Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Investment income	$ 4,063	$ 5,612	$ 2,563
Decrease in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(5,574)	(6,812)	(3,648)
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Investment income	3,190	3,952	2,934
Realized gains	7,957	4,406	10,772
Realized losses	(5,743)	(2,536)	(3,223)
Expenses and taxes	(1,669)	(1,550)	(1,224)
Decrease in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	$ (3,735)	$ (4,272)	$ (9,259)