Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 25,370		$ 12,117		$ 21,359		$ 12,052
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,894	[1]	(724)	[1]	6,756	[1]	(1,070)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(52)	[2]	(11)	[2]	(59)	[2]	(23)	[2]
Purchases	0		7,605		0		7,605
Sales	0		0		(186)		0
Contributions	1,296		994		1,782		1,436
Distributions and other	477		274		621		293
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 29,031		$ 19,707		$ 29,031		$ 19,707

[1] All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.

[2] All losses recognized in Other income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.