Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 10,664		$ 4,425		$ 6,251		$ 4,341
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,860	[1]	(87)	[1]	6,985	[1]	(365)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(57)	[2]	(12)	[2]	(65)	[2]	(23)	[2]
Sales	0		(11)		0		(23)
Contributions	1,349		919		1,852		1,338
Distributions and other	142		304		349		338
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 14,674		$ 4,930		$ 14,674		$ 4,930

[1] All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery 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 cemetery 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.