the
               proposed registration statement. The notice shall include a list
               of the states and foreign jurisdictions, if any, in which the
               Corporation intends to qualify such shares, and shall also
               include the Corporation's estimate of the range of the offering
               price per share of Class A Common Stock. On the written request
               of any holder of the Series D Preferred Stock received by the
               Corporation within 15 days after the date of the Corporation's
               notice, the Corporation shall, subject to the conditions and in
               accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraphs (b) and
               (c) below, and at its own expense as provided in paragraph (e)
               below, include in the coverage of such registration statement and
               qualify for sale under the blue sky or securities laws of the
               various states, the number of shares (but not less than 5,000
               shares, subject to adjustment to give effect to any stock
               dividends, splits or combinations, recapitalizations or other
               similar corporate events) of Class A Common Stock (herein called
               the "Specified Shares") held and so requested to be registered by
               each such holder; provided that if the managing underwriter for
               the Corporation indicates its belief in writing that the effect
               of including in the coverage of such registration statement all
               or part of the Specified Shares and the shares of Class A Common
               Stock requested to be so included by other stockholders having
               contractual registration rights ("Other Requesting Stockholders")
               will materially and adversely affect the sale of the shares of
               Class A Common Stock proposed to be sold by the Corporation
               (which statement of the managing underwriter shall also state the
               maximum number of shares (herein called the "Maximum Shares"), if
               any, which can be sold by such all such holders without
               materially and adversely affecting the sale of the shares
               proposed to be sold by the Corporation), then the number of
               Specified Shares which the holders of the Series D Preferred
               Stock and the Other Requesting Stockholders shall collectively
               have the right to include in such registration statement shall be
               reduced to the number of Maximum Shares set forth in such
               statement of the managing underwriter, such reduction to be
               effected on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of all
               such shares requested to be so registered by the holders of the
               Series D Preferred Stock and the Other Requesting Stockholders.

                      Except as provided in paragraph (c) below, in no event
               shall the Corporation be required to amend any registration
               statement filed pursuant to this Section 8 after it has become
               effective or to amend or supplement any prospectus to permit the
               continued disposition of shares of Class A Common Stock
               registered under any registration statement.


                                      -17-

                      The Corporation shall have the right to select any
               underwriters, including the managing underwriter, of any public
               offering of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to the
               provisions of this paragraph (a). Nothing in this paragraph (a)
               shall create any liability on the part of the Corporation to the
               holders of the Series D Preferred Stock if the Corporation for
               any reason should decide not to file such a registration
               statement.

                      The Corporation may withdraw any registration statement
               and abandon any proposed offering initiated by the Corporation
               without the consent of any holder of the Series D Preferred
               Stock, notwithstanding the request of any such holder to
               participate therein in accordance with this paragraph (a), if the
               Corporation determines that such action is in the best interests
               of the Corporation.

                      (b) CERTAIN REGISTRATION CONDITIONS. Any holder of Series
               D Preferred Stock requesting registration of Class A Common Stock
               into which such holder's Series D Preferred Stock is convertible,
               following conversion into Class B Common Stock, pursuant to
               paragraph (a) of this Section 8 is hereafter referred to as a
               "Selling Stockholder." Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
               notwithstanding, the Corporation shall not be required to effect
               a registration of any Class A Common Stock of any Selling
               Stockholder pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 8, or file
               any post-effective amendment thereto:

                               (i) unless such Selling Stockholder agrees (x) to
                      sell and distribute a portion or all of his Class A Common
                      Stock in accordance with the customary plan or plans of
                      distribution adopted by and through underwrit ers, if any,
                      acting for the Corporation, and (y) to bear a pro rata
                      share of underwriter's discounts and commissions;

                              (ii) unless the Corporation and the underwriters
                      for the Corporation shall have received from such Selling
                      Stockholder all such information as the Corporation and
                      such underwriters may reasonably request from him
                      concerning such Selling Stockholder to enable the
                      Corporation to include in the registration statement all
                      material facts required to be disclosed therein.
                      Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Selling Stockholder shall
                      not be required to furnish to the Corporation any personal
                      financial information of such Selling Stockholder
                      unrelated to his holdings of Class A Common Stock, Series
                      D Preferred Stock or other securities of the Corporation
                      held by him, provided that each Selling Stockholder shall
                      nonetheless be required to furnish all information
                      reasonably requested by any such underwriter;

                             (iii) unless such Selling Stockholder is then
                      entitled to convert his shares of Series D Preferred Stock
                      into Class B Common Stock and subsequently convert into
                      Class A Common Stock and such Selling

                                      -18-

                      Stockholder in fact delivers the notice to elect to
                      convert the Series D Preferred Stock into Class B Common
                      Stock with a subsequent conversion into Class A Common
                      Stock prior to or contemporaneously with the notice of
                      such Selling Stockholder under paragraph (a) hereof; and

                              (iv) unless such Selling Stockholder, at the
                      request of the Corporation or its managing underwriter,
                      agrees or acknowledges that such Selling Stockholder (x)
                      has a present intention to sell such shares; (y) agrees to
                      execute all consents, powers of attorney, registration
                      statements and other documents required in order to cause
                      such registration statement to become effective; and (z)
                      agrees, if the offering is at the market, to give the
                      Corporation written notice of the first bona fide offering
                      of such shares and to use the prospectus forming a part of
                      such registration statement for only a period of 90 days
                      (or such longer period provided for in paragraph (c)
                      below) unless such registration statement is on a form
                      that complies with Rule 415.

                      (c) COVENANTS AND PROCEDURES. If the Corporation becomes
               obligated under the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 8
               to effect registration of shares of Class A Common Stock on
               behalf of any Selling Stockholder, the following shall apply:

                                (i) The Corporation, at its own expense as
                      provided in paragraph (e), shall prepare and file with the
                      Commission a registration statement covering such shares
                      of Class A Common Stock and use its best efforts to cause
                      such registration statement to become effective; and the
                      Corporation will file such post-effective amendments to
                      such registration statement (and use its best efforts to
                      cause them to become effective) and such supplements as
                      are necessary so that current prospectuses are at all
                      times available for a period of at least 90 days after the
                      effective date of such registration statement or for such
                      longer period, not to exceed 180 days, as may be required
                      by the Corporation or the managing underwriter under the
                      plan or plans of distribution set forth in such
                      registration statement. Each Selling Stockholder shall
                      promptly provide the Corporation with such information
                      with respect to such Selling Stockholder's shares of Class
                      A Common Stock to be so registered and, if applicable, the
                      proposed terms of the offering thereof as is required for
                      such registration. Further, if the shares of Class A
                      Common Stock to be covered by the registration statement
                      are not to be sold to or through underwriters acting for
                      the Corporation, the Corporation shall (x) deliver to each
                      Selling Stockholder as promptly as practicable as many
                      copies of preliminary prospectuses as such Selling
                      Stockholder may reasona bly request, and such Selling
                      Stockholder shall keep a written record of the
                      distribution of such preliminary prospectuses and shall
                      refrain from delivery of such preliminary prospectuses in
                      any manner or under any circumstances

                                      -19-

                      which would violate the Securities Act or the securities
                      laws of any other jurisdiction, including the various
                      states of the United States, (y) deliver to each Selling
                      Stockholder, as soon as practicable after the effective
                      date of the registration statement, and from time to time
                      thereafter during such 90-day period, or such longer
                      period as is herein provided, as many copies of the
                      prospectuses required to be delivered in connection with
                      the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock registered
                      under the registration statement as such Selling
                      Stockholder may reasonably request, and (z) in case of the
                      happening, after the effective date of such registration
                      statement and during such 90-day period (or such longer
                      period specified above), of any event or occurrence which
                      would be set forth in an amendment of or supplement to
                      such pros pectus to make any statements therein not
                      misleading or to correct any misleading omissions, give
                      each Selling Stockholder written notice thereof and
                      prepare and furnish to such Selling Stockholder, in such
                      quantities as he may reasonably request, copies of such
                      amended prospectus or of such supplement to be attached to
                      the prospectus in order that the prospectus, as so amended
                      or supplemented, will not contain any untrue statement of
                      a material fact or omit to state any material fact
                      required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
                      statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
                      under which they were made, not misleading.

                               (ii) On or prior to the date on which the
                      registration statement is declared effective, the
                      Corporation shall use its best efforts to register or
                      qualify, and cooperate with each Selling Stockholder, the
                      underwriter or underwriters, if any, and their counsel, in
                      connection with the registration or qualification of the
                      Class A Common Stock covered by the registration statement
                      for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws
                      of each state and other jurisdiction of the United States
                      as such Selling Stockholder or underwriter reasonably
                      requests, to use its best efforts to keep each such
                      registration or qualification effective, including through
                      new filings, or amendments or renewals, during the period
                      such registration statement is required to be kept
                      effective and to do any and all other acts or things
                      necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in all
                      such jurisdictions of the Class A Common Stock covered by
                      the applicable registration statement; provided that the
                      Corporation will not be required to qualify generally to
                      do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so
                      qualified.

                              (iii) The Corporation shall use its best efforts
                      to cause all of each Selling Stockholder's Class A Common
                      Stock included in such registration statement to be
                      listed, by the date of the first sale of such Class A
                      Common Stock pursuant to such registration statement, on
                      each securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock
                      of the Corporation is then listed or proposed to be
                      listed, if any.

                                      -20-

                               (iv) The Corporation shall make generally
                      available to each Selling Stockholder and any underwriter
                      participating in the offering conducted pursuant to the
                      registration statement an earnings statement satisfying
                      the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act no
                      later than 45 days after the end of the 12-month period
                      beginning with the first day of the Corporation's first
                      fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the
                      registration statement, which earnings statement shall
                      cover said 12-month period, which requirement will be
                      deemed to be satisfied if the Corporation timely files
                      complete and accurate information on Forms 10-Q, 10-K, and
                      8- K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                      amended, and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the
                      Securities Act as soon as feasible.

                                (v) The Corporation shall cooperate with each
                      Selling Stockholder and the managing underwriter or
                      underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation
                      and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive
                      legends) representing Class A Common Stock to be sold
                      under the registration statement, and enable such
                      securities to be in such denominations and registered in
                      such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if
                      any, or such Selling Stockholder may request, subject to
                      the underwriters' obligation to return any certificates
                      representing securities not sold.

                               (vi) The Corporation shall use its best efforts
                      to cause each Selling Stockholder's Class A Common Stock
                      covered by the registration statement to be registered
                      with or approved by such other governmental agencies or
                      authorities within the United States as may be necessary
                      to enable such Selling Stockholder or the underwriter or
                      underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of
                      such Class A Common Stock.

                              (vii) The Corporation shall make available for
                      inspection by each Selling Stockholder, any underwriter
                      participating in any disposition pursuant to such
                      registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or
                      other agent retained by such Selling Stockholder or any
                      such underwriter (collectively, the "Inspectors"), all
                      financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents
                      and properties of the Corporation, as shall be reasonably
                      necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence,
                      responsibility, and cause the Corporation's officers,
                      directors and employees to supply all nonconfidential
                      information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in
                      connection with such registration statement. As a
                      condition to providing such access, the Corporation may
                      require that any and all Inspectors execute and deliver
                      confidentiality agreements, in form and substance
                      acceptable to the Corporation, and that confidentiality
                      procedures be observed, all with respect to such
                      information.

                                      -21-

                             (viii) The Corporation shall use its best efforts
                      to obtain a "cold comfort" letter from the Corporation's
                      independent public accountants, and an opinion of counsel
                      for the Corporation, each in customary form and covering
                      such matters of the type customarily covered by cold
                      comfort letters and opinions of counsel in connection with
                      public offerings of securities, as each Selling
                      Stockholder reasonably requests.

                      (d)    INDEMNIFICATION.

                               (i) INDEMNIFICATION BY THE CORPORATION. In the
                      event of any registration under the Securities Act
                      pursuant to this Section 8 of shares of Class A Common
                      Stock held by any Selling Stockholder, the Corporation
                      will hold harmless each Selling Stockholder and each
                      underwriter of such securities and each other person, if
                      any, who controls each Selling Stockholder or such
                      underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act,
                      against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities
                      (including legal fees and costs of court), joint or
                      several, to which such Selling Stockholder or such
                      underwriter or controlling person may become subject under
                      the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
                      claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
                      thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
                      statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
                      contained, on the effective date thereof, in any
                      registration statement under which such securities were
                      registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary
                      prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any
                      amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are
                      based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
                      therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
                      necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
                      and will reimburse each Selling Stockholder and each such
                      underwriter and each such controlling person for any legal
                      or any other expenses reasonably incurred by them in
                      connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
                      claim, damage or liability; provided, however, that the
                      Corporation shall not be liable to any Selling Stockholder
                      or his underwriters or controlling persons in any such
                      case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
                      liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue
                      statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
                      alleged omission made in such registration statement,
                      preliminary prospectus or final prospectus or such
                      amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in con
                      formity with information furnished to the Corporation
                      through a written instrument duly executed by such Selling
                      Stockholder or such underwriter specifically for use in
                      the preparation thereof.

                              (ii) INDEMNIFICATION BY SELLING STOCK-HOLDERS. It
                      shall be a condition precedent to the obligation of the
                      Corporation to include in any registration statement any
                      shares of Class A Common Stock then held by a

                                      -22-

                      Selling Stockholder that the Corporation shall have
                      received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it and
                      its counsel from such Selling Stockholder to severally
                      indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the
                      same extent as set forth in subparagraph (i) above) the
                      Corporation, each director of the Corporation, each
                      officer of the Corporation who shall sign such regis
                      tration statement, each underwriter of such securities and
                      any person who controls the Corporation or such
                      underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, with
                      respect to any statement or omission from such
                      registration statement, any preliminary prospectus or
                      final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or
                      supplement thereto, if such statement or omission was made
                      in reliance upon and in conformity with information
                      furnished to the Corporation through a written instrument
                      duly executed by such Selling Stockholder specifically for
                      use in the preparation of such regis tration statement,
                      preliminary prospectus or final prospectus or such
                      amendment or supplement thereto.

                             (iii) INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES. Promptly after
                      receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the
                      commencement of any action involving a claim referred to
                      in the preceding subparagraphs (i) and (ii), such
                      indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is
                      to be made against an indemnifying party, give written
                      notice to the indemnifying party of the commencement of
                      such action. In case any such action is brought against an
                      indemnified party, the indemnifying party will be entitled
                      to participate in and to assume the de fense thereof, with
                      counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party,
                      and after notice from the indemnifying party to such
                      indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense
                      thereof, and provided that the indemnifying party in fact
                      assumes such defense, the indemnifying party will not be
                      liable to such indemnified party for any legal or other
                      expenses incurred after the date of such notice by the
                      latter in connection with the defense thereof. Whether or
                      not such defense is assumed by the indemnifying party, the
                      indemnifying party will not be subject to any liability
                      for any settlement made without its consent. No
                      indemnifying party will consent to entry of any judgment
                      or enter into any settlement which does not include as an
                      unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or
                      plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all
                      liability in respect of such claim or litigation.

                              (iv) CONTRIBUTION. If the indemnification provided
                      for in this paragraph (d) from the indemnifying party is
                      unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect
                      of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
                      referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu
                      of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute
                      to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as
                      a result of such losses, claims, damages,

                                      -23-

                      liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is
                      appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
                      indemnifying party and indemnified parties in connection
                      with the actions which resulted in such losses, claims,
                      damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other
                      relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of
                      such indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be
                      determined by reference to, among other things, whether
                      any action in question, including any untrue or alleged
                      untrue statement of a material fact or a material
                      omission, has been made by, or relates to information
                      supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified
                      parties, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
                      access to information and opportunity to correct or
                      prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party
                      as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities
                      and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include
                      any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by
                      such party in connection with any investigation or
                      proceeding. For purposes of the foregoing, it would not be
                      just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
                      paragraph (d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by
                      any other method of allocation which does not take account
                      of the equitable considerations referred to in the
                      immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the
                      provisions of this subparagraph (iv), no Selling
                      Stockholder shall be required to contribute any amount in
                      excess of the amount by which the total price at which the
                      Class A Common Stock of such Selling Stockholder was
                      offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages
                      which such Selling Stockholder has otherwise been required
                      to pay by reason of such untrue statement or omission. No
                      person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
                      meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be
                      entitled to contribution from any person who was not
                      guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

                      (e) EXPENSES. All expenses incurred by the Corporation in
               connection with any registration statement covering shares of
               Class A Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholders,
               including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees
               (including all expenses incident to filing with the National
               Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.), printing expenses, fees
               and disbursements of counsel for the Corporation and of its
               independent certified public accountants, the reasonable fees and
               disbursements of one counsel for collectively all Selling
               Stockholders and Other Requesting Stockholders whose stock is
               included in such registration, and the expense of qualifying such
               shares under state blue sky laws, shall be borne by the
               Corporation; provided, however, that all underwriter's discounts
               and commissions relating to the shares of Class A Common Stock to
               be sold by the Selling Stockholders shall be borne by the Selling
               Stockholders.

                      (f) DISPOSITIONS DURING REGISTRATION. Upon written request
               by the Corporation, the Selling Stockholders will agree, upon the
               registration of any of each

                                      -24-

               such Selling Stockholder's shares of Class A Common Stock or the
               Class A Common Stock issued by the Corporation, not to sell or
               otherwise dispose of any shares of Stock (other than Class A
               Common Stock covered by such registration, which may be sold in
               accordance with the plan or plans of distribution described in
               the registration statement) owned by each such Selling
               Stockholder for a period of 90 days following the effective date
               of such registration statement, or for such longer period (not to
               exceed 180 days) as may be required under the plan or plans of
               distribution set forth in such registration statement. Each
               holder of the Series D Preferred Stock shall comply with the
               foregoing requirements even if his Class A Common Stock issuable
               upon the conversion thereof is not being included in such
               registration, if (i) at such time such holder (together with his
               Affiliates) owns five percent (5%) or more of the fully diluted
               Class A Common Stock and (ii) other holders of five percent or
               more of the fully diluted Class A Common Stock are simi larly
               bound.

                      (g) RIGHTS TRANSFERABLE. The foregoing registration rights
               and benefits set forth in this Section 8, including
               indemnification by the Corporation, shall be transferable by each
               holder of the Series D Preferred Stock in connection with the
               transfer by any such holder of Series D Preferred Stock
               convertible into not less than 10,000 shares (subject to
               adjustment to give effect to any stock dividends, splits or
               combinations, recapitalization or other similar corporate events)
               of Class A Common Stock, otherwise than pursuant to a
               registration statement of the Corporation in connection with a
               public offering of Class A Common Stock.

                      (h) TERM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS. The registration rights
               granted pursuant to this Section 8 shall be effective for a
               period commencing upon the date of original issuance thereof and
               ending on (i) as to any holder of Series D Preferred Stock, upon
               either (A) such holder's written consent, (B) the date such
               holder holds, together with such holder's Affiliates, less than
               10,000 shares (subject to adjustment as described in paragraph
               (g) above) of Class A Common Stock determined on a fully diluted
               basis, or (c) the date such holder is able to dispose of all
               shares of Class A Common Stock that such holder may acquire upon
               conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock within a single
               three-month period under Rule 144 promulgated under the
               Securities Act; and (ii) as to all holders of the Series D
               Preferred Stock, on December 31, 2005.

        8.     PERIODIC REPORTING. If the Corporation becomes subject to the
               periodic reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
               Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, while any shares of
               Series D Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall
               provide to each record holder of the Series D Preferred Stock a
               copy of each report filed or delivered pursuant to said Section
               13 or 15(d), to substantially the same extent, in substantially
               the same manner and at substantially the same times as such
               reports are delivered to the holders of the Corporation's Class
               A Common Stock.

                                      -25-

        9.     EXCLUSION OF OTHER RIGHTS. Unless otherwise required by law, the
               shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall not have any voting
               powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other
               special rights other than those specifically set forth herein.

                                      -26-

                                   $75,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                           Dated as of August 13, 1996

                                      Among

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

                                  AS BORROWER,

                   THE LENDERS NAMED IN THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                   AS LENDERS,

                           NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.

                             AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                                       and

                            PROVIDENT SERVICES, INC.

                             AS DOCUMENTATION AGENT

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                    ARTICLE I

                        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

Section 1.01. CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.........................................
Section 1.02. COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS...................................
Section 1.03. ACCOUNTING TERMS; CHANGES IN GAAP.............................
Section 1.04. TYPES OF ADVANCES.............................................
Section 1.05. MISCELLANEOUS.................................................

                                   ARTICLE II

                     THE ADVANCES AND THE LETTERS OF CREDIT

Section 2.01. THE ADVANCES; EXTENSION OF MATURITY DATE......................
Section 2.02. METHOD OF BORROWING...........................................
Section 2.03. FEES..........................................................
Section 2.04. REDUCTION OF THE COMMITMENTS..................................
Section 2.05. REPAYMENT.....................................................
Section 2.06. INTEREST......................................................
Section 2.07. PREPAYMENTS...................................................
Section 2.08. BREAKAGE COSTS................................................
Section 2.09. INCREASED COSTS...............................................
Section 2.10. PAYMENTS AND COMPUTATIONS.....................................
Section 2.11. TAXES.........................................................
Section 2.12. SHARING OF PAYMENTS, ETC......................................
Section 2.13. LETTERS OF CREDIT.............................................
Section 2.14. NOTICE OF INCREASED COSTS; LENDER REPLACEMENT.................

                                   ARTICLE III

                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING

Section 3.01. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INITIAL BORROWINGS 
               AND ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT............................
Section 3.02. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EACH BORROWING........................

                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 4.01. CORPORATE EXISTENCE; SUBSIDIARIES.............................
Section 4.02. CORPORATE POWER...............................................
Section 4.03. AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVALS...................................
Section 4.04. ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS.......................................
Section 4.05. HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...............................
Section 4.06. TRUE AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURE..................................
Section 4.07. LITIGATION....................................................
Section 4.08. USE OF PROCEEDS...............................................

                                       -i-

Section 4.09. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT........................................
Section 4.10. PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT............................
Section 4.11. TAXES.........................................................
Section 4.12. PENSION PLANS.................................................
Section 4.13. CONDITION OF PROPERTY; CASUALTIES.............................
Section 4.14. INSURANCE.....................................................
Section 4.15. NO BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS; NO DEFAULTS.......................
Section 4.16. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION.......................................
Section 4.17. PERMITS, LICENSES, ETC........................................
Section 4.18. FUNDED DEBT; LIENS............................................
Section 4.19. DIRECT BENEFIT FROM BORROWINGS................................
Section 4.20. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE........................................

                                    ARTICLE V

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Section 5.01. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, ETC.....................................
Section 5.02. MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE......................................
Section 5.03. PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC......................
Section 5.04. PAYMENT OF TAXES, ETC.........................................
Section 5.05. VISITATION RIGHTS.............................................
Section 5.06. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS........................................
Section 5.07. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY.......................................
Section 5.08. NEW SUBSIDIARIES..............................................
Section 5.09. MAINTENANCE OF TRUST RESERVES AND TRUST ACCOUNTS..............
Section 5.10. MAINTENANCE OF TRUST BALANCE..................................
Section 5.11. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES..........................................

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Section 6.01. LIENS, ETC....................................................
Section 6.02. DEBTS, GUARANTIES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS.......................
Section 6.03. AGREEMENTS RESTRICTING LIENS AND DISTRIBUTIONS................
Section 6.04. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION; ASSET SALES..........................
Section 6.05. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS; ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK..............
Section 6.06. INVESTMENTS; LINES OF BUSINESS................................
Section 6.07. ACQUISITIONS..................................................
Section 6.08. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES..........................................
Section 6.09. AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS........................................
Section 6.10. COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA.........................................
Section 6.11. MAINTENANCE OF OWNERSHIP OF SUBSIDIARIES......................
Section 6.12. TRUST FUNDS...................................................
Section 6.13. SETTLEMENT OF LITIGATION......................................
Section 6.14. FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO...................................
Section 6.15. LEVERAGE RATIO................................................
Section 6.16. NET WORTH.....................................................    
Section 6.17. CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO......................................

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                    REMEDIES

Section 7.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.............................................
Section 7.02. OPTIONAL ACCELERATION OF MATURITY.............................
Section 7.03. AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION OF MATURITY............................
Section 7.04. CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.......................................
Section 7.05. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF REMEDIES...................................
Section 7.06. RIGHT OF SET-OFF..............................................

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                        THE AGENTS AND THE ISSUING LENDER

Section 8.01. AUTHORIZATION AND ACTION......................................
Section 8.02. AGENTS' RELIANCE, ETC.........................................
Section 8.03. THE AGENTS AND THEIR AFFILIATES...............................
Section 8.04. LENDER CREDIT DECISION........................................
Section 8.05. INDEMNIFICATION...............................................
Section 8.06. SUCCESSOR AGENTS AND ISSUING LENDER...........................

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.01. AMENDMENTS, ETC...............................................
Section 9.02. NOTICES, ETC..................................................
Section 9.03. NO WAIVER; REMEDIES...........................................
Section 9.04. COSTS AND EXPENSES............................................
Section 9.05. BINDING EFFECT................................................
Section 9.06. LENDER ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS.........................
Section 9.07. INDEMNIFICATION...............................................
Section 9.08. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.....................................
Section 9.09. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, ETC..............................
Section 9.10. SEVERABILITY..................................................
Section 9.11. BUSINESS LOANS................................................
Section 9.12. USURY NOT INTENDED............................................
Section 9.13. GOVERNING LAW.................................................

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A - Form of Assignment and Acceptance 
Exhibit B - Form of Guaranty
Exhibit C - Form of Note 
Exhibit D - Form of Notice of Borrowing 
Exhibit E - Form of Notice of Conversion or Continuation
Exhibit F - Form of NationsBank Letter of Credit Application 
              (not filed herewith)
Exhibit G - Form of Borrower's and Subsidiaries' Counsel Opinion 
Exhibit H - Form of Compliance Certificate 
Exhibit I - Form of Joinder Agreement

SCHEDULES:

Schedule 1         -  Notice Information for Lenders
Schedule 2         -  Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 4.01      -  Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.16(b)   -  Environmental Condition
Schedule 6.06      -  Certain Permitted Investments

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

        This Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1996 is among (a) Carriage
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"); (b) the Lenders (as defined
below); (c) NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders;
and (d) Provident Services, Inc., as Documentation Agent for the Lenders.

        The Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the
Documentation Agent agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

        Section 1.01. CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the term
"Borrower" shall have the meaning set forth above and the following terms shall
have the following meanings (unless otherwise indicated, such meanings to be
equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

        "ACQUISITION" means the direct or indirect acquisition, whether in one
or more related transactions and whether by purchase, assignment, merger,
consolidation, share exchange, or other acquisition transaction, of any Person,
any group of Persons, or any related group of assets, liabilities, or securities
of any Person or any group of Persons.

        "ADJUSTED BASE RATE" means, for any day, the fluctuating rate per annum
of interest equal to the greater of (a) the Base Rate in effect on such day or
(b) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2%.

        "ADJUSTED OBLIGATIONS BALANCE" means, as of any date, the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Advances plus the Letter of Credit Exposure
less, prior to September 1, 1998, the Letter of Credit Exposure allocable to the
Existing Letters of Credit.

        "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" means NationsBank of Texas, N.A. in its capacity
as an agent pursuant to Article VIII, and includes any successor agent pursuant
to Section 8.06.

        "ADVANCE" means any advance by a Lender to the Borrower as part of a
Borrowing and refers to a Base Rate Advance or a Eurodollar Rate Advance.

        "AFFILIATE" means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or
is under common control with, such Person any Subsidiary of such Person. The
term "control" (including the terms "controlled by" or "under common control
with") means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through
ownership of a Control Percentage, by contract or otherwise.

        "AGENTS" means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the
Documentation Agent.

        "AGREEMENT" means this Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1996
among the Borrower, the Lenders, and the Agents, as it may be amended, restated,
modified or supplemented from time-to-time.

        "APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICE" means, with respect to each Lender, such
Lender's Domestic Lending Office in the case of a Base Rate Advance and such
Lender's Eurodollar Lending Office in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Advance.

        "APPLICABLE MARGIN" means, at any time, the following percentages during
the following time periods determined as a function of the Borrower's Cash Flow
Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              RATIO             RATIO
                                            EQUAL TO OR      EQUAL TO OR        RATIO
                                            GREATER THAN     GREATER THAN   EQUAL TO OR
                             RATIO LESS     1.50 BUT LESS    2.25 BUT LESS     GREATER
                             THAN 1.50        THAN 2.25       THAN 3.00       THAN 3.00
                             ----------     --------------   -------------    ---------
<S>                           <C>                <C>              <C>          <C>  
Eurodollar Rate ............  0.75%              1.00%            1.25%        1.50%
Advance

Base Rate Advance ..........  0.00%              0.00%            0.00%        0.25%

Commitment Fee .............  0.25%              0.30%            0.35%        0.375%
</TABLE>
        The foregoing ratio shall be deemed to be equal to or greater than 1.50
but less than 2.25 from the date of this Agreement until redetermination by the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall thereafter calculate the
foregoing ratio and the resulting Applicable Margin based upon the most recent
financial statements dated as of the end of a fiscal quarter delivered to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.06(b). Any adjustments to the
Applicable Margin shall become effective on the first day of the month following
the month during which such financial statements are required to be delivered to
the Administrative Agent, but not before, provided, however, that if such
financial statements are not delivered when required hereunder, the foregoing
ratio shall be deemed to be greater than 3.00 and the Applicable Margin shall
increase to the maximum percentage amount set forth in the table above from the
date when such financial statements are due until three days after the date such
financial statements are actually delivered, when the Administrative Agent shall
recalculate the foregoing ratio, based upon such delivered financial statements,
and the resulting Applicable Margin and the same shall become effective.

        "ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE" means an assignment and acceptance entered
into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative
Agent, in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit A.

        "BANK" means any Lender that is subject to regulation by the Federal
Reserve Board of the United States or the equivalent Governmental Authority of
any Lender organized in any jurisdiction outside the United States.

        "BASE RATE" means a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in
effect from time-to-time equal to the rate of interest publicly announced by
NationsBank as its prime, whether or not the Borrower has notice thereof.

        "BASE RATE ADVANCE" means an Advance which bears interest as provided in
Section 2.06(a).

        "BORROWING" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Advances of the
same Type made by each Lender pursuant to Section 2.01 or Converted by each
Lender to Advances of a different Type pursuant to Section 2.02(b).

        "BUSINESS DAY" means any Monday through Friday during which commercial
banks are open for business in Houston, Texas, and Dallas, Texas, and, if the
applicable Business Day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Advances, a day of the
year on which dealings in U.S. Dollars are carried on in the London interbank
market.

        "CAPITAL LEASES" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any
Property by such Person as lessee which would, in accordance with GAAP, be
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the balance
sheet of such Person.

        "CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT" means a special interest bearing cash
collateral account containing cash deposited pursuant to Sections 2.13(a),
7.02(b) or 7.03(b) to be maintained at the Administrative Agent's office in
accordance with Section 7.04.

        "CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO" means, for any fiscal quarter, the ratio of
(a) Borrower's Adjusted Obligations Balance on the last day of such quarter to
(b) the product of (x) its EBITDA for such fiscal quarter less payments made in
respect of Deferred Purchase Price for such quarter, MULTIPLIED BY (y) four.

        "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, state and local analogs, and all rules
and regulations and requirements thereunder in each case as now or hereafter in
effect.

        "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor statute.

        "COMMITMENT" as to any Lender, has the meaning set forth in Section
2.01.

        "COMMON STOCK" means the shares from time to time issued and outstanding
of any class or classes of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the
Borrower.

        "COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" means a Compliance Certificate in the form of
the attached Exhibit H.

        "CONTROL PERCENTAGE" means, with respect to any Person, the percentage
of the outstanding capital stock of such Person having ordinary voting power
which gives the direct or indirect holder of such stock the power to elect a
majority of the Board of Directors of such Person.

        "CONTROLLED GROUP" means all members of a controlled group of
corporations filing a consolidated federal income tax return with the Borrower.

        "CONVERT", "CONVERSION", and "CONVERTED" each refers to a conversion of
Advances of one Type into Advances of another Type pursuant to Section 2.02(b).

        "CORE ACQUISITION" means any Acquisition of a funeral home, cemetery, or
related business.

        "CREDIT DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, and
each other agreement, instrument or document executed at any time in connection
with this Agreement.

        "DEBT," for any Person, means without duplication (a) indebtedness of
such Person for borrowed money, including, without limitation, obligations under
letters of credit and agreements relating to the issuance of letters of credit
or acceptance financing; (b) obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (c) obligations of such Person
to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than trade
obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business) including (without
limitation) Deferred Purchase Price; (d) obligations of such Person as lessee
under Capital Leases; (e) obligations of such Person under direct or indirect
guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such
Person to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor
against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds
referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (a) through (d) above; (f)
indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a)
through (e) secured by any Lien on or in respect of any Property of such Person,
up to (but not exceeding) the value of such Property; (g) all liabilities of
such Person in respect of unfunded vested benefits under any Plan; and (h)
Pre-need Obligations, except to the extent that Pre-need Obligations are trusted
or covered by insurance.

        "DEFAULT" means (a) an Event of Default or (b) any event or condition
which with notice or lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become
an Event of Default.

        "DEFERRED PURCHASE PRICE" means any purchase price or other
consideration, including payments under agreements not to compete, payable to
the sellers in an Acquisition (whether consummated before or after the date
of this Agreement) after consummation of such Acquisition, whether evidenced by
notes, debentures or the contractual promise to pay on a deferred basis.

        "DOCUMENTATION AGENT" means Provident, in its capacity as an agent
pursuant to Article VIII, and includes any successor agent pursuant to Section
8.06.

        "DOLLAR EQUIVALENT" means for all purposes of this Agreement, the
equivalent in another currency of an amount in Dollars to be determined by
reference to the rate of exchange quoted by NationsBank of Texas, N.A., at 10:00
a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the date of determination, for the spot purchase
in the foreign exchange market of such amount of Dollars with such other
currency.

        "DOLLARS" and "$" means lawful money of the United States of America.

        "DOMESTIC LENDING OFFICE" means, with respect to any Lender, the office
of such Lender specified as its "Domestic Lending Office" opposite its name on
Schedule 1 or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may from time to
time specify to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

        "EBITDA" means, for any Person during any period, (a) Net Income PLUS
(b) to the extent deducted in determining Net Income, without duplication,
Interest Expense, income taxes and other taxes measured by Net Income,
depreciation and amortization and payments made in respect of Deferred Purchase
Price for such period.

        "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date on which the initial Borrowing is made.

        "ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE" means (a) a commercial bank organized under the laws
of the United States, or any State thereof, and having primary capital of not
less than $500,000,000 and approved by the Agents and, so long as no Default
exists, the Borrower, which approval by the Agents and the Borrower will not be
unreasonably withheld; (b) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any
other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development and having primary capital (or its equivalent) of not less than
$500,000,000 (or its Dollar Equivalent) and approved by the Agents and, so long
as no Default exists, the Borrower, which approval by the Agents and the
Borrower will not be unreasonably withheld; and (c) Provident, if approved by
the Agents, and so long as no Default exists, the Borrower, which approval by
the Agents and the Borrower shall not be unreasonably withheld.

        "ENVIRONMENT" or "ENVIRONMENTAL" shall have the meanings set forth in 43
U.S.C.ss.9601(8) (1988).

        "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM" means any action, lawsuit, claim, demand,
regulatory action or proceeding, order, decree, consent agreement or notice of
potential or actual responsibility or violation (including claims or proceedings
under the Occupational Safety and Health Acts or similar laws or requirements
relating to health or safety of employees) brought by a Governmental Authority
which seeks to impose a material liability under any Environmental Law.

        "ENVIRONMENTAL LAW" means all Legal Requirements arising from, relating
to, or in connection with the Environment, health, or safety, including without
limitation CERCLA, relating to (a) pollution, contamination, injury,
destruction, loss, protection, cleanup, reclamation or restoration of the air,
surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata, or other natural
resources; (b) solid, gaseous or liquid waste generation, treatment, processing,
recycling, reclamation, cleanup, storage, disposal or transportation; (c)
exposure to pollutants, contaminants, hazardous, medical, infectious, or toxic
substances, materials or wastes; (d) the safety or health of employees; or (e)
the manufacture, processing, handling, transportation, distribution in commerce,
use, storage or disposal of hazardous, medical, infectious, or toxic substances,
materials or wastes.

        "ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT" means any permit, license, order, approval or
other authorization under Environmental Law material to the Business of the
Borrower.

        "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time-to-time.

        "EUROCURRENCY LIABILITIES" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor), as in effect from
time to time.

        "EURODOLLAR LENDING OFFICE" means, with respect to any Lender, the
office of such Lender specified as its "Eurodollar Lending Office" opposite its
name on Schedule 1 (or, if no such office is specified, its Domestic Lending
Office) or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may from time to time
specify to the Borrower and the Agents.

        "EURODOLLAR RATE" means, for any Eurodollar Rate Advance for any
Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to
the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or any successor page)
as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately
11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such
Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period. If for any reason
such rate is not available, the term "Eurodollar Rate" shall mean, for any
Eurodollar Rate Advance for any Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Reuters
Screen LIBO Page as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at
approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day
of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, if more than one rate is specified on Reuters Screen LIBO Page, the
applicable rate shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates.

        "EURODOLLAR RATE ADVANCE" means an Advance which bears interest as
provided in Section 2.06(b).

        "EURODOLLAR RATE RESERVE PERCENTAGE" of any Lender for the Interest
Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance means the reserve percentage applicable
during such Interest Period (or if more than one such percentage shall be so
applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days in such
Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable) under
regulations issued from time-to-time by the Federal Reserve Board (or other
similar Governmental Authority) for determining the maximum reserve requirement
(including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental or other marginal
reserve requirement) for such Lender with respect to liabilities or assets
consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities having a term equal to such
Interest Period.

        "EVENTS OF DEFAULT" has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

        "EXISTING LENDERS" means, collectively, Provident, TCB and Snyder.

        "EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT" means those standby letters of credit
issued by Provident for the account of Carriage Funeral Holdings, Inc., a
Subsidiary of Borrower, and which may be issued by the Issuing Lender for the
account of Borrower, all as described on Schedule 2.

        "EXISTING LOAN DOCUMENTS" means, collectively, all loan agreements, note
purchase agreements, promissory notes, letter of credit, reimbursement
agreements, security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust
and other documents and instruments executed or delivered to Existing Lenders in
connection with the indebtedness of Borrower or its Subsidiaries to the Existing
Lenders.

        "EXISTING PREFERRED STOCK" means an aggregate of 17,775,616 shares of
Borrower's Series D Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, which is either outstanding
on the Effective Date or (as described in Schedule 2) is contemplated to be
issued following the Effective Date, provided that the maximum amount of the
redemption price for such shares is no more than $1.00 per share plus accrued
and unpaid dividends thereon.

        "EXPIRATION DATE" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the date
on which such Letter of Credit will expire or terminate in accordance with its
terms.

        "FEDERAL FUNDS RATE" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate
per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the
rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any
day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for any such day on
such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds
brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

        "FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD" means the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System or any of its successors.

        "FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" means, for Borrower as of the end of any
fiscal quarter and for the fiscal quarter then ending, the ratio of (a) the
product of (i) Borrower's EBITDA for such quarter MINUS its cash taxes paid
during such quarter, MULTIPLIED BY (ii) four; to (b) the sum of (i) the product
of (x) the sum of (A) Interest Expense during such quarter PLUS (B) scheduled
and required principal payments during such quarter in respect of Funded Debt
PLUS, (C) to the extent not included in clause (A) or (B) above in this
definition, payments made in respect of Deferred Purchase Price for such
quarter, MULTIPLIED BY (y) four, PLUS (ii) 10% of the Adjusted Obligations
Balance as of the last day of such fiscal quarter.

        "FUND," "TRUST FUND," or "SUPERFUND" means the Hazardous Substance
Response Trust Fund, established pursuant to 42 U.S.C. ss. 9631 (1988) and the
Post-closure Liability Trust Fund, established pursuant to 42 U.S.C. ss. 9641
(1988), which statutory provisions have been amended or repealed by the
Superfunds Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, and the "Fund," "Trust
Fund," or "Superfund" that are now maintained pursuant to ss. 9507 of the Code.

        "FUNDED DEBT" means, with respect to the Borrower and without
duplication, the consolidated Debt of the Borrower plus (to the extent not
already constituting Debt) the Letter of Credit Exposure less, prior to
September 1, 1998, the Letter of Credit Exposure allocable to the Existing
Letters of Credit and all reissues and renewals thereof (but not including any
increases in the Letter of Credit Exposure applicable thereto).

        "GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles as
in effect from time-to-time, applied on a basis consistent with the requirements
of Section 1.03.

        "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means any foreign governmental authority, the
United States of America, any state of the United States of America and any
subdivision of any of the foregoing, and any agency, department, commission,
board, authority or instrumentality, bureau or court having jurisdiction over
any Lender, the Borrower, or the Borrower's Subsidiaries or any of their
respective Properties.

        "GUARANTY" means the guaranty in the form of the attached Exhibit B
executed by the Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as the same may be amended,
restated, modified, or supplemented from time to time.

        "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE" means the substances identified as such pursuant
to CERCLA and those regulated under any other Environmental Law, including
without limitation pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, petroleum products,
radionuclides, radioactive materials, and medical and infectious waste.

        "HAZARDOUS WASTE" means the substances regulated as such pursuant to any
Environmental Law.

        "HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" means the consolidated balance sheets
of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and June 30,
1996 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the three year period ended December 31,
1995 and the six month period ended June 30, 1996, together with the notes
thereto and the audit report thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP dated July 18, 1996.

        "INTEREST EXPENSE" means, for any Person during any period, total
interest expense for such Person during such period, whether paid or accrued
(including that attributable to obligations which have been or should be, in
accordance with GAAP, recorded as Capital Leases), including, without
limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with
respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing and net costs
under any interest hedge, rate swap, cap, or similar arrangement providing for
the exchange of nominal interest obligations or a cap of the interest rates
applicable to Debt of such Person, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Interest Expense for a period also includes the aggregate amount of Restricted
Payments declared or paid by the Borrower during such period.

        "INTEREST PERIOD" means, for each Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising
part of the same Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Advance or
the date of the Conversion of any Base Rate Advance into such an Advance and
ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the
provisions below and Section 2.02 and, thereafter, each subsequent period
commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period and
ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the
provisions below and Section 2.02. The duration of each such Interest Period
shall be one, two, three, or six months, in each case as the Borrower may, upon
notice received by the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m. (Houston,
Texas time) on the third Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest
Period, select; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that:

        (a) the Borrower may not select any Interest Period for any Advance
which ends after the Maturity Date;

        (b) Interest Periods commencing on the same date for Advances comprising
part of the same Borrowing shall be of the same duration;

        (c) whenever the last day of any Interest Period would otherwise occur
on a day other than a Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall
be extended to occur on the next succeeding Business Day, PROVIDED that if such
extension would cause the last day of such Interest Period to occur in the next
following calendar month, the last day of such Interest Period shall occur on
the next preceding Business Day; and

        (d) any Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a
calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day
in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last
Business Day of the calendar month in which it would have ended if there were a
numerically corresponding day in such calendar month.

        "ISSUING LENDER" means, with respect to all Letters of Credit other than
Existing Letters of Credit that are outstanding on the date of this Agreement,
NationsBank and any successor issuing Lender pursuant to Section 8.06 and, with
respect to such Existing Letters of Credit, Provident.

        "JOINDER AGREEMENT" means a joinder agreement in the form of the
attached Exhibit I executed by any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

        "KNOWLEDGE" means, with respect to the Borrower, the actual knowledge of
any member of the Borrower's executive officers, and does not include
constructive knowledge.

        "LEGAL REQUIREMENT" means any law, statute, ordinance, decree,
requirement, order, judgment, rule, regulation (or official interpretation of
any of the foregoing) of, and the terms of any license or permit issued by, any
Governmental Authority, including, but not limited to, Regulations G, T, U and
X.

        "LENDERS" means the lenders listed on the signature pages of this
Agreement and each Eligible Assignee that shall become a party to this Agreement
pursuant to Section 9.06.

        "LETTER OF CREDIT" means, individually, any letter of credit issued by
any Issuing Lender which is subject to this Agreement, including the Existing
Letters of Credit, and "LETTERS OF CREDIT" collectively means all such letters
of credit.

        "LETTER OF CREDIT DOCUMENTS" means, with respect to any Letter of
Credit, such Letter of Credit and any agreements, documents, and instruments
entered into in connection with or relating to such Letter of Credit.

        "LETTER OF CREDIT EXPOSURE" means, at any time, without duplication the
sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn maximum face amount of each Letter of Credit
outstanding at such time and (b) the aggregate unpaid amount of all
Reimbursement Obligations at such time.

        "LETTER OF CREDIT OBLIGATIONS" means any obligations of the Borrower
under this Agreement and the Letter of Credit Documents in connection with the
Letters of Credit.

        "LIEN" means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, deed of trust, security
interest, or encumbrance to secure or provide for the payment of any obligation
of any Person, whether arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise
(including, without limitation, the interest of a vendor or lessor under any
conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other title retention agreement).

        "LIQUID INVESTMENTS" means (a) direct or indirect obligations of, or
obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally
guaranteed by, the United States; (b) mutual funds investing in securities
issued by the United States, (c) (i) negotiable or nonnegotiable certificates of
deposit, time deposits, or other similar banking arrangements maturing within
180 days from the date of acquisition thereof ("bank debt securities"), issued
by (A) any Lender or (B) any other bank or trust company which has either (I)
obtained insurance from the Federal Depositor's Insurance Corporation supporting
such bank's or trust company's obligation to repay the bank debt securities or
(II) a combined capital surplus and undivided profit of not less than
$250,000,000 or the Dollar Equivalent thereof, if at the time of deposit or
purchase, such bank debt securities are rated not less than "A" (or the then
equivalent) by the rating service of Standard & Poor's Corporation or of Moody's
Investors Service, Inc., and (ii) commercial paper issued by (A) any Lender or
(B) any other Person if at the time of purchase such commercial paper is rated
not less than "A-2" (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Standard &
Poor's Corporation or not less than "P-2" (or the then equivalent) by the rating
service of Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or upon the discontinuance of both
of such services, such other nationally recognized rating service or services,
as the case may be, as shall be selected by the Borrower with the consent of the
Majority Lenders; (d) repurchase agreements relating to investments described in
clauses (a) and (c) above with a market value at least equal to the
consideration paid in connection therewith, with any Person who regularly
engages in the business of entering into repurchase agreements and has a
combined capital surplus and undivided profit of not less than $250,000,000 or
the Dollar Equivalent thereof, if at the time of entering into such agreement
the debt securities of such Person are rated not less than "BBB" (or the then
equivalent) by the rating service of Standard & Poor's Corporation or of Moody's
Investors Service, Inc.; and (e) such other investments as the Borrower may
request and the Administrative Agent may approve in writing, which approval will
not be unreasonably withheld.

        "MAJORITY LENDERS" means, at any time, Lenders holding at least 67%
(without arithmetic rounding up) of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount
of the Notes held by the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Exposure of the
Lenders at such time, or, if no such principal amount and Letter of Credit
Exposure is then outstanding, Lenders having at least 67% (without arithmetic
rounding up) of the aggregate amount of the Commitments at such time; provided,
however, that for the purpose of determining the existence of any Default or
Event of Default and the actions to be taken in connection therewith, including
acceleration of the Obligations and the exercise of other remedies (but not
including the right to amend or waive this Agreement), so long as the Lenders
that were originally parties to this Agreement remain as the only Lenders under
this Agreement, "Majority Lenders" means the majority in number of the Lenders
that were originally parties to this Agreement.

        "MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE" shall mean (a) a material adverse change in
the business, financial condition, or results of operations of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) the occurrence and continuance of any
event or circumstance which could reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the Borrower's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, any Note or any other Credit Document.

        "MATURITY DATE" means the earlier of (a) September 1, 1999, as such date
may be extended pursuant to Section 2.01(b), and (b) the earlier termination in
whole of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.04 or Article VII.

        "MAXIMUM RATE" means the maximum nonusurious interest rate under
applicable law.

        "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means a "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group
is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions.

        "NATIONSBANK" means NationsBank of Texas, N.A.

        "NET INCOME" means, for any Person, net income of such Person for such
period, as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, extraordinary
items, such as (i) any net gain or loss during such period arising from the
sale, exchange, or other disposition of capital assets (such term to include all
fixed assets and all securities) other than in the ordinary course of business
and (ii) any write-up of assets.

        "NET WORTH" means, at any date for any Person that is a corporation, the
sum of (a) the par value (or value stated on the books of such Person) of the
capital stock of all classes of such Person, (b) the additional paid-in capital
of such Person, and (c) the amount of the surplus and retained earnings, whether
capital or earned, of such Person, all determined in accordance with GAAP.

        "NOTE" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of a
Lender, in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit C, evidencing
indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from Advances owing to
such Lender, as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from
time to time.

        "NOTICE OF BORROWING" means a notice of borrowing in the form of the
attached Exhibit D signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or the
written designee thereof.

        "NOTICE OF CONVERSION OR CONTINUATION" means a notice of conversion or
continuation in the form of the attached Exhibit E signed by a Responsible
Officer of the Borrower or the written designee thereof.

        "OBLIGATIONS" means, as of any date, all principal, interest, fees,
reimbursements, indemnifications, cash collateral obligations, and other amounts
payable or owed by the Borrower to the Agents and the Lenders under this
Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit Documents, and the other Credit
Documents and any increases, extensions, and rearrangements of those obligations
under any amendments, supplements, and other modifications of the documents and
agreements creating those obligations.

        "OFFERING" means the offering of the Borrower's shares of Class A Common
Stock pursuant to the Registration Statement.

        "OFFERING EFFECTIVE DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.13.

        "OFFERING DOCUMENTS" means the Registration Statement and its attached
exhibits and schedules.

        "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity
succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

        "PERMITTED LIENS" means the Liens permitted to exist pursuant to Section
6.01.

        "PERSON" means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a
business trust), joint stock company, limited liability corporation, limited
liability partnership, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other
entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof or any
trustee, receiver, custodian or similar official.

        "PLAN" means an employee benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan)
maintained for employees of the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group
and covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards
under Section 412 of the Code.

        "PRE-NEED OBLIGATIONS" means the liabilities and obligations of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries to perform funeral or cemetery related services or
provide funeral or cemetery property, merchandise or inventory pursuant to
written contracts with their customers.

        "PROPERTY" of any Person means any property or assets (whether real,
personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible) of such Person.

        "PROVIDENT" means Provident Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

        "PRO RATA SHARE" means, with respect to any Lender, either (a) the ratio
(expressed as a percentage) of such Lender's Commitments at such time to the
aggregate Commitments at such time or (b) if the Commitments have been
terminated, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender's aggregate
outstanding Advances and Letter of Credit Exposure at such time to the aggregate
outstanding Advances and Letter of Credit Exposure of all the Lenders at such
time.

        "QUALIFIED PREFERRED STOCK" means Redeemable Preferred Stock issued
after the Effective Date that provides (i) for its mandatory redemption on a
date, if at all, that is on or after the tenth anniversary of the date of first
issuance of such shares, and (ii) that no holder of such shares will be entitled
to retain or receive Restricted Payments in respect of such shares for a period
of not less than 180 days after receipt by such holder of written notice from
any Lender or the Borrower that an Event of Default hereunder has occurred and
is then continuing and that such payments should be blocked, and indefinitely,
for so long as there shall exist any default in the payment of any Obligations,
whether by maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, all such provisions to be in
form and content reasonably acceptable to the Agents.

        "REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK" means shares of Borrower's Preferred Stock
which by its terms requires or permits Borrower to redeem such shares.

        "REGISTER" has the meaning set forth in paragraph (c) of Section 9.06.

        "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means the Borrower's Registration Statement No.
333-05545 on Form S-1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as
it may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

        "REGULATIONS G, T, U AND X" mean Regulations G, T, U and X of the
Federal Reserve Board, as the same is from time-to-time in effect, and all
official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

        "REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS" means all of the obligations of the Borrower
set forth in paragraph (c) of Section 2.13.

        "RELEASE" shall have the meaning set forth in CERCLA or under any other
Environmental Law.

        "RESPONSE" shall have the meaning set forth in CERCLA or under any other
Environmental Law.

        "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means the Borrower's Chief Executive Officer or
Chief Financial Officer.

        "RESTRICTED PAYMENT" means the declaration or making by any Person of
any dividends or other distributions (in cash, property, or otherwise) on, or
any payment for the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of, any shares of
any capital stock of such Person, other than dividends payable in such Person's
common stock.

        "SNYDER" means C. Byron Snyder, a resident of Harris County, Texas.

        "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, a
majority of whose outstanding Voting Securities (other than director's
qualifying shares) shall at any time be owned by such Person or one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person.

        "TCB" means Texas Commerce Bank National Association, a national banking
association.

        "TERMINATION EVENT" means (a) a Reportable Event described in Section
4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder (other than a Reportable
Event not subject to the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC under such
regulations), (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates from a
Plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial employer" as defined in
Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a
Plan or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of
ERISA, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC, or
(e) any other event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of
ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any
Plan.

        "TRUST ACCOUNTS" means collectively, those certain perpetual care trust,
pre-need trust, pre-construction trust or other trust arrangements established
by the Borrower as required to be established and maintained in accordance with
applicable Legal Requirements.

        "TRUST RESERVES" means, at the time of any determination thereof, in
connection with the Trust Accounts, the aggregate of all amounts required by
applicable Legal Requirements to be set aside in reserve, trust, escrow or any
similar arrangement, and in respect to any jurisdiction in which the applicable
Legal Requirements do not require the trusting of any such funds, then 100% of
the funds received pursuant to each Trust Account.

        "TYPE" has the meaning set forth in Section 1.04.

        "VOTING SECURITIES" means (a) with respect to any corporation, capital
stock of the corporation having general voting power under ordinary
circumstances to elect directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at
the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have special
voting power or rights by reason of the happening of any contingency), (b) with
respect to any partnership, any partnership interest or other ownership interest
having general voting power to elect the general partner or other management of
the partnership or other Person, and (c) with respect to any limited liability
company, membership certificates or interests having general voting power under
ordinary circumstances to elect the managers of such limited liability company.

        Section 1.02. COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS. In this Agreement in the
computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date,
the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each
means "to but excluding".

        Section 1.03. ACCOUNTING TERMS; CHANGES IN GAAP.

        (a) All accounting terms and expense estimates not specifically defined
in this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis
consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Historical Financial
Statements, subject to any changes in accounting standards (i) which are
required to conform to GAAP, (ii) which do not have a material impact on
Borrower's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows
(unless in the absence of such change, however immaterial, Borrower would not be
in compliance with this Agreement), or (iii) which the Agents approve, such
approval not to be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that the Agents'
failure to approve any such change or changes shall not be deemed for purposes
of this Agreement to be unreasonably withheld to the extent that, absent such
change or changes, the Borrower would not be in compliance with this Agreement.

        (b) Unless otherwise indicated, all financial statements of the
Borrower, all calculations for compliance with covenants in this Agreement, all
determinations of the Applicable Margin, the commitment fees required by Section
2.03, and all calculations of any amounts to be calculated under the definitions
in Section 1.01 shall be based upon the consolidated accounts of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP applied as set forth in paragraph
(a) above.

        Section 1.04. TYPES OF ADVANCES. Advances are distinguished by "Type."
The "Type" of an Advance refers to the determination whether such Advance is a
Eurodollar Rate Advance or Base Rate Advance.

        Section 1.05. MISCELLANEOUS. Article, Section, Schedule and Exhibit
references are to Articles and Sections of and Schedules and Exhibits to this
Agreement, unless otherwise specified.

                                   ARTICLE II

                     THE ADVANCES AND THE LETTERS OF CREDIT

        Section 2.01. THE ADVANCES; EXTENSION OF MATURITY DATE.

        (a) THE ADVANCES. Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make Advances to the Borrower from
time-to-time on any Business Day during the period from the date of this
Agreement until the Maturity Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any
time outstanding (a) the amount set opposite such Lender's name on the signature
pages hereof as its Commitment, or if such Lender has entered into any
Assignment and Acceptance, the amount set forth for such Lender as its
Commitment in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 9.06(c), as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.04 (such
Lender's "Commitment") LESS (b) such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Letter of
Credit Exposure at such time. Each Borrowing shall, in the case of Advances
consisting of Base Rate Advances, be in an aggregate amount not less than
$1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and in the
case of Borrowings consisting of Eurodollar Rate Advances, be in an aggregate
amount not less than $1,000,000 or in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess
thereof, and in each case shall consist of Advances of the same Type made on the
same day by the Lenders ratably according to their respective Commitments.
Within the limits of each Lender's Commitment and subject to the other terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may from time to time borrow, prepay
pursuant to Section 2.07 and reborrow under this Section 2.01(a).

        (b)    EXTENSION OF MATURITY DATE.

               (i) So long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing
        at such time, at least 90 but not more than 120 days before each
        September 1 beginning September 1, 1997, the Borrower may request in
        writing to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that the Lenders
        extend the Maturity Date by one year from the scheduled date. On or
        before the immediately following August 31 after each such request, each
        Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing
        whether it elects to so extend the Maturity Date. Any failure by a
        Lender to so notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be
        deemed to be a decision by such Lender to not extend the Maturity Date.

            (ii) If each Lender elects to extend the Maturity Date, the Maturity
        Date shall automatically extend for one year from the scheduled date. If
        less than all the Lenders elect to extend the Maturity Date, the
        Maturity Date shall not be extended and shall remain unchanged (even
        with respect to Lenders which had agreed to extend the Maturity Date).
        The Administrative Agent agrees to promptly notify the Borrower and the
        Lenders of the determination of whether or not the Maturity Date has
        been extended.

        Section 2.02. METHOD OF BORROWING.

        (a) NOTICE. Each Borrowing shall be made pursuant to a Notice of
Borrowing (or by telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing by a Notice of
Borrowing), given not later than (i) 10:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the
third Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of a
Eurodollar Rate Advance or (ii) 4:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the Business
Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of a Base Rate
Advance, by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, which shall give to each
Lender prompt notice of such proposed Borrowing by telecopy or telex. In order
to be an effective Notice of Borrowing, each Notice of a Borrowing shall be by
telecopy or telex, followed immediately by delivery of the original executed
Notice of Borrowing, specifying the requested (i) date of such Borrowing, (ii)
Type of Advances comprising such Borrowing, (iii) aggregate amount of such
Borrowing, and (iv) if such Borrowing is to be comprised of Eurodollar Rate
Advances, the Interest Period for each such Advance. In the case of a proposed
Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each Lender of the applicable interest rate under Section
2.06(b). Each Lender shall, before 12:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the date
of such Borrowing, make available for the account of its Applicable Lending
Office to the Administrative Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.02,
or such other location as the Administrative Agent may specify by notice to the
Lenders, in same day funds, such Lender's Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing.
After the Administrative Agent's receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of
the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the Administrative Agent
will make such funds available to the Borrower at its account with the
Administrative Agent.

        (b) CONVERSIONS AND CONTINUATIONS. In order to elect to Convert or
continue an Advance under this Section, the Borrower shall deliver an
irrevocable Notice of Conversion or Continuation to the Administrative Agent at
the Administrative Agent's office no later than 10:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time)
(i) on the Business Day of the proposed Conversion date in the case of a
Conversion to a Base Rate Advance and (ii) on the date which is at least three
Business Days in advance of the proposed Conversion or continuation date in the
case of a Conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Advance. In
order to be an effective Notice of Conversion or Continuation, each such Notice
of Conversion or Continuation shall be in writing or by telex or telecopy
followed immediately by delivery of the original executed Notice of Conversion
or Continuation, specifying (i) the requested Conversion or continuation date
(which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount and Type of the Advance to be
Converted or continued, (iii) whether a Conversion or continuation is requested,
and if a Conversion, into what Type of Advance, and (iv) in the case of a
Conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Advance, the requested
Interest Period. Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Conversion or
Continuation under this Section, the Administrative Agent shall provide each
Lender with a copy thereof and, in the case of a Conversion to or a Continuation
of a Eurodollar Rate Advance, notify each Lender of the applicable interest rate
under Section 2.06(b).

        (c) CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. Notwithstanding anything in paragraphs (a) and
(b) above:

                (i) at no time shall there be more than seven Interest Periods
        applicable to outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advances;

               (ii) if any Lender shall, at least one Business Day before the
        date of any requested Borrowing, notify the Administrative Agent that
        the introduction of any new law or regulation or any change in or in the
        interpretation of any existing law or regulation makes it unlawful, or
        that any central bank or other Governmental Authority asserts that it is
        unlawful, for such Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office to perform
        its obligations under this Agreement to make Eurodollar Rate Advances or
        to fund or maintain Eurodollar Rate Advances, the right of the Borrower
        to select Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Borrowing or for any
        subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until such Lender shall notify
        the Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension
        no longer exist (which notice such Lender agrees to promptly provide),
        and each Advance comprising such Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Advance;

              (iii) if the Administrative Agent is, in good faith after
        reasonable efforts, unable to determine the Eurodollar Rate for
        Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising any requested Borrowing, the
        Administrative Agent shall give written notice to the Borrower stating
        the reason for such determination and, after the giving of such notice,
        the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances for such
        Borrowing or for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until the
        Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the
        circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and each Advance
        comprising such Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Advance;

              (iv) if the Majority Lenders shall in good faith, at least one
        Business Day before the date of any requested Borrowing, notify the
        Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Rate
        Advances comprising such Borrowing will not adequately reflect the cost
        to such Lenders of making or funding their respective Eurodollar Rate
        Advances, as the case may be, for such Borrowing, the right of the
        Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Borrowing or for
        any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended (and such notice shall also
        include the rationale for such suspension) until the Majority Lenders
        (through the Administrative Agent) shall notify the Borrower and the
        Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist
        (which notice shall be promptly provided), and each Advance comprising
        such Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Advance; and

               (v) if the Borrower shall fail to select the duration or
        continuation of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advances in
        accordance with the provisions contained in the definition of "Interest
        Period" in Section 1.01 and paragraph (b) above, the Administrative
        Agent will forthwith so notify the Borrower and the Lenders and such
        Advances will be made available to the Borrower on the date of such
        Borrowing as Base Rate Advances or, if an existing Advance, Convert into
        Base Rate Advances.

        (d) NOTICES IRREVOCABLE. Each Notice of Borrowing and Notice of
Conversion or Continuation shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower. In
the case of any Borrowing which the related Notice of Borrowing specifies is to
be comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Borrower shall indemnify each
Lender against any loss, reasonable out-of-pocket cost or expense incurred by
such Lender as a result of any failure to fulfill on or before the date
specified in such Notice of Borrowing for such Borrowing the applicable
conditions set forth in Article III, unless and to the extent the Eurodollar
Rate Advance specified in such Notice of Borrowing is made notwithstanding such
failure, such indemnified losses to include, without limitation, any loss
(including any loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense reasonably incurred
by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired
by such Lender to fund the Advance to be made by such Lender as part of such
Borrowing when such Advance, as a result of such failure, is not made on such
date.

        (e) ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT RELIANCE. Unless the Administrative Agent shall
have received notice from a Lender before the date of any Borrowing that such
Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's Pro
Rata Share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such
Lender has made its Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing available to the
Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph
(a) of this Section 2.02, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon
such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding
amount. If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have so made its Pro
Rata Share of such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender
and the Borrower severally agree to immediately repay to the Administrative
Agent on demand such corresponding amount, together with interest on such
amount, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower
until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the
case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable on such day to Advances
comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the Federal Funds
Rate for such day. If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such
corresponding amount and interest as provided above, such corresponding amount
so repaid shall constitute such Lender's Advance as part of such Borrowing for
purposes of this Agreement even though not made on the same day as the other
Advances comprising such Borrowing.

        (f) LENDER OBLIGATIONS SEVERAL. The failure of any Lender to make the
Advance to be made by it as part of any Borrowing shall not relieve any other
Lender of its obligation, if any, to make its Advance on the date of such
Borrowing. No Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to
make the Advance to be made by such other Lender on the date of any Borrowing.

        (g) NOTES. The indebtedness of the Borrower to each Lender resulting
from Advances owing to such Lender shall be evidenced by the Note of the
Borrower payable to the order of such Lender in substantially the form of
Exhibit C.

        Section 2.03. FEES.

        (a) COMMITMENT FEES. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee on the average daily
amount by which such Lender's Commitment exceeds the sum of such Lender's
outstanding Advances and Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Exposure from
the date of this Agreement until the Maturity Date at a per annum rate equal to
the Applicable Margin for commitment fees. The fee payable pursuant to this
clause (a) shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of
each January, April, July, and October commencing October 1, 1996, and on the
Maturity Date.

        (b) FACILITY AND AGENT FEES. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent the facility and agent's fees described in the letter
agreement dated August 13, 1996 between Administrative Agent and the Borrower.
The Borrower agrees to pay to Provident the facility and agent's fees and other
fees described in the letter agreement dated August 13, 1996 between Provident
and the Borrower. The Borrower agrees to pay to Bank One, Texas, N.A. the fees
and other amounts described in the letter agreement dated August 13, 1996
between Bank One, Texas, N.A. and the Borrower.

        (c) LETTER OF CREDIT FEES. For each Letter of Credit issued by the
Issuing Bank (i) the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders a letter of credit fee equal to the difference
between (A) the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Advances per annum on the
face amount of such Letter of Credit for the stated term of such Letter of
Credit less (B) the amount payable solely to the Issuing Lender under clause
(ii) as follows and (ii) the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for
the benefit of the Issuing Lender a fronting fee of the Applicable Margin for
Eurodollar Rate Advances per annum on the face amount of such Letter of Credit
for the stated term of such Letter of Credit, but with a minimum fee of $500 and
a maximum fee of $750. Each such fee shall be based on the maximum amount
available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit from the date of issuance of
the Letter of Credit until its Expiration Date and be payable entirely in
advance on the date of the issuance of the Letter of Credit and for the period
from such date until its Expiration Date, or, if such Letter of Credit is
extended, increased or otherwise modified, the fee under this Section 2.03(c)
shall also be payable on the date of such extension, increase or modification
and for the period from the date of such extension, increase or modification
until its Expiration Date.

        Section 2.04. REDUCTION OF THE COMMITMENTS. The Borrower shall have the
right, upon at least three Business Days' irrevocable notice to the
Administrative Agent, to terminate in whole or reduce ratably in part the unused
portion of the Commitments; PROVIDED that each partial reduction shall be in the
aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof. Any reduction or termination of the Commitments pursuant to this
Section 2.04 shall be permanent, with no obligation of the Lenders to reinstate
such Commitments and the commitment fees provided for in Section 2.03(a) shall
thereafter be computed on the basis of the Commitments, as so reduced.

        Section 2.05. REPAYMENT. The Borrower shall repay the outstanding
principal amount of each Advance on the Maturity Date; PROVIDED that, the
principal amount of any outstanding Advance may be prepaid in accordance with
the terms of Section 2.07.

        Section 2.06. INTEREST. The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount of each Advance made by each Lender from the date of such
Advance until such principal amount shall be paid in full, at the following
rates per annum:

        (a) BASE RATE ADVANCES. If such Advance is a Base Rate Advance, a rate
per annum equal at all times to the lesser of (i) the Adjusted Base Rate in
effect from time to time PLUS the Applicable Margin on Base Rate Advances in
effect from time to time, or (ii) the Maximum Rate, payable in arrears on the
first day of each January, April, July, and October and on the date such Base
Rate Advance shall be paid in full, PROVIDED that any amount of principal of a
Base Rate Advance which is not paid when due (whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise) shall bear interest from the date on which such
amount is due until such amount is paid in full, payable on demand, at a rate
per annum equal at all times to the lesser of (i) the Adjusted Base Rate in
effect from time to time PLUS the Applicable Margin on Base Rate Advances in
effect from time to time PLUS 3% or (ii) the Maximum Rate.

        (b) EURODOLLAR RATE ADVANCES. If such Advance is a Eurodollar Rate
Advance, a rate per annum equal at all times during the Interest Period for such
Advance to the lesser of (i) the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period PLUS
the Applicable Margin on Eurodollar Rate Advances in effect from time to time,
or (ii) the Maximum Rate, payable on the last day of such Interest Period, and,
in the case of six-month Interest Periods, on the day which occurs during such
Interest Period three months from the first day of such Interest Period;
PROVIDED that any amount of principal of a Eurodollar Rate Advance which is not
paid when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) shall
bear interest from the date on which such amount is due until such amount is
paid in full, payable on demand, at a rate per annum equal at all times to the
lesser of (i) the rate required to be paid on such Advance immediately prior to
the date on which such amount became due PLUS 3% or (ii) the Maximum Rate;
PROVIDED FURTHER that, if such overdue amount has not been paid within three
Business Days of the date due, such rate of interest under the immediately
preceding clause (i) shall be increased to the greater of (x) the Adjusted Base
Rate in effect from time to time PLUS the Applicable Margin on Base Rate
Advances in effect from time to time PLUS 3% and (y) the rate required to be
paid on such Advance immediately prior to the date on which such amount became
due PLUS 3%.

        (c) ADDITIONAL INTEREST ON EURODOLLAR RATE ADVANCES. The Borrower shall
pay to each Lender, so long as any such Lender shall be required under
regulations of the Federal Reserve Board to maintain reserves with respect to
liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities,
additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate
Advance of such Lender, from the date of the Advance until such principal amount
is paid in full, at an interest rate per annum equal at all times to the
remainder obtained by subtracting (A) the Eurodollar Rate for the Interest
Period for such Advance from (B) the rate obtained by dividing such Eurodollar
Rate by a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage
of such Lender for such Interest Period, payable on each date on which interest
is payable on such Advance. Such additional interest payable to any Lender shall
be determined by such Lender and notified to the Borrower through the
Administrative Agent (such notice to include the calculation of such additional
interest, which calculation shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest
error, and be accompanied by any evidence indicating the need for such
additional interest as the Borrower may reasonably request).

        (d) USURY RECAPTURE. In the event the rate of interest chargeable under
this Agreement or the Notes at any time is greater than the Maximum Rate, the
unpaid principal amount of the Notes shall bear interest at the Maximum Rate
until the total amount of interest paid or accrued on the Notes equals the
amount of interest which would have been paid or accrued on the Notes if the
stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in
effect.

               In the event, upon payment in full of the Notes, the total amount
of interest paid or accrued under the terms of this Agreement and the Notes is
less than the total amount of interest which would have been paid or accrued if
the rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had, at all times, been in
effect, then the Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, pay
the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders an amount equal to the
difference between (i) the lesser of (A) the amount of interest which would have
been charged on the Notes if the Maximum Rate had, at all times, been in effect
or (B) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the Notes if the rates
of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect and (ii)
the amount of interest actually paid or accrued under this Agreement on the
Notes.

               In the event the Lenders ever receive, collect or apply as
interest any sum in excess of the Maximum Rate, such excess amount shall, to the
extent permitted by law, be applied to the reduction of the principal balance of
the Notes, and if no such principal is then outstanding, such excess or part
thereof remaining shall be paid to the Borrower.

        Section 2.07. PREPAYMENTS.

        (a) RIGHT TO PREPAY. The Borrower shall have the right to prepay the
Advances in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, subject to the
provisions of this Section 2.07. Except as provided in this Section 2.07, the
Borrower shall have no right to prepay any principal amount of any Advance.

        (b) OPTIONAL. The Borrower may elect to prepay any of the Advances,
after giving by 10:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) (i) in the case of Eurodollar
Rate Advances, at least two Business Days' or (ii) in case of Base Rate
Advances, same Business Day's prior written notice to the Administrative Agent
stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of such prepayment. If
any such notice is given, the Borrower shall prepay Advances comprising part of
the same Borrowing in whole or ratably in part in an aggregate principal amount
equal to the amount specified in such notice, together with accrued interest to
the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid and amounts, if any,
required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.08 as a result of such prepayment
being made on such date; PROVIDED, however, that each partial prepayment shall
be in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000.

        (c) MANDATORY. On the date of each reduction of the aggregate
Commitments pursuant to Section 2.04, the Borrower agrees to make a prepayment
in respect of the outstanding amount of Advances to the extent, if any, that the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Advances and Letter of Credit Exposure
exceeds the Commitments, as so reduced. Each prepayment pursuant to this Section
2.07(c) shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to the
date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to
Section 2.08 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date.

        (d) ILLEGALITY. If any Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent and
the Borrower that the introduction of any new law or regulation or any change in
or in the interpretation of any existing law or regulation by the Governmental
Authority charged with the administration or interpretation thereof makes it
unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority asserts that
it is unlawful, for such Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office to perform its
obligations under this Agreement to maintain any Eurodollar Rate Advances of
such Lender then outstanding hereunder, (i) the Borrower shall, no later than
10:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) (A) if not prohibited by law, on the last day
of the Interest Period for each outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advance or (B) if
required by such notice, on the second Business Day following its receipt of
such notice, prepay all of the Eurodollar Rate Advances of all of the Lenders
then outstanding, together with accrued interest on the principal amount prepaid
to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant
to Section 2.08 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date, (ii)
each Lender shall simultaneously make a Base Rate Advance to the Borrower on
such date in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar
Rate Advances prepaid to such Lender, and (iii) the right of the Borrower to
select Eurodollar Rate Advances for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended
until the Lender which gave notice referred to above shall notify the
Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer
exist.

        (e) RATABLE PAYMENTS; EFFECT OF NOTICE. Each payment of any Advance
pursuant to this Section 2.07 or any other provision of this Agreement shall be
made in a manner such that all Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing
are paid in whole or ratably in part. All notices given pursuant to this Section
2.07 shall be irrevocable and binding upon the Borrower.

        Section 2.08. BREAKAGE COSTS. If (a) any payment of principal on or any
conversion of any Eurodollar Rate Advance is made on any date other than the
last day of the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Advance, whether as a
result of any voluntary or mandatory prepayment, any acceleration of maturity,
or any other cause (other than Section 2.07(d) above), (b) any payment of
principal on any Eurodollar Rate Advance is not made when due, or (c) any
Eurodollar Rate Advance is not borrowed, converted, or prepaid in accordance
with the respective notice thereof provided by the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent, whether as a result of any failure to meet any applicable
conditions precedent for borrowing, conversion, or prepayment, the permitted
cancellation of any request for borrowing, conversion, or prepayment, the
failure of the Borrower to provide the respective notice of borrowing,
conversion, or prepayment, or any other cause not specified above which is
created by the Borrower, the Borrower shall, within 10 days of any written
demand sent to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent by any Lender
having made such Eurodollar Rate Advance, pay to the Administrative Agent for
the account of such Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for
any additional losses, reasonable out-of-pocket costs or expenses which it may
reasonably incur as a result of such payment or nonpayment, including, without
limitation, any loss (including loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense
incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds
acquired by any such Lender reasonably necessary to fund or maintain such
Advance.

        Section 2.09. INCREASED COSTS.

        (a) EURODOLLAR RATE ADVANCES. If, due to either (i) the introduction of
any new law or regulation or any change (other than any change by way of
imposition or increase of reserve requirements included in the Eurodollar Rate
Reserve Percentage) in or in the interpretation of any existing law or
regulation or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central
bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law),
there shall be any increase in the cost to any Lender of agreeing to make or
making, funding or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Advances, then the Borrower shall
from time to time, upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the
Administrative Agent), immediately pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender
for such increased cost. A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost
and detailing the calculation of such cost submitted to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent by such Lender shall be conclusive and binding for all
purposes, absent manifest error, and shall be accompanied with any evidence of
such increased cost as the Borrower may reasonably request.

        (b) CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If any Lender (if a Bank) or the Issuing Lender
(if a Bank) determines in good faith that the introduction of any new law or
regulation or any change in or in the interpretation of any existing law or
regulation affects or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to
be maintained by such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any corporation
controlling such Lender or the Issuing Lender and that the amount of such
capital is increased by or based upon the existence of such Lender's commitment
to lend or the Issuing Lender's commitment to issue the Letters of Credit and
other commitments of this type, then, upon 30 days' prior written notice by such
Lender or the Issuing Lender (with a copy of any such demand to the
Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Administrative
Agent for the account of such Lender or to the Issuing Lender, as the case may
be, from time to time as specified by such Lender or the Issuing Lender,
additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender,
in light of such circumstances, (i) with respect to such Lender, to the extent
that such Lender reasonably determines such increase in capital to be allocable
to the existence of such Lender's commitment to lend under this Agreement and
(ii) with respect to the Issuing Lender, to the extent that the Issuing Lender
reasonably determines such increase in capital to be allocable to the issuance
or maintenance of the Letters of Credit. A certificate as to such amounts and
detailing the calculation of such amounts submitted to the Borrower by such
Lender or the Issuing Lender shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes,
absent manifest error, and shall be accompanied with any evidence of the need
for maintenance of such increased capital as the Borrower may reasonably
request.

        (c) LETTERS OF CREDIT. With respect to any Issuing Lender which is a
Bank, if any change in any existing law or regulation or in the interpretation
thereof by any court or administrative or Governmental Authority charged with
the administration thereof shall either (i) impose, modify, or deem applicable
any reserve, special deposit, or similar requirement against letters of credit
issued by, or assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, the Issuing
Lender or (ii) impose on the Issuing Lender any other condition regarding the
provisions of this Agreement relating to the Letters of Credit or any Letter of
Credit Obligations, and the result of any event referred to in the preceding
clause (i) or (ii) shall be to increase the cost to the Issuing Lender of
issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (which increase in cost shall be
determined by the Issuing Lender's reasonable allocation of the aggregate of
such cost increases resulting from such event), then, upon demand by the Issuing
Lender, the Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Lender, from time to time as
specified by the Issuing Lender, additional amounts which shall be sufficient to
compensate the Issuing Lender for such increased cost. A certificate as to such
increased cost incurred by the Issuing Lender, as a result of any event
mentioned in clause (i) or (ii) above, and detailing the calculation of such
increased costs submitted by the Issuing Lender to the Borrower, shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and shall be
accompanied with any evidence of such increased cost as the Borrower may
reasonably request.

        Section 2.10. PAYMENTS AND COMPUTATIONS.

        (a) PAYMENT PROCEDURES. The Borrower shall make each payment under this
Agreement and under the Notes not later than 10:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on
the day when due in Dollars to the Administrative Agent at the location referred
to in the Notes (or such other location in the United States as the
Administrative Agent shall designate in writing to the Borrower) in same day
funds without deduction, setoff, or counterclaim of any kind. The Administrative
Agent will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to
the payment of principal, interest or fees ratably (other than amounts payable
solely to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, or a specific Lender
pursuant to Section 2.03(b), 2.03(c), 2.06(c), 2.08, 2.09, or 2.11, but after
taking into account payments effected pursuant to Section 9.04) to the Lenders
for the account of their respective Applicable Lending Offices, and like funds
relating to the payment of any other amount payable to any Lender or the Issuing
Lender to such Lender for the account of its Applicable Lending Office, in each
case to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If and to the
extent that the Administrative Agent receives any payment or prepayment from the
Borrower and fails to distribute such payment or prepayment to the Lenders
ratably on the basis of their respective Pro Rata Shares on the day the
Administrative Agent receives such payment or prepayment (if received prior to
10:00 a.m. on such day) or the next Business Day (if received after 10:00 a.m.
on such day), then the Administrative Agent shall pay to each Lender such
Lender's Pro Rata Share of such payment or prepayment together with interest
thereon at the Federal Funds Rate for each day from the date such amount should
have been distributed by the Administrative Agent until such payment or
prepayment is actually distributed to the Lenders.

        (b) COMPUTATIONS. All computations of interest based on the Base Rate
shall be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366
days, as the case may be, and all computations of interest based on the
Eurodollar Rate, the Federal Funds Rate, and of fees shall be made by the
Administrative Agent, on the basis of a year of 360 days, in each case for the
actual number of days (including the first day, but excluding the last day)
occurring in the period for which such interest or fees are payable. Each
determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

        (c) NON-BUSINESS DAY PAYMENTS. Whenever any payment shall be stated to
be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the
next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be
included in the computation of payment of interest or fees, as the case may be;
PROVIDED, however, that if such extension would cause payment of interest on or
principal of Eurodollar Rate Advances to be made in the next following calendar
month, such payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.

        (d) ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT RELIANCE. Unless the Administrative Agent shall
have received written notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any
payment is due to the Lenders that the Borrower will not make such payment in
full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such
payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative
Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each
Lender on such date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender. If and
to the extent the Borrower shall not have so made such payment in full to the
Administrative Agent, each Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent
forthwith on demand such amount distributed to such Lender, together with
interest, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Lender
until the date such Lender repays such amount to the Administrative Agent, at
the Federal Funds Rate for such day.

        Section 2.11. TAXES.

        (a) NO DEDUCTION FOR CERTAIN TAXES. Any and all payments by the Borrower
shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.10, free and clear of and without
deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions,
charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in
the case of each Lender, the Issuing Lender, and the Administrative Agent, any
franchise taxes or taxes on the net income, net worth or shareholders' capital
of such Person (and taxes imposed in lieu of any such taxes) imposed on such
Person by the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is organized or in which
is located its Applicable Lending Office or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein (all such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts,
deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities being hereinafter referred to
as "Taxes"). If the Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from
or in respect of any sum payable to any Lender, the Issuing Lender, or the
Administrative Agent (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may be necessary
so that, after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable
to additional sums payable under this Section 2.11), such Person receives an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made;
PROVIDED, however, that if the Borrower's obligation to deduct or withhold Taxes
is caused solely by such Person's failure or inability to comply with the
provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section 2.11, no such increase shall be
required; (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions; and (iii) the Borrower
shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other
authority in accordance with applicable law and provide to the Administrative
Agent a receipt or a copy of a payment voucher from such relevant taxation
authority or other authority evidencing such payment.

        (b) OTHER TAXES. In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any present or
future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges
or similar levies which arise from any payment made or from the execution,
delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, the
Notes, or the other Credit Documents (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

        (c) INDEMNIFICATION. THE BORROWER INDEMNIFIES EACH LENDER, THE ISSUING
LENDER, AND THE AGENTS FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF ALL TAXES (AS DEFINED IN SECTION
2.11(A) ABOVE) AND OTHER TAXES (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2.11(B) ABOVE) IMPOSED BY
ANY JURISDICTION ON AMOUNTS PAYABLE UNDER THIS SECTION 2.11 PAID BY SUCH LENDER,
THE ISSUING LENDER, OR THE AGENTS (AS THE CASE MAY BE) AND ANY LIABILITY
(INCLUDING INTEREST, PENALTIES AND EXPENSES (OTHER THAN INTEREST, PENALTIES AND
EXPENSES ARISING SOLELY FROM THE FAILURE OF THE AGENTS, THE ISSUING LENDER, OR
ANY LENDER TO PROVIDE THE FORMS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (D) OF THIS SECTION
2.11)) ARISING THEREFROM OR WITH RESPECT THERETO, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH TAXES (AS
DEFINED IN SECTION 2.11(A) ABOVE) OR OTHER TAXES (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2.11(B)
ABOVE) WERE CORRECTLY OR LEGALLY ASSERTED. EACH PAYMENT REQUIRED TO BE MADE BY
THE BORROWER IN RESPECT OF THIS INDEMNIFICATION SHALL BE MADE TO THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY LENDER CLAIMING SUCH INDEMNIFICATION
WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE THE BORROWER RECEIVES WRITTEN DEMAND THEREFOR FROM
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE
ISSUING LENDER, OR ANY SUCH LENDER. IF ANY LENDER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, OR
THE ISSUING LENDER RECEIVES A REFUND OR TAX CREDIT IN RESPECT OF ANY TAXES (AS
DEFINED IN SECTION 2.11(A) ABOVE) PAID BY THE BORROWER UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH (C),
SUCH LENDER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, OR THE ISSUING LENDER, AS THE CASE MAY
BE, SHALL PROMPTLY PAY TO THE BORROWER THE BORROWER'S SHARE OF SUCH REFUND OR
TAX CREDIT.

        (d) FOREIGN LENDER WITHHOLDING EXEMPTION. Each Lender and Issuing Lender
that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a
state thereof agrees that it will deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent (i) two duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service
Form 1001 or 4224 or successor applicable form, as the case may be, certifying
in each case that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under this
Agreement and the Notes payable to it, without deduction or withholding of any
United States federal income taxes, (ii) if applicable, an Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8 or W-9 or successor applicable form, as the case may be, to
establish an exemption from United States backup withholding tax, and (iii) any
other governmental forms which are necessary or required under an applicable tax
treaty or otherwise by law to reduce or eliminate any withholding tax, which
have been reasonably requested by the Borrower. Each Lender which delivers to
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a Form 1001 or 4224 and Form W-8 or
W-9 pursuant to the next preceding sentence further undertakes to deliver to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further copies of the said letter and
Form 1001 or 4224 and Form W-8 or W-9, or successor applicable forms, or other
manner of certification, as the case may be, on or before the date that any such
letter or form expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event
requiring a change in the most recent letter and form previously delivered by it
to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and such extensions or renewals
thereof as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent certifying in the case of a Form 1001 or 4224 that such Lender is entitled
to receive payments under this Agreement without deduction or withholding of any
United States federal income taxes. If an event (including without limitation
any change in treaty, law or regulation) has occurred prior to the date on which
any delivery required by the preceding sentence would otherwise be required
which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent any Lender from
duly completing and delivering any such letter or form with respect to it and
such Lender advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it is not
capable of receiving payments without any deduction or withholding of United
States federal income tax, and in the case of a Form W-8 or W-9, establishing an
exemption from United States backup withholding tax, such Lender shall not be
required to deliver such letter or forms. The Borrower shall withhold tax at the
rate and in the manner required by the laws of the United States with respect to
payments made to a Lender failing to timely provide the requisite Internal
Revenue Service forms.

        Section 2.12. SHARING OF PAYMENTS, ETC. If any Lender shall obtain any
payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of
set-off or otherwise) on account of the Advances or Letter of Credit Obligations
made by it in excess of its Pro Rata Share of payments on account of the
Advances or Letter of Credit Obligations obtained by all the Lenders, such
Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent and forthwith purchase from the
other Lenders such participations in the Advances made by them or Letter of
Credit Obligations held by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing
Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of them; PROVIDED, however,
that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from
such purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and
such Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the
extent of such Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (a) the
amount of the participation sold by such Lender to the purchasing Lender as a
result of such excess payment to (b) the total amount of such excess payment) of
such recovery, together with an amount equal to such Lender's ratable share
(according to the proportion of (a) the amount of such Lender's required
repayment to the purchasing Lender to (b) the total amount of all such required
repayments to the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or
payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered.
The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another
Lender pursuant to this Section 2.12 may, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with
respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct
creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

        Section 2.13. LETTERS OF CREDIT.

        (a) ISSUANCE. From time-to-time from the date of this Agreement until
the Maturity Date, at the request of the Borrower, the Issuing Lender shall, on
the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, issue, increase, or extend the
expiration date of Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower on any
Business Day. No Letter of Credit will be issued, increased, or extended (i)
unless such issuance, increase, or extension would not cause (A) the Letter of
Credit Exposure to exceed the lesser of (1) $15,000,000 or (2) the aggregate
Commitments LESS the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Advances;
(ii) unless such Letter of Credit has an Expiration Date not later than the
earlier of (A) 13 months after the date of issuance thereof (or, if extendable
beyond such period, unless such Letter of Credit is cancelable upon 120 days'
notice given by the Issuing Lender to the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit)
and (B) the Maturity Date; (iii) unless such Letter of Credit is in form and
substance acceptable to the Issuing Lender in its sole discretion; (iv) unless
such Letter of Credit is a standby letter of credit not supporting the repayment
of indebtedness for borrowed money of any Person; and (v) unless the Borrower
has delivered to the Issuing Lender a completed and executed letter of credit
application on the Issuing Lender's standard form, which application for the
initial Issuing Lender is in the form of the attached Exhibit F. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent and the Lenders permit the Expiration
Date of any Letter of Credit to extend beyond the Maturity Date, the Borrower
shall either (i) deposit with the Administrative Agent into the Cash Collateral
Account on the Maturity Date an amount of cash equal to the outstanding Letter
of Credit Exposure as security for the Obligations to the extent the Letter of
Credit Obligations are not otherwise paid at such time, or (ii) cause to be
issued to the Issuing Lender, as beneficiary, a standby letter of credit in the
face amount of the Letter of Credit Exposure, as security for the Letter of
Credit Obligations, issued by a commercial bank meeting the criteria of an
Eligible Assignee, in form and content reasonably acceptable to the Issuing
Lender.

        (b) PARTICIPATIONS. Upon the date of the issuance or increase of a
Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have sold to each other
Lender and each other Lender shall have been deemed to have purchased from the
Issuing Lender a participation in the related Letter of Credit Obligations equal
to such Lender's Pro Rata Share at such date and such sale and purchase shall
otherwise be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Issuing Lender
shall promptly notify each such participant Lender by telex, telephone, or
telecopy of each Letter of Credit issued or increased and the actual dollar
amount of such Lender's participation in such Letter of Credit.

        (c) REIMBURSEMENT. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay on demand to the
Issuing Lender for the benefit of the Lenders in respect of each Letter of
Credit, or as a Base Rate Advance as hereafter provided, an amount equal to any
draw paid by the Issuing Lender under or in respect of such Letter of Credit. In
the event the Issuing Lender makes a payment pursuant to a request for draw
presented under a Letter of Credit and such payment is not promptly reimbursed
by the Borrower upon demand, the Issuing Lender shall give notice of such
payment to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and each Lender shall
promptly reimburse the Issuing Lender for such Lender's Pro Rata Share of such
payment, and such reimbursement shall be deemed for all purposes of this
Agreement to constitute a Base Rate Advance to the Borrower from such Lender. If
such reimbursement is not made by any Lender to the Issuing Lender on the same
day on which the Issuing Lender shall have made payment on any such draw, such
Lender shall pay interest thereon to the Issuing Lender at a rate per annum
equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Borrower hereby unconditionally and
irrevocably authorizes, empowers, and directs the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders to record and otherwise treat such payment under a Letter of Credit not
immediately reimbursed by the Borrower as a Borrowing comprised of Base Rate
Advances to the Borrower.

        (d) OBLIGATIONS UNCONDITIONAL. The obligations of the Borrower under
this Agreement in respect of each Letter of Credit shall be unconditional and
irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement under all circumstances, including, without limitation, the following
circumstances:

                (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of
        Credit Documents;

                (ii) any amendment or waiver of, or any consent to departure
        from, any Letter of Credit Documents;

              (iii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right
        which the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary or
        transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such
        beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing Lender or
        any other person or entity, whether in connection with this Agreement,
        the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or in any Letter of
        Credit Documents or any unrelated transaction;

              (iv) any statement or any other document presented under such
        Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or
        insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or
        inaccurate in any respect to the extent the Issuing Lender would not be
        liable therefor pursuant to the following paragraph (e);

               (v) payment by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit
        against presentment of a draft or certificate which does not comply with
        the terms of such Letter of Credit (unless such failure to comply is
        evident on the face of such draft or certificate and such payment would
        constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Issuing
        Lender); or

                (vi) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or
        not similar to any of the foregoing;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing contained in this paragraph (d) shall be deemed
to constitute a waiver of any remedies of the Borrower against the Issuing
Lender in connection with the Letters of Credit.

        (e) LIABILITY OF ISSUING LENDER. Except as otherwise provided herein,
the Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or
transferee of any Letter of Credit with respect to its use of such Letter of
Credit. Neither the Issuing Lender nor any of its officers or directors shall be
liable or responsible for:

                (i) the use which may be made of any Letter of Credit or any
        acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee in connection
        therewith;

               (ii) the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of
        any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should prove to be in
        any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged;

              (iii) payment by the Issuing Lender against presentment of
        documents which do not comply with the terms of a Letter of Credit,
        including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate
        reference to the relevant Letter of Credit (unless such failure to
        comply is evident on the face of the draft or certificate and such
        payment would constitute negligence or willful misconduct by the Issuing
        Lender); or

               (iv) any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to
        make payment under any Letter of Credit (including the Issuing Lender's
        own negligence).

EXCEPT that the Borrower shall have a claim against the Issuing Lender, and the
Issuing Lender shall be liable to the Borrower, to the extent of any direct, as
opposed to consequential, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower
proves were caused by (A) the Issuing Lender's willful misconduct or gross
negligence in determining whether documents presented under a Letter of Credit
comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (B) the Issuing Lender's
willful failure to make lawful payment under any Letter of Credit after the
presentment to it of a draft and certificate strictly complying with the terms
and conditions of such Letter of Credit.

In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Issuing Lender may
accept documents that appear on their face to comply with the terms of the
applicable Letter of Credit, without responsibility for further investigation,
regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.

        (f) EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT. As of the Effective Date, Provident, as
Issuing Lender for those Existing Letters of Credit outstanding on the date of
this Agreement, shall be deemed to have sold to each other Lender and each other
Lender shall be deemed to have purchased from the Issuing Lender with respect to
such Existing Letters of Credit, a Pro Rata Share participation in each such
Existing Letter of Credit. Provident shall arrange with the Lenders to prorate
and ratably distribute to the Lenders the fees previously paid to Provident with
respect to such Existing Letters of Credit. Any reissues, replacements or
renewals of such Existing Letters of Credit shall be issued by NationsBank (or
any successor designated pursuant to Section 8.06) as Issuing Lender, provided,
however, that in no event shall the Borrower be required to pay any letter of
credit fees for such Existing Letters of Credit or for any reissues or
replacements thereof for any periods prior to their current expiry dates.

        Section 2.14. NOTICE OF INCREASED COSTS; LENDER REPLACEMENT. Each Lender
seeking compensation pursuant to Sections 2.06(c), 2.07(d), 2.09(a), 2.09(b),
2.09(c) or 2.11 shall deliver the notices required by such Sections as promptly
as practicable, and in any event within 90 days after it becomes aware thereof
and determines to request compensation provided that, except as set forth in the
immediately succeeding sentence of this Section 2.14, the failure on the part of
any Lender to demand compensation under such Sections shall not constitute a
waiver of such Lender's rights under such Sections. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Sections 2.06(c), 2.07(d), 2.09(a), 2.09(b), 2.09(c) or 2.11 of
this Agreement and the other provisions of this Section 2.14, the Borrower shall
have no obligation to pay to any Lender (including the Issuing Lender and the
Agents) any compensation described in such Sections to the extent any such
compensation relates to any period which is more than 90 days prior to the date
such Lender delivers to the Borrower the notice or notices required by any such
Section or Sections, unless reasonably promptly following the date such Lender
became aware of the event or occurrence which results in such Lender's right to
receive such compensation under such Section or Sections of this Agreement such
Lender gave written notice thereof to the Borrower. To the extent requested by
Borrower and not inconsistent with the Lender requesting compensation, such
Lender shall use reasonable efforts and take such actions as are reasonably
appropriate if as a result thereof the additional moneys which would otherwise
be required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to such Sections would be
materially reduced, or the illegality or other adverse circumstances which would
otherwise require a Conversion would cease to exist, and in each case if, as
determined by such Lender in its sole discretion, the taking of such actions
would not have any cost to such Lender and would not adversely affect the
Advances made by such Lender. In the event any Lender shall give any notice to
the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to Sections 2.01(b), 2.06(c),
2.07(d), 2.09(a), 2.09(b), 2.09(c) or 2.11, the Borrower may give notice to such
Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) that it wishes to seek one or
more Eligible Assignees (which may be one or more of the Lenders) to assume the
Commitment of such Lender and to purchase its Pro Rata Share of the Obligations
and its Note. Each Lender delivering a notice pursuant to the foregoing Sections
agrees to sell, without recourse, its Commitment, and its Pro Rata Share of the
Obligations and its Note to any such Eligible Assignee for an amount equal to
the sum of the outstanding principal amount of and accrued interest on the
Advances owing to such Lender plus all fees and other amounts owing to such
Lender under the Credit Documents (including, without limitation, any
compensation owing to such Lender pursuant to the foregoing Sections) until the
date such Commitment, Note and amounts are purchased, whereupon such Lender
shall have no further Commitment or other obligation to the Borrower under this
Agreement or any other Credit Document and such Eligible Assignee shall
thereupon be substituted in its place as a "Lender" hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE III

                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING

        Section 3.01. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INITIAL BORROWINGS AND ISSUANCE OF
LETTERS OF CREDIT. The obligation of each Lender to make its initial Advance as
part of the initial Borrowing and of the Issuing Lender to issue the initial
Letters of Credit is subject to the conditions precedent that:

        (a) DOCUMENTATION. On or before the day on which the initial Borrowing
is made or the initial Letters of Credit are issued, the Documentation Agent
shall have received the following, duly executed by all the parties thereto, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Documentation Agent and the Lenders, and
(except for the Notes) in sufficient copies for each Lender:

               (i) this Agreement and all attached Exhibits and Schedules, and
        the Notes payable to the order of each of the Lenders, respectively, and
        their respective fee letters;

              (ii) a Guaranty executed by each of the Borrower's Subsidiaries;

             (iii) a certificate from the President or Chief Financial Officer
        of the Borrower dated as of the Effective Date stating that upon the
        consummation of the Offering: (A) all representations and warranties of
        the Borrower set forth in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents
        are true and correct in all material respects; (B) no Default has
        occurred and is continuing; (C) the conditions in this Section 3.01 have
        been met; and (D) none of the terms of the Offering Documents have been
        amended, restated, waived or otherwise modified in any manner materially
        adverse to the Lenders since the date of this Agreement;

                (iv) true copies of each of the Offering Documents and related
        documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission;

              (v) (A) certified copies of (I) the resolutions of the Board of
        Directors of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries approving this
        Agreement, the Notes, and the other Credit Documents, (II) the articles
        or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Borrower and each of
        its Subsidiaries, and (III) all documents evidencing other necessary
        corporate action and governmental approvals, if any, with respect to
        this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Credit Documents, and (B)
        certificates of good standing, existence and authority for each of the
        Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries;

             (vi) a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
        the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries dated as of the date of this
        Agreement certifying the names and true signatures of those officers of
        the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries who are authorized to sign
        this Agreement, the Notes, Notices of Borrowing, Notices of Conversion
        or Continuation and the other Credit Documents; and

            (vii) a favorable opinion of Snell & Smith, A Professional
        Corporation, counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, dated as of
        the Effective Date and substantially in the form of the attached Exhibit
        G.

        (b) OFFERING. On or before the day on which the initial Borrowing is
made and the initial Letters of Credit are issued, the Offering shall have been
consummated resulting in the Borrower's receiving net proceeds, after the
payment of all transaction costs and all other fees and expenses related to the
Offering not previously paid, of at least $40,000,000.

        (c) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. No event or events which, individually
or in the aggregate has had or is reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse
Change, shall have occurred.

        (d) PAYMENT OF FEES. On the date of this Agreement, the Borrower shall
have paid the fees required by paragraph (b) of Section 2.03 which are payable
as of such date and all costs and expenses which have been invoiced and are
payable pursuant to Section 9.04.

        (e) NO DEFAULT. No Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
would result from such Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds
therefrom or from the issuance, increase or extension of such Letters of Credit.

        (f) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and warranties
contained in Article IV hereof and in the Guaranty shall be true and correct in
all material respects on and as of the Effective Date before and after giving
effect to the initial Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds from such
Borrowing or to the issuance, increase or extension of the initial Letters of
Credit, as though made on and as of such date.

        (g) TERMINATION OF CERTAIN EXISTING DEBT. The Documentation Agent and
the Lenders shall have received sufficient evidence indicating that (i) the
Borrower's obligations owing to the Existing Lenders have been repaid with the
proceeds of the Offering, other cash available to the Borrower, and the initial
Advances (to the extent required), and (ii) all commitments or obligations under
the Existing Loan Documents have been terminated. Additionally, the
Documentation Agent shall have received duly executed originals of one or more
termination agreements among the Borrower and each Existing Lender in form and
substance satisfactory to the Documentation Agent representing that all
obligations under the Existing Loan Documents have been repaid and requiring
that each such Existing Lender execute such documentation as is necessary to
release all Liens, if any, existing with respect to the obligations under the
Existing Loan Documents. In addition, the Agents shall have received copies of
all lien searches necessary to reflect Borrower's compliance with Section 6.01.

        (h) NO MATERIAL LITIGATION. No legal or regulatory action or proceeding
shall have commenced and then be continuing against the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries since the date of this Agreement which could reasonably be expected
to cause a Material Adverse Change.

        Section 3.02. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EACH BORROWING. The obligation of
each Lender to make an Advance on the occasion of each Borrowing (including the
initial Borrowing) and of the Issuing Lender to issue, increase, or extend any
Letter of Credit shall be subject to the further conditions precedent that on
the date of such Borrowing or the issuance, increase, or extension of such
Letter of Credit:

        (a) the following statements shall be true (and each of the giving of
the applicable Notice of Borrowing and the acceptance by the Borrower of the
proceeds of such Borrowing or the issuance, increase, or extension of such
Letter of Credit shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower
that on the date of such Borrowing or the issuance, increase, or extension of
such Letter of Credit such statements are true):

               (i) the representations and warranties contained in Article IV
        and in the Guaranty are correct in all material respects on and as of
        the date of such Borrowing or the issuance, increase, or extension of
        such Letter of Credit, before and after giving effect to such Borrowing
        or to the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit and
        to the application of the proceeds from such Borrowing, as though made
        on and as of such date, except for such representations and warranties
        which, by their nature, are made as of a specific date, which shall
        continue to be correct in all material respects as of such specific
        date; and

              (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
        from such Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds therefrom or
        from the issuance, increase or extension of such Letter of Credit; and

        (b) the Documentation Agent shall have received such other approvals or
documents deemed necessary by any Lender as a result of circumstances beyond the
control of such Lender occurring after the date of this Agreement, as any Lender
through the Documentation Agent may reasonably request.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

        The Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

        Section 4.01. CORPORATE EXISTENCE; SUBSIDIARIES. The Borrower is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of Delaware and in good standing and qualified to do business in each
jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or conduct of its business
requires such qualification and where a failure to be qualified could reasonably
be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. Each Subsidiary of the Borrower
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under
the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and in good standing and qualified
to do business in each jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or
conduct of its business requires such qualification and where a failure to be
qualified could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. The
Borrower has no Subsidiaries on the date of this Agreement other than the
Subsidiaries listed on the attached Schedule 4.01, and Schedule 4.01 lists the
jurisdiction of incorporation and the address of the principal office of each
such Subsidiary existing on the date of this Agreement.

        Section 4.02. CORPORATE POWER. The execution, delivery, and performance
by the Borrower of this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Credit Documents to
which it is a party, and by the Subsidiaries of the Borrower of the Guaranty and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) are
within the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' respective corporate powers, (b)
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action required on their
part, (c) do not contravene (i) the Borrower's or its Subsidiaries' certificate
or articles, as the case may be, of incorporation or by-laws or (ii) any law or
any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries (other than restrictions contained in the Existing Loan Documents,
which will be terminated simultaneously with the making of the initial Advances
and the application of the proceeds of such Advances), and (d) will not result
in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by this
Agreement. At the time of each Borrowing, such Borrowing and the use of the
proceeds of such Borrowing will be within the Borrower's corporate powers, will
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, (a) will not
contravene (i) the Borrower's certificate of incorporation or by-laws or (ii)
any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower and
(b) will not result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien
prohibited by this Agreement.

        Section 4.03. AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVALS. No authorization or approval
or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority
is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of
this Agreement, the Notes, or the other Credit Documents to which the Borrower
is a party or by each of Subsidiaries of the Borrower of its Guaranty or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby. At the time of each
Borrowing, no further authorization or approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority will be required for such
Borrowing or the use of the proceeds of such Borrowing.

        Section 4.04. ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS. This Agreement, the Notes, and
the other Credit Documents to which the Borrower is a party have been duly
executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Guaranty has been duly executed
and delivered by the Subsidiaries of the Borrower. Each Credit Document is the
legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries which is a party to it, enforceable against the Borrower and each
of its Subsidiaries in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability
may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, or similar law affecting creditors' rights generally and by general
principles of equity.

        Section 4.05. HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Historical Financial
Statements, copies of which have been furnished to each Lender, fairly present,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and June 30, 1996 and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1995 and the six months in the period
ended June 30, 1996, in conformity with GAAP. Since June 30, 1996, no Material
Adverse Change has occurred.

        Section 4.06. TRUE AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURE. All factual information
(excluding projections, estimates and pro forma financial information)
heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in writing to the Agents for purposes of or in connection with this
Agreement, any other Credit Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or
thereby is (taken as a whole) true and accurate in all material respects on the
date as of which such information is dated or certified and does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements contained therein not misleading as of the date of this
Agreement. All projections, estimates, and pro forma financial information
furnished by the Borrower were prepared on the basis of assumptions, data,
information, tests, or conditions believed to be reasonable at the time such
projections, estimates, and pro forma financial information were furnished.

        Section 4.07. LITIGATION. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of
the Borrower, threatened action or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries before any court, Governmental Agency or arbitrator, which
could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change or which
purports to affect the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of
this Agreement, any Note, or any other Credit Document.

        Section 4.08. USE OF PROCEEDS. The proceeds of Advances and the Letters
of Credit will be used by the Borrower for general corporate purposes including,
but not limited to, Acquisitions. The Borrower is not engaged in the business of
extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within
the meaning of Regulation U). No proceeds of any Advance will be used to
purchase or carry any margin stock in violation of Regulation G, T, U or X.

        Section 4.09. INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. Neither the Borrower nor any of
its Subsidiaries is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

        Section 4.10. PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT. Neither the Borrower
nor any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or a "Subsidiary company" of
a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a
"Subsidiary company" of a "holding company", within the meaning of the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

        Section 4.11. TAXES. Proper and accurate (in all material respects)
federal, state, local and foreign tax returns, reports and statements required
to be filed (after giving effect to any extension granted in the time for
filing) by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any member of the Controlled Group
(hereafter collectively called the "Tax Group") have been filed with the
appropriate governmental agencies in all jurisdictions in which such returns,
reports and statements are required to be filed and where the failure to file
would cause a Material Adverse Change, and all taxes (which are material in
amount) and other impositions due and payable have been timely paid prior to the
date on which any fine, penalty, interest, late charge or loss may be added
thereto for non-payment thereof except where contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings. Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Tax Group
has given, or been requested to give, a waiver of the statute of limitations
relating to the payment of any federal, state, local or foreign taxes or other
impositions. Proper and accurate amounts have been withheld by the Borrower and
all other members of the Tax Group from their employees for all periods to
comply in all material respects with the tax, social security and unemployment
withholding provisions of applicable federal, state, local and foreign law.
Timely payment of all material sales and use taxes required by applicable law
have been made by the Borrower and all other members of the Tax Group. The
amounts shown on all tax returns to be due and payable have been paid in full or
adequate provision therefor is included on the books of the appropriate member
of the Tax Group.

        Section 4.12. PENSION PLANS. All Plans are in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA. No Termination Event has
occurred with respect to any Plan, and each Plan has complied with and been
administered in all material respects with applicable provisions of ERISA and
the Code. No "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of
ERISA) has occurred and there has been no excise tax imposed under Section 4971
of the Code. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
Multiemployer Plans. The present value of all benefits vested under each Plan
(based on the assumptions used to fund such Plan) did not, as of the last annual
valuation date applicable thereto, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan
allocable to such vested benefits. Based upon GAAP existing as of the date of
this Agreement and current factual circumstances, the Borrower has no reason to
believe that the annual cost during the term of this Agreement to the Borrower
or any member of the Controlled Group for post-retirement benefits to be
provided to the current and former employees of the Borrower or any member of
the Controlled Group under Plans that are welfare benefit plans (as defined in
Section 3(a) of ERISA) could, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause
a Material Adverse Change.

        Section 4.13. CONDITION OF PROPERTY; CASUALTIES. The material Properties
used or to be used in the continuing operations of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries are in the condition required to adequately service the function
for which such Properties are used. Since June 30, 1996, neither the business
nor the material Properties of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, has been materially and adversely affected as a result of any fire,
explosion, earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm, accident, strike or other
labor disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of property or cancellation of
contracts, permits or concessions by a Governmental Authority, riot, activities
of armed forces or acts of God or of any public enemy.

        Section 4.14. INSURANCE. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries carry
insurance with reputable insurers in respect of such of their respective
Properties, in such amounts and against such risks as is customarily maintained
by other Persons of similar size engaged in similar businesses.

        Section 4.15. NO BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS; NO DEFAULTS. Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any indenture, loan or credit
agreement or any lease or other agreement or instrument or subject to any
charter or corporate restriction or provision of applicable law or governmental
regulation which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change
(other than restrictions contained in the Existing Loan Agreements, which will
be terminated simultaneous with the making of the initial Advances and the
application of the proceeds of such Advances). Neither the Borrower nor any of
its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any contract, agreement,
lease or other instrument to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party and which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.
Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of
default under any contract, agreement, lease or other instrument to which the
Borrower or any such Subsidiary is a party. No Default has occurred and is
continuing.

        Section 4.16. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION.

        (a) PERMITS, ETC. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries (i) have obtained
all Environmental Permits required by Governmental Authorities necessary for the
ownership and operation of their respective Properties and the conduct of their
respective businesses; (ii) to the Borrower's Knowledge, have been and are in
compliance with all terms and conditions of such Environmental Permits, if any,
and with all other material requirements of applicable Environmental Laws; (iii)
have not received notice of any violation or alleged violation of any
Environmental Law or Environmental Permit; and (iv) are not subject to any
actual or contingent Environmental Claim.

        (b) CERTAIN LIABILITIES. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16(b), to the
Borrower's Knowledge, none of the present or previously owned or operated
Properties of the Borrower or of any of its present or former Subsidiaries,
wherever located, (i) has been placed on or proposed to be placed on the
National Priorities List, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
Liability Information System list, or their state or local analogs, or have been
otherwise investigated, designated, listed, or identified as a potential site
for removal, remediation, cleanup, closure, restoration, reclamation, or other
response activity under any Environmental Laws; (ii) is subject to a Lien,
arising under or in connection with any Environmental Laws, that attaches to any
revenues or to any Property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, wherever located, which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Change; or (iii) has been the site of any Release of Hazardous
Substances or Hazardous Wastes from present or past operations which has caused
at the site or at any third party site any condition that has resulted in or
could reasonably be expected to result in the need for Response that would cause
a Material Adverse Change.

        (c) CERTAIN ACTIONS. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) all necessary
notices have been properly filed, and no further action is required under
current Environmental Law as to each Response or other restoration or remedial
project taken by the Borrower, or its present or former Subsidiaries on any of
their presently or formerly owned or operated Properties and (ii) the present
and, to the Borrower's Knowledge, future liability, if any, of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to arise in connection with
requirements under Environmental Laws will not result in a Material Adverse
Change.

        Section 4.17. PERMITS, LICENSES, ETC. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries
possess all permits, licenses, patents, patent rights or licenses, trademarks,
trademark rights, trade names rights and copyrights which are necessary and
material to the conduct of their businesses. To the Borrower's Knowledge, the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries manage and operate their business in all material
respects in accordance with all applicable Legal Requirements and standard
industry practices.

        Section 4.18. FUNDED DEBT; LIENS. As of the date hereof, neither
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Funded Debt, except for
(i) Funded Debt disclosed on the Borrower's consolidated balance sheet at June
30, 1996 included within the Historical Financial Statements, (ii) Funded Debt
incurred since the date of such balance sheet with Provident under Existing Loan
Documents, which will be terminated as described in Section 3.01(g) and (iii)
obligations under agreements not to compete. As of the date hereof, none of the
respective assets or Properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is
subject to any Liens, other than those which would constitute Permitted Liens
under Section 6.01.

        Section 4.19. DIRECT BENEFIT FROM BORROWINGS. The Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries has received, or, upon the execution and funding thereof, will
receive (i) direct benefit from the making and execution of this Agreement and
the other Credit Documents to which each of them is a party, and (ii) fair and
independent consideration for the entry into, and performance of, this Agreement
and the other Credit Documents to which each of them is a party.

        Section 4.20. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE. As of the date of this Agreement,
the chief executive office of the Borrower is the address set forth in SECTION
9.02 hereof.

                                    ARTICLE V

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

        So long as any Note or any amount under any Credit Document shall remain
unpaid, any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, or any Lender shall have
any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower agrees, unless the Majority Lenders shall
otherwise consent in writing, to comply with the following covenants.

        Section 5.01. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, ETC. The Borrower will comply, and
cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with all
Legal Requirements. Without limiting the generality and coverage of the
foregoing, the Borrower shall comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to comply, in all material respects, with all Environmental Laws and all laws,
regulations, or directives with respect to equal employment opportunity and
employee safety in all jurisdictions in which the Borrower, or any of its
Subsidiaries do business; PROVIDED, however, that this Section 5.01 shall not
prevent the Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries from, in good faith and with
reasonable diligence, contesting the validity or application of any such laws or
regulations by appropriate legal proceedings.

        Section 5.02. MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE. The Borrower will maintain, and
cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and
reputable insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such
risks as are usually carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and
owning similar properties in the same general areas in which the Borrower or any
such Subsidiary operates, provided that Borrower or any such Subsidiary may self
insure with respect to health, medical and related insurance in the manner in
effect on the date of this Agreement or in a manner which does not materially
increase the aggregate loss exposure of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

        Section 5.03. PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC. The Borrower
will preserve and maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to preserve and
maintain, its corporate existence, rights, franchises and privileges in the
jurisdiction of its incorporation, and qualify and remain qualified, and cause
each such Subsidiary to qualify and remain qualified, as a foreign corporation
in each jurisdiction in which qualification is necessary or desirable in view of
its business and operations or the ownership of its properties, and, in each
case, where failure to qualify or preserve and maintain its rights and
franchises could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing herein contained shall prevent (i) any
transaction permitted by Section 6.04, or (ii) the dissolution, liquidation or
termination of existence of any Subsidiary of Borrower, provided that all of the
Property of any such Subsidiary is transferred to Borrower or another Subsidiary
of Borrower.

        Section 5.04. PAYMENT OF TAXES, ETC. The Borrower will pay and
discharge, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, before the
same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or Property that
are material in amount prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto and
(b) all lawful claims that are material in amount which, if unpaid, might by law
become a Lien upon its Property; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the Borrower
nor any such Subsidiary shall be required to pay or discharge any such tax,
assessment, charge, levy, or claim which is being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings, and with respect to which reserves in conformity with
GAAP have been provided.

        Section 5.05. VISITATION RIGHTS. At any reasonable time and from
time-to-time, upon reasonable notice, the Borrower will, and will cause its
Subsidiaries to, permit each Agent and any Lender or any of its agents or
representatives thereof, to (a) examine and make copies of and abstracts from
the records and books of account of, and visit and inspect at its reasonable
discretion the properties of, the Borrower and any such Subsidiary, and (b)
discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and any such
Subsidiary with any of their respective officers or directors. The Borrower
shall pay all reasonable expenses in connection with such visits and
inspections; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay
travel and hotel expenses incurred by representatives of either Agent or any
Lender in connection with inspections or visits made before the occurrence of an
Event of Default.

        Section 5.06. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Borrower will furnish to the
Agents and each Lender:

        (a) DEFAULTS. As soon as possible and in any event within 5 days after
the occurrence of each Default known to a Responsible Officer of the Borrower
which is continuing on the date of such statement, a written statement of the
Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of such
Default and the actions which the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with
respect thereto;

        (b) OTHER DEFAULTS. As soon as possible and in any event within 15 days
after the occurrence of each default known to a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower which is continuing on the date of such statement, a written statement
of the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of any
material default under or with respect to any contract, agreement, lease or
other instrument to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and
which requires the payment by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of an
aggregate amount equal to or exceeding $250,000 and the actions which the
Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;

        (c) QUARTERLY FINANCIALS. As soon as available and in any event not
later than 45 days after the end of each of the fiscal quarters of the Borrower,
the consolidated balance sheets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end
of such quarter and the consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and
cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period commencing at the
end of the previous year and ending with the end of such quarter, all in
reasonable detail and duly certified with respect to such consolidated
statements (subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes)
by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower on behalf of the Borrower as
having been prepared in accordance with GAAP, together with a Compliance
Certificate executed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower;

        (d) ANNUAL FINANCIALS. As soon as available and in any event not later
than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the
annual audit report for such year for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
including therein consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and consolidated statements of
income, retained earnings and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
for such fiscal year, in each case certified by Arthur Andersen LLP or other
independent certified public accountants of recognized standing reasonably
acceptable to the Documentation Agent and including any management letters
delivered by such accountants to the Borrower in connection with such audit
together with an unqualified opinion and a certificate of such accounting firm
to the Lenders stating that, in the course of the regular audit of the business
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted by such
accounting firm in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, such
accounting firm has obtained no knowledge that a Default has occurred and is
continuing, or if, in the opinion of such accounting firm, a Default has
occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof, together with
a Compliance Certificate executed by the Chief Financial Officer of the
Borrower;

        (e) SECURITIES LAW FILINGS. Promptly and in any event within 15 days
after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all proxy material, reports and
other information which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries sends to or
files with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;

        (f) TERMINATION EVENTS. As soon as possible and in any event (i) within
30 days after the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group knows or has
reason to know that any Termination Event described in clause (a) of the
definition of Termination Event with respect to any Plan has occurred, and (ii)
within 10 days after the Borrower or any of its Affiliates knows or has reason
to know that any other Termination Event with respect to any Plan has occurred,
a statement of the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower describing such
Termination Event and the action, if any, which the Borrower or such Affiliate
proposes to take with respect thereto;

        (g) TERMINATION OF PLANS. Promptly and in any event within 5 Business
Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group
from the PBGC, copies of each notice received by the Borrower or any such member
of the Controlled Group of the PBGC's intention to terminate any Plan or to have
a trustee appointed to administer any Plan;

        (h) OTHER ERISA NOTICES. Promptly and in any event within 5 Business
Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group
from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor, a copy of each notice received by the
Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group concerning the imposition or
amount of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA;

        (i) ENVIRONMENTAL NOTICES. A copy of any form of written notice, summons
or citation, promptly upon the receipt thereof by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, if received from the Environmental Protection Agency or any other
Governmental Authority or, upon a Responsible Officer having Knowledge of the
receipt thereof by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, if received from any
other Person, concerning (i) violations or alleged violations of Environmental
Laws, which seeks to impose any liability therefor, (ii) any action or omission
on the part of the Borrower or any of its present or former Subsidiaries in
connection with Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Substances which could reasonably
result in the imposition of any liability therefor, including without limitation
any notice of potential responsibility under CERCLA, or (iii) concerning the
filing of a Lien upon, against or in connection with the Borrower, its present
or former Subsidiaries, or any of their leased or owned Property, wherever
located;

        (j) OTHER GOVERNMENTAL NOTICES. Promptly and in any event within 5
Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, a copy of
any notice, summons, citation, or proceeding seeking to modify in any material
respect, revoke, or suspend any material contract, license, or Agreement with
any Governmental Authority;

        (k) MATERIAL CHANGES. Prompt written notice of any condition or event of
which the Borrower has Knowledge, which condition or event has resulted or may
reasonably be expected to result in (i) a Material Adverse Change or (ii) a
breach of or noncompliance with any material term, condition, or covenant of any
contract to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
they or their properties may be bound and which is material to the business of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

        (l) PENDING OR THREATENED LITIGATION. Prompt written notice of any
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Borrower, threatened action or proceeding
affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, Governmental
Agency or arbitrator, if the amount asserted in such action or proceeding
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries equals or exceeds $250,000, or
if no amount is asserted, the Borrower reasonably believes, after any
consultation with its attorneys or other advisors, as the Borrower deems
appropriate, to involve an amount against the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries equal to or exceeding $250,000 and, on or before January 31 and
July 31 of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a list of any and all pending or,
to the Knowledge of the Borrower, threatened action or proceeding affecting the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, Governmental Agency or
arbitrator as of January 1 and July 1 of such fiscal year;

        (m) DISPUTES, ETC. Prompt written notice of any claims, proceedings, or
disputes, or to the Knowledge of the Borrower threatened, or affecting the
Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries which, if adversely determined, could
reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change, or any material labor
controversy of which the Borrower has Knowledge resulting in or reasonably
considered to be likely to result in a general labor strike against the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries; and

        (n) QUALIFIED PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS. Promptly following each issuance
of Qualified Preferred Stock, a list of the names, addresses, fax numbers (if
available) and number of shares of Qualified Preferred Stock acquired by each
Person in such issuance.

        (o) OTHER INFORMATION. Such other information respecting the business or
Properties, or the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of the
Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, as any Lender through the Documentation
Agent may from time-to-time reasonably request.

        Section 5.07. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY. Borrower shall, and shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain their owned, leased, or operated Property,
equipment, buildings and fixtures necessary for the operation of their business
in good condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and shall make all repairs
necessary to maintain such condition; and shall abstain, and cause each of its
Subsidiaries to abstain from and not knowingly or willfully permit the
commission of waste or other injury, destruction or loss of natural resources,
or the occurrence of pollution, contamination or any other condition in, on or
about the owned or operated Property involving the Environment that could
reasonably be expected to result in Response activities, the costs of which
would substantially exceed the accrual established by Borrower or by any of its
Subsidiaries for those purposes.

        Section 5.08. NEW SUBSIDIARIES. Upon Borrower's formation or acquisition
of any new Subsidiary, the Borrower shall cause such Subsidiary to promptly
execute and deliver to the Documentation Agent a Joinder Agreement with such
modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the
purpose of joining such Subsidiary as a party to the Guaranty. In connection
therewith, the Borrower shall provide corporate documentation and, if requested
by either Agent, opinion letters reasonably satisfactory to the Agents
reflecting the corporate status of such Subsidiary and the enforceability of
such Joinder Agreement.

        Section 5.09. MAINTENANCE OF TRUST RESERVES AND TRUST ACCOUNTS. The
Borrower shall set aside, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to set aside, where
appropriate, in the appropriate Trust Accounts, all applicable Trust Reserves at
the time such funds are received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and
Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, establish and maintain all
of the funding obligations of each of the Trust Accounts in accordance with
applicable Legal Requirements and the provisions set forth herein and in the
other Credit Documents.

        Section 5.10. MAINTENANCE OF TRUST BALANCE. Borrower shall comply, and
shall cause its Subsidiaries to comply, with all merchandise, perpetual care and
other trusting requirements imposed on the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
by any and all applicable states having jurisdiction thereof, as in effect on
the date hereof ("EXISTING TRUSTING LAWS"). If, however, the monetary trusting
provisions of the laws of the applicable state are amended during the term of
this Agreement ("AMENDED TRUSTING LAWS"), the Borrower agrees that it will trust
or cause to be trusted, and will cause its Subsidiaries to trust or cause to be
trusted, in accordance with the provisions of Existing Trusting Laws or the
Amended Trusting Laws, whichever requires the Borrower or any such Subsidiary to
place greater amounts in trust, unless otherwise agreed to by the Majority
Lenders.

        Section 5.11. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES. (a) The Borrower shall keep and
maintain, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to keep and maintain, the Properties
owned or leased by them in compliance in all material respects with, and shall
not cause or permit any of the Properties owned or leased by them to be in
violation of, any Environmental Law on, under or about their Properties,
including but not limited to soil and ground water conditions. Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, except in compliance in all material
respects with Environmental Law, use, generate, manufacture, store or dispose
of, on, under or about its properties or transport to or from their properties
any Hazardous Substances.

        (b) The Borrower shall remove, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to
remove, (i) any Hazardous Substances from any of their Properties and (ii) any
underground storage tanks, underground storage facilities or the like from any
of their Properties in accordance with applicable Legal Requirements (or if
removal is prohibited by law, to take whatever action is required by applicable
Requirements) within 60 days after discovery or generation thereof with respect
to (i) above and within 30 days of discovery thereof with respect to (ii) above,
at the sole expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. The Borrower will
establish and implement, and will cause its Subsidiaries to establish and
implement, such procedures as may be necessary to determine and assure that all
of their Properties and operations thereof and thereon are in material
compliance with Environmental Law. The Borrower will promptly notify the
Administrative Agent and each Lender in writing of any existing, pending or
threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any governmental authority in
connection with any Environmental Law or the existence of any underground
storage tanks, underground storage facilities or the like.

        (c) Other than as provided herein, neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries will permit any underground storage tanks, underground storage
facilities or the like, whether actively in use, inactive or filled, to exist in
or on any of their Properties whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

        (d) (i) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any underground
storage tank at a location for an Acquisition permitted by Section 6.07, in
which the existence and nature of such underground storage tank has been fully
disclosed to the Agents, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may maintain
such underground storage tank, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no more than once a year
the Borrower shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent, cause the
following to be done:

               (1) test such underground storage tank for structural integrity,
        including, without limitation, tightness, such test to be performed by a
        certified environmental testing entity, satisfactory to the
        Administrative Agent; and

               (2) deliver a report regarding the findings of such test to the
        Administrative Agent and each Lender.

        (ii) If the results of any test as described above indicates any such
underground storage tank is not tight, such tank shall be removed as soon as
practicable, soil samples taken and whatever remedial action necessary to
lawfully remove the underground storage tank and restore the property to a safe
condition and the Borrower shall promptly cause to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender all reports and information generated by
any Person with respect to such circumstances.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

        So long as any Note or any amount under any Credit Document shall remain
unpaid, any Letter of Credit remain outstanding, or any Lender shall have any
Commitment, the Borrower agrees, unless the Majority Lenders otherwise consent
in writing, to comply with the following covenants.

        Section 6.01. LIENS, ETC. The Borrower will not create, assume, incur or
suffer to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, assume, incur, or
suffer to exist, any Lien on or in respect of any of its Property whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, or assign any right to receive income, except that
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
Liens:

        (a)    securing the Obligations;

        (b) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on Property
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent not required to be paid
pursuant to Sections 5.01 and 5.04;

        (c) imposed by law, such as landlords', carriers', warehousemen's and
mechanics' liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of
business securing obligations which are not overdue for a period of more than 30
days and which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings
if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP;

        (d) arising in the ordinary course of business out of pledges or
deposits under workers' compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age
pensions or other social security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation
or to secure public or statutory obligations of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries;

        (e) existing on Property acquired by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries prior to its acquisition of such Property or existing on Property
of a newly acquired Subsidiary prior to the Borrower's or any other Subsidiary's
acquisition of stock of such newly acquired Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the aggregate principal amount of the indebtedness secured by the Liens
permitted by this paragraph (e) shall not, when combined with the aggregate
principal amount of indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by paragraph (f) of
this Section 6.01, exceed $1,000,000;

        (f) in connection with any Acquisition permitted under Section 6.07
hereof, purchase money liens or purchase money security interests upon or in any
Property acquired or held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to secure
the purchase price of such Property or to secure indebtedness incurred solely
for the purpose of financing the acquisition of such Property, PROVIDED that the
aggregate principal amount of the indebtedness secured by the Liens permitted by
this paragraph (f) shall not, when combined with the aggregate principal amount
of indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by paragraph (e) of this Section
6.01, exceed $1,000,000;

        (g) Liens, if any, existing in connection with the obligations owing to
Existing Lenders, which Liens are being terminated simultaneous with the making
of the initial Advances and the application of the proceeds of such Advances;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, all filings and recordings reflecting such Liens shall
be released within 30 days of the date of this Agreement; and

        (h) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business and encumbrances
consisting of zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, restrictions on the use
of Property or minor imperfections in title thereto which, in the aggregate, are
not material in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the
value of the Property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of
the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

        Section 6.02. DEBTS, GUARANTIES AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS. (a) The Borrower
will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, assume, suffer
to exist or in any manner become or be liable in respect of any Debt except:

        (i)     Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under the Credit
                Documents;

        (ii)    intercompany indebtedness owed between any Subsidiary of the
                Borrower and the Borrower, PROVIDED that the payment of such
                indebtedness is subordinate to the payment of the Obligations
                pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Guaranty or otherwise in a manner
                satisfactory to the Agents;

        (iii)   reimbursement obligations arising under letters of credit
                supporting obligations under Existing Preferred Stock, provided
                that (i) the aggregate amount of such Debt does not exceed
                $8,272,250, (ii) such letters of credit by their terms provide
                that they expire upon consummation of the Offering, and (iii)
                such letters of credit are surrendered for cancellation within
                30 days after the Effective Date; and

        (iv)    Debt of the Borrower (in addition to Debt described in
                paragraphs (i) through (iii) above), provided that the aggregate
                outstanding principal amount of such Debt does not exceed 20% of
                the Borrower's Net Worth at any time on or after the date on
                which such Debt is incurred.

        (b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, create, assume, suffer to exist, or in any manner become or be liable in
respect of any trade payables or other current operating liabilities more than
90 days past due, except for such trade payables or other current operating
liabilities which (i) are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and adequate reserves therefor have been established and reflected
in the financial statements of such Person in accordance with GAAP, or (ii) do
not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

        (c) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, create, assume, suffer to exist, or in any manner become or be liable in
respect of obligations with respect to any swap, hedge, cap, collar, or similar
arrangement providing for the exchange of risks related to price changes in any
commodity ("Derivatives"), including money, other than Derivative used by such
Person in such Person's business operations in aggregate notional quantities not
to exceed the reasonably anticipated consumption of such Person of the
underlying commodity for the relevant period, but no Derivatives which are
speculative in nature.

        (d) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, create, assume, suffer to exist, or in any manner become or be liable in
respect of any obligations with respect to guaranties or like assurances of
payment or performance other than (i) those incurred in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) those described in clause (e) of the definition of Debt;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A) the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall be
permitted to create, assume, suffer to exist, or in any manner become or be
liable in respect of any obligations with respect to guaranties or like
assurances of payment or performance in respect of any of the obligations or
liabilities of any of the Subsidiaries permitted hereunder and (B) any of the
Subsidiaries shall be permitted to create, assume, suffer to exist, or in any
manner become or be liable in respect of any obligations with respect to
guaranties or like assurances of payment or performance in respect of any of the
obligations and liabilities of the Borrower permitted hereunder.

        Section 6.03. AGREEMENTS RESTRICTING LIENS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The
Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any
agreement (other than a Credit Document) which (a) except with respect to
specific Property encumbered to secure payment of Debt related to such Property,
imposes restrictions upon the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its
Properties, revenues or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or (b)
limits Restricted Payments to or any advance by any of the Borrower's
Subsidiaries to the Borrower.

        Section 6.04. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION; ASSET SALES. The Borrower will
not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

        (a) merge or consolidate with or into any other Person, except (i) that
the Borrower may merge with any of its Subsidiaries and any of the Borrower's
Subsidiaries may merge with another of the Borrower's Subsidiaries, PROVIDED
that immediately after giving effect to any such proposed transaction no Default
would exist and in the case of any such merger to which the Borrower is a party,
the Borrower is the surviving corporation and (ii) for mergers and
consolidations consummated in connection with Acquisitions permitted under
Section 6.07 hereof, provided that the surviving corporation is the Borrower or
one of its Subsidiaries (or, contemporaneously with such consummation, will
become one of its Subsidiaries), or in connection with the disposition of the
Borrower's Subsidiaries that, if structured as the disposition of Property,
would be permitted under paragraph (b) below; or

        (b) sell, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any of its Property,
except (i) for sales of funeral merchandise, cemetery property, mausoleum spaces
and related merchandise, and other inventory and Property of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (ii) sales of assets
outside the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount for any fiscal
year not to exceed $1,000,000, and (iii) sales, leases, transfers and
dispositions between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or between or among one
or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

        Section 6.05. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS; ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK.

        (a) The Borrower will not make or pay any Restricted Payment other than
(i) payments of dividends on and redemptions of Existing Preferred Stock, (ii)
payments of dividends on Qualified Preferred Stock permitted under paragraph (b)
below, and (iii) repurchases of Common Stock in an amount not to exceed $500,000
in any fiscal year of the Borrower. In no event shall Borrower make or declare
any Restricted Payment during the existence of an Event of Default or if the
making of such Restricted Payment would cause an Event of Default.

        (b) The Borrower will not issue any Redeemable Preferred Stock, other
than (i) Existing Preferred Stock that is not outstanding on the Effective Date,
or (ii) Qualified Preferred Stock, PROVIDED that the maximum aggregate
redemption price for all Qualified Preferred Stock which may be outstanding at
any time under this clause (ii) shall not exceed $50,000,000.

        Section 6.06. INVESTMENTS; LINES OF BUSINESS. (a) The Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit to exist any
loans, advances or capital contributions to, or make any investment in, or
purchase or commit to purchase any stock or other securities or evidences of
indebtedness of or interests in any Person, except the following:

        (i)    as shown on the attached Schedule 6.06;

        (ii) the purchase of Liquid Investments or the making of Acquisitions
permitted by Section 6.07;

        (iii) trade and customer accounts receivable which are for goods
furnished or services rendered in the ordinary course of business and are
payable in accordance with customary trade terms;

        (iv) ordinary course of business contributions, loans or advances to, or
investments in, (A) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (B) the
Borrower;

        (v) investments not covered by clauses (i) through (iv) above in an
aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $1,000,000; and

        (vi) investments in or by any perpetual care trust, merchandise trust,
preneed trust, preconstruction trust or other trust arrangements established by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with applicable laws,
regulations and interpretations.

        (b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole together with the Borrower, to, change the character of the business
(other than to a type of business reasonably related to the business) as
conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, on the date of
this Agreement or engage in any type of business not reasonably related to such
business as presently and normally conducted.

        Section 6.07. ACQUISITIONS. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, make an Acquisition in a transaction or related
series of transactions unless:

        (a) such Acquisition would not, after giving effect thereto, result in a
Default;

        (b)    such Acquisition is a Core Acquisition;

        (c) the amount of the consideration paid or contributed for such
Acquisition (including all cash paid and Property contributed for such
Acquisition, the amount of any liabilities (including unfunded Pre-need
Obligations) assumed, and Deferred Purchase Price, but excluding the value of
any Common Stock or any preferred stock (including, but not limited to,
Redeemable Preferred Stock) that is not prohibited by Section 6.05 of this
Agreement, of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries transferred or issued as
consideration for such Acquisition), does not, at the time of the making of such
Acquisition, exceed 20% of the Borrower's Net Worth as reflected on (i) the most
recent financial statements of the Borrower delivered to the Lenders pursuant to
Section 5.06(b) or (ii) any certificate delivered by the Borrower to the Agents
setting forth, in reasonable detail, a calculation of the Borrower's Net Worth
as of time of making such Acquisition; and

        (d) the Property to be acquired in connection with such Acquisition is
in compliance with Environmental Law and the Borrower, at its expense, shall
have conducted such affirmative due diligence concerning the environmental
condition of such Property (which may include environmental questionnaires or
independent site assessments) as shall be warranted by such Property.

        Section 6.08. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Neither Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries will make or commit to make any expenditure in respect of the
purchase or construction or other acquisition (excluding any deemed purchases
allocable to Acquisitions) of fixed or capital assets except to the extent that
the aggregate amount of all such expenditures during any fiscal year does not
exceed $2,500,000.

        Section 6.09. AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS. Except as expressly permitted
elsewhere in this Agreement, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, make, directly or indirectly: (a) any investment in any
Affiliate (other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower); (b) any transfer, sale,
lease, assignment or other disposal of any assets to any such Affiliate or any
purchase or acquisition of assets from any such Affiliate; or (c) any
arrangement or other transaction directly or indirectly with or for the benefit
of an such Affiliate (including without limitation, guaranties and assumptions
of obligations of an Affiliate); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries may enter into any arrangement or other transaction with any such
Affiliate providing for the leasing of property, the making of Acquisitions
permitted under Section 6.07 hereof, the rendering or receipt of services or the
purchase or sale of inventory and other assets in the ordinary course of
business if the monetary or business consideration arising therefrom would be
substantially as advantageous to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as the
monetary or business consideration which it would obtain in a comparable arm's
length transaction with a Person not such an Affiliate.

        Section 6.10. COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) terminate any Plan so as to result in any
material (in the opinion of the Majority Lenders) liability of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries to the PBGC, unless the Plan was in effect prior to
consummation of an Acquisition permitted under Section 6.07 hereof to which the
Plan relates, the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary has been fully indemnified
in respect of any such liability and the Borrower has reasonably assured itself
of adequate capital, offset or security for such indemnity or (b) permit to
exist any occurrence of any Reportable Event (as defined in Title IV of ERISA),
or any other event or condition, which presents a material (in the opinion of
the Majority Lenders) risk of such a termination by the PBGC of any Plan.

        Section 6.11. MAINTENANCE OF OWNERSHIP OF SUBSIDIARIES. Except as
permitted by Sections 5.03 and 6.04, the Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of capital
stock of any of its Subsidiaries or permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue,
sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of its capital stock or the capital
stock of any of the its Subsidiaries, except that, where required by applicable
law, up to 20% of the outstanding stock of any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries
may be issued to and held by employees of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary
who are licensed funeral directors, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that all of such stock
held by such employees does not constitute Voting Securities.

        Section 6.12. TRUST FUNDS. Without the prior written consent of the
Majority Lenders or as otherwise required by applicable Legal Requirement,
Borrower will not withdraw or otherwise remove, and will cause all of its
Subsidiaries not to withdraw or otherwise remove, any monies or other assets
(whether principal, interest or other earnings) from any merchandise, service or
other trust fund or trust account except for the purpose of providing the
merchandise or services which are intended to be provided out of such trust fund
or trust account.

        Section 6.13. SETTLEMENT OF LITIGATION. Without prior written notice to
the Lenders, Borrower will not, and will cause all of its Subsidiaries not to,
settle or compromise, during any fiscal year of the Borrower, any threatened
action or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before
any court, Governmental Agency or arbitrator, if the amount of the proposed
settlement or compromise required to be paid by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (excluding any amounts to be paid or to be reimbursed to the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from any insurance proceeds), together with
the amount of all settlements and compromises (excluding any amounts paid or to
be reimbursed to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from any insurance
proceeds) previously paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries during such
fiscal year of the Borrower, exceeds $500,000.

        Section 6.14. FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. The Borrower will not permit
its Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to be less than 1.15 to 1.00 as of the last day
of any of its fiscal quarters, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending
December 31, 1996.

        Section 6.15. LEVERAGE RATIO. The Borrower will not permit at any time
the ratio of (a) its total Funded Debt to (b) its Net Worth plus its total
Funded Debt to be greater than .55 to 1.00.

        Section 6.16. NET WORTH. The Borrower will not permit its Net Worth, at
any time after the date on which Borrower has received the proceeds of the
Offering and applied such proceeds to the repayment of Funded Debt obligations
to the Existing Lenders ("Offering Closing Date"), to be less than an amount
equal to the Borrower's Net Worth on the Offering Closing Date MINUS $3,000,000,
such amount increased, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter ending after
the Offering Closing Date, by (a) 75% of Borrower's Net Income in each fiscal
quarter in which Borrower had positive Net Income after the Offering Closing
Date, and (b) 100% of the net proceeds received by Borrower from offerings of
its equity securities after the Offering Closing Date.

        Section 6.17. CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO. The Borrower will not permit its
Cash Flow Leverage Ratio to be more than 3.50 to 1.00 as of December 31, 1996
and as of the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                    REMEDIES

        Section 7.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any of the following
events shall constitute an "Event of Default" under any Credit Document:

        (a) PAYMENT. The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Note or
any Reimbursement Obligation when the same becomes due and payable, or any
interest on any Note or any fee or other amount payable hereunder or under any
other Credit Document, within 5 Business Days after the same becomes due and
payable;

        (b) REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES. Any representation or warranty made
or deemed to be made (i) by the Borrower in this Agreement or in any other
Credit Document, (ii) by the Borrower (or any of its Responsible Officers) in
connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or (iii) by any of
the Borrower's Subsidiaries in any Credit Document shall prove to have been
incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed to be made;

        (c) COVENANT BREACHES. (i) The Borrower shall (A) fail to perform or
observe any covenant contained in Section 5.01, 5.02, 5.05, 5.06, 5.07, 5.08, or
Article VI of this Agreement or (B) fail to perform or observe any other term or
covenant set forth in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document which is
not covered by clause (i)(A) above or any other provision of this Section 7.01
if such failure shall remain unremedied for 30 days after the earlier of written
notice of such default shall have been given to the Borrower by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender or the Borrower's Knowledge of such default
or (ii) any of the Borrower's Subsidiaries shall fail to perform or observe any
covenant contained in the Guaranty (after any applicable grace period);

        (d) CROSS-DEFAULTS. (i) The Borrower or any its Subsidiaries shall fail
to pay any principal of or premium or interest on its Debt (but excluding Debt
constituting Obligations under the Credit Documents) which is outstanding in an
amount of at least (A) with respect to Debt which constitutes Deferred Purchase
Price, $2,000,000 individually or when aggregated with all other Debt of the
Borrower or its Subsidiaries which constitutes Deferred Purchase Price and is so
in default; or (B) with respect to any other Debt, $500,000 individually or when
aggregated with all such other Debt of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries so in
default, when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity,
required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall
continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement
or instrument relating to such Debt; (ii) any other event shall occur or
condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to the Debt
specified in clause (i)(A) or (B) of this paragraph (d) and shall continue after
the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument,
if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate the maturity of such
Debt; or (iii) any Debt specified in clause (i)(A) or (B) of this paragraph (d)
shall properly be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid
(other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), prior to the stated
maturity thereof; and in any such event, if (in the case of Debt constituting
Deferred Purchase Price only) such default is not cured in full within ten (10)
business days thereafter;

        (e) INSOLVENCY. (i) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall
generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing
its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors; (ii) any proceeding shall be instituted by or against
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or
insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement,
adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or
seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver,
trustee or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its
property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against the Borrower
or any such Subsidiary, either such proceeding shall remain undismissed for a
period of 60 days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding shall occur;
or (iii) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall take any corporate action
to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this paragraph (e),
except for any of the foregoing events affecting any of the Borrower's
Subsidiaries which is not reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse Change;

        (f) JUDGMENTS. One or more judgments or orders for the payment of money
in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate (after giving effect to insurance
proceeds, if any, received or to be received by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries) shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
and either (A) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor
upon such judgment or order or (B) there shall be any period of 60 consecutive
days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of
a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

        (g) TERMINATION EVENTS. Any Termination Event with respect to a Plan
shall have occurred, and, 30 days after notice thereof shall have been given to
the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, (i) such Termination Event shall not
have been corrected and (ii) the then present value of such Plan's vested
benefits exceeds the then current value of assets accumulated in such Plan by
more than the amount of $500,000 (or in the case of a Termination Event
involving the withdrawal of a "substantial employer" (as defined in Section
4001(a)(2) of ERISA), the withdrawing employer's proportionate share of such
excess shall exceed such amount);

        (h) PLAN WITHDRAWALS. The Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group
as employer under a Multiemployer Plan shall have made a complete or partial
withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan and the plan sponsor of such
Multiemployer Plan shall have notified such withdrawing employer that such
employer has incurred a withdrawal liability in an annual amount exceeding
$500,000;

        (i) GUARANTY. Any material provision of the Guaranty shall for any
reason cease to be valid and binding on any applicable Subsidiary of the
Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary of the Borrower shall so state in writing;
or

        (j) CHANGE OF CONTROL. (i) As a result of one or more transactions after
the date of this Agreement, any "person" or related persons constituting a
"group" of persons shall have "beneficial ownership" of more than 20% of the
total voting power of all classes then outstanding of Voting Securities of the
Borrower (all within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d), as applicable, of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the applicable rules and
regulations thereunder), provided that the relationships among the respective
shareholders of the Borrower on the date of this Agreement shall not be deemed
to constitute all or any combination of them as a "group" or (ii) individuals
who, at the beginning of any period of 12 consecutive months, constitute the
Borrower's board of directors (together with any new director whose election by
the Borrower's board of directors or whose nomination for election by the
Borrower's stockholders entitled to vote thereon was approved by a vote of at
least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors
at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was
previously so approved) cease for any reason (other than death or disability) to
constitute a majority of the Borrower's board of directors then in office.

        Section 7.02. OPTIONAL ACCELERATION OF MATURITY. If any Event of Default
(other than an Event of Default pursuant to paragraph (e) of Section 7.01) shall
have occurred and be continuing, then, and in any such event:

        (a) the Administrative Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the
consent, of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the
obligation of each Lender to make Advances and the obligation of the Issuing
Lender to issue Letters of Credit to be terminated, whereupon the same shall
forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of
the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Notes, all interest
thereon, the Letter of Credit Obligations, and all other amounts payable under
this Agreement to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Notes, all such
interest, all such Letter of Credit Obligations and all such amounts shall
become and be forthwith due and payable in full, without presentment, demand,
protest or further notice of any kind (including, without limitation, any notice
of intent to accelerate or notice of acceleration), all of which are (unless
otherwise provided for herein) hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and

        (b) the Borrower shall, on demand of the Administrative Agent at the
request or with the consent of the Majority Lenders, either deposit with the
Administrative Agent into the Cash Collateral Account an amount of cash equal to
the outstanding Letter of Credit Exposure as security for the Obligations to the
extent the Letter of Credit Obligations are not otherwise paid at such time, or
cause to be issued and delivered to the Issuing Lender a standby letter of
credit of the type described in Section 2.13(a).

        Section 7.03. AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION OF MATURITY. If any Event of
Default pursuant to paragraph (e) of Section 7.01 shall occur,

        (a) the obligation of each Lender to make Advances and the obligation of
the Issuing Lender to issue, increase, or extend Letters of Credit shall
immediately and automatically be terminated and the Notes, all interest on the
Notes, all Letter of Credit Obligations, and all other amounts payable under
this Agreement shall immediately and automatically become and be due and payable
in full, without presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind
(including, without limitation, any notice of intent to accelerate or notice of
acceleration), all of which are (unless otherwise provided for herein) hereby
expressly waived by the Borrower and

        (b) the Borrower shall either deposit with the Administrative Agent into
the Cash Collateral Account an amount of cash equal to the outstanding Letter of
Credit Exposure as security for the Obligations to the extent the Letter of
Credit Obligations are not otherwise paid at such time, or cause to be issued
and delivered to the Issuing Lender a standby letter of credit of the type
described in Section 2.13(a).

        Section 7.04. CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.

        (a) If at any time the Borrower is required to deposit funds in the Cash
Collateral Account and the same has not been administratively established, the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall establish the Cash Collateral
Account and the Borrower shall execute any documents and agreements, including
the Administrative Agent's standard form assignment of deposit accounts, that
the Administrative Agent requests in connection therewith to establish the Cash
Collateral Account and confirm the Administrative Agent a first priority
security interest in such account and the funds therein. The Borrower hereby
pledges to the Administrative Agent and grants the Administrative Agent a
security interest in the Cash Collateral Account, whenever established, all
funds held in the Cash Collateral Account from time to time, and all proceeds
thereof as security for the payment of the Obligations.

        (b) During the existence of any Event of Default, funds held in the Cash
Collateral Account shall be held as cash collateral for Obligations with respect
to Letters of Credit and promptly applied by the Administrative Agent to any
reimbursement or other Obligations arising under the Letter of Credit Documents.
To the extent that any surplus funds are held in the Cash Collateral Account
above the Letter of Credit Exposure, the Administrative Agent may (A) hold such
surplus funds in the Cash Collateral Account as cash collateral for the
Obligations or (B) apply such surplus funds to any Obligations. Upon cure of all
Events of Default, the Administrative Agent shall release to the Borrower at the
Borrower's written request any funds held in the Cash Collateral Account.

        (c) Funds held in the Cash Collateral Account shall be invested in money
market funds of the Administrative Agent or in another investment if mutually
agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, but the Administrative
Agent shall have no other obligation to make any other investment of the funds
therein. The Administrative Agent shall exercise reasonable care in the custody
and preservation of any funds held in the Cash Collateral Account and shall be
deemed to have exercised such care if such funds are accorded treatment
substantially equivalent to that which the Administrative Agent accords its own
property, it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall not have any
responsibility for taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any
parties with respect to any such funds.

        Section 7.05. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF REMEDIES. No remedy conferred upon the
Administrative Agent is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each
remedy shall be cumulative of all other remedies existing by contract, at law,
in equity, by statute or otherwise.

        Section 7.06. RIGHT OF SET-OFF. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and each Lender is
hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special,
time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at
any time owing by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to or for the credit
or the account of the Borrower (other than deposits specifically maintained to
support Pre-need Obligations) against any and all of the Obligations of the
Borrower now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not the
Administrative Agent or such Lender shall have made any demand, and although
such obligations may be unmatured. The Administrative Agent and each Lender
agrees to promptly notify the Borrower after any such set-off and application
made by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, provided that the failure to
give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.
The rights of the Administrative Agent and each Lender under this Section are in
addition to any other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other
rights of set-off) which the Administrative Agent or such Lender may have.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                        THE AGENTS AND THE ISSUING LENDER

        Section 8.01. AUTHORIZATION AND ACTION. Each Lender hereby appoints and
authorizes each Agent to take such action as agent on behalf of such Lender and
to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to each such Agent
by the terms hereof and of the other Credit Documents, together with such powers
as are reasonably incidental thereto. As to any matters not expressly provided
for by this Agreement or any other Credit Document (including, without
limitation, enforcement or collection of the Notes), the Agents shall not be
required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to
act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or
refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Majority Lenders (or all
the Lenders where unanimity is required), and such instructions shall be binding
upon all Lenders and all holders of the Notes; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither
Agent shall be required to take any action which exposes such Agent to personal
liability or which is contrary to this Agreement, any other Credit Document, or
applicable law.

        Section 8.02. AGENTS' RELIANCE, ETC. Neither Agent nor any of such
Agent's directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action
taken or omitted to be taken (including such Agent's own negligence) by it or
them under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Credit Documents,
except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without
limitation of the generality of the foregoing, each Agent: (a) may treat the
payee of any Note as the holder thereof until the Administrative Agent receives
written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof signed by such payee and in
form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; (b) may consult with legal
counsel (including counsel for the Borrower), independent public accountants and
other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such
counsel, accountants or experts; (c) makes no warranty or representation to any
Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender for any statements, warranties
or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the other
Credit Documents; (d) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to
the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of
this Agreement or any other Credit Document on the part of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of the
Borrower or its Subsidiaries; (e) shall not be responsible to any Lender for the
due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or
value of this Agreement or any other Credit Document; and (f) shall incur no
liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Credit Document by
acting upon any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing
(which may be by telecopy, telegram, cable or telex) reasonably believed by it
to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.

        Section 8.03. THE AGENTS AND THEIR AFFILIATES. With respect to its
Commitment, the Advances made by it and the Note issued to it, each Agent shall
have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not an Agent hereunder. The term "Lender" or
"Lenders" shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include each Agent in its
individual capacity. The Agents and their Affiliates may accept deposits from,
lend money to, act as trustee under indentures of, and generally engage in any
kind of business with, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and any Person
who may do business with or own securities of the Borrower or any such
Subsidiary, all as if each such Agent were not an agent hereunder and without
any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

        Section 8.04. LENDER CREDIT DECISION. Each Lender acknowledges that it
has, independently and without reliance upon either Agent or any other Lender
and based on the financial statements referred to in Section 4.05 and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also
acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon either Agent
or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement.

        Section 8.05. INDEMNIFICATION. THE LENDERS SEVERALLY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY
EACH AGENT AND THE ISSUING LENDER AND EACH AFFILIATE THEREOF AND THEIR
RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS (TO THE EXTENT NOT
REIMBURSED BY THE BORROWER), ACCORDING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE PRO RATA SHARES FROM
AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES,
ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR
NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY, OR ASSERTED AGAINST SUCH
AGENT AND THE ISSUING LENDER IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY ACTION TAKEN OR OMITTED BY SUCH AGENT OR THE ISSUING LENDER
UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT (INCLUDING SUCH AGENT'S AND
THE ISSUING LENDER'S OWN NEGLIGENCE), PROVIDED THAT NO LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE
FOR ANY PORTION OF SUCH LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES,
ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES OR DISBURSEMENTS RESULTING FROM SUCH
AGENT'S OR THE ISSUING LENDER'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. WITHOUT
LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, EACH LENDER AGREES TO REIMBURSE EACH AGENT PROMPTLY
UPON DEMAND FOR ITS RATABLE SHARE OF ANY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (INCLUDING
COUNSEL FEES) INCURRED BY SUCH AGENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION,
EXECUTION, DELIVERY, ADMINISTRATION, MODIFICATION, AMENDMENT OR ENFORCEMENT
(WHETHER THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE) OF, OR LEGAL
ADVICE IN RESPECT OF RIGHTS OR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT, TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH AGENT IS NOT REIMBURSED FOR SUCH
EXPENSES BY THE BORROWER.

        Section 8.06. SUCCESSOR AGENTS AND ISSUING LENDER. Either Agent or the
Issuing Lender may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the
Lenders and the Borrower and may be removed at any time with cause by the
Majority Lenders upon receipt of written notice from the Majority Lenders to
such effect. Upon receipt of notice of any such resignation or removal, the
Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent or Issuing
Lender with, if no Default exists, the consent of the Borrower, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld. If no successor Agent or Issuing Lender
shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders with the consent of the
Borrower, if required, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days
after the retiring Agent's or Issuing Lender's giving of notice of resignation
or the Majority Lenders' removal of the retiring Agent or Issuing Lender, then
the retiring Agent or Issuing Lender may, on behalf of the Lenders and the
Borrower, appoint a successor Agent or Issuing Lender, which shall be a
commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or of
any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$500,000,000 and, in the case of the Issuing Lender, a Lender. Upon the
acceptance of any appointment as Agent or Issuing Lender by a successor Agent or
Issuing Lender, such successor Agent or Issuing Lender shall thereupon succeed
to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
retiring Agent or Issuing Lender, and the retiring Agent or Issuing Lender shall
be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other
Credit Documents, except that the retiring Issuing Lender shall remain the
Issuing Lender with respect to any Letters of Credit outstanding on the
effective date of its resignation or removal and the provisions affecting the
Issuing Lender with respect to such Letters of Credit shall inure to the benefit
of the retiring Issuing Lender until the termination of all such Letters of
Credit. After any retiring Agent's or Issuing Lender's resignation or removal
hereunder as Agent or Issuing Lender, the provisions of this Article VIII shall
inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
it was Agent or Issuing Lender under this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        Section 9.01. AMENDMENTS, ETC. No amendment or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement, the Notes, or any other Credit Document, nor consent to any
departure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries therefrom, shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the
Majority Lenders and the Borrower, and then such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which
given; PROVIDED, however, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by all the Lenders, do any of the following: (a) waive any of
the conditions specified in Section 3.01 or 3.02, (b) increase the Commitments
of the Lenders, (c) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Notes or any
fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document, (d)
postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the
Notes or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (e) amend Section 2.01(b),
Section 2.12, Section 2.13(a) or this Section 9.01, (f) release the Guaranty or
any guarantor thereunder (other than the release of a guarantor which is one of
the Borrower's Subsidiaries in connection with the sale or transfer thereof,
whether by sale of stock, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to the extent
permitted under this Agreement), or (g) amend the definitions of "Majority
Lenders" and "Maturity Date"; and PROVIDED, further, that no amendment, waiver
or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent,
Documentation Agent or the Issuing Lender in addition to the Lenders required
above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative
Agent, the Documentation Agent or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, under
this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

        Section 9.02. NOTICES, ETC. All notices and other communications shall
be in writing (including telecopy, telegraphic or telex) and mailed, telecopied,
telegraphed, telexed, hand delivered or delivered by a nationally recognized
overnight courier, if to the Borrower, at its address at 1300 Post Oak Blvd.,
Suite 1500, Houston, Texas 77056, Attention: Mr. Melvin C. Payne (telecopy:
(713) 556-7401; telephone: (713) 556-7400), with a copy to: Mr. W. Christopher
Schaeper, Snell & Smith, A Professional Corporation, 1000 Louisiana, Suite 3650,
Houston, Texas 77002 (telecopy: (713) 651-8010; telephone (713) 652-3300; if to
any Lender at its Domestic Lending Office specified opposite its name on
Schedule 1 or pursuant to Section 2.10(b); if to the Administrative Agent or the
Issuing Lender, at its address at 700 Louisiana, 7th Floor, Houston, Texas
77002, Attention: Mr. Albert L. Welch (telecopy: (713) 247-7175; telephone:
(713) 247-6631); and, if to the Documentation Agent, at its address at P.O. Box
130548, Houston, Texas 77219, Attention: Mr. Daniel M. Chong (telecopy: (713)
525-9005; telephone: (713) 525-5520); or, as to each party, at such other
address or teletransmission number as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice to the other parties. All such notices and communications shall,
when mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed, hand delivered or delivered, be
effective three days after deposited in the mails, telecopy transmission is
completed, delivered to the telegraph company, confirmed by telex answer-back
or, if hand delivered or delivered by a courier, when received, respectively,
except that notices and communications to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Article II or VIII shall not be effective until received by the Administrative
Agent.

        Section 9.03. NO WAIVER; REMEDIES. No failure on the part of any Lender,
either Agent, or the Issuing Lender to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any
right hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall
any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein
provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

        Section 9.04. COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay on demand
all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Agents (including the
reasonable fees and expenses of their legal counsel) in connection with the
preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification and amendment of
this Agreement, the Notes and the other Credit Documents including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for such
Agent and with respect to advising each Agent as to its rights and
responsibilities under this Agreement, and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses, if any, of the Agents, the Issuing Lender, and each Lender
(including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses of the
Agents, the Issuing Lender, and each Lender) in connection with the enforcement
(whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of this
Agreement, the Notes and the other Credit Documents.

        Section 9.05. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall become effective when
it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Agents, and when the Agents
shall have, as to each Lender, either received a counterpart hereof executed by
such Lender or been notified by such Lender that such Lender has executed it and
thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the
Agents, the Issuing Lender, and each Lender and their respective successors and
assigns, except that the Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights
or delegate its duties under this Agreement or any interest in this Agreement
without the prior written consent of each Lender.

        Section 9.06. LENDER ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS.

        (a) ASSIGNMENTS. Any Lender may assign to one or more banks or other
entities all or any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment, the Advances
owing to it, the Note held by it, and the participation interest in the Letter
of Credit Obligations held by it); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) each such
assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all of such
Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, (ii) the amount of the
Commitment, Advances, and Letter of Credit Exposure of such Lender being
assigned pursuant to each such assignment (determined as of the date of the
Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment) shall be, if to an
entity other than a Lender, not less than $5,000,000 and shall be an integral
multiple of $1,000,000, (iii) each such assignment shall be to an Eligible
Assignee, (iv) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to
the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, an
Assignment and Acceptance, together with the Note subject to such assignment,
and (v) each Eligible Assignee (other than the Eligible Assignee of the
Administrative Agent) shall pay to the Administrative Agent a $3,000
administrative fee. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording,
from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance,
which effective date shall be at least three Business Days after the execution
thereof, (A) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto for all purposes
and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to
it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations
of a Lender hereunder and (B) such Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that
rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto
but all indemnification provisions contained herein shall continue to inure for
the benefit of such departing Lender with respect to matters arising during the
period such Lender was a party hereto).

        (b) TERM OF ASSIGNMENTS. By executing and delivering an Assignment and
Acceptance, the Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder confirm to and
agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) other than as
provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such Lender makes no representation
or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements,
warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or
the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency of
value of this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant
hereto; (ii) such Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries or the performance or observance by the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries of any of their obligations under this Agreement or any other
instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee confirms
that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the
financial statements referred to in Section 4.05 (or its most recently
furnished financial statements pursuant to Section 5.06) and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) such
assignee will, independently and without reliance upon either Agent, such Lender
or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement; (v) such assignee appoints and
authorizes the Agents to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise
such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Agents by the terms
hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vi)
such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of
the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be
performed by it as a Lender.

        (c) THE REGISTER. The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its address
referred to in Section 9.02 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered
to and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and
addresses of the Lenders and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the
Advances owing to, each Lender from time to time (the "Register"). The entries
in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent
manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agents, the Issuing Lender, and the
Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender
hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available
for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from
time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

        (d) PROCEDURES. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance
executed by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, together with the Notes subject
to such assignment, the Administrative Agent shall, if such Assignment and
Acceptance has been completed and is in substantially the form of the attached
Exhibit A, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the
information contained therein in the Register, and (iii) give prompt notice
thereof to the Borrower. Within five Business Days after its receipt of such
notice, the Borrower, with its own attorney's fees being its own expense, shall
execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent in exchange for the surrendered
Notes a new Note to the order of such Eligible Assignee in an amount equal to
the Commitment assumed by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if
such Lender has retained any Commitment hereunder, a new Note to the order of
such Lender in an amount equal to the Commitment retained by it hereunder. Such
new Notes shall be dated the effective date of such Assignment and Acceptance
and shall otherwise be in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit C.

        (e) PARTICIPATIONS. Each Lender may sell participations to one or more
banks or other entities in or to all or a portion of its rights and obligations
under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its
Commitments, the Advances owing to it, its participation interest in the Letter
of Credit Obligations, and the Notes held by it); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i)
such Lender's obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation,
its Commitments to the Borrower hereunder) shall remain unchanged, (ii) such
Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the
performance of such obligations, (iii) such Lender shall remain the holder of
any such Notes for all purposes of this Agreement, (iv) the Borrower, the
Agents, and the Issuing Lender and the other Lenders shall continue to deal
solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement, and (v) such Lender shall not require the
participant's consent to any matter under this Agreement, except for change in
the principal amount of the Notes, reductions in fees or interest, or extending
the Maturity Date. The Borrower hereby agrees that participants shall have the
same rights under Sections 2.08, 2.09, 2.11(c), and 9.07 as a Lender to the
extent of their respective participations.

        (f) CONFIDENTIALITY. Each Lender may furnish any information concerning
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the possession of such Lender from
time-to-time to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
participants); PROVIDED that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee or
participant or proposed assignee or participant shall agree in writing to
preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries received by it from such Lender. Such Lender
shall, upon the Borrower's request, deliver a signed copy of any such
confidentiality agreement to the Borrower.

        Section 9.07. INDEMNIFICATION. THE BORROWER SHALL INDEMNIFY THE AGENTS,
THE LENDERS, THE ISSUING LENDER, AND EACH AFFILIATE THEREOF AND THEIR RESPECTIVE
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS FROM, AND DISCHARGE, RELEASE, AND HOLD
EACH OF THEM HARMLESS AGAINST, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, LIABILITIES, CLAIMS OR
DAMAGES TO WHICH ANY OF THEM MAY BECOME SUBJECT, INSOFAR AS SUCH LOSSES,
LIABILITIES, CLAIMS OR DAMAGES ARISE OUT OF OR RESULT FROM (I) ANY ACTUAL OR
PROPOSED USE BY THE BORROWER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE BORROWER OF THE PROCEEDS OF
ANY ADVANCE, (II) ANY BREACH BY THE BORROWER OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT, (III) ANY INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION OR OTHER
PROCEEDING (INCLUDING ANY THREATENED INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING) RELATING TO
THE FOREGOING, OR (IV) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM OR REQUIREMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS CONCERNING OR RELATING TO THE PRESENT OR PREVIOUSLY OWNED OR OPERATED
PROPERTIES, OR THE OPERATIONS OR BUSINESS, OF THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS
SUBSIDIARIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THOSE MATTERS SET FORTH IN SCHEDULES
4.16(A) AND (B), AND THE BORROWER SHALL REIMBURSE THE AGENTS, THE ISSUING
LENDER, AND EACH LENDER, AND EACH AFFILIATE THEREOF AND THEIR RESPECTIVE
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS, UPON DEMAND FOR ANY REASONABLE
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (INCLUDING LEGAL FEES) INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
SUCH INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING; AND EXPRESSLY INCLUDING ANY
SUCH LOSSES, LIABILITIES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, OR EXPENSE INCURRED BY REASON OF THE
PERSON BEING INDEMNIFIED'S OWN NEGLIGENCE, BUT EXCLUDING ANY SUCH LOSSES,
LIABILITIES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES OR EXPENSES INCURRED BY REASON OF THE GROSS
NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE PERSON TO BE INDEMNIFIED.

        Section 9.08. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

        Section 9.09. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, ETC. All representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement or made in writing by or on behalf of the
Borrower in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Credit Documents, the making of the Advances and any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders, none of which investigations
shall diminish any Lender's right to rely on such representations and
warranties. All obligations of the Borrower provided for in Sections 2.08, 2.09,
2.11(c), and 9.07 shall survive any termination of this Agreement and repayment
in full of the Obligations.

        Section 9.10. SEVERABILITY. In case one or more provisions of this
Agreement or the other Credit Documents shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall
not be affected or impaired thereby.

        Section 9.11. BUSINESS LOANS. The Borrower warrants and represents that
the Loans evidenced by the Notes are and shall be for business, commercial,
investment or other similar purposes and not primarily for personal, family,
household or agricultural use, as such terms are used in Chapter One ("Chapter
One") of the Texas Credit Code. At all such times, if any, as Chapter One shall
establish a Maximum Rate, the Maximum Rate shall be the "indicated rate ceiling"
(as such term is defined in Chapter One) from time to time in effect.

        Section 9.12. USURY NOT INTENDED. It is the intent of the Borrower and
each Lender in the execution and performance of this Agreement and the other
Credit Documents to contract in strict compliance with applicable usury laws,
including conflicts of law concepts, governing the Advances of each Lender
including such applicable laws of the State of Texas and the United States of
America from time to time in effect. In furtherance thereof, each Lender and the

Borrower stipulate and agree that none of the terms and provisions contained in
this Agreement or the other Credit Documents shall ever be construed to create a
contract to pay, as consideration for the use, forbearance or detention of
money, interest at a rate in excess of the Maximum Rate applicable to such
Lender and that for purposes hereof "interest" shall include the aggregate of
all charges which constitute interest under such laws that are contracted for,
charged or received under this Agreement; and in the event that, notwithstanding
the foregoing, under any circumstances the aggregate amounts taken, reserved,
charged, received or paid on the Advances, include amounts which by applicable
law are deemed interest which would exceed the Maximum Rate applicable to such
Lender, then such excess shall be deemed to be a mistake and such Lender shall
credit the same on the principal of its Note (or if such Note shall have been
paid in full, refund said excess to the Borrower). In the event that the
maturity of the Notes are accelerated by reason of any election of the Majority
Lenders resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise,
or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration
to any Lender that constitutes interest may never include more than the Maximum
Rate for such Lender and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement
or otherwise shall be cancelled automatically as of the date of such
acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such
Lender on its Note (or, if its Note shall have been paid in full, refunded to
the Borrower of such interest). The provisions of this Section shall control
over all other provisions of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents which
may be in apparent conflict herewith. In determining whether or not the interest
paid or payable under any specific contingencies exceeds the Maximum Rate
applicable to a Lender, the Borrower and such Lender shall to the maximum extent
permitted under applicable law give effect to Section 2.06(d) and amortize,
prorate, allocate and spread in equal parts during the period of the full stated
term of its Note all amounts considered to be interest under applicable law at
any time contracted for, charged, received or reserved in connection with the
Obligations.

        Section 9.13. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement, the Notes and the other
Credit Documents shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Texas. Borrower and each Lender agree that the
provisions of TEX. REV. CIV. STA. ANN. Art. 5069-15.1 ET SEQ. Vernon (1987), as
amended (regulating certain revolving credit loans and revolving tri-party
accounts) shall not apply to the Credit Documents.

        THE BORROWER, THE LENDERS, THE ISSUING LENDER AND THE AGENTS HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER CREDIT
DOCUMENT, OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

        PURSUANT TO SECTION 26.02 OF THE TEXAS BUSINESS AND COMMERCE CODE, A
CREDIT AGREEMENT IN WHICH THE AMOUNT INVOLVED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT EXCEEDS
$50,000 IN VALUE IS NOT ENFORCEABLE UNLESS THE LOAN AGREEMENT IS IN WRITING AND
SIGNED BY THE PARTY TO BE BOUND OR THAT PARTY'S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.

        THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES TO AN AGREEMENT SUBJECT TO THE
PRECEDING PARAGRAPH SHALL BE DETERMINED SOLELY FROM THE WRITTEN CREDIT
AGREEMENT, AND ANY PRIOR ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARE SUPERSEDED BY
AND MERGED INTO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND THE CREDIT
DOCUMENTS, AS DEFINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE
PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR
SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

        THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

        EXECUTED as of the 13th day of August, 1996.

                                            BORROWER:

                                            CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.


                                        By:
                                           Mark W. Duffey, Executive Vice
                                           President and Chief Financial Officer

COMMITMENT:                         LENDERS:

$25,000,000                                 NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as 
                                              Administrative Agent and as Lender


                                            By:
                                                   Albert L. Welch
                                                   Vice President


$40,000,000                                 PROVIDENT SERVICES, INC., as 
                                              Documentation Agent and as Lender


                                            By:
                                                   Daniel M. Chong
                                                   Vice President


$10,000,000                                 BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.


                                            By:
                                                   H. Gale Smith
                                                   Vice President



$75,000,000                         TOTAL COMMITMENTS

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                     FORM OF
                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

                          Dated ________________, 19__

        Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1996
(as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement") among Carriage Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Borrower"), the Lenders named therein, NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Provident Services, Inc., as
Documentation Agent for the Lenders. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in
this Assignment and Acceptance shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Credit Agreement.

        Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, ______________ wishes to
assign and delegate ___%(1) of its rights and obligations under the Credit
Agreement. Therefore, _________________ ("Assignor"), _______________
("Assignee"), and the Administrative Agent agree as follows:

        1. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns and delegates to the Assignee,
and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, without
recourse to the Assignor and without representation or warranty except for the
representations and warranties specifically set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of
paragraph 2 below, a ___% interest in and to all of the Assignor's rights and
obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents as of the
Effective Date (as defined below), including, without limitation, such
percentage interest in the Assignor's Commitment, the Advances owing to the
Assignor, and the Note held by the Assignor.

        2. The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that, prior to executing
this Assignment and Acceptance, its Commitment is $___________, the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of Advances owed to it by the Borrower is
$___________, and its Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Exposure is
$___________; (ii) represents and warrants that it is the legal and beneficial
owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is
free and clear of any adverse claim; (iii) makes no representation or warranty
and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties, or
representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other
Credit Document or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
genuineness, sufficiency, or value of the Credit Agreement or any other Credit
Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; (iv)
makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect
to the financial condition of the Borrower or any Guarantor or the performance
or observance by the Borrower or any Guarantor of any of its obligations under
the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant thereto; and (v) attaches the Note referred to in
paragraph 1 above and requests that the Administrative Agent exchange such Note
for [a new Note dated ____________, 19__ in the principal amount of
$____________ payable to the order of the Assignee, a new Note dated
____________, 19__ in the principal amount of $____________ payable to the order
of Assignor].

- ------------------
(1) Specify percentage in no more than 5 decimal points.

         3. The Assignee (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit
Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements referred to in
Section 4.05 thereof (or its most recently furnished financial statements
pursuant to Section 5.06 thereof) and such other documents and information as it
has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter
into this Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or the Documentation Agent, the
Assignor, or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it
shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in
taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement or any other Credit
Document; (iii) appoints and authorizes each of the Administrative Agent and the
Documentation Agent to take such action as agents on Assignee's behalf and to
exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and any other Credit Document as
are delegated to each such Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers
as are reasonably incidental thereto; (iv) agrees that it will perform in
accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document are required to be performed by it
as a Lender; (v) specifies as its Domestic Lending Office (and address for
notices) and Eurodollar Lending Office the offices set forth beneath its name on
the signature pages hereof; (vi) attaches the forms prescribed by the Internal
Revenue Service of the United States certifying as to the Assignee's status for
purposes of determining exemption from United States withholding taxes with
respect to all payments to be made to the Assignee under the Credit Agreement
and the Notes or such other documents as are necessary to indicate that all such
payments are subject to such rates at a rate reduced by an applicable tax
treaty(2), and (vii) represents that it is an Eligible Assignee.

         4. The effective date for this Assignment and Acceptance shall be
________________ (the "Effective Date")(3) and following the execution of this
Assignment and Acceptance, the Administrative Agent will record it in the
Register.

         5. Upon such recording, and as of the Effective Date, (i) the Assignee
shall be a party to the Credit Agreement for all purposes, and, to the extent
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Lender thereunder and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this
Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its
obligations under the Credit Agreement.
- -----------------
(2)If the Assignee is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the
   United States.

(3)See Section 9.06. Such date shall be at least three Business Days after the
   execution of this Assignment and Acceptance.

         6. Upon such recording, from and after the Effective Date, the
Administrative Agent shall make all payments under the Credit Agreement and the
Notes in respect of the interest assigned hereby (including, without limitation,
all payments of principal, interest, and commitment fees) to the Assignee. The
Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments under
the Credit Agreement and the Notes for periods prior to the Effective Date
directly between themselves.

        7. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed
and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas.

         The parties hereto have caused this Assignment and Acceptance to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.

                                            [ASSIGNOR]


                                            By:
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:

                                            Address:


                                            Attention:  ___________________
                                            Telecopy No: (XXX) XXX-XXXX


                                            [ASSIGNEE]
                                            Domestic Lending Office


                                            By:
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:

                                            Address:



                                            Attention:_____________________
                                            Telecopy No:  (XXX) XXX-XXXX

                                            Eurodollar Lending Office


                                            By:
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:

                                            Address:


                                            NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.,
                                              as Administrative Agent for Itself
                                              and the Lenders


                                            By:
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:

                                            Address:  700 Louisiana
                                                       7th Floor
                                                       Houston, Texas 77002


                                            Attention:  Mr. Albert L. Welch
                                            Telecopy No: (713) 247-7175



CONSENTED TO
this _____ day of _____________, 19__

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.


By:
Name:
Title:

<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                    GUARANTY

                    (Subsidiaries of Carriage Services, Inc.)

        This Guaranty dated as of August 13, 1996 ("Agreement"), is made by the
undersigned subsidiaries (individually a "Guarantor" and collectively, the
"Guarantors") of CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC., Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), in
favor of NationsBank of Texas, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent
("Administrative Agent") for certain financial institutions which are or may
become parties to the Credit Agreement described below.

                                  INTRODUCTION

        This Guaranty is given in connection with the Credit Agreement dated as
of August 13, 1996 (as modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"),
among Borrower, certain financial institutions which are or may become parties
thereto (collectively, the "Lenders"), Provident Services, Inc., as
documentation agent (the "Documentation Agent"), and the Administrative Agent,
the defined terms of which are used herein unless otherwise defined herein. It
is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Credit Agreement that the
Guarantors execute and deliver this Guaranty to the Administrative Agent. Each
Guarantor is a Subsidiary of the Borrower. Because each Guarantor receives and,
as a result of its ownership by the Borrower, expects to continue to receive
financial and management support from the Borrower, each Guarantor will obtain
substantial benefit from the extensions of credit expected to be made to the
Borrower under the Credit Agreement.

        Therefore, to induce the Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent
and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement, the Guarantors jointly and
severally agree with the Administrative Agent as follows:

Section 1. GUARANTY. The Guarantors irrevocably and jointly and severally
guarantee to the Administrative Agent the full payment when due of (a) all
principal, interest, fees, reimbursements, indemnifications, and other amounts
now or hereafter owed by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Lenders under the terms of the Credit Agreement and
the other Credit Documents, including amounts owed under the terms of the Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents for which the Borrower has obtained
relief under bankruptcy or other laws providing for relief from creditors, and
(b) any increases, extensions, and rearrangements of the foregoing obligations
under any amendments, supplements, and other modifications of the documents and
agreements creating the foregoing obligations (collectively, the "Guaranteed
Obligations"). This is a guaranty of payment and not merely a guaranty of
collection, and each Guarantor is liable as a primary obligor. If any of the
Guaranteed Obligations are not punctually paid when due, whether by maturity,
acceleration, or otherwise, and the Administrative Agent shall notify any
Guarantor of such default and make demand for payment hereunder, such Guarantor
shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent the full amount of the
Guaranteed Obligations which are due and payable. Each Guarantor shall make each
payment to the Administrative Agent in U.S. Dollars in immediately available
funds as directed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent is
hereby authorized at any time following any demand for payment hereunder to set
off and apply any indebtedness owed by the Administrative Agent to any Guarantor
against any and all of the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guaranty.
The Administrative Agent agrees to promptly notify such Guarantor after any such
setoff and application, but the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity of such setoff and application.


Section 2.     GUARANTY ABSOLUTE.

        2.1 This Guaranty shall be deemed accepted by the Administrative Agent
upon receipt, and the obligations of the Guarantors under this Guaranty are
effective immediately and are continuing and cover all Guaranteed Obligations
arising prior to and after the date hereof. This Guaranty may not be revoked by
any Guarantor and shall continue to be effective with respect to Guaranteed
Obligations arising or created after any attempted revocation by any Guarantor.

        2.2 Each Guarantor guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations will be
paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other
Credit Documents, regardless of any law, regulation, or order now or hereafter
in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect thereto. Each Guarantor agrees
that such Guarantor's obligations under this Guaranty shall not be released,
diminished or impaired by, and waives any rights which such Guarantor might
otherwise have which relate to:

               (a) Any lack of validity or enforceability of the Guaranteed
Obligations, any Credit Document, or any other agreement or instrument relating
thereto; any increase, reduction, extension, or rearrangement of the Guaranteed
Obligations; any amendment, supplement, or other modification of the Credit
Documents; any waiver or consent granted under the Credit Documents, including
waivers of the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations; or any
sale, assignment, delegation, or other transfer of the Guaranteed Obligations or
the Credit Documents;

               (b) Any grant of any security or support for the Guaranteed
Obligations or any impairment of any security or support for the Guaranteed
Obligations, including any full or partial release, exchange, subordination, or
waste of any collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations or any full or partial
release of the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person liable for the
payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations; any change in the
organization or structure of the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person
liable for the payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations; or the
insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, or dissolution of the Borrower, any
Guarantor, or any other Person liable for the payment or performance of the
Guaranteed Obligations;

               (c) The manner of applying payments on the Guaranteed Obligations
or the proceeds of any security or support for the Guaranteed Obligations
against the Guaranteed Obligations;

               (d) The failure to give notice of the occurrence of any of the
events or actions referred to in this Section 2.2, notice of any default or
event of default, however denominated, under the Credit Documents, notice of
intent to demand, notice of demand, notice of presentment for payment, notice of
nonpayment, notice of intent to protest, notice of protest, notice of grace,
notice of dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration,
notice of bringing of action to enforce the payment or performance of the
Guaranteed Obligations, notice of any sale or foreclosure of any collateral for
the Guaranteed Obligations, notice of any transfer of the Guaranteed
Obligations, notice of the financial condition of or other circumstances
regarding the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person liable for the
Guaranteed Obligations, or any other notice of any kind relating to the
Guaranteed Obligations (and the parties intend that no Guarantor shall be
considered a "Debtor" as defined in Section 9.105 of the Texas Business and
Commerce Code for the purpose of notices required to be given to a Debtor
thereunder); or

               (e) Any other action taken or omitted which affects the
Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not such action or omission prejudices any
Guarantor or increases the likelihood that any Guarantor will be required to pay
the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof. It is the unambiguous
and unequivocal intention of each Guarantor that such Guarantor shall be
obligated to pay the Guaranteed Obligations when due, notwithstanding any
occurrence, circumstance, event, action, or omission whatsoever, whether
contemplated or uncontemplated, and whether or not particularly described
herein.

        2.3 This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as
the case may be, if any payment on the Guaranteed Obligations must be refunded
for any reason including any bankruptcy proceeding. In the event that the
Administrative Agent or any Lender must refund any payment received against the
Guaranteed Obligations, any prior release from the terms of this Guaranty given
to any Guarantor by the Administrative Agent shall be without effect, and this
Guaranty shall be reinstated in full force and effect. It is the intention of
each Guarantor that such Guarantor's obligations hereunder shall not be
discharged except by final payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

        2.4 With respect to each Guarantor, such Guarantor is familiar with, and
has independently reviewed books and records regarding, the financial condition
of the Borrower, the other Guarantors, and any other Person liable for the
payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations and is familiar with the
value of the security and support for the payment and performance of the
Guaranteed Obligations. As of the date hereof, assuming each of the transactions
contemplated by the Credit Documents is consummated and the Borrower makes full
use of the credit facilities thereunder, and taking into account the effect
thereof, the present realizable fair market value of the assets of such
Guarantor, including the subrogation and contribution claims of such Guarantor
under this Guaranty, exceeds the total obligations of such Guarantor, including
the fairly discounted value of the Guarantor's contingent obligations under this
Guaranty. Such Guarantor is able to realize upon its assets and pay its
obligations as such obligations mature in the normal course of business. In
consummating the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents, such
Guarantor does not intend to disturb, delay, hinder, or defraud either present
or future creditors of such Guarantor.

Section 3.     UNIMPAIRED COLLECTION.

        3.1 There are no conditions precedent to the enforcement of this
Guaranty, except as expressly contained herein. It shall not be necessary for
the Administrative Agent, in order to enforce payment by any Guarantor under
this Guaranty, to show any proof of the Borrower's default, to exhaust the
Administrative Agent's remedies against the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any
other Person liable for the payment or performance of the Guaranteed
Obligations, to enforce any security or support for the payment or performance
of the Guaranteed Obligations, or to enforce any other means of obtaining
payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor waives any
rights under Chapter 34 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, Section 17.001
of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and Rule 31 of the Texas Rules of
Civil Procedure related to the foregoing. Neither the Administrative Agent nor
the Lenders shall be required to mitigate damages or take any other action to
reduce, collect, or enforce the Guaranteed Obligations.

        3.2 With respect to each Guarantor, all Subordinated Obligations of such
Guarantor (as defined below) shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment
and collection to the payment and collection in full of all Guaranteed
Obligations as described below:

               (a) As used herein, the term "Subordinated Obligations" for such
Guarantor means: (i) all present and future indebtedness, liabilities, and
obligations of any kind owed by the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person
liable for the payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations to such
Guarantor, including debt obligations, equity obligations, and other contractual
obligations requiring payments of any kind to be made to such Guarantor and
including any right of subrogation (including any statutory rights of
subrogation under Section 509 of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ' 509, or under
Chapter 34 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code), contribution,
indemnification, reimbursement, exoneration, or any right to participate in any
claim or remedy of the Administrative Agent against the Borrower, any Guarantor,
or any Person liable for the payment or performance of the Guaranteed
Obligations, or any collateral which the Administrative Agent now has or may
acquire, and (ii) any increases, extensions, and rearrangements of the foregoing
obligations under any amendments, supplements, and other modifications of the
documents and agreements creating the foregoing obligations.

               (b) Until all Guaranteed Obligations have been irrevocably paid
in full (and therefore the payment thereof is no longer subject to being set
aside or returned under the law), such Guarantor agrees not to take any legal
action to enforce payment of such the Subordinated Obligations of such
Guarantor, but this standstill is not intended as a permanent waiver of the
subrogation, contribution, indemnification, reimbursement, exoneration,
participation, or other rights of such Guarantor nor as a prohibition of
intercompany transactions between or among Borrower and any of the Guarantors.

               (c) Upon any receivership, insolvency proceeding, bankruptcy
proceeding, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement
with creditors, dissolution, liquidation, or marshaling of the assets of the
Borrower, any Guarantor, or any other Person liable for the payment or
performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, all amounts due with respect to the
Guaranteed Obligations shall be paid in full before such Guarantor shall be
entitled to collect or receive any payment with respect to the Subordinated
Obligations of such Guarantor.

               (d) Following notice from the Administrative Agent to the
Borrower that an Event of Default exists and that no further payments shall be
made on the Subordinated Obligations of such Guarantor, all amounts due with
respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall be paid in full before such
Guarantor shall be entitled to collect or receive any payment with respect to
the Subordinated Obligations of such Guarantor.

               (e) Any lien, security interest, or assignment securing the
repayment of the Subordinated Obligations of such Guarantor shall be fully
subordinate to any lien, security interest, or assignment in favor of the
Administrative Agent which secures the Guaranteed Obligations. At the request of
the Administrative Agent, such Guarantor will take any and all steps necessary
to fully evidence the subordination granted hereunder, including amending or
terminating financing statements and executing and recording subordinations of
liens.

               (f) This is an absolute and irrevocable agreement of
subordination and the Administrative Agent may, without notice to such
Guarantor, take any action described in Section 2.2 without impairing or
releasing the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

               (g) Such Guarantor shall not assign or otherwise transfer to any
other Person any interest in the Subordinated Obligations of such Guarantor
without the prior written permission of the Administrative Agent and unless such
Guarantor causes the assignee or other transferee to execute and deliver to the
Administrative Agent a subordination agreement in substantially the form of the
subordination provisions in this Guaranty.

               (h) If any amount shall be paid to such Guarantor in violation of
this Section 3.2, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the
Administrative Agent and immediately turned over to the Administrative Agent,
with any necessary endorsement, to be applied to the Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 4.     MISCELLANEOUS.

        4.1 Each Guarantor hereby affirms and shall comply with the
representations, warranties, and covenants made by the Borrower in the Credit
Agreement to the extent that such representations, warranties, and covenants are
applicable to such Guarantor, including all of the covenants in Article V and
Article VI of the Credit Agreement.

        4.2 Each Guarantor shall pay to the Administrative Agent on demand
(a) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent
in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
modification, and amendment of this Guaranty and the other Credit Documents to
which such Guarantor is a party, including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket
expenses of outside counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect to
advising the Administrative Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under
this Guaranty and the Credit Documents to which such Guarantor is a party, and
(b) all costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the
preservation or enforcement of the Administrative Agent's rights under this
Guaranty and the other Credit Documents to which such Guarantor is a party,
whether through negotiations, legal proceedings, or otherwise, including fees
and expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent. The provisions of this
paragraph shall survive any purported termination of this Guaranty and the
Credit Documents that does not expressly reference this paragraph.

        4.3 Each Guarantor agrees to protect, defend, indemnify, and hold
harmless the Administrative Agent, each Lender, and each of their respective
Related Parties (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"), from and against all
demands, claims, actions, suits, damages, judgments, fines, penalties,
liabilities, and costs and expenses, including reasonable costs of attorneys and
related costs of experts such as accountants (collectively, the "Indemnified
Liabilities"), actually incurred by the Indemnified Parties which are related to
any litigation or proceeding relating to this Guaranty, the Credit Documents, or
the transactions contemplated thereunder, INCLUDING INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES
CAUSED BY ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTIES' OWN NEGLIGENCE, but not Indemnified
Liabilities which are a result of any Indemnified Parties' gross negligence or
willful misconduct or negligence in the handling of money. The provisions of
this paragraph shall survive any purported termination of this Guaranty and the
Credit Documents that does not expressly reference this paragraph.

        4.4 Each Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty shall be governed by the
laws of the State of Texas. If any provision in this Guaranty is held to be
unenforceable, such provision shall be severed and the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect. All representations, warranties, and
covenants of any Guarantor in this Guaranty shall survive the execution of this
Guaranty and any other contract or agreement. If a due date for an amount
payable is not specified in this Guaranty, the due date shall be the date on
which the Administrative Agent demands payment therefor. The Administrative
Agent's remedies under this Guaranty and the Credit Documents to which any
Guarantor is a party shall be cumulative, and no delay in enforcing this
Guaranty and the Credit Documents to which such Guarantor is a party shall act
as a waiver of the Administrative Agent's rights thereunder. The provisions of
this Guaranty may be waived or amended only in a writing signed by the party
against whom enforcement is sought. This Guaranty shall bind and inure to the
benefit of each Guarantor and the Administrative Agent and their respective
successors and assigns. Each Guarantor may not assign its rights or delegate its
duties under this Guaranty. The Administrative Agent may assign its rights and
delegate its duties under this Guaranty in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement. This Guaranty may be executed in multiple counterparts each of
which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Unless otherwise specified,
all notices and other communications between such Guarantor and the
Administrative Agent provided for in this Guaranty and the Credit Documents to
which such Guarantor is a party shall be in writing, including telecopy, and
delivered or transmitted to the addresses set forth below, or to such other
address as shall be designated by such Guarantor or the Administrative Agent in
written notice to the other party. Notice sent by telecopy shall be deemed to be
given and received when receipt of such transmission is acknowledged, and
delivered notice shall be deemed to be given and received when receipted for by,
or actually received by, an authorized officer of such Guarantor or the
Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

If to any Guarantor:

        c/o Carriage Services, Inc.
        1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1500
        Houston, Texas  77056
        Attn:  Mr. Melvin C. Payne
        telephone: (713) 556-7400
        telecopier: (713) 556-7401

If to the Administrative Agent:

        NationsBank of Texas, N.A.,
             as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement dated as of
             August 13, 1996, among Carriage Services, Inc., the Documentation
             Agent and the Lenders thereto
        700 Louisiana, 7th Floor
        Houston, Texas 77002
        Attn:  Mr. Albert L. Welch
        telephone: (713) 247-6631
        telecopier: (713) 247-7175

        4.5 Any present or future Subsidiary of the Borrower may become a
Guarantor under and a party to this Guaranty by executing and delivering to the
Administrative Agent a Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 5.08 of the
Credit Agreement or by otherwise assuming in writing in favor of the
Administrative Agent the liabilities of a Guarantor under this Guaranty. Upon
execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement or otherwise assuming the
liabilities of a Guarantor under this Guaranty such Subsidiary shall be deemed
to be a Guarantor under this Guaranty and a party to this Guaranty for all
purposes hereunder.

THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND THE CREDIT DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT
AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,
CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

        EXECUTED as of the date first above written.






                                            MARK W. DUFFEY, Executive Vice
                                            President for and on behalf of each
                                            of CARRIAGE FUNERAL HOLDINGS, INC.,
                                            CFS FUNERAL SERVICES, INC., CARRIAGE
                                            HOLDING COMPANY, INC., CARRIAGE
                                            FUNERAL SERVICES OF MICHIGAN, INC.,
                                            CARRIAGE FUNERAL SERVICES OF OHIO,
                                            INC., CFS FUNERAL SERVICES OF OHIO,
                                            INC.,THE LUSK FUNERAL HOME,
                                            INCORPORATED, JAMES E. DRAKE FUNERAL
                                            HOME, INC., HENNESSY-BAGNOLI FUNERAL
                                            HOME, INC., CARRIAGE FUNERAL
                                            SERVICES OF IDAHO, INC., DWAYNE R.
                                            SPENCE FUNERAL HOME, INC., CARRIAGE
                                            FUNERAL SERVICES OF KENTUCKY, INC.,
                                            CEBALLOS-DIAZ FUNERAL HOME,
                                            INCORPORATED, CARRIAGE FUNERAL
                                            SERVICES OF TEXAS, INC., CARRIAGE
                                            FUNERAL SERVICES OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
                                            INC., CARRIAGE FUNERAL SERVICES OF
                                            CONNECTICUT, INC., PALMS MEMORIAL
                                            PARK, INC., CFS FUNERAL SERVICES OF
                                            CONNECTICUT, INC., CSI FUNERAL
                                            SERVICES OF CONNECTICUT, INC. and
                                            CARRIAGE FUNERAL SERVICES OF
                                            INDIANA, INC.

<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                  FORM OF NOTE

US$                              Houston, Texas                  August 13, 1996

        For value received, the undersigned CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of _____________
_________________________ ("Lender") the principal amount of ___________________
and ____/100 Dollars (US$__________) or, if less, the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of each Advance (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to
below) made by the Lender to the Borrower, together with interest on the unpaid
principal amount of each such Advance from the date of such Advance until such
principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates, and at such times, as
are specified in the Credit Agreement.

        This Note is one of the Notes referred to in, and is entitled to the
benefits of, and is subject to the terms of, the Credit Agreement dated as of
August 13, 1996 (as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time
to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Lenders named therein,
NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and
Provident Services, Inc., as Documentation Agent for the Lenders. Capitalized
terms used in this Note that are defined in the Credit Agreement and not
otherwise defined in this Note have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement, among other things, (a) provides for the
making of Advances by the Lender to the Borrower from time to time in an
aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the Dollar amount first
above mentioned, the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each such
Advance being evidenced by this Note and (b) contains provisions for
acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the happening of certain events
stated in the Credit Agreement and for prepayments of principal prior to the
maturity of this Note upon the terms and conditions specified in the Credit
Agreement.

        Both principal and interest on this Note are payable in lawful money of
the United States of America to the Administrative Agent at its office located
at 700 Louisiana, 7th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002 (or at such other location or
address as may be specified by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower) in same
day funds. The Lender shall record all Advances and payments of principal made
under this Note, but no failure of the Lender to make such recordings shall
affect the Borrower's repayment obligations under this Note.

        Except as specifically provided in the Credit Agreement, the Borrower
hereby waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate,
notice of acceleration, and any other notice of any kind. No failure to
exercise, and no delay in exercising, any rights hereunder on the part of the
holder of this Note shall operate as a waiver of such rights.

        This Note is guaranteed by certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower pursuant
to the Guaranty.

        This Note shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance
with, the laws of the state of Texas (except that Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. Art.
5069, Ch. 15, which regulates certain revolving credit loan accounts shall not
apply to this Note).

                                            CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.


                                         By:
                                      Name:
                                     Title:
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT D
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                     FORM OF
                               NOTICE OF BORROWING

                                     [Date]

NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
700 Louisiana, 7th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002

Attention:  Mr. Albert L. Welch

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, Carriage Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"),
pursuant to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1996 (as the same may be
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," the
defined terms of which are used in this Notice of Borrowing unless otherwise
defined in this Notice of Borrowing) among the Borrower, the Lenders named
therein, NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders,
and Provident Services, Inc., as Documentation Agent for the Lenders, hereby
gives the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice pursuant to Section 2.02(a) of
the Credit Agreement that Borrower hereby requests a Borrowing, and in
connection with that request sets forth below the information relating to such
Borrowing (the "Proposed Borrowing") as required by Section 2.02 (a) of the
Credit Agreement:

                (a) The Business Day of the Proposed Borrowing is _____________,
        19_____.


                (b) The Proposed Borrowing will be composed of [Base Rate
        Advances] [Eurodollar Rate Advances].

                (c) The aggregate amount of the Proposed Borrowing is
        $____________.

                (d) The Interest Period for each Eurodollar Rate Advance made as
        part of the Proposed Borrowing is [_____ month[s]].

The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true on the
date hereof, and will be true on the date of the Proposed Borrowing:

            (a) the representations and warranties contained in the Credit
     Agreement and in the Guaranty are correct in all material respects, before
     and after giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing and the application of
     the proceeds therefrom, as though made on the date of the Proposed
     Borrowing; and

            (b) no Default has occurred and remains uncured, or would result
     from such Proposed Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds
     therefrom.

                                Very truly yours,

                                         CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.


                                         By:
                                      Name:
                                     Title:


cc:  Provident Services, Inc.
     P.O. Box 130548
     Houston, Texas  77219
     Attention:  Mr. Daniel M. Chong

<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                     FORM OF
                      NOTICE OF CONVERSION OR CONTINUATION

                                     [Date]

NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
700 Louisiana, 7th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002

Attention:  Mr. Albert L. Welch

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, Carriage Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"),
pursuant to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1996 (as the same may be
amended or modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," the defined terms
of which are used in this Notice of Conversion or Continuation unless otherwise
defined in this Notice of Conversion or Continuation), among the Borrower, the
Lenders named therein, NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Administrative Agent for
the Lenders, and Provident Services, Inc., as Documentation Agent for the
Lenders, hereby gives the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice pursuant to
Section 2.02(b) of the Credit Agreement that the undersigned hereby requests a
Conversion or continuation of an outstanding Borrowing, and in connection with
that request sets forth below the information relating to such Conversion or
continuation (the "Proposed Borrowing") as required by Section 2.02(b) of the
Credit Agreement:

                (a) The Business Day of the Proposed Borrowing is
        _______________, 19 ____.

                (b) The Proposed Borrowing will be composed of [Base Rate
        Advances] [Eurodollar Rate Advances].

                (c) The aggregate amount of the Proposed Borrowing to be
        Converted or continued is $ _______ and consists of [Base Rate Advances]
        [Eurodollar Rate Advances].

                (d) The Proposed Borrowing consists of [a Conversion to [Base
        Rate Advances] [Eurodollar Rate Advances]] [a continuation of Eurodollar
        Rate Advances].

                (e) The Interest Period for each Eurodollar Rate Advance made as
        part of the Proposed Borrowing is [____ month[s]].


                                Very truly yours,

                                         CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.



                                         By:
                                      Name:
                                     Title:


cc:  Provident Services, Inc.
     P.O. Box 130548
     Houston, Texas  77219
     Attention:  Mr. Daniel M. Chong
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                 August 13, 1996

                                To the Lenders on
                               Schedule I, and to

NationsBank of Texas, N.A.,         Provident Services, Inc.,
Administrative Agent                Documentation Agent
700 Louisiana, 7th Floor                    P. O. Box 130548
Houston, Texas 77002                Houston, Texas  77219

           Re: $75,000,000 Revolving Credit Loan (the "Loan") to Carriage
               Services, Inc., a DELAWARE CORPORATION ("BORROWER")

Gentlemen:

               In connection with the Loan, we have acted as counsel to Borrower
and its subsidiaries listed on Schedule II hereto (collectively, the
"Subsidiaries"), in connection with the Credit Agreement dated as of August 13,
1996 (the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the lenders named therein
("Lenders"), NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders
("Administrative Agent"), and Provident Services, Inc., as Documentation Agent
for the Lenders ("Documentation Agent").

               This Opinion Letter is governed by, and shall be interpreted in
accordance with, the Legal Opinion Accord (the "Accord") of the ABA Section of
Business Law (1991). As a consequence, it is subject to a number of
qualifications, assumptions, exceptions, definitions, limitations on coverage
and other limitations, all as more particularly described in the Accord, and
this Opinion Letter should be read in conjunction therewith. The law covered by
the opinions expressed herein is limited to the internal laws of the State of
Texas, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and applicable
federal laws of the United States.

               Except for terms expressly defined in this Opinion Letter, and
except for terms used and defined in the Accord, all capitalized terms used
herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

               For purposes of the opinions hereafter expressed, we have
examined executed originals (or copies certified to us to our satisfaction) of
the following (all dated effective as of August 13, 1996 except as indicated
below):

               1.     The Credit Agreement.


                2. Note executed by Borrower payable to (i) NationsBank of
        Texas, N.A. in the original maximum principal amount of $25,000,000,
        (ii) Provident Services, Inc. in the original maximum principal amount
        of $40,000,000, and (iii) Bank One Texas, N.A. in the original maximum
        principal amount of $10,000,000 (collectively, the "Notes").

                3. Guaranty (Subsidiaries of Carriage Services, Inc.) executed
        by each of the Subsidiaries (the "Guaranty").

                4. Letter Agreement between Borrower and the Administrative
        Agent, setting forth certain matters relative to fees payable by
        Borrower to the Administrative Agent (the "Administrative Agent's
        Letter").

                5. Letter Agreement between Borrower and the Documentation
        Agent, setting forth certain matters relative to interest, fees and
        other charges payable by Borrower to the Documentation Agent (the
        "Documentation Agent's Letter").

        The Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty, the Administrative
Agent's Letter and the Documentation Agent's Letter are hereafter referred to
collectively as the "Credit Documents."

               We have also examined the respective Certificates or Articles of
Incorporation, bylaws and corporate minutes of Borrower and the Subsidiaries,
and such certificates of public officials and certificates of representatives of
Borrower and the Subsidiaries as we have deemed necessary, copies of which
certificates have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the
Documentation Agent.

               In rendering the opinions hereafter expressed, we have relied on
the certificates described above as to certain factual matters contained
therein. We have also assumed that all representations and warranties (other
than as to the subject matter expressed herein as our opinions) made by each of
the parties to the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents were and are
true, correct and complete.

               Based upon the foregoing, and having due regard for such legal
considerations as we deem relevant, and subject to the qualifications,
assumptions, and exceptions herein set forth, it is our opinion that:

               (1) Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
        and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the
        corporate power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its
        business as now being conducted, and to enter into and perform its
        obligations under each of the Credit Documents to which it is a party.
        Each Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
        good standing under the laws of the state of its jurisdiction of
        incorporation shown on Schedule II and has the corporate power and
        authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as now being
        conducted, and to enter into and perform its obligations under the
        Guaranty.

               (2) The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower and the
        Subsidiaries of the Credit Documents to which they are parties have been
        duly authorized by all necessary corporate action required on their
        part.

               (3) To our Actual Knowledge after due inquiry, no consent,
        approval, authorization, or order of or filing with any Tribunal is
        required for the valid execution and delivery of the Credit Documents by
        Borrower or any Subsidiary, and the making of the Borrowings pursuant to
        the Credit Documents, or for the performance by Borrower or any such
        Subsidiary of its respective obligations under the Credit Documents.

               (4) Each of the Credit Documents to which Borrower or any
        Subsidiary is a party is enforceable against Borrower and each such
        Subsidiary, as the case may be.

               (5) The execution, delivery, and performance by Borrower and the
        Subsidiaries of the Credit Documents to which any of them is a party,
        and the making of the Borrowings by Borrower pursuant to the Credit
        Documents, do not violate, result in a breach of, or constitute a
        default under, the Constituent Documents of Borrower or any Subsidiary
        or, to our Actual Knowledge after due inquiry, (i) any Other Agreements
        applicable to Borrower or any Subsidiary or (ii) any Court Orders
        applicable to Borrower or any Subsidiary.

               (6) The issuance, execution and delivery of each Note, and the
        use of the proceeds thereof, as contemplated by the Credit Documents,
        are not in violation of Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
        or Regulations G, T, U or X promulgated by the Board of Governors of the
        Federal Reserve System pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

               (7) None of Borrower or the Subsidiaries is an "investment
        company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
        amended, or is directly or indirectly controlled by or acting on behalf
        of any investment company, within the meaning of said Act.

               (8) None of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries is a "holding
        company" or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or a "subsidiary
        company" of a "holding company", within the meaning of said Act.

               The foregoing opinions are submitted subject to the following
exclusions, qualifications and assumptions:

        A. The General Qualifications apply to the opinions set forth in
Paragraphs (2), (4) and (5) herein.

        B. With respect to the enforceability of obligations under any of the
Credit Documents, all rights and remedies may be limited by the expiration of
the statute of limitations applicable to the Loans.

        C. We express no opinion as to the validity, enforceability or binding
effect of any of the following types of provisions in any of the Credit
Documents (if contained therein): (i) provisions purporting to grant self-help
remedies, (ii) provisions relating to the waiver or limitation of various rights
or remedies, (iii) provisions purporting to restrict access to certain legal or
equitable remedies, (iv) provisions purporting to establish evidentiary
standards for suits or proceedings to enforce any of the Credit Documents or
relating to any powers granted thereunder, or presumptions with respect to any
of the foregoing, (v) provisions purporting to ratify actions to be taken in the
future, (vi) provisions relating to subrogation, delay or omissions to enforce
rights or remedies, indemnity, severability or marshalling of assets, (vii)
provisions imposing penalties or forfeitures, (viii) provisions that purport to
waive a right of trial by jury, (ix) provisions that purport to fix or designate
jurisdiction or venue in which suit may be commenced or which purport to waive
service of process, or (x) provisions purporting to indemnify any party as such
indemnification may be limited by state and federal securities laws or public
policy; provided, however, that none of the limitations expressed above on the
availability of remedies of any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the
Documentation Agent, or the validity, enforceability, or binding effect of any
of the provisions described above will, in our opinion, substantially interfere
with the realization of the principal legal benefits and security provided by
the Credit Documents, except for the economic consequences of any delay that may
result from such limitations and the additional expenses that may be attendant
to some proceedings.

               D.     With respect to our opinion in paragraph (4):

               (i) We have assumed that Article 5069-1.04 of the Texas Revised
        Civil Statutes is or would be applicable to the Loans and that such
        statute is constitutional and will be upheld by the courts of Texas;
        however, we advise you that we are not aware of any reported case
        applying Texas law that has held such statute unconstitutional or
        questioned its constitutionality, and we know of no reason why such
        statute would be held unconstitutional.

            (ii) We have assumed that each and every usury savings clause
        contained in the Credit Documents will govern and control and will be
        given effect by any court of competent jurisdiction so as to be valid,
        binding, and enforceable in accordance with its terms.

           (iii) No opinion or advice is being given as to actions of any
        Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Documentation Agent in charging
        or receiving interest after the date of such execution and delivery of
        the Credit Documents. We have been requested, and we are rendering, an
        opinion only that the Credit Documents, as executed and delivered by
        Borrower, are not contractually usurious under Texas and applicable
        federal law.

            (iv) We have assumed that no other fees, sums, charges, points, or
        other forms of payment or benefits, whether direct or indirect, which
        constitute interest under applicable law, have been paid or received or
        are, or may be, payable to or receivable by any Lender, the
        Administrative Agent or the Documentation Agent or any of their
        affiliates except as expressly set forth in the Credit Documents.

             (v) We have assumed that all fees, charges and other amounts
        (other than interest denominated as such) paid by Borrower, or deducted
        from the Loan proceeds paid to or for the account of any Lender, or to
        third parties at such Lender's direction, are bona fide fees and charges
        not for the use, forbearance or detention of money and are not
        characterized as such in the Credit Documents as a device to conceal the
        charging of interest. In this regard, we advise you that "interest" is
        defined under Texas law as "compensation allowed by law for the use or
        forbearance or detention of money." TEX. REV. CIV. STAT. ANN. art.
        5069-1.01(a) (Vernon 1987). The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a
        bona fide commitment fee is not interest within the meaning of this
        statute, although a fact question is raised as to whether a charge is a
        bona fide commitment fee or merely a device to conceal usury. STEDMAN V.
        GEORGETOWN SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, 595 S.W.2d 486, 488 (Tex.
        1980). We note that while the majority in STEDMAN held that the
        reasonableness of the amount of the commitment fee is not an issue for a
        usury determination so long as it is a bona fide commitment fee, the
        STEDMAN dissent indicated that the reasonableness of a fee may be a
        factor in determining whether it is a bona fide commitment fee. STEDMAN,
        595 S.W.2d at 491 (Spears, dissenting). BUT SEE, FIRST BANK V. TONY'S
        TORTILLA FACTORY, 877 S.W.2d 285 (Tex. 1994).

               With respect to fees, charges, and other amounts payable to
        parties other than the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the
        Documentation Agent, Texas courts have uniformly held that such amounts
        will not constitute interest if they are bona fide payments that are
        distinctly separate and additional consideration apart from the lending
        of money. TEXAS COMMERCE BANK - ARLINGTON V. GOLDRING, 665 S.W.2d 103,
        104 (Tex. 1984) (payment to attorneys for services rendered held not to
        constitute interest); PERRY V. STEWART TITLE CO., 756 F.2d 1197, 1207-08
        (5th Cir. 1985) (applying Texas law, held that payment of taxes and
        insurance premiums are not interest since lender received no benefit
        from overpayments, and late charges are not interest because they are
        bona fide fees to third parties for servicing late payments). We have
        therefore assumed that any fees, charges, or other payments required to
        be paid by Borrower or deducted from the Loan to parties other than the
        Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Documentation Agent, but at
        their direction, are bona fide fees that are distinctly separate and
        additional consideration apart from the lending of money, and that such
        Lender or such Agent will receive no direct or indirect benefit as a
        result thereof (except for the express purpose for which such fees,
        charges or other payments purportedly are charged).

               E. We have assumed receipt by or for the account of Borrower of 
the proceeds of the Loans.

               F. We hereby confirm to you that, to our Actual Knowledge, there
are no actions or proceedings against Borrower or any Subsidiary, pending or
overtly threatened in writing, before any court, governmental agency, or
arbitrator that (i) seek to affect the enforceability of any of the Credit
Documents, or (ii) except as disclosed in the Credit Agreement, would, if
adversely decided, cause a Material Adverse Change.

               The opinion in Paragraph (1) as to the due organization of
certain of the Subsidiaries has been rendered in reliance upon the Opinion
Letters of certain Other Counsel. Copies of all such other Opinion Letters
accompany this Opinion Letter. All of the qualifications, assumptions and
exceptions set forth in such other Opinion Letters are hereby incorporated
herein by reference. The references in this paragraph do not constitute our
concurrence in the legal opinions of such Other Counsel.

               This Opinion Letter may be relied upon by you only in connection
with the Loan contemplated by the Credit Documents, and not by any other person
or for any other purpose. This Opinion Letter is not to be circulated or quoted
or otherwise relied upon by you for any other purpose or by any other person
without our prior written consent, such reliance being hereby expressly
disclaimed, except that a copy hereof may be provided to any Eligible Assignees,
any participants in the Loan, to independent auditors or counsel for any of the
Lenders, regulators or governmental agencies, or pursuant to a court order,
subpoena, or other legal process and this Opinion Letter may be relied upon by
the successors and assigns of each Lender, the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent and such Eligible Assignees and participants.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            SNELL & SMITH,
                                              A Professional Corporation

                               SCHEDULE I


NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
700 Louisiana
7th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002

Provident Services, Inc.
1929 Allen Parkway
Houston, Texas  77019

Bank One, Texas, N.A.
910 Travis
Houston, Texas  77002

                                   SCHEDULE II



NAME                                                             JURISDICTION

Carriage Funeral Holdings, Inc.                                  Delaware
CFS Funeral Services, Inc.                                       Delaware
Carriage Holding Company, Inc.                                   Delaware
Carriage Funeral Services of Michigan, Inc.                      Michigan
Carriage Funeral Services of Ohio, Inc.                          Ohio
CFS Funeral Services of Ohio, Inc.                               Ohio
The Lusk Funeral Home, Incorporated                              Kentucky
James E. Drake Funeral Home, Inc.                                Kentucky
Hennessy-Bagnoli Funeral Home, Inc.                              Ohio
Carriage Funeral Services of Idaho, Inc.                         Idaho
Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, Inc.                              Ohio
Carriage Funeral Services of Kentucky, Inc.                      Kentucky
Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home, Inc.                                 Texas
Palms Memorial Park, Inc.                                        Texas
Carriage Funeral Services of Texas, Inc.                         Texas
Carriage Funeral Services of Connecticut,
 Inc.                                                            Connecticut
Carriage Funeral Services of South
 Carolina, Inc.                                                  South Carolina
CFS Funeral Services of Connecticut, Inc.                        Connecticut
CSI Funeral Services of Connecticut, Inc.                        Connecticut
Carriage Funeral Services of Indiana, Inc.                       Indiana

<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                         FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

        This certificate dated as of _________________ is prepared pursuant to
Section 5.06[(c)] [(d)] of the Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1996 (as
the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement") among Carriage Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"),
the Lenders named therein ("Lenders"), NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Provident Services, Inc., as
Documentation Agent for the Lenders. Unless otherwise defined in this Compliance
Certificate, capitalized terms that are defined in the Credit Agreement shall
have the meaning assigned to them by the Credit Agreement.

        The Borrower hereby certifies (a) that no Default or Event of Default
has occurred or is continuing, (b) that all of the representations and
warranties made by the Borrower in the Credit Agreement are correct in all
material respects as if made on this date, except for such representations and
warranties which, by their nature, are made as of a specific date, which are
correct in all material respects as of such specific date, and (c) that as of
last day of previous quarter the amounts and calculations set forth on Schedule
I hereto were true and correct [Schedule I to be in form and substance
acceptable to the Agents].

        Executed this _______ day of _________________, 19___.


                                            CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.



                                       By:
                                      Name:
                                     Title:
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT I

                                JOINDER AGREEMENT

                                 ([Subsidiary])

               Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 13,
1996 (as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time,
the "Credit Agreement") among Carriage Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Borrower"), the Lenders named therein, NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Provident Services, Inc., as
Documentation Agent for the Lenders. Capitalized terms used herein but not
defined herein shall have the meanings specified by the Credit Agreement.
[Subsidiary], a [ ] corporation (the "Subsidiary"), hereby agrees with (a) the
Administrative Agent, and (b) the other parties to the Guaranty dated as of
August 13, 1996, executed in connection with the Credit Agreement, as follows:

               In accordance with Section 5.08 of the Credit Agreement, the
Subsidiary hereby (a) joins in the Guaranty as a party thereto and assumes all
the obligations of a Guarantor (as defined in the Guaranty) under the Guaranty,
(b) agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Guaranty as if the Subsidiary
had been an original party to the Guaranty, and (c) confirms that, after joining
the Guaranty as set forth above, the representations and warranties set forth in
the Credit Agreement and the Guaranty with respect to the Subsidiary are true
and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Joinder Agreement.

               For purposes of notices under the Guaranty, the notice address
for the Subsidiary is as follows:




               Attention:
               Telephone:  (   )
               Telecopy:  (   )

        THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND THE CREDIT DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL
AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,
CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder Agreement is executed and
delivered as of the ______ day of _________________, 19____.

                                            [SUBSIDIARY]


                                       By:
                                      Name:
                                     Title:
                                                                      SCHEDULE 1
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                NOTICE INFORMATION FOR LENDERS

I.  NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.

     Domestic Lending Office:
     Eurodollar Lending Office:

     700 Louisiana
     7th Floor
     Houston, Texas 77002
     Attention:  Mr. Albert L. Welch
     Telecopy No: (713) 247-7175



II.  PROVIDENT SERVICES, INC.

     Domestic Lending Office:
     Eurodollar Lending Office:

     1929 Allen Parkway
     Houston, Texas  77019
     Attention: Daniel M. Chong
     Telecopy No: (713) 525-9005


III.  BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.

     Domestic Lending Office:
     Eurodollar Lending Office:

     910 Travis
     Houston, Texas  77002
     Attention: H. Gale Smith
     Telecopy No: (713) 751-6199

                                                                      SCHEDULE 2
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                           EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT

EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT OUTSTANDING ON AUGUST 13, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          ISSUE          EXPIRY
ISSUER                    DATE           DATE          BENEFICIARY                  AMOUNT
<S>                       <C>            <C>           <C>                          <C>
Texas Commerce Bank       3/8/96         3/8/97        Terrance P. Hennessy,        $2,563,807
 National Association                                  Agent

Provident Services, Inc.  3/29/96        3/29/97       Robert D. Larrabee,          $1,552,500
                                                       Agent

Provident Services, Inc.  3/29/96        3/29/97       Dwayne R. Spence, Agent      $1,030,515

Provident Services, Inc.  5/14/96        5/14/97       Thomas E. Maddux, Agent      $1,081,500

Provident Services, Inc.  6/26/96        6/26/97       Curtis C. Gilbert, Agent     $2,584,270
</TABLE>

EXISTING PREFERRED STOCK AND EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT CONTEMPLATED TO BE
ISSUED AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE:
                                                                 PROPOSED FACE
                                    REDEMPTION AMOUNT             AMOUNT OF
                                  OF PROPOSED PREFERRED         EXISTING LETTERS
PROPOSED BENEFICIARY                STOCK TO BE ISSUED             OF CREDIT

Richard C. Hawkins                   $700,000                      $721,000

Frank G. Hardister                   $500,000                      $515,000

                                                                   SCHEDULE 4.01
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                         SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                            JURISDICTION                 PRINCIPAL OFFICE ADDRESS
<S>                                             <C>                   <C>  
Carriage Funeral Holdings, Inc.                 Delaware              1300 Post Oak Boulevard,  Suite 1500
                                                                      Houston, Texas  77056
CFS Funeral Services, Inc.                      Delaware              1300 Post Oak Boulevard,  Suite 1500
                                                                      Houston, Texas  77056
Carriage Holding Company, Inc.                  Delaware              1300 Post Oak Boulevard,  Suite 1500
                                                                      Houston, Texas  77056
Carriage Funeral Services of Michigan, Inc.     Michigan              22322 Gratiot Avenue
                                                                      Eastpointe, Michigan 48021-1682
Carriage Funeral Services of Ohio, Inc.         Ohio                  314 East Main Street
                                                                      Norwalk, Ohio  44857
CFS Funeral Services of Ohio, Inc.              Ohio                  313 Big Branch Road
                                                                      Chesapeake, Ohio  45619-1001
The Lusk Funeral Home, Incorporated             Kentucky              1120 Main Street
                                                                      Paris, Kentucky  40361-1795
James E. Drake Funeral Home, Inc.               Kentucky              114 N. Walnut Street
                                                                      Cynthiana, Kentucky  41031
Hennessy-Bagnoli Funeral Home, Inc.             Ohio                  936 N. Main Street
                                                                      Akron, Ohio  44310-2196
Carriage Funeral Services of Idaho, Inc.        Idaho                 1000 7th Street
                                                                      Clarkston, Washington  99403
Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, Inc.             Ohio                  550 Hill Road North
                                                                      Pickerington, Ohio  43147
Carriage Funeral Services of Kentucky, Inc.     Kentucky              700 Country Club Lane
                                                                      Hopkinsville, Kentucky  42240
Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home, Inc.                Texas                 1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1500
                                                                      Houston, Texas  77056
Palms Memorial Park, Inc.                       Texas                 1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1500
                                                                      Houston, Texas  77056
Carriage Funeral Services of Texas, Inc.        Texas                 1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1500
                                                                      Houston, Texas  77056
Carriage Funeral Services of Connecticut,
 Inc.                                           Connecticut           1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1500
                                                                      Houston, Texas  77056
Carriage Funeral Services of South
 Carolina, Inc.                                 South Carolina        815 S. Alabama
                                                                      Chesnee, South Carolina  29323
CFS Funeral Services of Connecticut, Inc.       Connecticut           24 Lincoln Avenue
                                                                      Bristol, Connecticut  06010
CSI Funeral Services of Connecticut, Inc.       Connecticut           35 Bellevue Avenue
                                                                      Bristol, Connecticut  06010
Carriage Funeral Services of Indiana, Inc.      Indiana               1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1500
                                                                      Houston, Texas  77056
</TABLE>
                                                                SCHEDULE 4.16(b)
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                         DESIGNATED ENVIRONMENTAL SITES


1.      Soil and groundwater contamination discovered following the removal of
        an underground storage tank at the Dodds-Dumanois Funeral Home site at
        901 Garland Street in Flint, Michigan (which is being leased to a
        Subsidiary of Borrower) is in remediation under the supervision of the
        Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

2.      Investigation of the groundwater aquifer at the Bailey Funeral Home site
        at 48 Broad Street in Plainville, Connecticut has indicated the release
        of chlorinated hydrocarbons (PCE), which contamination is believed to
        have originated off-site from a nearby dry cleaning operation. The
        Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection ("CDEP") has implied
        that it is its goal to return this aquifer to drinking water quality.
        This property is being leased to a Subsidiary of Borrower, and it is
        believed unlikely that the CDEP will require any further action from the
        current property owner as long as it is demonstrated that the PCE
        contamination originated from an off-site source.
                                                                   SCHEDULE 6.06
                                                                              TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          CERTAIN PERMITTED INVESTMENTS

None.


                                                                    EXHIBIT 11.1

                             CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
                        COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS
                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

    Loss per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common
and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period using guidance
provided by the SEC for companies contemplating an initial public offering. Loss
per share has been presented as if the reverse stock split had occurred at the
beginning of the earliest period presented. Loss per common and common
equivalent share for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 1996 and
1995 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             For the three months             For the six months
                                                                                ended June 30,                  ended June 30,
                                                                            -----------------------         -----------------------
                                                                              1996            1995            1996            1995
                                                                            -------         -------         -------         -------
                                                                          (unaudited)     (unaudited)                    (unaudited)
<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>     
Net (loss) .........................................................        $  (468)        $  (367)        $  (661)        $  (698)
Preferred stock dividend requirements ..............................             91            --               101            --
                                                                            -------         -------         -------         -------
Net (loss) attributable to Common stockholders .....................        $  (559)        $  (367)        $  (762)        $  (698)
                                                                            =======         =======         =======         =======

Common shares outstanding(a) .......................................          2,520           2,520           2,520           2,520
Common equivalent shares:
          Stock options, treasury stock method(b) ..................             23              23              23              23
          Assumed conversion of preferred stock(c) .................          1,973           1,000           1,969           1,000
                                                                            -------         -------         -------         -------
Total weighted average common and common
     equivalent shares outstanding .................................          4,516           3,543           4,512           3,543
                                                                            =======         =======         =======         =======

(Loss) per common and common equivalent share ......................        $  (.12)        $  (.10)        $  (.17)        $  (.20)
                                                                            =======         =======         =======         =======
</TABLE>
- ------------
    (a) Effective January 1, 1994, the shareholders of three affiliated
companies which had common ownership and management exchanged their stock in
those companies for Common Stock of the Company. In this transaction, the assets
and liabilities were recorded at historical cost in a manner similar to a
pooling-of-interests. Accordingly, loss per share has been presented as if the
Common Stock has been outstanding for all periods presented at the conversion
rate utilized at January 1, 1994.

    (b) In accordance with SEC's Staff Accounting Bulletin No., 83, the loss per
share has been presented assuming that all stock options granted by the Company
within one year of the Company's initial public offering have been outstanding
for all periods presented. The effect of such stock options has been calculated
using the "treasury stock" method (using an initial public offering price of
$13.50 per share) and has been included in the calculation of common equivalent
shares outstanding despite the fact that the effect of the assumed exercise of
such options is anti-dilutive.

        (c) Pursuant to the terms of their respective agreements, the Company's
Series A, B and C Preferred Stocks automatically converted to Common Stock upon
the Company's initial public offering. Therefore, in accordance with SEC's
position relative to securities with these conversion characteristics, the
effect of such conversions has been reflected from the respective dates of
issuance of the preferred stocks in common equivalent shares outstanding,
despite the fact that the effect of the assumed conversion is anti-dilutive.


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           4,490
<SECURITIES>                                         1
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,108
<ALLOWANCES>                                       360
<INVENTORY>                                      2,140
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,018
<PP&E>                                          40,118
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,994
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  94,037
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           10,134
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                        162
<COMMON>                                            25
<OTHER-SE>                                       8,463
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    94,037
<SALES>                                         16,925
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                16,925
<CGS>                                           13,536
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   13,536
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,644
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (410)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       251
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (762)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     (762)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0

</TABLE>


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