Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			$ 112,768
Foreign currency translation			9,920	(2,506)
Balance at end of period	122,684		122,684
Net income attributable to common stockholders	26,093	40,285	64,857	71,197
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	(1,586)	(16,332)	9,916	(2,505)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	645	(58)	1,810	355
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(2)	(6)	4	(1)
Other comprehensive income	25,150	23,889	76,587	69,046
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			112,768
Foreign currency translation			9,916	(2,505)
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income			2,727
Reclassification of net unrealized gains (losses) activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			(2,727)
Balance at end of period	122,684		122,684
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			112,768
Foreign currency translation			9,916
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income			0
Reclassification of net unrealized gains (losses) activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			0
Balance at end of period	122,684		122,684
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			0
Foreign currency translation			0
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income			2,727
Reclassification of net unrealized gains (losses) activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			(2,727)
Balance at end of period	$ 0		$ 0