Preneed Cemetery Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 1,632,774	$ 1,563,893
Cemetery [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,099,940	1,062,771
Cash and cash equivalents	128,703	122,866
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	6	9,158
Trust investments	1,228,649	1,194,795
Receivables from customers	484,094	452,296
Unearned finance charges	(36,427)	(39,205)
[PreneedCemeteryReceivablesNetAndTrustInvestmentsExcludingAllowanceForCancellation]	1,676,316	1,607,886
Allowance for cancellation	(43,542)	(43,993)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 1,632,774	$ 1,563,893

Line items represent the components of long-term receivables and investments, including trust investments, at market; cash and cash equivalents held by the trust; insurance policies held by the trust; and gross carrying value of long-term receivables from customers and unearned finance charges and cancellation allowance related to those receivables.

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Amounts due from customers or clients, more than one year from the balance sheet date, for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business.

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A valuation allowance for receivables due to an Entity for more than one year from the balance sheet date that are expected to be uncollectible.

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Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts which could be received based on the terms of the insurance contract upon surrendering life policies owned by the entity.

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