10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

R	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

or

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the transition period from  to

Commission file number 1-6402-1

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas		74-1488375
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I. R. S. employer identification number)
1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas		77019
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)
	713-522-5141
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
	None
(Former name, former address, or former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o
		(Do not check if smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of October 25, 2011 was227,998,397 (net of treasury shares).

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

INDEX

	Page
Glossary	3
Part I. Financial Information	4
Item 1. Financial Statements	4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations — Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet — September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010	5
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	6
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	7
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	36
The Company	36
Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources	36
Results of Operations — Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	42
Critical Accounting Policies	50
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements	50
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	51
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	51
Part II. Other Information	52
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	52
Item 1A. Risk Factors	52
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	52
Item 6. Exhibits	53
Signature	54

2

GLOSSARY

The following terms are common to the deathcare industry, are used throughout this report, and have the following meanings:

Atneed — Funeral and cemetery arrangements after a death has occurred.

Burial Vaults — A reinforced container intended to house and protect the casket before it is placed in the ground.

Cemetery Perpetual Care or Endowment Care Fund — A trust fund established for the purpose of maintaining cemetery grounds and property into perpetuity.

Cremation — The reduction of human remains to bone fragments by intense heat.

General Agency (GA) Revenues — Commissions we receive from third-party life insurance companies for life insurance policies or annuities sold to preneed customers for the purpose of funding preneed funeral arrangements. The commission rate paid is determined based on the product type sold, the length of payment terms, and the age of the insured/annuitant.

Interment — The burial or final placement of human remains in the ground.

Lawn Crypt — An underground outer burial receptacle constructed of concrete and reinforced steel, which is usually pre-installed in predetermined designated areas.

Marker — A method of identifying a deceased person in a particular burial space, crypt, or niche. Permanent burial markers are usually made of bronze, granite, or stone.

Maturity — When the underlying contracted service is performed or merchandise is delivered, typically at death. This is the point at which preneed contracts are converted to atneed contracts (note — delivery of certain merchandise and services can occur prior to death).

Mausoleum — An above ground structure that is designed to house caskets and cremation urns.

Preneed — Purchase of products and services prior to a death occurring.

Preneed Backlog — Future revenues from unfulfilled preneed funeral and cemetery contractual arrangements.

Production — Sales of preneed funeral and preneed or atneed cemetery contracts.

As used herein, “SCI”, “Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to Service Corporation International and companies owned directly or indirectly by Service Corporation International, unless the context requires otherwise.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Revenues	$	572,999		$	533,165		$	1,729,472		$	1,619,301
Costs and expenses	(465,949		)	(430,518		)	(1,380,953		)	(1,294,998		)
Gross profits	107,050			102,647			348,519			324,303
General and administrative expenses	(23,863		)	(26,860		)	(77,381		)	(80,086		)
(Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,001		)	(7,291		)	(15,264		)	5,831
Operating income	78,186			68,496			255,874			250,048
Interest expense	(33,038		)	(31,497		)	(100,476		)	(96,281		)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	(1,355		)	(9,066		)	(3,504		)	(9,357		)
Other income, net	249			688			969			3,077
Income before income taxes	44,042			28,621			152,863			147,487
Provision for income taxes	(9,027		)	(9,941		)	(51,181		)	(57,255		)
Net income	35,015			18,680			101,682			90,232
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	481			85			(1,329		)	(270		)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	35,496		$	18,765		$	100,353		$	89,962
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	0.15		$	0.08		$	0.42		$	0.36
Basic weighted average number of shares	232,917			246,214			237,037			250,762
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	0.15		$	0.08		$	0.42		$	0.36
Diluted weighted average number of shares	235,513			247,523			239,528			252,486
Dividends declared per share	$	0.05		$	0.04		$	0.15		$	0.12

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

4

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	127,037		$	170,846
Receivables, net	89,899			107,185
Deferred tax assets	43,542			41,371
Inventories	26,494			34,770
Other	21,458			27,746
Total current assets	308,430			381,918
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,456,130			1,424,557
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	1,513,723			1,563,893
Cemetery property, at cost	1,499,203			1,508,787
Property and equipment, net	1,627,799			1,627,698
Goodwill	1,337,587			1,307,484
Deferred charges and other assets	454,168			389,184
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	974,266			987,019
Total assets	$	9,171,306		$	9,190,540
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	351,235		$	342,651
Current maturities of long-term debt	23,685			22,502
Income taxes	2,957			1,474
Total current liabilities	377,877			366,627
Long-term debt	1,863,899			1,832,380
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	575,207			580,223
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	835,121			813,493
Deferred tax liability	379,930			323,304
Other liabilities	410,937			399,619
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	2,336,160			2,408,074
Care trusts’ corpus	971,926			986,872
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 243,767,641 and 242,019,650 shares issued, respectively, and 227,998,397 and 241,035,250 shares outstanding, respectively	227,998			241,035
Capital in excess of par value	1,471,599			1,603,112
Accumulated deficit	(398,997		)	(477,459		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	99,552			112,768
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,400,152			1,479,456
Noncontrolling interests	20,097			492
Total equity	1,420,249			1,479,948
Total liabilities and equity	$	9,171,306		$	9,190,540

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

5

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2011			2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	101,682		$	90,232
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	3,504			9,357
Depreciation and amortization	88,363			87,676
Amortization of intangible assets	19,497			18,816
Amortization of cemetery property	27,889			23,438
Amortization of loan costs	3,259			3,223
Provision for doubtful accounts	6,431			4,137
Provision for deferred income taxes	40,038			39,273
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	15,264			(5,831		)
Share-based compensation	6,843			6,714
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards	—			(831		)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Decrease in receivables	13,583			6,793
Decrease (increase) in other assets	2,560			(1,094		)
Increase in payables and other liabilities	7,808			7,687
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
Decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	47,263			30,434
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue	(30,724		)	(4,218		)
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(33,203		)	(27,240		)
Effect of cemetery production and deliveries:
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	(47,977		)	(29,849		)
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue	26,502			7,369
(Decrease) increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(6,280		)	1,496
Other	(989		)	(1,471		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	291,313			266,111
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(85,936		)	(67,443		)
Acquisitions	(97,473		)	(281,800		)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment, net	15,233			82,866
Net withdrawals of restricted funds and other	956			26,440
Net cash used in investing activities	(167,220		)	(239,937		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	65,000			245,000
Debt issuance costs	—			(6,203		)
Payments of debt	(2,169		)	(32,398		)
Early extinguishment of debt	(43,089		)	(118,562		)
Principal payments on capital leases	(17,186		)	(40,716		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	7,694			1,469
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards	—			831
Purchase of Company common stock	(146,590		)	(86,871		)
Payments of dividends	(33,395		)	(30,224		)
Bank overdrafts and other	3,573			(5,655		)
Net cash used in by financing activities	(166,162		)	(73,329		)
Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents	(1,740		)	3,223
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(43,809		)	(43,932		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	170,846			179,745
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	127,037		$	135,813

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

6

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

	Common Stock		Treasury Stock			Capital in Excess of Par Value			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	254,027	$	(10	)	$	1,735,493		$	(603,876	)	$	97,142		$	12		$	1,482,788
Net income	—		—			—			89,962			—			270			90,232
Dividends declared on common stock ($.12 per share)	—		—			(29,830		)	—			—			—			(29,830		)
Foreign currency translation	—		—			—			—			4,761			2			4,763
Employee share-based compensation earned	—		—			6,714			—			—			—			6,714
Stock option exercises	389		—			1,080			—			—			—			1,469
Tax benefits related to share based awards	—		—			868			—			—			—			868
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	532		—			(532		)	—			—			—			—
Purchase of Company common stock	—		(10,358		)	(76,513		)	—			—			—			(86,871		)
Other	3		60			548			—			—			—			611
Balance at September 30, 2010	$	254,951	$	(10,308	)	$	1,637,828		$	(513,914	)	$	101,903		$	284		$	1,470,744
Balance at December 31, 2010	242,020		(985		)	1,603,112			(477,459		)	112,768			492			1,479,948
Net income									100,353						1,329			101,682
Dividends declared on common stock ($.15 per share)						(35,140		)										(35,140		)
Foreign currency translation												(13,216		)	(13		)	(13,229		)
Employee share-based compensation earned						6,843												6,843
Stock option exercises	1,137					6,557												7,694
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	539					(539		)										—
Purchase of Company common stock			(14,785		)	(109,914		)	(21,891		)							(146,590		)
Acquisition															18,857			18,857
Noncontrolling interest payment															(568		)	(568		)
Other	72					680												752
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	243,768	$	(15,770	)	$	1,471,599		$	(398,997	)	$	99,552		$	20,097		$	1,420,249

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

7

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

1. Nature of Operations

We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral service locations and cemeteries primarily operating in the United States and Canada. Our operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses.

Funeral service locations provide all professional services relating to funerals and cremations, including the use of funeral facilities and motor vehicles and preparation and embalming services. Funeral-related merchandise, including caskets, casket memorialization products, burial vaults, cremation receptacles, cremation memorial products, flowers, and other ancillary products and services, is sold at funeral service locations. Cemeteries provide cemetery property interment rights, including mausoleum spaces, lots, and lawn crypts, and sell cemetery-related merchandise and services, including stone and bronze memorials, markers, merchandise installations, and burial openings and closings. We also sell preneed funeral and cemetery products and services whereby a customer contractually agrees to the terms of certain products and services to be provided in the future.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables

We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amount, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.

If a preneed contract is cancelled prior to delivery, state or provincial law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer.

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We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.

Fair Value Measurements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (FVM&D) Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to require additional disclosures on (1) transfers between levels, (2) Level 3 activity presented on a gross basis, (3) valuation technique, and (4) inputs into the valuation. We adopted Items 1, 3, and 4 during the three months ended March 31, 2010, and the adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. We adopted Item 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2011, and the appropriate disclosures are contained in Notes 4, 5, and 6.

Stock-Based Compensation

In April 2010, the FASB issued additional guidance for the Compensation — Stock Compensation Topic of the ASC to clarify classification of an employee stock-based payment award when the exercise price is denominated in the currency of a market in which the underlying equity security trades. This guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2011. The adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Multi-Deliverable Arrangements

In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that impacts the recognition of revenue in multi-deliverable arrangements. The guidance establishes a selling-price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The goal of this guidance is to clarify disclosures related to multi-deliverable arrangements and to align the accounting with the underlying economics of the multi-deliverable transaction. This guidance became effective for us in the first quarter of 2011, and its adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Fair Value Measurements

In May 2011, the FASB amended the FVM&D Topic of the ASC that expands disclosures about items marked to fair value that are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy to include qualitative explanations of the valuation methodology used and sensitivity analysis of the inputs into the valuation. The amendment also requires that items that are not measured at fair value but for which the fair value is disclosed also disclose the level in the fair value hierarchy in which those items were categorized. The amended guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2012 and we do not believe that this guidance will have any impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB amended the Comprehensive Income Topic of the ASC to require the disclosure of the components of other comprehensive income, which we currently disclose elsewhere in our filings, be shown as either part of one statement of comprehensive income or as a separate statement of other comprehensive income immediately following the income statement. The amended guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2012 and will not have any impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Goodwill Testing

In September 2011, the FASB amended the Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Topic of the ASC that allows us to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If, after assessing the relevant information, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than the carrying amount, no additional work is necessary. If we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount, then we are required to proceed to the quantitative approach. The amended guidance is effective for us in our annual test in the fourth quarter of 2012, adoption will have no impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

4. Preneed Funeral Activities

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, related to unperformed, price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts. Our funeral

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merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed funeral revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts after the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deposits	$	18,960		$	18,771		$	55,189		$	61,294
Withdrawals	26,789			25,546			79,734			85,284
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	140,554			77,042			387,545			390,345
Sales of available-for-sale securities	114,476			86,754			448,988			401,253
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	11,353			5,963			49,618			26,461
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,586		)	(8,360		)	(18,215		)	(42,017		)

The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market	$	875,770		$	875,043
Cash and cash equivalents	100,911			121,212
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	267,603			220,287
Trust investments	1,244,284			1,216,542
Receivables from customers	251,788			247,434
Unearned finance charge	(5,461		)	(5,620		)
	1,490,611			1,458,356
Allowance for cancellation	(34,481		)	(33,799		)
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,456,130		$	1,424,557

The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments (including debt as well as the estimated fair value related to the contract holder’s equity in majority-owned real estate investments).

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	September 30, 2011
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	76,987	$	4,032	$	(336	)	$	80,683
Canadian government	113,763		628		(50		)	114,341
Corporate	51,128		1,353		(1,207		)	51,274
Residential mortgage-backed	3,388		77		(32		)	3,433
Asset-backed	127		6		—			133
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,344		19		(292		)	2,071
Common stock:
United States	267,707		28,059		(36,268		)	259,498
Canada	23,638		2,824		(1,354		)	25,108
Other international	19,481		460		(3,219		)	16,722
Mutual funds:
Equity	132,562		1,685		(23,543		)	110,704
Fixed income	195,093		6,298		(9,995		)	191,396
Private equity	36,800		1,408		(18,713		)	19,495
Other	518		394		—			912
Trust investments	$	923,536	$	47,243	$	(95,009	)	$	875,770

	December 31, 2010
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	71,948	$	2,061	$	(334	)	$	73,675
Canadian government	121,137		1,004		(20		)	122,121
Corporate	33,627		2,751		(285		)	36,093
Residential mortgage-backed	5,310		135		(22		)	5,423
Asset-backed	2,984		97		(2		)	3,079
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,835		296		(78		)	3,053
Common stock:
United States	268,650		63,301		(8,391		)	323,560
Canada	22,452		4,542		(798		)	26,196
Other international	21,611		2,240		(2,330		)	21,521
Mutual funds:
Equity	116,260		6,123		(18,289		)	104,094
Fixed income	134,181		6,316		(5,628		)	134,869
Private equity	27,864		1,395		(16,890		)	12,369
Other	8,833		615		(458		)	8,990
Trust investments	$	837,692	$	90,876	$	(53,525	)	$	875,043

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

11

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach for fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2011, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $12.7 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury, Canadian government, corporate, mortgage-backed fixed income securities, and preferred stock equity securities. Our private equity and other alternative investments are classified as Level 3 securities.

The inputs into the fair value of our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments are categorized as follows:

	Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011	$	603,428	$	251,935	$	20,407	$	875,770
Trust investments at December 31, 2010	$	610,240	$	243,444	$	21,359	$	875,043

The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	29,031		$	19,707		$	21,359		$	12,052
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	(7,757		)	501			(1,001		)	(569		)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8		)	(43		)	(67		)	(66		)
Purchases	18			—			18			7,343
Sales	(7,970		)	(10		)	(8,156		)	(10		)
Contributions	7,615			255			9,397			1,691
Distributions and other	(522		)	(364		)	(1,143		)	(395		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	20,407		$	20,046		$	20,407		$	20,046

(1) All unrealized (losses) gains 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.

12

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	136,116
Due in one to five years	51,838
Due in five to ten years	38,398
Thereafter	23,512
	$	249,864

Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $10.2 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $28.9 million and $22.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $17.5 million and a $1.1 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $20.8 million and a $7.3 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	8,064	$	(80	)	$	9,021	$	(256	)	$	17,085	$	(336	)
Canadian government	9,536		(48		)	105		(2		)	9,641		(50		)
Corporate	20,897		(1,171		)	979		(36		)	21,876		(1,207		)
Residential mortgage-backed	369		(2		)	391		(30		)	760		(32		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,645		(292		)	—		—			1,645		(292		)
Common stock:
United States	122,765		(31,623		)	17,031		(4,645		)	139,796		(36,268		)
Canada	8,374		(1,005		)	620		(349		)	8,994		(1,354		)
Other international	9,966		(1,867		)	2,897		(1,352		)	12,863		(3,219		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	53,310		(10,834		)	45,439		(12,709		)	98,749		(23,543		)
Fixed income	26,896		(3,029		)	8,746		(6,966		)	35,642		(9,995		)
Private equity	1,360		(1,502		)	12,640		(17,211		)	14,000		(18,713		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	263,182	$	(51,453	)	$	97,869	$	(43,556	)	$	361,051	$	(95,009	)

13

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	10,433	$	(316	)	$	393	$	(18	)	$	10,826	$	(334	)
Canadian government	1,632		(2		)	668		(18		)	2,300		(20		)
Corporate	5,619		(285		)	—		—			5,619		(285		)
Residential mortgage-backed	836		(9		)	263		(13		)	1,099		(22		)
Asset-backed	225		(1		)	53		(1		)	278		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,045		(78		)	—		—			1,045		(78		)
Common stock:
United States	41,491		(3,019		)	24,919		(5,372		)	66,410		(8,391		)
Canada	4,493		(324		)	1,361		(474		)	5,854		(798		)
Other international	5,251		(862		)	3,446		(1,468		)	8,697		(2,330		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	3,778		(110		)	61,844		(18,179		)	65,622		(18,289		)
Fixed income	9,630		(156		)	8,818		(5,472		)	18,448		(5,628		)
Private equity	214		(71		)	6,715		(16,819		)	6,929		(16,890		)
Other	8		(2		)	309		(456		)	317		(458		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	84,655	$	(5,235	)	$	108,789	$	(48,290	)	$	193,444	$	(53,525	)

5. Preneed Cemetery Activities

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, for contracts sold in advance of when the property interment rights, merchandise, or services are needed. Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed cemetery revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts when the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deposits	$	25,946		$	30,565		$	76,442		$	79,984
Withdrawals	25,917			26,303			84,444			79,080
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	88,518			77,625			411,195			542,829
Sales of available-for-sale securities	78,721			90,148			407,272			502,508
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	10,134			6,838			51,225			31,899
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(8,758		)	(9,828		)	(19,994		)	(47,093		)

The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

14

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market	$	967,503		$	1,062,771
Cash and cash equivalents	127,137			122,866
Insurance backed fixed income securities	12			9,158
Trust investments	1,094,652			1,194,795
Receivables from customers	498,445			452,296
Unearned finance charges	(35,525		)	(39,205		)
	1,557,572			1,607,886
Allowance for cancellation	(43,849		)	(43,993		)
Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	1,513,723		$	1,563,893

The cost and market values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.

	September 30, 2011
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	51,242	$	5,524	$	(305	)	$	56,461
Canadian government	17,067		492		(10		)	17,549
Corporate	41,828		1,441		(1,628		)	41,641
Residential mortgage-backed	168		5		(1		)	172
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,729		24		(462		)	3,291
Common stock:
United States	389,521		47,683		(48,239		)	388,965
Canada	17,177		2,857		(1,527		)	18,507
Other international	28,103		744		(4,028		)	24,819
Mutual funds:
Equity	181,246		1,883		(24,032		)	159,097
Fixed income	246,647		12,081		(15,832		)	242,896
Private equity	29,892		44		(16,258		)	13,678
Other	335		92		—			427
Trust investments	$	1,006,955	$	72,870	$	(112,322	)	$	967,503

15

	December 31, 2010
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	50,884	$	2,493	$	(307	)	$	53,070
Canadian government	15,669		362		(4		)	16,027
Corporate	39,265		3,387		(402		)	42,250
Residential mortgage-backed	863		31		(1		)	893
Asset-backed	6,336		261		(5		)	6,592
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	4,577		453		(124		)	4,906
Common stock:
United States	386,537		82,385		(10,821		)	458,101
Canada	17,279		3,869		(850		)	20,298
Other international	31,466		2,485		(3,645		)	30,306
Mutual funds:
Equity	202,328		15,173		(18,569		)	198,932
Fixed income	226,567		8,537		(9,959		)	225,145
Private equity	19,596		13		(13,890		)	5,719
Other	874		43		(385		)	532
Trust investments	$	1,002,241	$	119,492	$	(58,962	)	$	1,062,771

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2011, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $13.2 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury, Canadian government, corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed fixed income securities, and preferred stock. Our private equity and other alternative investments are classified as Level 3 securities.

The inputs into the fair value of our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are categorized as follows:

16

	Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011	$	834,284	$	119,114	$	14,105	$	967,503
Trust investments at December 31, 2010	$	932,782	$	123,738	$	6,251	$	1,062,771

The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	14,674		$	4,930		$	6,251		$	4,341
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	(8,530		)	(81		)	(1,545		)	(446		)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8		)	(18		)	(73		)	(41		)
Sales	—			(25		)	—			(48		)
Contributions	7,910			263			9,762			1,601
Distributions and other	59			(92		)	(290		)	(430		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	14,105		$	4,977		$	14,105		$	4,977

(1) All unrealized 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.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	9,761
Due in one to five years	43,714
Due in five to ten years	31,960
Thereafter	30,388
	$	115,823

Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $4.6 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $15.7 million and $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $24.9

17

million and a $1.5 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $26.1 million and a $4.9 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,817	$	(41	)	$	3,042	$	(264	)	$	4,859	$	(305	)
Canadian government	3,307		(10		)	—		—			3,307		(10		)
Corporate	18,660		(1,628		)	—		—			18,660		(1,628		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			15		(1		)	15		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,428		(462		)	—		—			2,428		(462		)
Common stock:
United States	172,584		(43,555		)	19,470		(4,684		)	192,054		(48,239		)
Canada	5,448		(966		)	457		(561		)	5,905		(1,527		)
Other international	14,670		(2,454		)	3,426		(1,574		)	18,096		(4,028		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	83,652		(13,461		)	58,659		(10,571		)	142,311		(24,032		)
Fixed income	49,081		(4,293		)	10,872		(11,539		)	59,953		(15,832		)
Private equity	426		(275		)	12,776		(15,983		)	13,202		(16,258		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	352,073	$	(67,145	)	$	108,717	$	(45,177	)	$	460,790	$	(112,322	)

18

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	6,057	$	(295	)	$	315	$	(12	)	$	6,372	$	(307	)
Canadian government	2,908		(4		)	—		—			2,908		(4		)
Corporate	8,577		(402		)	—		—			8,577		(402		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			20		(1		)	20		(1		)
Asset-backed	766		(4		)	56		(1		)	822		(5		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,749		(124		)	—		—			1,749		(124		)
Common stock:
United States	63,027		(4,450		)	31,108		(6,371		)	94,135		(10,821		)
Canada	3,131		(181		)	1,475		(669		)	4,606		(850		)
Other international	8,542		(1,403		)	5,259		(2,242		)	13,801		(3,645		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	5,107		(112		)	92,630		(18,457		)	97,737		(18,569		)
Fixed income	25,887		(354		)	14,600		(9,605		)	40,487		(9,959		)
Private equity	—		—			5,557		(13,890		)	5,557		(13,890		)
Other	7		(1		)	303		(384		)	310		(385		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	125,758	$	(7,330	)	$	151,323	$	(51,632	)	$	277,081	$	(58,962	)

6. Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts

We are required by state and provincial law to pay into cemetery perpetual care trusts a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights. Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. We consolidate our cemetery perpetual care trust investments with a corresponding amount recorded as Care trusts’ corpus. Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care trusts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deposits	$	5,503		$	5,381		$	17,806		$	17,282
Withdrawals	10,269			7,581			28,098			26,858
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	87,135			135,544			413,176			315,986
Sales of available-for-sale securities	49,705			137,354			387,715			247,125
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,101			4,244			31,221			8,937
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(1,764		)	(2,068		)	(14,506		)	(7,524		)

The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

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	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market	$	913,014	$	922,228
Cash and cash equivalents	61,252		64,791
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	974,266	$	987,019

The cost and market values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair market value at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.

	September 30, 2011
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,637	$	815	$	(2	)	$	2,450
Canadian government	28,751		862		(18		)	29,595
Corporate	20,677		609		(92		)	21,194
Residential mortgage-backed	1,702		59		(11		)	1,750
Asset-backed	52		—		—			52
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	5,961		—		(1,216		)	4,745
Common stock:
United States	138,464		6,903		(16,980		)	128,387
Canada	12,581		1,457		(1,237		)	12,801
Other international	18,788		843		(2,259		)	17,372
Mutual funds:
Equity	21,474		736		(2,336		)	19,874
Fixed income	648,407		25,030		(16,199		)	657,238
Private equity	24,835		358		(14,231		)	10,962
Other	8,089		829		(2,324		)	6,594
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	931,418	$	38,501	$	(56,905	)	$	913,014

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	December 31, 2010
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	5,651	$	863	$	(31	)	$	6,483
Canadian government	26,702		642		(7		)	27,337
Corporate	48,278		5,219		(249		)	53,248
Residential mortgage-backed	1,764		55		(6		)	1,813
Asset-backed	363		5		—			368
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	7,789		1,385		(112		)	9,062
Common stock:
United States	116,799		16,916		(6,640		)	127,075
Canada	11,510		2,510		(758		)	13,262
Other international	16,004		2,175		(1,845		)	16,334
Mutual funds:
Equity	65,114		6,964		(7,239		)	64,839
Fixed income	562,879		24,773		(2,334		)	585,318
Private equity	23,428		351		(13,344		)	10,435
Other	8,475		836		(2,657		)	6,654
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	894,756	$	62,694	$	(35,222	)	$	922,228

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury, Canadian government, corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed fixed income securities, and preferred stock. Our private equity and other alternative investments are classified as Level 3 securities.

The inputs into the fair value of our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments are categorized as follows:

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	Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011	$	835,672	$	59,786	$	17,556	$	913,014
Trust investments at December 31, 2010	$	806,828	$	98,311	$	17,089	$	922,228

The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	19,055		$	14,209		$	17,089		$	14,943
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	(2,377		)	1,225			5,525			5,350
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	4			1,313			(187		)	1,236
Sales	—			(155		)	(44		)	(155		)
Contributions	18			1			115			1,881
Distributions and other	856			(2,590		)	(4,942		)	(9,252		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	17,556		$	14,003		$	17,556		$	14,003

(1) All unrealized (losses) gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

(2) All gains (losses) recognized in Other income, net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	9,028
Due in one to five years	23,395
Due in five to ten years	19,220
Thereafter	3,398
	$	55,041

Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Recognized earnings related to these trust investments were $7.3 million and $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Recognized earnings related to these trust investments were $29.3 million and $29.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $0.0 million and a $0.2 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $0.3 million and a $1.8 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are considered

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temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings, and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	564	$	(2	)	$	—	$	—		$	564	$	(2	)
Canadian government	5,590		(18		)	—		—			5,590		(18		)
Corporate	2,876		(79		)	231		(13		)	3,107		(92		)
Residential mortgage-backed	27		(1		)	110		(10		)	137		(11		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	4,720		(1,188		)	22		(28		)	4,742		(1,216		)
Common stock:
United States	64,616		(11,145		)	9,435		(5,835		)	74,051		(16,980		)
Canada	3,300		(663		)	618		(574		)	3,918		(1,237		)
Other international	10,925		(1,852		)	347		(407		)	11,272		(2,259		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	11,439		(1,573		)	2,814		(763		)	14,253		(2,336		)
Fixed income	180,580		(11,196		)	39,050		(5,003		)	219,630		(16,199		)
Private equity	258		(362		)	10,315		(13,869		)	10,573		(14,231		)
Other	134		(190		)	5,390		(2,134		)	5,524		(2,324		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	285,029	$	(28,269	)	$	68,332	$	(28,636	)	$	353,361	$	(56,905	)

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	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,669	$	(31	)	$	—	$	—		$	1,669	$	(31	)
Canadian government	4,966		(7		)	—		—			4,966		(7		)
Corporate	9,181		(221		)	675		(28		)	9,856		(249		)
Residential mortgage-backed	137		(2		)	92		(4		)	229		(6		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,561		(90		)	29		(22		)	1,590		(112		)
Common stock:
United States	15,419		(1,464		)	16,419		(5,176		)	31,838		(6,640		)
Canada	1,545		(82		)	1,454		(676		)	2,999		(758		)
Other international	3,175		(242		)	2,383		(1,603		)	5,558		(1,845		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	866		(10		)	29,974		(7,229		)	30,840		(7,239		)
Fixed income	18,166		(134		)	53,553		(2,200		)	71,719		(2,334		)
Private equity	1		(1		)	10,060		(13,343		)	10,061		(13,344		)
Other	1		(2		)	5,568		(2,655		)	5,569		(2,657		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	56,687	$	(2,286	)	$	120,207	$	(32,936	)	$	176,894	$	(35,222	)

7. Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts’ Corpus

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust

We consolidate the merchandise and service trusts associated with our preneed funeral and cemetery activities in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. Although the guidance requires the consolidation of the merchandise and service trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, us, or our customers. The customers are the legal beneficiaries of these merchandise and service trusts, and therefore their interests in these trusts represent a liability to us.

The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2011									December 31, 2010
	Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total			Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total
	(In thousands)									(In thousands)
Trust investments	$	1,244,284		$	1,094,652		$	2,338,936		$	1,216,542		$	1,194,795		$	2,411,337
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,146		)	(1,630		)	(2,776		)	(975		)	(2,288		)	(3,263		)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,243,138		$	1,093,022		$	2,336,160		$	1,215,567		$	1,192,507		$	2,408,074

Care Trusts’ Corpus

The Care trusts’ corpus reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet represents the cemetery perpetual care trusts, including the related accrued expenses.

The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below.

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	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	974,266		$	987,019
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,340		)	(147		)
Care trusts’ corpus	$	971,926		$	986,872

Other Income, Net

The components of Other income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	11,353		$	10,134		$	4,101		$	—	$	25,588
Realized losses	(6,586		)	(8,758		)	(1,764		)	—		(17,108		)
Impairment charges	(17,533		)	(24,885		)	(5		)	—		(42,423		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	3,911			4,217			6,185			—		14,313
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,116		)	(3,119		)	(647		)	—		(5,882		)
Net trust investment (loss) income	(10,971		)	(22,411		)	7,870			—		(25,512		)
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	10,971			22,411			(7,870		)	—		25,512
Other income, net	—			—			—			249		249
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	249	$	249

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	49,618		$	51,225		$	31,221		$	—	$	132,064
Realized losses	(18,215		)	(19,994		)	(14,506		)	—		(52,715		)
Impairment charges	(20,821		)	(26,081		)	(316		)	—		(47,218		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	15,085			16,545			25,775			—		57,405
Trust expenses and income taxes	(4,982		)	(7,385		)	(2,753		)	—		(15,120		)
Net trust investment income	20,685			14,310			39,421			—		74,416
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(20,685		)	(14,310		)	(39,421		)	—		(74,416		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			969		969
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	969	$	969

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	Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	5,963		$	6,838		$	4,244		$	—	$	17,045
Realized losses	(8,360		)	(9,828		)	(2,068		)	—		(20,256		)
Impairment charges	(1,129		)	(1,536		)	(251		)	—		(2,916		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	3,291			5,491			9,174			—		17,956
Trust expenses and income taxes	(1,324		)	(2,555		)	(114		)	—		(3,993		)
Net trust investment (loss) income	(1,559		)	(1,590		)	10,985			—		7,836
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	1,559			1,590			(10,985		)	—		(7,836		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			688		688
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	688	$	688

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	26,461		$	31,899		$	8,937		$	—	$	67,297
Realized losses	(42,017		)	(47,093		)	(7,524		)	—		(96,634		)
Impairment charges	(7,298		)	(4,919		)	(1,824		)	—		(14,041		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	13,223			14,914			25,249			—		53,386
Trust expenses and income taxes	(3,150		)	(7,024		)	(1,661		)	—		(11,835		)
Net trust investment (loss) income	(12,781		)	(12,223		)	23,177			—		(1,827		)
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	12,781			12,223			(23,177		)	—		1,827
Other income, net	—			—			—			3,077		3,077
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	3,077	$	3,077

8. Income Taxes

Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. Our effective tax rate was 20.5% and 34.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 33.5% and 38.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We sold our Puerto Rican subsidiary in the third quarter of 2011. Our outside tax basis in the business was higher than our book basis. Consequently, we recognized a tax loss that was higher than the book loss on the sale which is permanent in nature. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is primarily due to that sale. Additionally, our effective tax rate for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2010 was reduced by the release of state valuation allowances due to the legal restructuring of our entities in certain states.

We file numerous federal, state and foreign income tax returns. A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, are audited and finally settled. In the United States, the tax years 1999 through 2002 remain under examination by the Internal Revenue Service and we are at the IRS Appeals administrative level on certain disputed issues that came out of its examination of tax years 2003 through 2005. Various state and foreign jurisdictions are auditing years through 2009. The outcome of each of these audits cannot be predicted at this time. It is reasonably possible that changes to our global unrecognized tax benefits could be significant; however, due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of completion of audits and possible outcomes, a current estimate of the range of increases or decreases that may occur within the next twelve months cannot be made.

9. Debt

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Debt as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	4,857			8,557
7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014	180,692			180,692
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	136,465			157,250
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377			212,927
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			250,000
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	250,000			250,000
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000			150,000
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
Bank credit facility due March 2016	65,000			—
Obligations under capital leases	126,658			118,339
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	36,565			38,223
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	(5,030		)	(6,106		)
Total debt	1,887,584			1,854,882
Less current maturities	(23,685		)	(22,502		)
Total long-term debt	$	1,863,899		$	1,832,380

Current maturities of debt at September 30, 2011 were primarily comprised of our capital leases. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 6.67% at September 30, 2011 and 6.80% at December 31, 2010. Approximately 90% and 93% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Bank Credit Facility

As of December 31, 2010, we had a $400 million bank credit facility due November 2013 with a syndicate of financial institutions, including a sublimit of $175 million for letters of credit. In the first quarter of 2011, we amended our bank credit facility to increase the availability thereunder from $400 million to $500 million and extended the maturity to March 2016.

As of September 30, 2011, we have $65.0 million outstanding cash advances under our bank credit facility and have used it to support $33.3 million of letters of credit. The bank credit facility provides us with flexibility for working capital, if needed, and is guaranteed by a majority of our domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guaranty is a guaranty of payment of the outstanding amount of the total lending commitment, including letters of credit. The bank credit facility contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. We pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.35%. As of September 30, 2011, we have $401.7 million in borrowing capacity under the bank credit facility.

Debt Extinguishments and Reductions

During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2011, we paid an aggregate of $43.1 million to retire $22.3 million  aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015, $16.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016, and $3.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.875% Senior Notes due February 2013,resulting in the recognition of a $3.5 million loss recorded in Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repaid $30.0 million of amounts drawn on our bank credit facility, $20.2 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016, $3.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015, $64.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014, and $23.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.875% Senior Notes due February 2013. As a result of these transactions, we recognized a $9.4 million loss recorded in Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Capital Leases

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we acquired $27.1 million and $17.3 million, respectively, of primarily transportation equipment using capital leases.

27

10. Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Estimates

The fair value estimates of the following financial instruments have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms.

The fair value of our debt instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:

	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	5,159	$	9,092
7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014	193,901		194,244
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	143,629		161,968
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	202,311		216,653
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	306,063		302,375
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	266,095		262,500
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	254,375		251,250
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	159,375		158,063
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	189,000		194,920
Bank credit facility due March 2016	65,000		—
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	37,100		37,991
Total fair value of debt instruments	$	1,822,008	$	1,789,056

The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 1 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC. The bank credit agreement and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.

11. Share-Based Compensation

Stock Benefit Plans

We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. This model allows the use of a range of assumptions related to volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the expected life, and the dividend yield. The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

	Nine Months Ended
Assumptions	September 30, 2011
Dividend yield	2.4	%
Expected volatility	38.4	%
Risk-free interest rate	2.4	%
Expected holding period (in years)	5.0

Stock Options

The following table sets forth stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

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	Options		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2010	12,312,783		$	7.53
Granted	2,394,430		9.09
Exercised	(1,136,808	)	6.77
Canceled	(94,857	)	5.32
Outstanding at September 30, 2011	13,475,548		$	7.88
Exercisable at September 30, 2011	8,288,301		$	8.16

As of September 30, 2011, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options of $7.9 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

Restricted Shares

Restricted share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was as follows:

	Restricted shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2010	1,167,273		$	6.35
Granted	538,620		9.13
Vested	(540,723	)	6.58
Nonvested restricted shares at September 30, 2011	1,165,170		$	7.53

As of September 30, 2011, the unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted shares of $6.1 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

12. Equity

(All shares reported in whole numbers)

Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains and Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
				(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	112,768		$	—		$	112,768
Activity in 2011	(13,216		)	—			(13,216		)
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(146,669		)	(146,669		)
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	—			146,669			146,669
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	99,552		$	—		$	99,552

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The U.S. dollar amount that arises from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment in Accumulated other comprehensive income. Income taxes are generally not provided on foreign currency translation adjustments.

The components of comprehensive income are as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

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	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Comprehensive income:
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income	$	35,496		$	18,765		$	100,353		$	89,962
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(23,132		)	7,266			(13,216		)	4,761
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Net (loss) income	(481		)	(85		)	1,329			270
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(17		)	3			(13		)	2
Comprehensive income	$	11,866		$	25,949		$	88,453		$	94,995

Cash Dividends

On August 10, 2011, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $.05 per common share. At September 30, 2011, this dividend totaling $11.4 million was recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Capital in excess of par value in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. This dividend will be paid on October 31, 2011.

Share Repurchase Program

Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our stock repurchase program. In August 2011, our Board of Directors approved an increase in our share repurchase program authorizing the investment of up to an additional $116.6 million to repurchase our common stock, bringing total authorization up to $200.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we repurchased 14,641,168 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $145.0 million, which is an average cost per share of $9.90. After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $150.3 million at September 30, 2011.

Subsequent to September 30, 2011, we repurchased an additional 1,233,800 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $11.7 million, which is an average cost per share of $9.48. After these fourth quarter repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program is approximately $138.6 million.

13. Segment Reporting

Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations. Our geographic areas include United States, Canada, and Germany. We conduct both funeral and cemetery operations in the United States and Canada and funeral operations in Germany.

Our reportable segment information is as follows:

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	Funeral		Cemetery		Reportable Segments
	(In thousands)
Three Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	384,003	$	188,996	$	572,999
2010	$	358,931	$	174,234	$	533,165
Gross profits:
2011	$	69,022	$	38,028	$	107,050
2010	$	69,058	$	33,589	$	102,647
Nine Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	1,178,362	$	551,110	$	1,729,472
2010	$	1,105,687	$	513,614	$	1,619,301
Gross profits:
2011	$	243,827	$	104,692	$	348,519
2010	$	231,167	$	93,136	$	324,303

The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Gross profits from reportable segments	$	107,050		$	102,647		$	348,519		$	324,303
General and administrative expenses	(23,863		)	(26,860		)	(77,381		)	(80,086		)
(Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,001		)	(7,291		)	(15,264		)	5,831
Operating income	78,186			68,496			255,874			250,048
Interest expense	(33,038		)	(31,497		)	(100,476		)	(96,281		)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	(1,355		)	(9,066		)	(3,504		)	(9,357		)
Other income, net	249			688			969			3,077
Income before income taxes	$	44,042		$	28,621		$	152,863		$	147,487

Our geographic area information is as follows:

	United States		Canada		Germany		Total
			(In thousands)
Three Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	518,754	$	52,824	$	1,421	$	572,999
2010	$	479,120	$	52,399	$	1,646	$	533,165
Nine Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	1,569,748	$	154,706	$	5,018	$	1,729,472
2010	$	1,458,883	$	155,497	$	4,921	$	1,619,301

14. Supplementary Information

The detail of certain income statement accounts as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is as follows:

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	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Merchandise revenues:
Funeral	$	126,168	$	117,674	$	383,308	$	362,145
Cemetery	132,904		121,131		381,898		352,009
Total merchandise revenues	259,072		238,805		765,206		714,154
Services revenues:
Funeral	234,367		220,913		726,259		688,866
Cemetery	45,571		45,617		145,247		138,669
Total services revenues	279,938		266,530		871,506		827,535
Other revenues	33,989		27,830		92,760		77,612
Total revenues	$	572,999	$	533,165	$	1,729,472	$	1,619,301
Merchandise costs and expenses:
Funeral	$	64,156	$	58,520	$	197,539	$	185,994
Cemetery	56,703		51,551		166,936		151,358
Total cost of merchandise	120,859		110,071		364,475		337,352
Services costs and expenses:
Funeral	127,102		114,662		370,942		335,425
Cemetery	23,853		22,882		73,793		70,990
Total cost of services	150,955		137,544		444,735		406,415
Overhead and other expenses	194,135		182,903		571,743		551,231
Total costs and expenses	$	465,949	$	430,518	$	1,380,953	$	1,294,998

15. Commitments and Contingencies

Insurance Loss Reserves

We purchase comprehensive general liability, morticians’ and cemetery professional liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage structured with high deductibles. The high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we have self-insurance reserves of $51.9 million and $53.9 million, respectively.

Litigation

We are a party to various litigation matters, investigations, and proceedings. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein; however, if we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters. We accrue such insurance recoveries when they become probable of being paid and can be reasonably estimated.

Burial Practices Claims. We are named as a defendant in various lawsuits alleging improper burial practices at certain of our cemetery locations. These lawsuits include but are not limited to the Garcia and Sands lawsuits described in the following paragraphs.

Reyvis Garcia and Alicia Garcia v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., Osiris Holding of Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation, d/b/a Graceland Memorial Park South, f/k/a Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc., was filed in December 2004, in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Case No. 04-25646 CA 32. Plaintiffs are the son and sister of the decedent, Eloisa Garcia, who was buried at Graceland Memorial Park South in March 1986, when the cemetery was owned by Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc. Initially, the suit sought damages on the individual claims of the plaintiffs relating to the burial of Eloisa Garcia. Plaintiffs claimed that due to poor recordkeeping, spacing issues and maps, and the fact that the family could not afford to purchase a marker for the grave, the burial location of the decedent could not be readily located. Subsequently, the decedent’s grave was located and verified. In July 2006, plaintiffs amended their complaint, seeking to certify a class of all

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persons buried at this cemetery whose burial sites cannot be located, claiming that this was due to poor recordkeeping, maps, and surveys at the cemetery. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a third amended class action complaint and added two additional named plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages, as well as equitable and injunctive relief. On May 4, 2011, the trial court certified a class and we are appealing that ruling. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

F. Charles Sands, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Eden Memorial Park, et al.; Case No. BC421528; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles — Central District. This case was filed in September 2009 against SCI and certain subsidiaries regarding our Eden Memorial Park cemetery in Mission Hills, California. The plaintiff seeks to certify a class of cemetery plot owners and their families. The plaintiff also seeks the appointment of a receiver to oversee cemetery operations. The plaintiff claims the cemetery damaged and desecrated burials in order to prepare adjoining graves for subsequent burials. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

Antitrust Claims. We are named as a defendant in an antitrust case filed in 2005. The case is Cause No 4:05-CV-03394; Funeral Consumers Alliance, Inc. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas — Houston (“Funeral Consumers Case”). This was a purported class action on behalf of casket consumers throughout the United States alleging that we and several other companies involved in the funeral industry violated federal antitrust laws and state consumer laws by engaging in various anti-competitive conduct associated with the sale of caskets. Based on the case proceeding as a class action, the plaintiffs filed an expert report indicating that the damages sought from all defendants range from approximately $950 million to $1.5 billion, before trebling. However, the trial court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the case as a class action. We deny that we engaged in anticompetitive practices related to our casket sales, and we have filed reports of our experts, which vigorously dispute the validity of the plaintiffs’ damages theories and calculations. The trial court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims on September 24, 2010, and the plaintiffs filed an appeal on October 19, 2010. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

Wage and Hour Claims. We are named a defendant in various lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state laws regulating wage and hour overtime pay, including but not limited to the Prise, Bryant, Bryant, Helm, Stickle, and Southern lawsuits described in the following paragraphs.

Prise, et al., v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., and Service Corporation International; Cause No. 06-164; in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (the “Wage and Hour Lawsuit”). The Wage and Hour Lawsuit was filed by two former Alderwoods (Pennsylvania), Inc. employees in December 2006 and purports to have been brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) on behalf of all Alderwoods and SCI-affiliated employees who performed work for which they were not fully compensated, including work for which overtime pay was owed. Although the court initially conditionally certified a class of claims as to certain job positions for Alderwoods employees, the court granted our motion to decertify the class on September 9, 2011.

Plaintiffs allege causes of action for violations of the FLSA, failure to maintain proper records, breach of contract, violations of state wage and hour laws, unjust enrichment, fraud and deceit, quantum meruit, negligent misrepresentation, and negligence. Plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, unpaid wages, liquidated, compensatory, consequential and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and pre- and post-judgment interest. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

Bryant, et al. v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. 3:07-CV-5696-SI; in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. This lawsuit was filed on November 8, 2007 against SCI and various subsidiaries and individuals. It is related to the Wage and Hour Lawsuit, raising similar claims and brought by the same attorneys. This lawsuit has been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and is now Case No. 08-CV-00891-JFC. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

Bryant, et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. RG-07359593; and Helm, et al. v. AWGI & SCI; Case No. RG-07359602; in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Alameda. These cases were filed on December 5, 2007 by counsel for plaintiffs in the Wage and Hour Lawsuit. These cases assert state law claims similar to the federal claims asserted in the Wage and Hour Lawsuit. These cases were removed to federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco/Oakland Division. The Bryant case is now Case No. 3:08-CV-01190-SI and the Helm case is now Case No. C 08-01184-SI. On December 29, 2009, the court in the Helm case denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the case as a class action. The plaintiffs modified and refiled their motion for certification. On March 9, 2011, the court denied plaintiffs’ renewed motions to certify a class in both of the Bryant and Helm cases. The plaintiffs have also (i) filed additional lawsuits with similar allegations seeking class certification of state law claims in different states, and (ii) made a large number of demands for arbitration. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in these lawsuits.

Stickle, et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. 08-CV-83; in the U.S. District Court for Arizona, Phoenix Division. Counsel for plaintiffs in the Wage and Hour Lawsuit filed this case on January 17, 2008, against SCI and various related entities and individuals asserting FLSA and other ancillary claims based on the alleged failure to pay for overtime. In September 2009, the Court conditionally certified a class of claims as to certain job positions of SCI affiliated employees. On

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April 20, 2011, the court granted our motion to decertify the class. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

Southern, et al. v. SCI Kentucky Funeral Services, Inc.; Case No. 11CIO6501; in the Jefferson Circuit Court, Division Eight, Kentucky. This lawsuit was filed on October 6, 2011 against an SCI subsidiary and purports to have been brought on behalf of employees who worked in Kentucky as funeral directors. The plaintiffs allege causes of action for various violations of Kentucky wage and hour laws, and breach of contract. Plaintiffs seek unpaid wages, compensatory and exemplary relief, damages, attorneys' fees and costs, and pre- and post judgment interest. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

The ultimate outcome of the matters described above cannot be determined at this time. We intend to vigorously defend all of the above lawsuits; however, an adverse decision in one or more of such matters could have a material effect on us, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

16. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common shares that then shared in our earnings.

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)				(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income:
Net income — basic	$	35,496	$	18,765	$	100,353	$	89,962
After tax interest on convertible debt	13		—		38		38
Net income — diluted	$	35,509	$	18,765	$	100,391	$	90,000
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	232,917		246,214		237,037		250,762
Stock options	2,475		1,309		2,370		1,603
Convertible debt	121		—		121		121
Weighted average shares — diluted	235,513		247,523		239,528		252,486
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.15	$	0.08	$	0.42	$	0.36
Diluted	$	0.15	$	0.08	$	0.42	$	0.36

The computation of diluted EPS excludes outstanding stock options and convertible debt in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options and debt would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, total options and convertible debentures not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 5.1 million and 6.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, total options and convertible debentures not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 5.5 million and 5.4 million, respectively.

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17. Acquisitions

Keystone

In March 2010, pursuant to a tender offer, we acquired Keystone North America, Inc. (Keystone) for C$8.07 per share in cash, resulting in a purchase price of $288.9 million, which included the refinancing of $80.7 million of Keystone’s debt.

The primary reasons for the merger and the principal factors that contributed to the recognition of goodwill in this acquisition were:

• the acquisition of Keystone enhances our network footprint, enabling us to serve a number of new, complementary areas;

• combining the two companies’ operations provides synergies and related cost savings through the elimination of duplicate home office functions and economies of scale; and

• the acquisition of Keystone’s preneed backlog of deferred revenues enhances our long-term stability.

The following table summarizes the adjusted fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of March 26, 2010, for various purchase price allocation adjustments made subsequent to our first quarter results:

	(In thousands)
Accounts receivable	$	6,131
Other current assets	20,200
Cemetery property	19,949
Property and equipment, net	105,888
Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	66,395
Finite-lived intangible assets	34,312
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	33,700
Deferred charges and other assets	6,533
Goodwill	108,643
Total assets acquired	401,751
Current liabilities	11,719
Long-term debt	2,548
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	69,336
Deferred tax liability	20,939
Other liabilities	8,347
Total liabilities assumed	112,889
Net assets acquired	$	288,862

The gross amount of accounts receivable is $8.2 million, of which $2.1 million is not expected to be collected. Included in preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments are receivables under preneed contracts with a fair value of $5.2 million. The gross amount due under the contracts is $5.5 million, of which $0.3 million is not expected to be collected.

We have finalized our assessment of the fair values. Goodwill, land, and certain identifiable intangible assets recorded in the acquisition are not subject to amortization; however, the goodwill and intangible assets will be tested periodically for impairment as required by the Intangible Assets Topic of the ASC. Of the $108.6 million in goodwill recognized, $4.3 million was allocated to our cemetery segment and $104.3 million was allocated to our funeral segment. As a result of the carryover of Keystone’s tax basis, $26.0 million of this goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The identified intangible assets are comprised of the following:

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	Useful life
	Minimum		Maximum	Fair Value
	(Years)			(In thousands)
Preneed customer relationships related to insurance claims			10	$	15,200
Preneed deferred revenue	10	-	14	1,740
Covenants-not-to-compete	5	-	15	13,332
Operating leases	5	-	15	440
Tradenames			5	3,600
Tradenames			Indefinite	33,200
Licenses and permits			Indefinite	500
Total intangible assets				$	68,012

The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes the results of operations of Keystone. The following unaudited pro forma information presents information as if the merger occurred on January 1, 2010:

	Nine Months Ended
	2010
	(In thousands)
Revenue	$	1,648,953
Net income	$	93,201

Neptune

The Company acquired 70% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society, Inc. (Neptune) on June 3, 2011 for $44 million. Neptune is the nation's largest direct cremation organization with a network of 30 locations in nine states. Neptune operates under the brand names Neptune Society, Neptune Cremation Service, and Trident Society. With this acquisition we will be expanding the footprint into a sector of the market that will continue to grow and that we do not currently target through our traditional funeral service and cemetery network. We have not completed our purchase price allocation as we are still reviewing the underlying accounting records.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Company

We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral homes and cemeteries unequalled in geographic scale and reach. At September 30, 2011, we operated 1,427 funeral service locations and 374 cemeteries (including 214 combination locations) in North America, which are geographically diversified across 43 states, eight Canadian provinces, and the District of Columbia. Our funeral segment also includes the operations of 12 funeral homes in Germany that we intend to exit when economic values and conditions are conducive to a sale. Our funeral service and cemetery operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses. We sell cemetery property and funeral and cemetery products and services at the time of need and on a preneed basis.

Our financial position is enhanced by our $6.8 billion backlog of future revenues from both trust and insurance-funded sales at September 30, 2011, which is the result of preneed funeral and cemetery sales. We believe we have the financial strength and flexibility to reward shareholders through dividends while maintaining a prudent capital structure and pursuing new opportunities for profitable growth. We currently have approximately $138.6 million authorized to repurchase our common stock.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Trust Investments

In addition to selling our products and services to client families at the time of need, we sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, which provide for future funeral or cemetery services and merchandise. Since preneed funeral and cemetery services or merchandise will not be provided until sometime in the future, most states and provinces require that all or a portion of the funds collected from customers on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts be paid into trusts and/or preneed escrow accounts until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Investment earnings associated with the trust investments are

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expected to mitigate the inflationary costs of providing the preneed funeral and cemetery services and merchandise in the future for the prices that were guaranteed at the time of sale.

Also, we are required by state and provincial law to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trusts. For these investments, the original corpus remains in the trust in perpetuity and the net ordinary earnings are intended to offset the expense to maintain the cemetery property. The majority of states require that net gains or losses are retained and added to the corpus, but certain states allow the net realized gains and losses to be included in the income that is distributed.

Independent trustees manage and invest all of the funds deposited into the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts as well as the cemetery perpetual care trusts. The trustees are selected based on their respective geographic footprint and qualifications per state and provincial regulations. All of the trustees engage the same independent investment advisor. The trustees, with input from the investment advisor, establish an investment policy that serves as an operating document to guide the investment activities of the trusts including asset allocation and manager selection. The investments are also governed by state and provincial guidelines. Asset allocation for the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts is generally based on matching the time period that we expect the funeral or cemetery preneed contract to be outstanding. Since net ordinary earnings are distributed monthly from the cemetery perpetual care trusts to offset cemetery maintenance costs, the cemetery perpetual care trusts contain a higher fixed income allocation than the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts. The investment advisor recommends investment managers to the trustees that are selected on the basis of various criteria set forth in the investment policy. The primary investment objectives for the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts include (1) achieving growth of principal over time sufficient to preserve and increase the purchasing power of the assets, and (2) preserving capital within acceptable levels of volatility. Preneed funeral and cemetery contracts generally take years to mature. Therefore, the funds associated with these contracts are often invested for several market cycles. While cemetery perpetual care trusts share the same investment objectives as listed above, these trusts emphasize providing a steady stream of investment income with some capital appreciation. The trusts seek to control risk and volatility through a combination of asset styles, asset classes, and institutional investment managers.

As of September 30, 2011, 84% of our trusts were under the control and custody of two large financial institutions engaged as preferred trustees. The U.S. trustees primarily use common trust fund structures as the investment vehicle for their trusts. Through the common trust fund structure, each respective trustee manages the allocation of assets through individual managed accounts or institutional mutual funds. In the event a particular state prohibits the use of a common trust fund as a qualified investment, the trustee utilizes institutional mutual funds. The U.S. trusts include a modest allocation to alternative investments, which are comprised primarily of private equity and real estate investments. These investments are structured as limited liability companies (LLCs) and are managed by certain trustees. The trusts that are eligible to allocate a portion of their investments to alternative investments purchase units of the respective LLCs.

Fixed Income Securities

Fixed income investments are intended to preserve principal, provide a source of current income, and reduce overall portfolio volatility. The SCI trusts have direct investments primarily in government fixed income securities.

Canadian government fixed income securities are investments in Canadian federal and provincial government instruments. In many cases, regulatory restrictions mandate that the funds from the sales of preneed funeral and cemetery products sold in certain Canadian jurisdictions must be invested in these instruments.

Equity Securities

Equity investments have historically provided long-term capital appreciation in excess of inflation. The SCI trusts have direct investments primarily in domestic equity portfolios that include large, mid, and small capitalization companies of different investment objectives (i.e., growth and value). The majority of the equity portfolio is managed by multiple institutional investment managers that specialize in an objective-specific area of expertise. Our equity securities are exposed to market risk; however, these securities are well-diversified. As of September 30, 2011, the largest single equity position represented less than 1% of the total equity securities portfolio.

Mutual Funds

The SCI trust funds employ institutional mutual funds where operationally or economically efficient. Institutional mutual funds are utilized to invest in various asset classes including US equities, non-US equities, convertible bonds, corporate bonds, government bonds, Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS), high yield bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and commodities. The mutual funds are governed by guidelines outlined in their individual prospectuses.

Private Equity

The objective of these investments is to provide high rates of return with controlled volatility. These investments are typically

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long-term in duration. These investments are diversified by strategy, sector, manager, and vintage year. Private equity exposure is accessed through LLCs established by certain preferred trustees. These LLCs invest in numerous limited partnerships, including private equity, fund of funds, distressed debt, and mezzanine financing. The trustees that have oversight of their respective LLCs work closely with the investment advisor in making all current investments.

Trust Performance

The trust fund income recognized from these investment assets continues to be volatile. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2011, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index increased approximately 1.1% and the Barclay’s Aggregate Index increased approximately 5.3%, while the combined SCI trusts increased approximately 2.1%.

SCI, its trustees, and its investment advisor continue to monitor the capital markets and the trusts on an ongoing basis. The trustees, with input from the investment advisor, will take prudent action as needed to achieve the investment goals and objectives of the trusts.

Capital Allocation Considerations

We rely on cash flow from operations as a significant source of liquidity. Our cash flow from operating activities provided $291.3 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011. In addition, we have $401.7 million in excess borrowing capacity under our bank credit facility. We currently have no significant maturities of long-term debt until October 2014.

Our bank credit facility requires us to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios. As of September 30, 2011 we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. Our financial covenant requirements and actual ratios as of September 30, 2011 are as follows:

	Per Credit Agreement	Actual
Leverage ratio	4.00 (Max)	3.16
Interest coverage ratio	3.00 (Min)	4.34

We believe our sources of liquidity can be supplemented by our ability to access the capital markets for additional debt or equity securities. We believe that our cash on hand, future operating cash flows, and the available capacity under our credit facility will be adequate to meet our financial obligations over the next 12 months.

We expect to continue to focus on funding growth initiatives that generate increased profitability, revenue, and cash flows. These capital investments include the construction of high-end cemetery property (such as private family estates) and the construction of funeral home facilities. We will also consider the acquisition of additional deathcare operations that fit our long-term customer-focused strategy, if such acquisitions have the proper return on investment.

Since November 2007, we have paid quarterly dividends of $0.04 per common share. On February 9, 2011, our Board of Directors approved the payment of a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share. While we intend to pay regular quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future, all future dividends are subject to limitations in our debt covenants and final determination by our Board of Directors each quarter upon review of our financial performance.

Currently, we have approximately $138.6 million authorized under our share repurchase program. We intend to make purchases from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions, debt covenants, and normal trading restrictions. Our credit agreement contains covenants that limit our ability to repurchase our common stock. There can be no assurance that we will buy our common stock under our share repurchase program in the future.

Cash Flow

We believe our ability to generate strong operating cash flow is one of our fundamental financial strengths and provides us with substantial flexibility in meeting operating and investing needs.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $25.2 million to $291.3 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 from $266.1 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2010. This increase was driven by:

• an $82.2 million increase in cash receipts from customers resulting from increased revenues primarily from the Keystone acquisition and improved collection rates at existing locations;

• a $16.7 million increase in tax refunds and lower cash tax payments;

• a $12.3 million increase in General Agency (GA) receipts;

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• a $4.7 million increase in net trust fund withdrawals;

• a $3.5 million increase in royalty income;

• a $3.1 million decrease in cash interest payments; partially offset by,

• a $61.7 million increase in vendor payments resulting primarily from increases in variable costs from the Keystone acquisition; and

• a $38.4 million increase in employee compensation in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the first nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily from acquisitions.

Investing Activities

Cash flows from investing activities used $167.2 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to using $239.9 million in the same period of 2010. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $184.3 million in cash spent on acquisitions (primarily the Keystone acquisition in 2010), partially offset by a $67.6 million decrease in cash receipts from divestitures and asset sales, a $25.5 million decrease in withdrawals of restricted funds, and an $18.5 million increase in capital expenditures.

Financing Activities

Financing activities used $166.2 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to using $73.3 million in the same period of 2010. This increase was primarily driven by a $173.8 million decrease in proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt (net of debt issuance costs) and a $59.7 million increase in the repurchases of Company common stock, partially offset by a $129.2 million decrease in debt payments, a $9.2 million increase in bank overdrafts and other, and a $6.2 million increase from proceeds from exercise of stock options.

Proceeds from long-term debt (net of debt issuance costs) were $65.0 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 due to a drawdown under our bank credit facility. Proceeds from long-term debt (net of debt issuance costs) were $238.8 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to a $150.0 million issuance of the 8.00% Senior Notes due November 2021 and a $95.0 million drawdown under our bank credit facility.

The table below sets forth the payments of debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in millions):

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2011		2010
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	3.9	$	25.0
7.375% Debentures due October 2014	—		70.5
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	22.3		3.0
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	16.8		20.1
Bank credit facility due March 2016	—		30.0
Obligations under capital leases	17.2		40.7
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	2.2		2.4
Total Debt Payments	$	62.4	$	191.7

We repurchased 14.8 million shares in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 for $146.6 million and 10.4 million shares in the same period of 2010 for $86.9 million.

We paid cash dividends of $33.4 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 and $30.2 million in the same period of 2010.

Financial Assurances

In support of our operations, we have entered into arrangements with certain surety companies whereby such companies agree to issue surety bonds on our behalf as financial assurance and/or as required by existing state and local regulations. The surety bonds are used for various business purposes; however, the majority of the surety bonds issued and outstanding have been used to support our preneed funeral and cemetery sales activities. The obligations underlying these surety bonds are recorded on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as Deferred preneed funeral revenues and Deferred preneed cemetery revenues. The breakdown of surety bonds between funeral and cemetery preneed arrangements, as well as surety bonds for other activities, is described below.

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	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(Dollars in millions)
Preneed funeral	$	116.6	$	121.0
Preneed cemetery:
Merchandise and services	116.6		120.2
Pre-construction	5.1		5.1
Bonds supporting preneed funeral and cemetery obligations	238.3		246.3
Bonds supporting preneed business permits	2.2		5.1
Other bonds	24.6		14.2
Total surety bonds outstanding	$	265.1	$	265.6

When selling preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, we may post surety bonds where allowed by state law. We post the surety bonds in lieu of trusting a certain amount of funds received from the customer. The amount of the bond posted is generally determined by the total amount of the preneed contract that would otherwise be required to be trusted, in accordance with applicable state law. For both the three months endedSeptember 30, 2011 and 2010, we had $4.8 million of cash receipts attributable to bonded sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we had $14.5 million and $14.7 million, respectively, of cash receipts attributable to bonded sales. These amounts do not consider reductions associated with taxes, obtaining costs, or other costs.

Surety bond premiums are paid annually and are automatically renewable until maturity of the underlying preneed contracts, unless we are given prior notice of cancellation. Except for cemetery pre-construction bonds (which are irrevocable), the surety companies generally have the right to cancel the surety bonds at any time with appropriate notice. In the event a surety company were to cancel the surety bond, we are required to obtain replacement surety assurance from another surety company or fund a trust for an amount generally less than the posted bond amount. Management does not expect that we will be required to fund material future amounts related to these surety bonds because of lack of surety capacity or surety company non-performance.

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Activities and Backlog of Contracts

In addition to selling our products and services to client families at the time of need, we sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, which provide for future funeral or cemetery services and merchandise. Since preneed funeral and cemetery services or merchandise will not be provided until sometime in the future, most states and provinces require that all or a portion of the funds collected from customers on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts be paid into merchandise and service trusts until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. These trust funds own investments in equity and debt securities and mutual funds, which are sensitive to current market prices. In certain situations, as described above, where permitted by state or provincial laws, we post a surety bond as financial assurance for a certain amount of the preneed funeral or cemetery contract in lieu of placing funds into trust accounts.

Trust-Funded Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Contracts: The funds are deposited into trust and invested by independent trustees in accordance with state and provincial laws. We retain any funds above the amounts required to be deposited into trust accounts and use them for working capital purposes, generally to offset the selling and administrative costs of our preneed programs.

The tables below detail our results of preneed funeral and cemetery production and maturities, excluding insurance contracts, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

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	North America
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions)				(Dollars in millions)
Funeral:
Preneed trust-funded (including bonded):
Sales production	$	49.8	30.3		$	98.6	$	93.4
Sales production (number of contracts)	13,963		6,978		24,926		21,632
Maturities	$	60.4	42.6		$	153.5	$	135.8
Maturities (number of contracts)	13,766		9,786		34,485		31,080
Cemetery:
Sales production:
Preneed	$	115.8	$	94.5	$	349.6	$	301.2
Atneed	57.4		56.5		178.3		181.5
Total sales production	$	173.2	$	151.0	$	527.9	$	482.7
Sales production deferred to backlog:
Preneed	$	46.2	$	39.3	$	143.9	$	129.1
Atneed	43.1		43.1		135.2		136.5
Total sales production deferred to backlog	$	89.3	$	82.4	$	279.1	$	265.6
Revenue recognized from backlog:
Preneed	$	41.3	$	41.1	$	110.8	$	109.2
Atneed	44.0		43.5		135.4		135.5
Total revenue recognized from backlog	$	85.3	$	84.6	$	246.2	$	244.7

Insurance-Funded Preneed Funeral Contracts: Where permitted by state or provincial law, customers may arrange their preneed funeral contract by purchasing a life insurance or annuity policy from third-party insurance companies, for which we earn a commission as general sales agent for the insurance company. The policy amount of the insurance contract between the customer and the third-party insurance company generally equals the amount of the preneed funeral contract. We do not reflect the unfulfilled insurance-funded preneed funeral contract amounts in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The table below details the results of insurance-funded preneed funeral production and maturities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the number of contracts associated with those transactions.

	North America
	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,
	2011	2010	2011	2010
	(Dollars in millions)		(Dollars in millions)
Preneed funeral insurance-funded:
Sales production (1)	124.8	102.0	359.8	313.8
Sales production (number of contracts) (1)	21,461	17,664	62,224	54,375
General agency revenue	23.0	19.7	66.7	51.0
Maturities	69.9	68.3	217.8	209.9
Maturities (number of contracts)	12,569	12,676	39,649	39,094

(1) Amounts are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

North America Backlog of Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Contracts: The following table reflects our North America backlog of trust-funded deferred preneed funeral and cemetery contract revenues, including amounts related to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Additionally, the table reflects our backlog of unfulfilled insurance-funded contracts (which are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet) at

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September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The backlog amounts presented are reduced by an amount that we believe will cancel before maturity based on historical experience.

The table also reflects our preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments (market and cost bases) associated with the backlog of deferred preneed funeral and cemetery contract revenues, net of the estimated cancellation allowance. We believe that the table below is meaningful because it sets forth the aggregate amount of future revenues we expect to recognize as a result of preneed sales, as well as the amount of assets associated with those revenues. Because the future revenues exceed the asset amounts, future revenues will exceed the cash distributions actually received from the associated trusts.

	September 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
	Market			Cost			Market			Cost
				(Dollars in billions)
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	$	0.58		$	0.58		$	0.58		$	0.58
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	1.24			1.29			1.22			1.18
	$	1.82		$	1.87		$	1.80		$	1.76
Allowance for cancellation on trust investments	(0.15		)	(0.15		)	(0.13		)	(0.13		)
Backlog of trust-funded preneed funeral revenues	$	1.67		$	1.72		$	1.67		$	1.63
Backlog of insurance-funded preneed funeral revenues	3.34			3.34			3.28			3.28
Total backlog of preneed funeral revenues	$	5.01		$	5.06		$	4.95		$	4.91
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1.46		$	1.51		$	1.42		$	1.40
Allowance for cancellation on trust investments	(0.14		)	(0.14		)	(0.12		)	(0.12		)
Assets associated with backlog of trust-funded deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation	$	1.32		$	1.37		$	1.30		$	1.28
Insurance policies associated with insurance-funded deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation	3.34			3.34			3.28			3.28
Total assets associated with backlog of preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation	$	4.66		$	4.71		$	4.58		$	4.56
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	0.84		$	0.84		$	0.81		$	0.81
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	1.09			1.13			1.19			1.13
	$	1.93		$	1.97		$	2.00		$	1.94
Allowance for cancellation on trust investments	(0.16		)	(0.16		)	(0.15		)	(0.15		)
Total backlog of deferred cemetery revenues	$	1.77		$	1.81		$	1.85		$	1.79
Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	1.51		$	1.55		$	1.56		$	1.50
Allowance for cancellation on trust investments	(0.15		)	(0.14		)	(0.16		)	(0.16		)
Total assets associated with backlog of deferred cemetery revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation	$	1.36		$	1.41		$	1.40		$	1.34

The market value of our funeral and cemetery trust investments was based on a combination of quoted market prices, observable inputs such as interest rates or yield curves, and appraisals. The difference between the backlog and asset amounts represents the contracts for which we have posted surety bonds as financial assurance in lieu of trusting, the amounts collected from customers that were not required to be deposited into trust, and allowable cash distributions from trust assets. The table also reflects the amounts expected to be received from insurance companies through the assignment of policy proceeds related to insurance-funded funeral contracts.

Results of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

Management Summary

Key highlights in the third quarter of 2011 were as follows:

• Funeral gross profits were flat as higher case volume, higher average revenues per case, and higher General Agency Revenues (insurance commissions) related to preneed funeral production were offset by higher advertising and selling related expenses; and

• Cemetery gross profits increased $4.4 million, or 13.1%, due to higher cemetery preneed property sales production and other cemetery revenues, partially offset by higher advertising and selling related expenses.

Results of Operations

In the third quarter of 2011, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $35.5 million ($.15 per diluted

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share) compared to net income attributable to common stockholders in the third quarter of 2010 of $18.8 million ($.08 per diluted share). These results were impacted by the following items:

	2011			2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net after-tax gains (losses) from the sale of assets	$	3,823		$	(8,479	)
After-tax losses from the early extinguishment of debt, net	$	(864	)	$	(5,343	)
After-tax expenses related to acquisitions	$	(310	)	$	(1,844	)
Change in certain tax reserves and other	$	(934	)	$	2,533

Consolidated Versus Comparable Results

The table below reconciles our consolidated GAAP results to our comparable, or “same store,” results for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We define comparable operations (or same store operations) as those funeral and cemetery locations that were owned for the entire period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending September 30, 2011. The following tables present operating results for funeral and cemetery locations that were owned by us during this period.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011	Consolidated		Less: Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction		Less: Results Associated with Divestitures			Comparable
			(Dollars in millions)
North America Revenue
Funeral revenue	$	382.6	$	41.7	$	0.4		$	340.5
Cemetery revenue	189.0		1.6		0.6			186.8
	571.6		43.3		1.0			527.3
Germany revenue	1.4		—		—			1.4
Total revenue	$	573.0	$	43.3	$	1.0		$	528.7
North America Gross Profits
Funeral gross profits	$	69.0	$	4.8	$	(0.2	)	$	64.4
Cemetery gross profits	38.0		0.1		(0.1		)	38.0
	107.0		4.9		(0.3		)	102.4
Germany gross profits	—		—		—			—
Total gross profits	$	107.0	$	4.9	$	(0.3	)	$	102.4

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010	Consolidated		Less: Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction		Less: Results Associated with Divestitures			Comparable
			(Dollars in millions)
North America Revenue
Funeral revenue	$	357.4	$	23.8	$	2.2		$	331.4
Cemetery revenue	174.2		0.9		1.6			171.7
	531.6		24.7		3.8			503.1
Germany revenue	1.6		—		—			1.6
Total revenue	$	533.2	$	24.7	$	3.8		$	504.7
North America Gross Profits
Funeral gross profits	$	68.8	$	5.1	$	(0.2	)	$	63.9
Cemetery gross profits	33.6		0.1		0.1			33.4
	102.4		5.2		(0.1		)	97.3
Germany gross profits	0.2		—		—			0.2
Total gross profits	$	102.6	$	5.2	$	(0.1	)	$	97.5

The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our consolidated average revenue per funeral service for the three

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months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing consolidated funeral revenue, excluding General Agency (GA) revenues and certain other revenues to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of consolidated funeral services performed during the period.

	Three Months Ended
	September 30,
	2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions, except average revenue per funeral service)
Consolidated funeral revenue	$	384.0	$	359.0
Less: Consolidated GA revenue	23.0		19.7
Less: Other revenue	12.3		2.3
Adjusted consolidated funeral revenue	$	348.7	$	337.0
Consolidated funeral services performed	67,374		64,680
Consolidated average revenue per funeral service	$	5,176	$	5,210

The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our comparable average revenue per funeral service for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing comparable funeral revenue, excluding comparable GA revenues and certain other revenues to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of comparable funeral services performed during the period.

	Three Months Ended
	September 30,
	2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions, except average revenue per funeral service)
Comparable funeral revenue	$	341.9	$	333.0
Less: Comparable GA revenue	22.2		19.3
Less: Other revenue	1.7		2.2
Adjusted comparable funeral revenue	$	318.0	$	311.5
Comparable funeral services performed	58,541		59,973
Comparable average revenue per funeral service	$	5,432	$	5,194

Funeral Results

Funeral Revenue

Consolidated revenues from funeral operations were $384.0 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $359.0 million for the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily attributable to the $8.9 million increase in comparable revenues described below and $17.9 million of additional revenues as the result of acquisitions in 2011 and 2010. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $1.8 million in revenues contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2011 and 2010.

Comparable revenues from funeral operations were $341.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $333.0 million for the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to the 4.6% increase in average revenue per funeral service described below and a $2.9 million increase in GA revenues (insurance commissions) that resulted from increased preneed funeral arrangements, partially offset by a decrease in the number of funeral services performed described below.

Funeral Services Performed

Our consolidated funeral services performed increased 4.2% during the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 primarily as the result of acquisitions in 2011 and 2010, offset by a 2.4% decrease in comparable funeral services performed. We believe the comparable decrease is consistent with trends experienced by other funeral service providers and industry vendors. Our consolidated cremation rate of 50.3% in the third quarter of 2011 increased from 41.9% in 2010, while our comparable cremation rate of 44.6% in the third quarter of 2011 increased from 41.9% in 2010. We continue to expand our cremation memorialization products and services, which have resulted in higher average sales for cremation services.

Average Revenue Per Funeral Service

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Our consolidated average revenue per funeral service increased $34, or 0.7% ,in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 2010, primarily as a result of increased comparable average revenue per funeral service described below, more than offset by acquisitions and non-strategic assets divested throughout 2011 and 2010. Our comparable average revenue per funeral service increased $238, or 4.6%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

Funeral Gross Profits

Consolidated funeral gross profits were flat in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Comparable funeral gross profits increased $0.3 million, and the comparable gross margin percentage decreased from 19.2% to 18.8% in the third quarter of 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010. The increase in gross profit is primarily the result of the increase in comparable revenue described above and a decrease in the number of funeral services performed, partially offset by the following:

• a $4.2 million increase in comparable selling costs resulting from higher advertising and selling expenses related to increased lead generation. Selling costs are recognized in the period incurred; however, the revenue associated with the preneed production is not recognized until the services are performed as described in Critical Accounting Policies, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Accounting Changes below;

• a $2.0 million increase associated with incentive compensation expense; and

• a $1.8 million unfavorable Canadian currency impact on expenses.

Cemetery Results

Cemetery Revenue

Consolidated cemetery revenues increased $14.8 million, or 8.5%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable revenues. Comparable cemetery revenues increased $15.1 million, or 8.8%, primarily as a result of higher cemetery preneed property sales production. We also recognized $3.5 million in other cemetery revenue that was earned through a property rights easement negotiated at one of our cemeteries.

Cemetery Gross Profits

Consolidated cemetery gross profits increased $4.4 million, or 13.1%, in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable gross profits.

Comparable cemetery gross profits increased $4.6 million, or 13.8%, and gross margin percentage increased from 19.5% to 20.3% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The increase in revenues was partially offset by higher advertising and selling expenses related to current quarter preneed sales initiatives. Selling costs are recognized in the period incurred; however, the revenue associated with the preneed production is not recognized until the services are performed as described in Critical Accounting Policies, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Accounting Changes below.

Other Financial Statement Items

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased $3.0 million to $23.9 million during the third quarter of 2011 compared to $26.9 million in the same period of 2010. This decrease is due to a $1.6 million decrease in acquisition and transition costs and a $1.4 million reduction in net legal costs offset by an increase in incentive compensation expenses.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $1.5 million to $33.0 million during the third quarter of 2011 compared to $31.5 million in the same period of 2010. The increase in interest expense is due to the November 2010 issuance of our 7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019, partially offset by open market debt repurchases in 2011 and 2010. Certain of these debt repurchases were refinanced through our credit facility, which has a lower interest rate.

(Losses) Gains on Divestitures and Impairment Charges, net

 We recognized a $5.0 million net pre-tax loss on divestitures and impairment charges in the third quarter of 2011, due to the sale of underperforming locations in North America. In the third quarter of 2010, we recognized a $7.3 million net pre-tax loss on divestitures and impairment charges due to the impairment of certain assets and other losses on the dispositions of various businesses in North America.

Losses on Early Extinguishment of Debt

During the third quarter of 2011, we purchased $13.8 million of our senior notes and debentures on the open market. As a

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result of these transactions, we recognized a loss of $1.4 million, which represents the write-off of unamortized deferred loan costs of $0.2 million and $1.2 million cost to early extinguish the debt. For additional information regarding these debt payments, see Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 9.

Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances. Our effective tax rate was 20.5% and 34.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We sold our Puerto Rican subsidiary in the third quarter of 2011. Our outside tax basis in the business was higher than our book basis. Consequently, we recognized a tax loss that was higher than the book loss on the sale which is permanent in nature. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is primarily due to that sale. Additionally, our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was reduced by the release of state valuation allowances due to the restructuring of our legal entities in certain states.

Weighted Average Shares

The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 235.5 million during the third quarter of 2011, compared to 247.5 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease in the number of shares reflects the impact of shares repurchased under our share repurchase program.

Results of Operations — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

Management Summary

Key highlights in the first nine months of 2011 were as follows:

• Funeral gross profit increased $12.6 million, or 5.4%, due to higher atneed case volume primarily from the Keystone acquisition, higher average revenue per case, and higher General Agency revenues, partially offset by higher advertising and selling expenses related to increased lead generation; and

• Cemetery gross profit increased $11.6 million, or 12.5%, due to an increase in cemetery preneed property sales production, trust fund income, and other cemetery revenues, partially offset by higher selling related expenses along with higher maintenance costs.

Results of Operations

In the first nine months of 2011, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $100.4 million ($0.42 per diluted share) compared to net income attributable to common stockholders in the first nine months of 2010 of $90.0 million ($0.36 per diluted share). These results were impacted by the following items:

	2011		2010
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net after-tax losses from the sale of assets	(3,064	)	(3,168	)
After-tax losses from the early extinguishment of debt, net	(2,181	)	(5,520	)
After-tax expenses related to acquisitions	(1,300	)	(6,381	)
Change in certain tax reserves and other	(2,746	)	1,048

Consolidated Versus Comparable Results

The table below reconciles our consolidated GAAP results to our comparable, or “same store,” results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We define comparable operations (or same store operations) as those funeral and cemetery locations that were owned for the entire period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending September 30, 2011. The following tables present operating results for funeral and cemetery locations that were owned by us during this period.

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011	Consolidated		Less: Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction		Less: Results Associated with Divestitures			Comparable
			(Dollars in millions)
North America Revenue
Funeral revenue	$	1,173.4	$	103.0	$	2.7		$	1,067.7
Cemetery revenue	551.1		4.5		4.3			542.3
	1,724.5		107.5		7.0			1,610.0
Germany revenue	5.0		—		—			5.0
Total revenue	$	1,729.5	$	107.5	$	7.0		$	1,615.0
North America Gross Profits
Funeral gross profits	$	243.4	$	17.9	$	(0.3	)	$	225.8
Cemetery gross profits	104.7		0.7		0.3			103.7
	348.1		18.6		—			329.5
Germany gross profits	0.4		—		—			0.4
Total gross profits	$	348.5	$	18.6	$	—		$	329.9

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010	Consolidated		Less: Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction		Less: Results Associated with Divestitures		Comparable
			(Dollars in millions)
North America Revenue
Funeral revenue	$	1,100.8	$	50.2	$	12.8	$	1,037.8
Cemetery revenue	513.6		2.2		7.5		503.9
	1,614.4		52.4		20.3		1,541.7
Germany revenue	4.9		—		—		4.9
Total revenue	$	1,619.3	$	52.4	$	20.3	$	1,546.6
North America Gross Profits
Funeral gross profits	$	230.8	$	13.5	$	0.2	$	217.1
Cemetery gross profits	93.1		0.2		0.3		92.6
	323.9		13.7		0.5		309.7
Germany gross profits	0.4		—		—		0.4
Total gross profits	$	324.3	$	13.7	$	0.5	$	310.1

The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our consolidated average revenue per funeral service for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing consolidated funeral revenue, excluding General Agency (GA) revenues and certain other revenues to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of consolidated funeral services performed during the period.

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions, except average revenue per funeral service)
Consolidated funeral revenue	$	1,178.4	$	1,105.7
Less: Consolidated GA revenue	66.7		51.0
Less: Other revenue	22.0		8.6
Adjusted consolidated funeral revenue	$	1,089.7	$	1,046.1
Consolidated funeral services performed	207,873		200,672
Consolidated average revenue per funeral service	$	5,242	$	5,213

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The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our comparable average revenue per funeral service for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing comparable funeral revenue, excluding comparable GA revenues and certain other revenues to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of comparable funeral services performed during the period.

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2011		2010
	(Dollars in millions, except average revenue per funeral service)
Comparable funeral revenue	$	1,072.7	$	1,042.7
Less: Comparable GA revenue	64.6		50.0
Less: Other revenue	6.1		6.7
Adjusted comparable funeral revenue	$	1,002.0	$	986.0
Comparable funeral services performed	187,051		189,601
Comparable average revenue per funeral service	$	5,357	$	5,200

Funeral Results

Funeral Revenue

Consolidated revenues from funeral operations were $1,178.4 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $1,105.7 million for the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily attributable to the $30.0 million increase in comparable revenues described below and $52.8 million of additional revenues as the result of acquisitions in 2011 and 2010. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $10.1 million in revenues contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2011 and 2010.

Comparable revenues from funeral operations were $1,072.7 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $1,042.7 million for the same period in 2010. This increase was primarily due to the 3.0% increase in average revenue per funeral service described below and a $14.6 million increase in GA revenues (insurance commissions) that resulted from increased preneed funeral arrangements.

Funeral Services Performed

Our consolidated funeral services performed increased 3.6% during the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 primarily as the result of acquisitions in 2011 and 2010, offset by a 1.3% decrease in comparable funeral services performed. We believe the comparable decrease was somewhat impacted by extreme weather throughout North America, and we believe is consistent with trends experienced by other funeral service providers and industry vendors. Our consolidated cremation rate of 46.5% in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased from 41.7% in 2010, while our comparable cremation rate of 44.3% in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased from 41.7% in 2010. We continue to expand our cremation memorialization products and services, which have resulted in higher average sales for cremation services.

Average Revenue Per Funeral Service

Our consolidated average revenue per funeral service increased $29, or 0.6% in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 2010, primarily as a result of increased comparable average revenue per funeral service described below, more than offset by non-strategic assets divested throughout 2011 and 2010. Our comparable average revenue per funeral service increased $157, or 3.0% in first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Excluding a favorable Canadian currency impact and higher funeral trust fund income, the average revenue per funeral service grew approximately 1.7% despite an increase in cremation rates.

Funeral Gross Profits

Consolidated funeral gross profits increased $12.6 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily attributable to $4.4 million of additional gross profits related to acquisitions that occurred in 2011 and 2010 and an $8.7 million increase in comparable gross profits described below, partially offset by a decline of $0.5 million of gross profits that were contributed by non-strategic assets divested throughout 2011 and 2010.

Comparable funeral gross profits increased $8.7 million, or 4.0%, and the comparable gross margin percentage increased from 20.9% to 21.1% in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 when compared to the same period in 2010 primarily as

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a result of the increase in comparable revenue described above, partially offset by the following:

• a $12.6 million increase in comparable selling costs resulting from increased advertising and selling expenses related to lead generation. Selling costs are recognized in the period incurred; however, the revenue associated with the preneed production is not recognized until the services are performed as described in Critical Accounting Policies, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Accounting Changes below;

• a $4.5 million increase in direct costs of services performed as the result of the increase in funeral revenue described above; and

• a $3.8 million increase in compensation expense.

Cemetery Results

Cemetery Revenue

Consolidated revenues from our cemetery operations increased $37.5 million, or 7.3%, in the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily a result of the increase in comparable revenues. Comparable cemetery revenues increased $38.4 million, or 7.6%, primarily as a result of higher cemetery preneed property sales production and trust fund income. We also recognized $3.5 million in other cemetery revenue that was earned through a property rights easement negotiated at one of our cemeteries.

Cemetery Gross Profits

Consolidated cemetery gross profits increased $11.6 million, or 12.5%, in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable gross profits.

Comparable cemetery gross profits increased $11.1 million, or 12.0%, and gross margin percentage increased from 18.4% to 19.1% in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable revenues described above, partially offset by the following:

• a $14.0 million increase in comparable selling costs resulting from increased advertising and selling expenses related to lead generation. Selling costs are recognized in the period incurred; however, the revenue associated with the preneed production is not recognized until the services are performed as described in Critical Accounting Policies, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, and Accounting Changes below;

• a $4.6 million increase in property expense; and

• a $2.6 million increase in maintenance expense.

Other Financial Statement Items

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $77.4 million during the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $80.1 million for the same period in 2010. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in acquisition and transition costs.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $4.2 million to $100.5 million during the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $96.3 million in the same period of 2010. The increase in interest expense is primarily due to the November 2010 issuance of our 7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019, partially offset by open market debt repurchases in 2011 and 2010. Certain of these debt repurchases were refinanced through our credit facility, which has a lower interest rate.

(Losses) Gains on Divestitures and Impairment Charges, net

 We recognized a $15.3 million net pre-tax loss on divestitures and impairment charges in the first nine months of 2011, due to the sale of underperforming locations in North America and losses on indemnification reserves. In the first nine months of 2010, we recognized a $5.8 million net pre-tax gain on divestitures and impairment charges due to gains incurred on various divestitures, primarily the sale of former SCI properties included in the 22 funeral homes and five cemeteries divested as a result of our agreement with Federal Trade Commission in conjunction with the Keystone acquisition.

Losses on Early Extinguishment of Debt

During the first nine months of 2011, we purchased $40.0 million of our senior notes and debentures on the open market. As a result of these transactions, we recognized a loss of $3.5 million, which represents the write-off of unamortized deferred

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loan costs of $0.4 million and $3.1 million cost to early extinguish the debt. For additional information regarding these debt payments, see Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 9.

Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances. Our effective tax rate was 33.5% and 38.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We sold our Puerto Rican subsidiary in the third quarter of 2011. Our outside tax basis in the business was higher than our book basis. Consequently, we recognized a tax loss that was higher than the book loss on the sale which is permanent in nature. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is primarily due to that sale. Additionally, our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was reduced by the release of state valuation allowances due to the restructuring of our legal entities in certain states.

Weighted Average Shares

The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 239.5 million during the first nine months ended September 30, 2011, compared to 252.5 million in the same period of 2010. The decrease in the number of shares reflects the impact of shares repurchased under our share repurchase program.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting policies are disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

No other significant changes to our accounting policies have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2010, except as described below within Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Changes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Changes

For discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and accounting changes, see Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 3.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made in reliance on the “safe harbor” protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be accompanied by words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” or “predict,” that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements are based on assumptions that we believe are reasonable; however, many important factors could cause our actual results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made by us, or on our behalf. Important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

• Changes in general economic conditions, both domestically and internationally, impacting financial markets (e.g., marketable security values, access to capital markets, as well as currency and interest rate fluctuations) that could negatively affect us, particularly, but not limited to, levels of trust fund income, interest expense, and negative currency translation effects.

• Changes in operating conditions such as supply disruptions and labor disputes.

• Our inability to achieve the level of cost savings, productivity improvements or earnings growth anticipated by management, whether due to significant increases in energy costs (e.g., electricity, natural gas and fuel oil), costs of other materials, employee-related costs or other factors.

• Our inability to complete acquisitions, divestitures or strategic alliances as planned or to realize expected synergies and strategic benefits.

• The outcomes of pending lawsuits, proceedings, and claims against us and the possibility that insurance coverage is deemed not to apply to these matters or that an insurance carrier is unable to pay any covered amounts to us.

• Allegations regarding compliance with laws, regulations, industry standards, and customs regarding burial procedures

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and practices.

• The amounts payable by us with respect to our outstanding legal matters exceed our established reserves.

• Amounts that we may be required to replenish into our affiliated funeral and cemetery trust funds in order to meet minimum funding requirements.

• The outcome of pending Internal Revenue Service audits. We maintain accruals for tax liabilities that relate to uncertain tax matters. If these tax matters are unfavorably resolved, we will make any required payments to tax authorities. While such payments would affect our cash flow, we do not believe it would impair our ability to service debt or our overall liquidity. If these tax matters are favorably resolved, the accruals maintained by us will no longer be required, and these amounts will be reversed through the tax provision at the time of resolution.

• Our ability to manage changes in consumer demand and/or pricing for our products and services due to several factors, such as changes in numbers of deaths, cremation rates, competitive pressures, and local economic conditions.

• Changes in domestic and international political and/or regulatory environments in which we operate, including potential changes in tax, accounting, and trusting policies.

• Changes in credit relationships impacting the availability of credit and the general availability of credit in the marketplace.

• Our ability to successfully access surety and insurance markets at a reasonable cost.

• Our ability to successfully leverage our substantial purchasing power with certain of our vendors.

• The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and our ability to certify the effectiveness of the internal controls and to obtain an unqualified attestation report of our auditors regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

• The possibility that restrictive covenants in our credit agreement and debt securities may prevent us from engaging in certain transactions.

• Our ability to buy our common stock under our share repurchase programs, which could be impacted by, among others, restrictive covenants in our bank agreements, unfavorable market conditions, the market price of our common stock, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to us from time to time, and the availability of funds necessary to continue purchasing common stock.

• The financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our preneed funeral contracts may impact our future revenues.

• Declines in overall economic conditions beyond our control could reduce future potential earnings and cash flows and could result in future goodwill impairments.

• Our funeral and cemetery trust funds’ investments in equity securities, fixed income securities, and mutual funds are impacted by market conditions that are beyond our control.

For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties, see our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed February 14, 2011. Copies of this document as well as other SEC filings can be obtained from our website at www.sci-corp.com. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Marketable Equity and Debt Securities — Price Risk

In connection with our preneed funeral operations and preneed cemetery merchandise and service sales, the related funeral and cemetery trust funds own investments in equity and debt securities and mutual funds, which are sensitive to current market prices.

Cost and market values as of September 30, 2011 are presented in Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements and Notes 4, 5, and 6 of this Form 10-Q. Also, see Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Financial Conditions, Liquidity and Capital Resources, for discussion of trust investments.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

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As of September 30, 2011, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2011 and that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with US GAAP.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information regarding legal proceedings is set forth in Note 15 in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q, which information is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our Risk Factors as set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On July 29, 2011, we issued 1,135 deferred common stock equivalents, or units, pursuant to provisions regarding dividends under the Amended and Restated Director Fee Plan to four non-employee directors. We did not receive any monetary consideration for the issuances. These issuances were unregistered because they did not constitute a “sale” within the meaning of Section 2(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

In August 2011, our Board of Directors approved an increase in our share repurchase program authorizing the investment of up to an additional $116.6 million to repurchase our common stock, bringing total authorization up to $200.0 million. As of September 30, 2011, the remaining dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under our currently approved share repurchase program was approximately $150.3 million.

Period	Total number of shares purchased	Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced programs	Dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the programs
July 1, 2011 — July 31, 2011	784,524	$	11.46	784,524	$	115,663,369
August 1, 2011 — August 31, 2011	6,821,589	$	9.53	6,821,589	$	167,190,203
September 1, 2011 — September 30, 2011	1,723,752	$	9.82	1,723,752	$	150,270,212
	9,329,865			9,329,865

Subsequent to September 30, 2011, we repurchased an additional 1,233,800 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $11.7 million, which is an average cost per share of $9.48. After these fourth quarter repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program is approximately $138.6 million.

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Item 6. Exhibits

12.1	Ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
31.1	Certification of Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	The following materials from Service Corporation International’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

Undertaking

We hereby undertake, pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b), paragraph (4) (iii), to furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, all constituent instruments defining the rights of holders of our long-term debt not filed herewith for the reason that the total amount of securities authorized under any of such instruments does not exceed 10 percent of our total consolidated assets.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

October 27, 2011		SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
	By:	/s/ Tammy Moore
		Tammy Moore
		Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

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Index to Exhibits

12.1	Ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
31.1	Certification of Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	The following materials from Service Corporation International’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

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EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(In thousands, except ratio amounts)

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
Earnings:
Pretax income	$	44,042	$	28,621	$	152,863	$	147,487
Add fixed charges as adjusted (from below)	34,653		33,239		105,573		101,218
	$	78,695	$	61,860	$	258,436	$	248,705
Fixed charges:
Interest expense:
Corporate	$	32,144	$	30,560	$	97,217	$	93,058
Amortization of deferred financing costs	894		937		3,259		3,223
1/3 of rental expense	1,615		1,742		5,097		4,937
Fixed charges	$	34,653	$	33,239	$	105,573	$	101,218
Ratio (earnings divided by fixed charges)	2.27		1.86		2.45		2.46

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Service Corporation International

a Texas corporation

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Section 302 Certification

I, Thomas L. Ryan, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Service Corporation International, a Texas corporation (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	October 27, 2011	/s/ Thomas L. Ryan
		Thomas L. Ryan
		President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Service Corporation International

a Texas corporation

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Section 302 Certification

I, Eric D. Tanzberger, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Service Corporation International, a Texas corporation (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	October 27, 2011	/s/ Eric D. Tranzberger
		Eric D. Tranzberger
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

I, Thomas L. Ryan, of Service Corporation International, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011 (the “Periodic Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) the information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Service Corporation International.

Dated:	October 27, 2011	/s/ Thomas L. Ryan
		Thomas L. Ryan
		President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

I, Eric D. Tanzberger, of Service Corporation International, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011 (the “Periodic Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) the information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Service Corporation International.

Dated:	October 27, 2011	/s/ Eric D. Tanzberger
		Eric D. Tanzberger
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

XML

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance					$ 6,251		$ 4,341		$ 14,674	$ 4,930
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(8,530)	[1]	(81)	[1]	(1,545)	[1]	(446)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8)	[2]	(18)	[2]	(73)	[2]	(41)	[2]
Sales	0		(25)		0		(48)
Contributions	7,910		263		9,762		1,601
Distributions and other	59		(92)		(290)		(430)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 14,105		$ 4,977		$ 14,105		$ 4,977		$ 14,674	$ 4,930

[1] All unrealized 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.

XML

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Statement (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 127,037	$ 170,846
Receivables, net	89,899	107,185
Deferred tax assets	43,542	41,371
Inventories	26,494	34,770
Other	21,458	27,746
Total current assets	308,430	381,918
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,456,130	1,424,557
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	1,513,723	1,563,893
Cemetery property, at cost	1,499,203	1,508,787
Property and equipment, net	1,627,799	1,627,698
Goodwill	1,337,587	1,307,484
Deferred charges and other assets	454,168	389,184
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	974,266	987,019
Total assets	9,171,306	9,190,540
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	351,235	342,651
Current maturities of long-term debt	23,685	22,502
Income taxes	2,957	1,474
Total current liabilities	377,877	366,627
Long-term debt	1,863,899	1,832,380
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	575,207	580,223
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	835,121	813,493
Deferred tax liability	379,930	323,304
Other liabilities	410,937	399,619
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	2,336,160	2,408,074
Care trusts’ corpus	971,926	986,872
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 243,767,641 and 242,019,650 shares issued, respectively, and 237,998,397 and 241,035,250 shares outstanding, respectively	227,998	241,035
Capital in excess of par value	1,471,599	1,603,112
Accumulated deficit	(398,997)	(477,459)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	99,552	112,768
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,400,152	1,479,456
Noncontrolling interests	20,097	492
Total equity	1,420,249	1,479,948
Total liabilities and equity	$ 9,171,306	$ 9,190,540

XML

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) Statement (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	243,767,641	242,019,650
Common stock, shares outstanding	227,998,397	241,035,250

XML

Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 572,999	$ 533,165	$ 1,729,472	$ 1,619,301
Gross Profit	107,050	102,647	348,519	324,303
General and administrative expenses	(23,863)	(26,860)	(77,381)	(80,086)
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,001)	(7,291)	(15,264)	5,831
Operating income	78,186	68,496	255,874	250,048
Interest expense	(33,038)	(31,497)	(100,476)	(96,281)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net	(1,355)	(9,066)	(3,504)	(9,357)
Other income (expense), net	249	688	969	3,077
Income before income taxes	44,042	28,621	152,863	147,487
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	384,003	358,931	1,178,362	1,105,687
Gross Profit	69,022	69,058	243,827	231,167
Other income (expense), net	0	0	0	0
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	188,996	174,234	551,110	513,614
Gross Profit	38,028	33,589	104,692	93,136
Other income (expense), net	0	0	0	0
Corporate Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other income (expense), net	249	688	969	3,077
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	518,754	479,120	1,569,748	1,458,883
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	52,824	52,399	154,706	155,497
GERMANY
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 1,421	$ 1,646	$ 5,018	$ 4,921

XML

Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetery Activities, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 42,423,000	$ 2,916,000	$ 47,218,000	$ 14,041,000
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	13,200,000		13,200,000
Investment Earnings, Net	4,600,000	2,800,000	15,700,000	9,400,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 24,885,000	$ 1,536,000	$ 26,081,000	$ 4,919,000

XML

Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common shares that then shared in our earnings.

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)				(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income:
Net income — basic	$	35,496	$	18,765	$	100,353	$	89,962
After tax interest on convertible debt	13		—		38		38
Net income — diluted	$	35,509	$	18,765	$	100,391	$	90,000
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	232,917		246,214		237,037		250,762
Stock options	2,475		1,309		2,370		1,603
Convertible debt	121		—		121		121
Weighted average shares — diluted	235,513		247,523		239,528		252,486
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.15	$	0.08	$	0.42	$	0.36
Diluted	$	0.15	$	0.08	$	0.42	$	0.36

The computation of diluted EPS excludes outstanding stock options and convertible debt in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options and debt would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, total options and convertible debentures not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 5.1 million and 6.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, total options and convertible debentures not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 5.5 million and 5.4 million, respectively.

XML

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 27, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Service Corporation International
Entity Central Index Key	0000089089
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		227,998,397
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1,694,974,655

XML

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1,006,955	$ 1,002,241
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	72,870	119,492
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(112,322)	(58,962)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	967,503	1,062,771
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	51,242	50,884
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,524	2,493
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(305)	(307)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	56,461	53,070
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	17,067	15,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	492	362
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(10)	(4)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	17,549	16,027
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	41,828	39,265
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,441	3,387
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,628)	(402)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	41,641	42,250
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	168	863
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5	31
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	172	893
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis		6,336
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains		261
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(5)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value		6,592
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,729	4,577
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	24	453
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(462)	(124)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	3,291	4,906
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	389,521	386,537
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	47,683	82,385
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(48,239)	(10,821)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	388,965	458,101
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	17,177	17,279
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,857	3,869
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,527)	(850)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	18,507	20,298
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,103	31,466
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	744	2,485
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(4,028)	(3,645)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	24,819	30,306
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	181,246	202,328
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,883	15,173
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(24,032)	(18,569)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	159,097	198,932
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	246,647	226,567
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	12,081	8,537
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(15,832)	(9,959)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	242,896	225,145
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	29,892	19,596
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	44	13
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(16,258)	(13,890)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	13,678	5,719
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	335	874
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	92	43
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(385)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 427	$ 532

XML

Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,817	$	(41	)	$	3,042	$	(264	)	$	4,859	$	(305	)
Canadian government	3,307		(10		)	—		—			3,307		(10		)
Corporate	18,660		(1,628		)	—		—			18,660		(1,628		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			15		(1		)	15		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,428		(462		)	—		—			2,428		(462		)
Common stock:
United States	172,584		(43,555		)	19,470		(4,684		)	192,054		(48,239		)
Canada	5,448		(966		)	457		(561		)	5,905		(1,527		)
Other international	14,670		(2,454		)	3,426		(1,574		)	18,096		(4,028		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	83,652		(13,461		)	58,659		(10,571		)	142,311		(24,032		)
Fixed income	49,081		(4,293		)	10,872		(11,539		)	59,953		(15,832		)
Private equity	426		(275		)	12,776		(15,983		)	13,202		(16,258		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	352,073	$	(67,145	)	$	108,717	$	(45,177	)	$	460,790	$	(112,322	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	6,057	$	(295	)	$	315	$	(12	)	$	6,372	$	(307	)
Canadian government	2,908		(4		)	—		—			2,908		(4		)
Corporate	8,577		(402		)	—		—			8,577		(402		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			20		(1		)	20		(1		)
Asset-backed	766		(4		)	56		(1		)	822		(5		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,749		(124		)	—		—			1,749		(124		)
Common stock:
United States	63,027		(4,450		)	31,108		(6,371		)	94,135		(10,821		)
Canada	3,131		(181		)	1,475		(669		)	4,606		(850		)
Other international	8,542		(1,403		)	5,259		(2,242		)	13,801		(3,645		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	5,107		(112		)	92,630		(18,457		)	97,737		(18,569		)
Fixed income	25,887		(354		)	14,600		(9,605		)	40,487		(9,959		)
Private equity	—		—			5,557		(13,890		)	5,557		(13,890		)
Other	7		(1		)	303		(384		)	310		(385		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	125,758	$	(7,330	)	$	151,323	$	(51,632	)	$	277,081	$	(58,962	)

Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	564	$	(2	)	$	—	$	—		$	564	$	(2	)
Canadian government	5,590		(18		)	—		—			5,590		(18		)
Corporate	2,876		(79		)	231		(13		)	3,107		(92		)
Residential mortgage-backed	27		(1		)	110		(10		)	137		(11		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	4,720		(1,188		)	22		(28		)	4,742		(1,216		)
Common stock:
United States	64,616		(11,145		)	9,435		(5,835		)	74,051		(16,980		)
Canada	3,300		(663		)	618		(574		)	3,918		(1,237		)
Other international	10,925		(1,852		)	347		(407		)	11,272		(2,259		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	11,439		(1,573		)	2,814		(763		)	14,253		(2,336		)
Fixed income	180,580		(11,196		)	39,050		(5,003		)	219,630		(16,199		)
Private equity	258		(362		)	10,315		(13,869		)	10,573		(14,231		)
Other	134		(190		)	5,390		(2,134		)	5,524		(2,324		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	285,029	$	(28,269	)	$	68,332	$	(28,636	)	$	353,361	$	(56,905	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,669	$	(31	)	$	—	$	—		$	1,669	$	(31	)
Canadian government	4,966		(7		)	—		—			4,966		(7		)
Corporate	9,181		(221		)	675		(28		)	9,856		(249		)
Residential mortgage-backed	137		(2		)	92		(4		)	229		(6		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,561		(90		)	29		(22		)	1,590		(112		)
Common stock:
United States	15,419		(1,464		)	16,419		(5,176		)	31,838		(6,640		)
Canada	1,545		(82		)	1,454		(676		)	2,999		(758		)
Other international	3,175		(242		)	2,383		(1,603		)	5,558		(1,845		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	866		(10		)	29,974		(7,229		)	30,840		(7,239		)
Fixed income	18,166		(134		)	53,553		(2,200		)	71,719		(2,334		)
Private equity	1		(1		)	10,060		(13,343		)	10,061		(13,344		)
Other	1		(2		)	5,568		(2,655		)	5,569		(2,657		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	56,687	$	(2,286	)	$	120,207	$	(32,936	)	$	176,894	$	(35,222	)

Funeral [Member]

Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]

Investment related activities [Table Text Block]

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deposits	$	18,960		$	18,771		$	55,189		$	61,294
Withdrawals	26,789			25,546			79,734			85,284
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	140,554			77,042			387,545			390,345
Sales of available-for-sale securities	114,476			86,754			448,988			401,253
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	11,353			5,963			49,618			26,461
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,586		)	(8,360		)	(18,215		)	(42,017		)

Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]

The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market	$	875,770		$	875,043
Cash and cash equivalents	100,911			121,212
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	267,603			220,287
Trust investments	1,244,284			1,216,542
Receivables from customers	251,788			247,434
Unearned finance charge	(5,461		)	(5,620		)
	1,490,611			1,458,356
Allowance for cancellation	(34,481		)	(33,799		)
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,456,130		$	1,424,557

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2011
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	76,987	$	4,032	$	(336	)	$	80,683
Canadian government	113,763		628		(50		)	114,341
Corporate	51,128		1,353		(1,207		)	51,274
Residential mortgage-backed	3,388		77		(32		)	3,433
Asset-backed	127		6		—			133
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,344		19		(292		)	2,071
Common stock:
United States	267,707		28,059		(36,268		)	259,498
Canada	23,638		2,824		(1,354		)	25,108
Other international	19,481		460		(3,219		)	16,722
Mutual funds:
Equity	132,562		1,685		(23,543		)	110,704
Fixed income	195,093		6,298		(9,995		)	191,396
Private equity	36,800		1,408		(18,713		)	19,495
Other	518		394		—			912
Trust investments	$	923,536	$	47,243	$	(95,009	)	$	875,770

	December 31, 2010
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	71,948	$	2,061	$	(334	)	$	73,675
Canadian government	121,137		1,004		(20		)	122,121
Corporate	33,627		2,751		(285		)	36,093
Residential mortgage-backed	5,310		135		(22		)	5,423
Asset-backed	2,984		97		(2		)	3,079
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,835		296		(78		)	3,053
Common stock:
United States	268,650		63,301		(8,391		)	323,560
Canada	22,452		4,542		(798		)	26,196
Other international	21,611		2,240		(2,330		)	21,521
Mutual funds:
Equity	116,260		6,123		(18,289		)	104,094
Fixed income	134,181		6,316		(5,628		)	134,869
Private equity	27,864		1,395		(16,890		)	12,369
Other	8,833		615		(458		)	8,990
Trust investments	$	837,692	$	90,876	$	(53,525	)	$	875,043

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

The inputs into the fair value of our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments are categorized as follows:

	Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011	$	603,428	$	251,935	$	20,407	$	875,770
Trust investments at December 31, 2010	$	610,240	$	243,444	$	21,359	$	875,043

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	29,031		$	19,707		$	21,359		$	12,052
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	(7,757		)	501			(1,001		)	(569		)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8		)	(43		)	(67		)	(66		)
Purchases	18			—			18			7,343
Sales	(7,970		)	(10		)	(8,156		)	(10		)
Contributions	7,615			255			9,397			1,691
Distributions and other	(522		)	(364		)	(1,143		)	(395		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	20,407		$	20,046		$	20,407		$	20,046

Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	136,116
Due in one to five years	51,838
Due in five to ten years	38,398
Thereafter	23,512
	$	249,864

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

. Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	8,064	$	(80	)	$	9,021	$	(256	)	$	17,085	$	(336	)
Canadian government	9,536		(48		)	105		(2		)	9,641		(50		)
Corporate	20,897		(1,171		)	979		(36		)	21,876		(1,207		)
Residential mortgage-backed	369		(2		)	391		(30		)	760		(32		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,645		(292		)	—		—			1,645		(292		)
Common stock:
United States	122,765		(31,623		)	17,031		(4,645		)	139,796		(36,268		)
Canada	8,374		(1,005		)	620		(349		)	8,994		(1,354		)
Other international	9,966		(1,867		)	2,897		(1,352		)	12,863		(3,219		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	53,310		(10,834		)	45,439		(12,709		)	98,749		(23,543		)
Fixed income	26,896		(3,029		)	8,746		(6,966		)	35,642		(9,995		)
Private equity	1,360		(1,502		)	12,640		(17,211		)	14,000		(18,713		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	263,182	$	(51,453	)	$	97,869	$	(43,556	)	$	361,051	$	(95,009	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	10,433	$	(316	)	$	393	$	(18	)	$	10,826	$	(334	)
Canadian government	1,632		(2		)	668		(18		)	2,300		(20		)
Corporate	5,619		(285		)	—		—			5,619		(285		)
Residential mortgage-backed	836		(9		)	263		(13		)	1,099		(22		)
Asset-backed	225		(1		)	53		(1		)	278		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,045		(78		)	—		—			1,045		(78		)
Common stock:
United States	41,491		(3,019		)	24,919		(5,372		)	66,410		(8,391		)
Canada	4,493		(324		)	1,361		(474		)	5,854		(798		)
Other international	5,251		(862		)	3,446		(1,468		)	8,697		(2,330		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	3,778		(110		)	61,844		(18,179		)	65,622		(18,289		)
Fixed income	9,630		(156		)	8,818		(5,472		)	18,448		(5,628		)
Private equity	214		(71		)	6,715		(16,819		)	6,929		(16,890		)
Other	8		(2		)	309		(456		)	317		(458		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	84,655	$	(5,235	)	$	108,789	$	(48,290	)	$	193,444	$	(53,525	)

XML

Preneed Cemetery Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 1,513,723	$ 1,563,893
Cemetery [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	967,503	1,062,771
Cash and cash equivalents	127,137	122,866
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	12	9,158
Trust investments	1,094,652	1,194,795
Receivables from customers	498,445	452,296
Unearned finance charges	(35,525)	(39,205)
Preneed cemetary receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	1,557,572	1,607,886
Allowance for cancellation	(43,849)	(43,993)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 1,513,723	$ 1,563,893

XML

Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Customer Relationships [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Customer Lists [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Noncompete Agreements [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Leases, Acquired-in-Place, Market Adjustment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Preneed customer relationships related to insurance claims	$ 15,200
Preneed deferred revenue	1,740
Covenants-not-to-compete	13,332
Operating leases	440
Tradenames	3,600
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)
Tradenames	33,200
Licenses and permits	500
Total intangible assets	$ 68,012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum			10	5	5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum		10	14	15	15	5

XML

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 1 (Notes) (Cemetery [Member])

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Cemetery [Member]

Preneed Cemetery Activities Text Block

Preneed Cemetery Activities

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, for contracts sold in advance of when the property interment rights, merchandise, or services are needed. Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed cemetery revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts when the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deposits	$	25,946		$	30,565		$	76,442		$	79,984
Withdrawals	25,917			26,303			84,444			79,080
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	88,518			77,625			411,195			542,829
Sales of available-for-sale securities	78,721			90,148			407,272			502,508
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	10,134			6,838			51,225			31,899
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(8,758		)	(9,828		)	(19,994		)	(47,093		)

The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market	$	967,503		$	1,062,771
Cash and cash equivalents	127,137			122,866
Insurance backed fixed income securities	12			9,158
Trust investments	1,094,652			1,194,795
Receivables from customers	498,445			452,296
Unearned finance charges	(35,525		)	(39,205		)
	1,557,572			1,607,886
Allowance for cancellation	(43,849		)	(43,993		)
Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	1,513,723		$	1,563,893

The cost and market values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.

	September 30, 2011
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	51,242	$	5,524	$	(305	)	$	56,461
Canadian government	17,067		492		(10		)	17,549
Corporate	41,828		1,441		(1,628		)	41,641
Residential mortgage-backed	168		5		(1		)	172
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,729		24		(462		)	3,291
Common stock:
United States	389,521		47,683		(48,239		)	388,965
Canada	17,177		2,857		(1,527		)	18,507
Other international	28,103		744		(4,028		)	24,819
Mutual funds:
Equity	181,246		1,883		(24,032		)	159,097
Fixed income	246,647		12,081		(15,832		)	242,896
Private equity	29,892		44		(16,258		)	13,678
Other	335		92		—			427
Trust investments	$	1,006,955	$	72,870	$	(112,322	)	$	967,503

	December 31, 2010
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	50,884	$	2,493	$	(307	)	$	53,070
Canadian government	15,669		362		(4		)	16,027
Corporate	39,265		3,387		(402		)	42,250
Residential mortgage-backed	863		31		(1		)	893
Asset-backed	6,336		261		(5		)	6,592
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	4,577		453		(124		)	4,906
Common stock:
United States	386,537		82,385		(10,821		)	458,101
Canada	17,279		3,869		(850		)	20,298
Other international	31,466		2,485		(3,645		)	30,306
Mutual funds:
Equity	202,328		15,173		(18,569		)	198,932
Fixed income	226,567		8,537		(9,959		)	225,145
Private equity	19,596		13		(13,890		)	5,719
Other	874		43		(385		)	532
Trust investments	$	1,002,241	$	119,492	$	(58,962	)	$	1,062,771

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2011, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $13.2 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury, Canadian government, corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed fixed income securities, and preferred stock. Our private equity and other alternative investments are classified as Level 3 securities.

The inputs into the fair value of our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are categorized as follows:

	Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011	$	834,284	$	119,114	$	14,105	$	967,503
Trust investments at December 31, 2010	$	932,782	$	123,738	$	6,251	$	1,062,771

The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	14,674		$	4,930		$	6,251		$	4,341
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	(8,530		)	(81		)	(1,545		)	(446		)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8		)	(18		)	(73		)	(41		)
Sales	—			(25		)	—			(48		)
Contributions	7,910			263			9,762			1,601
Distributions and other	59			(92		)	(290		)	(430		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	14,105		$	4,977		$	14,105		$	4,977

(1) All unrealized 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.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	9,761
Due in one to five years	43,714
Due in five to ten years	31,960
Thereafter	30,388
	$	115,823

Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $4.6 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $15.7 million and $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $24.9 million and a $1.5 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $26.1 million and a $4.9 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,817	$	(41	)	$	3,042	$	(264	)	$	4,859	$	(305	)
Canadian government	3,307		(10		)	—		—			3,307		(10		)
Corporate	18,660		(1,628		)	—		—			18,660		(1,628		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			15		(1		)	15		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,428		(462		)	—		—			2,428		(462		)
Common stock:
United States	172,584		(43,555		)	19,470		(4,684		)	192,054		(48,239		)
Canada	5,448		(966		)	457		(561		)	5,905		(1,527		)
Other international	14,670		(2,454		)	3,426		(1,574		)	18,096		(4,028		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	83,652		(13,461		)	58,659		(10,571		)	142,311		(24,032		)
Fixed income	49,081		(4,293		)	10,872		(11,539		)	59,953		(15,832		)
Private equity	426		(275		)	12,776		(15,983		)	13,202		(16,258		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	352,073	$	(67,145	)	$	108,717	$	(45,177	)	$	460,790	$	(112,322	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	6,057	$	(295	)	$	315	$	(12	)	$	6,372	$	(307	)
Canadian government	2,908		(4		)	—		—			2,908		(4		)
Corporate	8,577		(402		)	—		—			8,577		(402		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			20		(1		)	20		(1		)
Asset-backed	766		(4		)	56		(1		)	822		(5		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,749		(124		)	—		—			1,749		(124		)
Common stock:
United States	63,027		(4,450		)	31,108		(6,371		)	94,135		(10,821		)
Canada	3,131		(181		)	1,475		(669		)	4,606		(850		)
Other international	8,542		(1,403		)	5,259		(2,242		)	13,801		(3,645		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	5,107		(112		)	92,630		(18,457		)	97,737		(18,569		)
Fixed income	25,887		(354		)	14,600		(9,605		)	40,487		(9,959		)
Private equity	—		—			5,557		(13,890		)	5,557		(13,890		)
Other	7		(1		)	303		(384		)	310		(385		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	125,758	$	(7,330	)	$	151,323	$	(51,632	)	$	277,081	$	(58,962	)

XML

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,817	$	(41	)	$	3,042	$	(264	)	$	4,859	$	(305	)
Canadian government	3,307		(10		)	—		—			3,307		(10		)
Corporate	18,660		(1,628		)	—		—			18,660		(1,628		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			15		(1		)	15		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,428		(462		)	—		—			2,428		(462		)
Common stock:
United States	172,584		(43,555		)	19,470		(4,684		)	192,054		(48,239		)
Canada	5,448		(966		)	457		(561		)	5,905		(1,527		)
Other international	14,670		(2,454		)	3,426		(1,574		)	18,096		(4,028		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	83,652		(13,461		)	58,659		(10,571		)	142,311		(24,032		)
Fixed income	49,081		(4,293		)	10,872		(11,539		)	59,953		(15,832		)
Private equity	426		(275		)	12,776		(15,983		)	13,202		(16,258		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	352,073	$	(67,145	)	$	108,717	$	(45,177	)	$	460,790	$	(112,322	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	6,057	$	(295	)	$	315	$	(12	)	$	6,372	$	(307	)
Canadian government	2,908		(4		)	—		—			2,908		(4		)
Corporate	8,577		(402		)	—		—			8,577		(402		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			20		(1		)	20		(1		)
Asset-backed	766		(4		)	56		(1		)	822		(5		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,749		(124		)	—		—			1,749		(124		)
Common stock:
United States	63,027		(4,450		)	31,108		(6,371		)	94,135		(10,821		)
Canada	3,131		(181		)	1,475		(669		)	4,606		(850		)
Other international	8,542		(1,403		)	5,259		(2,242		)	13,801		(3,645		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	5,107		(112		)	92,630		(18,457		)	97,737		(18,569		)
Fixed income	25,887		(354		)	14,600		(9,605		)	40,487		(9,959		)
Private equity	—		—			5,557		(13,890		)	5,557		(13,890		)
Other	7		(1		)	303		(384		)	310		(385		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	125,758	$	(7,330	)	$	151,323	$	(51,632	)	$	277,081	$	(58,962	)

Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	564	$	(2	)	$	—	$	—		$	564	$	(2	)
Canadian government	5,590		(18		)	—		—			5,590		(18		)
Corporate	2,876		(79		)	231		(13		)	3,107		(92		)
Residential mortgage-backed	27		(1		)	110		(10		)	137		(11		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	4,720		(1,188		)	22		(28		)	4,742		(1,216		)
Common stock:
United States	64,616		(11,145		)	9,435		(5,835		)	74,051		(16,980		)
Canada	3,300		(663		)	618		(574		)	3,918		(1,237		)
Other international	10,925		(1,852		)	347		(407		)	11,272		(2,259		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	11,439		(1,573		)	2,814		(763		)	14,253		(2,336		)
Fixed income	180,580		(11,196		)	39,050		(5,003		)	219,630		(16,199		)
Private equity	258		(362		)	10,315		(13,869		)	10,573		(14,231		)
Other	134		(190		)	5,390		(2,134		)	5,524		(2,324		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	285,029	$	(28,269	)	$	68,332	$	(28,636	)	$	353,361	$	(56,905	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,669	$	(31	)	$	—	$	—		$	1,669	$	(31	)
Canadian government	4,966		(7		)	—		—			4,966		(7		)
Corporate	9,181		(221		)	675		(28		)	9,856		(249		)
Residential mortgage-backed	137		(2		)	92		(4		)	229		(6		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,561		(90		)	29		(22		)	1,590		(112		)
Common stock:
United States	15,419		(1,464		)	16,419		(5,176		)	31,838		(6,640		)
Canada	1,545		(82		)	1,454		(676		)	2,999		(758		)
Other international	3,175		(242		)	2,383		(1,603		)	5,558		(1,845		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	866		(10		)	29,974		(7,229		)	30,840		(7,239		)
Fixed income	18,166		(134		)	53,553		(2,200		)	71,719		(2,334		)
Private equity	1		(1		)	10,060		(13,343		)	10,061		(13,344		)
Other	1		(2		)	5,568		(2,655		)	5,569		(2,657		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	56,687	$	(2,286	)	$	120,207	$	(32,936	)	$	176,894	$	(35,222	)

Cemetery [Member]

Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]

Investment related activities [Table Text Block]

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deposits	$	25,946		$	30,565		$	76,442		$	79,984
Withdrawals	25,917			26,303			84,444			79,080
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	88,518			77,625			411,195			542,829
Sales of available-for-sale securities	78,721			90,148			407,272			502,508
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	10,134			6,838			51,225			31,899
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(8,758		)	(9,828		)	(19,994		)	(47,093		)

Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]

The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market	$	967,503		$	1,062,771
Cash and cash equivalents	127,137			122,866
Insurance backed fixed income securities	12			9,158
Trust investments	1,094,652			1,194,795
Receivables from customers	498,445			452,296
Unearned finance charges	(35,525		)	(39,205		)
	1,557,572			1,607,886
Allowance for cancellation	(43,849		)	(43,993		)
Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	1,513,723		$	1,563,893

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2011
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	51,242	$	5,524	$	(305	)	$	56,461
Canadian government	17,067		492		(10		)	17,549
Corporate	41,828		1,441		(1,628		)	41,641
Residential mortgage-backed	168		5		(1		)	172
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,729		24		(462		)	3,291
Common stock:
United States	389,521		47,683		(48,239		)	388,965
Canada	17,177		2,857		(1,527		)	18,507
Other international	28,103		744		(4,028		)	24,819
Mutual funds:
Equity	181,246		1,883		(24,032		)	159,097
Fixed income	246,647		12,081		(15,832		)	242,896
Private equity	29,892		44		(16,258		)	13,678
Other	335		92		—			427
Trust investments	$	1,006,955	$	72,870	$	(112,322	)	$	967,503

	December 31, 2010
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	50,884	$	2,493	$	(307	)	$	53,070
Canadian government	15,669		362		(4		)	16,027
Corporate	39,265		3,387		(402		)	42,250
Residential mortgage-backed	863		31		(1		)	893
Asset-backed	6,336		261		(5		)	6,592
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	4,577		453		(124		)	4,906
Common stock:
United States	386,537		82,385		(10,821		)	458,101
Canada	17,279		3,869		(850		)	20,298
Other international	31,466		2,485		(3,645		)	30,306
Mutual funds:
Equity	202,328		15,173		(18,569		)	198,932
Fixed income	226,567		8,537		(9,959		)	225,145
Private equity	19,596		13		(13,890		)	5,719
Other	874		43		(385		)	532
Trust investments	$	1,002,241	$	119,492	$	(58,962	)	$	1,062,771

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

The inputs into the fair value of our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are categorized as follows:

	Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011	$	834,284	$	119,114	$	14,105	$	967,503
Trust investments at December 31, 2010	$	932,782	$	123,738	$	6,251	$	1,062,771

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	14,674		$	4,930		$	6,251		$	4,341
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	(8,530		)	(81		)	(1,545		)	(446		)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8		)	(18		)	(73		)	(41		)
Sales	—			(25		)	—			(48		)
Contributions	7,910			263			9,762			1,601
Distributions and other	59			(92		)	(290		)	(430		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	14,105		$	4,977		$	14,105		$	4,977

Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	9,761
Due in one to five years	43,714
Due in five to ten years	31,960
Thereafter	30,388
	$	115,823

XML

Preneed Funeral Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011
Funeral [Member]
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 136,116
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	51,838
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	38,398
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	23,512
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 249,864

XML

Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 25,588	$ 17,045	$ 132,064	$ 67,297
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(17,108)	(20,256)	(52,715)	(96,634)
Funeral [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	18,960	18,771	55,189	61,294
Withdrawals	26,789	25,546	79,734	85,284
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	140,554	77,042	387,545	390,345
Sales of available-for-sale securities	114,476	86,754	448,988	401,253
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	11,353	5,963	49,618	26,461
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (6,586)	$ (8,360)	$ (18,215)	$ (42,017)

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The computation of diluted EPS excludes outstanding stock options and convertible debt in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options and debt would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented.

Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common shares that then shared in our earnings.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues.

Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered.

Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach for fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 1 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC. The bank credit agreement and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.

Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.

Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.

Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables

We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amount, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.

If a preneed contract is cancelled prior to delivery, state or provincial law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.

Fair Value Measurements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (FVM&D) Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to require additional disclosures on (1) transfers between levels, (2) Level 3 activity presented on a gross basis, (3) valuation technique, and (4) inputs into the valuation. We adopted Items 1, 3, and 4 during the three months ended March 31, 2010, and the adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. We adopted Item 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2011, and the appropriate disclosures are contained in Notes 4, 5, and 6.

Stock-Based Compensation

In April 2010, the FASB issued additional guidance for the Compensation — Stock Compensation Topic of the ASC to clarify classification of an employee stock-based payment award when the exercise price is denominated in the currency of a market in which the underlying equity security trades. This guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2011. The adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Multi-Deliverable Arrangements

In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that impacts the recognition of revenue in multi-deliverable arrangements. The guidance establishes a selling-price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The goal of this guidance is to clarify disclosures related to multi-deliverable arrangements and to align the accounting with the underlying economics of the multi-deliverable transaction. This guidance became effective for us in the first quarter of 2011, and its adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables

We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amount, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.

If a preneed contract is cancelled prior to delivery, state or provincial law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.

Funeral and Cemetery cash flow [Policy Text Block]

Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care trusts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]

These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus.

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Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Text Block]

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Estimates

The fair value estimates of the following financial instruments have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms.

The fair value of our debt instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:

	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	5,159	$	9,092
7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014	193,901		194,244
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	143,629		161,968
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	202,311		216,653
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	306,063		302,375
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	266,095		262,500
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	254,375		251,250
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	159,375		158,063
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	189,000		194,920
Bank credit facility due March 2016	65,000		—
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	37,100		37,991
Total fair value of debt instruments	$	1,822,008	$	1,789,056

The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 1 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC. The bank credit agreement and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.

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Nature of Operations Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Nature of Operations [Abstract]

Nature of Operations [Text Block]

Nature of Operations

We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral service locations and cemeteries primarily operating in the United States and Canada. Our operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses.

Funeral service locations provide all professional services relating to funerals and cremations, including the use of funeral facilities and motor vehicles and preparation and embalming services. Funeral-related merchandise, including caskets, casket memorialization products, burial vaults, cremation receptacles, cremation memorial products, flowers, and other ancillary products and services, is sold at funeral service locations. Cemeteries provide cemetery property interment rights, including mausoleum spaces, lots, and lawn crypts, and sell cemetery-related merchandise and services, including stone and bronze memorials, markers, merchandise installations, and burial openings and closings. We also sell preneed funeral and cemetery products and services whereby a customer contractually agrees to the terms of certain products and services to be provided in the future.

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Supplementary Information Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Supplementary Information [Abstract]

Schedule of Product Information [Table Text Block]

The detail of certain income statement accounts as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Merchandise revenues:
Funeral	$	126,168	$	117,674	$	383,308	$	362,145
Cemetery	132,904		121,131		381,898		352,009
Total merchandise revenues	259,072		238,805		765,206		714,154
Services revenues:
Funeral	234,367		220,913		726,259		688,866
Cemetery	45,571		45,617		145,247		138,669
Total services revenues	279,938		266,530		871,506		827,535
Other revenues	33,989		27,830		92,760		77,612
Total revenues	$	572,999	$	533,165	$	1,729,472	$	1,619,301
Merchandise costs and expenses:
Funeral	$	64,156	$	58,520	$	197,539	$	185,994
Cemetery	56,703		51,551		166,936		151,358
Total cost of merchandise	120,859		110,071		364,475		337,352
Services costs and expenses:
Funeral	127,102		114,662		370,942		335,425
Cemetery	23,853		22,882		73,793		70,990
Total cost of services	150,955		137,544		444,735		406,415
Overhead and other expenses	194,135		182,903		571,743		551,231
Total costs and expenses	$	465,949	$	430,518	$	1,380,953	$	1,294,998

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Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus [Abstract]

Deferred Preneed Funeral And Cemetery Receipts Held In Trust And Care Trusts Corpus Text Block

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts’ Corpus

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust

We consolidate the merchandise and service trusts associated with our preneed funeral and cemetery activities in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. Although the guidance requires the consolidation of the merchandise and service trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, us, or our customers. The customers are the legal beneficiaries of these merchandise and service trusts, and therefore their interests in these trusts represent a liability to us.

The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2011									December 31, 2010
	Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total			Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total
	(In thousands)									(In thousands)
Trust investments	$	1,244,284		$	1,094,652		$	2,338,936		$	1,216,542		$	1,194,795		$	2,411,337
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,146		)	(1,630		)	(2,776		)	(975		)	(2,288		)	(3,263		)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,243,138		$	1,093,022		$	2,336,160		$	1,215,567		$	1,192,507		$	2,408,074

Care Trusts’ Corpus

The Care trusts’ corpus reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet represents the cemetery perpetual care trusts, including the related accrued expenses.

The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	974,266		$	987,019
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,340		)	(147		)
Care trusts’ corpus	$	971,926		$	986,872

Other Income, Net

The components of Other income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	11,353		$	10,134		$	4,101		$	—	$	25,588
Realized losses	(6,586		)	(8,758		)	(1,764		)	—		(17,108		)
Impairment charges	(17,533		)	(24,885		)	(5		)	—		(42,423		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	3,911			4,217			6,185			—		14,313
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,116		)	(3,119		)	(647		)	—		(5,882		)
Net trust investment (loss) income	(10,971		)	(22,411		)	7,870			—		(25,512		)
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	10,971			22,411			(7,870		)	—		25,512
Other income, net	—			—			—			249		249
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	249	$	249

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	49,618		$	51,225		$	31,221		$	—	$	132,064
Realized losses	(18,215		)	(19,994		)	(14,506		)	—		(52,715		)
Impairment charges	(20,821		)	(26,081		)	(316		)	—		(47,218		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	15,085			16,545			25,775			—		57,405
Trust expenses and income taxes	(4,982		)	(7,385		)	(2,753		)	—		(15,120		)
Net trust investment income	20,685			14,310			39,421			—		74,416
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(20,685		)	(14,310		)	(39,421		)	—		(74,416		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			969		969
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	969	$	969

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	5,963		$	6,838		$	4,244		$	—	$	17,045
Realized losses	(8,360		)	(9,828		)	(2,068		)	—		(20,256		)
Impairment charges	(1,129		)	(1,536		)	(251		)	—		(2,916		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	3,291			5,491			9,174			—		17,956
Trust expenses and income taxes	(1,324		)	(2,555		)	(114		)	—		(3,993		)
Net trust investment (loss) income	(1,559		)	(1,590		)	10,985			—		7,836
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	1,559			1,590			(10,985		)	—		(7,836		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			688		688
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	688	$	688

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	26,461		$	31,899		$	8,937		$	—	$	67,297
Realized losses	(42,017		)	(47,093		)	(7,524		)	—		(96,634		)
Impairment charges	(7,298		)	(4,919		)	(1,824		)	—		(14,041		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	13,223			14,914			25,249			—		53,386
Trust expenses and income taxes	(3,150		)	(7,024		)	(1,661		)	—		(11,835		)
Net trust investment (loss) income	(12,781		)	(12,223		)	23,177			—		(1,827		)
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	12,781			12,223			(23,177		)	—		1,827
Other income, net	—			—			—			3,077		3,077
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	3,077	$	3,077

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Equity Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Equity

(All shares reported in whole numbers)

Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains and Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
				(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	112,768		$	—		$	112,768
Activity in 2011	(13,216		)	—			(13,216		)
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(146,669		)	(146,669		)
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	—			146,669			146,669
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	99,552		$	—		$	99,552

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The U.S. dollar amount that arises from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment in Accumulated other comprehensive income. Income taxes are generally not provided on foreign currency translation adjustments.

The components of comprehensive income are as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Comprehensive income:
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income	$	35,496		$	18,765		$	100,353		$	89,962
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(23,132		)	7,266			(13,216		)	4,761
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Net (loss) income	(481		)	(85		)	1,329			270
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(17		)	3			(13		)	2
Comprehensive income	$	11,866		$	25,949		$	88,453		$	94,995

Cash Dividends

On August 10, 2011, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $.05 per common share. At September 30, 2011, this dividend totaling $11.4 million was recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Capital in excess of par value in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. This dividend will be paid on October 31, 2011.

Share Repurchase Program

Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our stock repurchase program. In August 2011, our Board of Directors approved an increase in our share repurchase program authorizing the investment of up to an additional $116.6 million to repurchase our common stock, bringing total authorization up to $200.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we repurchased 14,641,168 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $145.0 million, which is an average cost per share of $9.90. After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $150.3 million at September 30, 2011.

Subsequent to September 30, 2011, we repurchased an additional 1,233,800 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $11.7 million, which is an average cost per share of $9.48. After these fourth quarter repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program is approximately $138.6 million.

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Commitments and Contingencies Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Self Insurance Reserve	$ 51,900,000	$ 53,900,000
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum	950,000,000
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	$ 1,500,000,000

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Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

Income Taxes

Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. Our effective tax rate was 20.5% and 34.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 33.5% and 38.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We sold our Puerto Rican subsidiary in the third quarter of 2011. Our outside tax basis in the business was higher than our book basis. Consequently, we recognized a tax loss that was higher than the book loss on the sale which is permanent in nature. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is primarily due to that sale. Additionally, our effective tax rate for the three months endedSeptember 30, 2010 was reduced by the release of state valuation allowances due to the legal restructuring of our entities in certain states.

We file numerous federal, state and foreign income tax returns. A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, are audited and finally settled. In the United States, the tax years 1999 through 2002 remain under examination by the Internal Revenue Service and we are at the IRS Appeals administrative level on certain disputed issues that came out of its examination of tax years 2003 through 2005. Various state and foreign jurisdictions are auditing years through 2009. The outcome of each of these audits cannot be predicted at this time. It is reasonably possible that changes to our global unrecognized tax benefits could be significant; however, due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of completion of audits and possible outcomes, a current estimate of the range of increases or decreases that may occur within the next twelve months cannot be made.

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Share-Based Compensation Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

	Nine Months Ended
Assumptions	September 30, 2011
Dividend yield	2.4	%
Expected volatility	38.4	%
Risk-free interest rate	2.4	%
Expected holding period (in years)	5.0

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

	Options		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2010	12,312,783		$	7.53
Granted	2,394,430		9.09
Exercised	(1,136,808	)	6.77
Canceled	(94,857	)	5.32
Outstanding at September 30, 2011	13,475,548		$	7.88
Exercisable at September 30, 2011	8,288,301		$	8.16

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]

Restricted share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was as follows:

	Restricted shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2010	1,167,273		$	6.35
Granted	538,620		9.13
Vested	(540,723	)	6.58
Nonvested restricted shares at September 30, 2011	1,165,170		$	7.53

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 1 (Notes) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member])

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Text Block

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts

We are required by state and provincial law to pay into cemetery perpetual care trusts a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights. Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. We consolidate our cemetery perpetual care trust investments with a corresponding amount recorded as Care trusts’ corpus. Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care trusts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deposits	$	5,503		$	5,381		$	17,806		$	17,282
Withdrawals	10,269			7,581			28,098			26,858
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	87,135			135,544			413,176			315,986
Sales of available-for-sale securities	49,705			137,354			387,715			247,125
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,101			4,244			31,221			8,937
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(1,764		)	(2,068		)	(14,506		)	(7,524		)

The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market	$	913,014	$	922,228
Cash and cash equivalents	61,252		64,791
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	974,266	$	987,019

The cost and market values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair market value at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.

	September 30, 2011
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,637	$	815	$	(2	)	$	2,450
Canadian government	28,751		862		(18		)	29,595
Corporate	20,677		609		(92		)	21,194
Residential mortgage-backed	1,702		59		(11		)	1,750
Asset-backed	52		—		—			52
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	5,961		—		(1,216		)	4,745
Common stock:
United States	138,464		6,903		(16,980		)	128,387
Canada	12,581		1,457		(1,237		)	12,801
Other international	18,788		843		(2,259		)	17,372
Mutual funds:
Equity	21,474		736		(2,336		)	19,874
Fixed income	648,407		25,030		(16,199		)	657,238
Private equity	24,835		358		(14,231		)	10,962
Other	8,089		829		(2,324		)	6,594
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	931,418	$	38,501	$	(56,905	)	$	913,014

	December 31, 2010
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	5,651	$	863	$	(31	)	$	6,483
Canadian government	26,702		642		(7		)	27,337
Corporate	48,278		5,219		(249		)	53,248
Residential mortgage-backed	1,764		55		(6		)	1,813
Asset-backed	363		5		—			368
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	7,789		1,385		(112		)	9,062
Common stock:
United States	116,799		16,916		(6,640		)	127,075
Canada	11,510		2,510		(758		)	13,262
Other international	16,004		2,175		(1,845		)	16,334
Mutual funds:
Equity	65,114		6,964		(7,239		)	64,839
Fixed income	562,879		24,773		(2,334		)	585,318
Private equity	23,428		351		(13,344		)	10,435
Other	8,475		836		(2,657		)	6,654
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	894,756	$	62,694	$	(35,222	)	$	922,228

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury, Canadian government, corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed fixed income securities, and preferred stock. Our private equity and other alternative investments are classified as Level 3 securities.

The inputs into the fair value of our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments are categorized as follows:

	Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011	$	835,672	$	59,786	$	17,556	$	913,014
Trust investments at December 31, 2010	$	806,828	$	98,311	$	17,089	$	922,228

The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	19,055		$	14,209		$	17,089		$	14,943
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	(2,377		)	1,225			5,525			5,350
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	4			1,313			(187		)	1,236
Sales	—			(155		)	(44		)	(155		)
Contributions	18			1			115			1,881
Distributions and other	856			(2,590		)	(4,942		)	(9,252		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	17,556		$	14,003		$	17,556		$	14,003

(1) All unrealized (losses) gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

(2) All gains (losses) recognized in Other income, net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	9,028
Due in one to five years	23,395
Due in five to ten years	19,220
Thereafter	3,398
	$	55,041

Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Recognized earnings related to these trust investments were $7.3 million and $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Recognized earnings related to these trust investments were $29.3 million and $29.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $0.0 million and a $0.2 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $0.3 million and a $1.8 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings, and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	564	$	(2	)	$	—	$	—		$	564	$	(2	)
Canadian government	5,590		(18		)	—		—			5,590		(18		)
Corporate	2,876		(79		)	231		(13		)	3,107		(92		)
Residential mortgage-backed	27		(1		)	110		(10		)	137		(11		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	4,720		(1,188		)	22		(28		)	4,742		(1,216		)
Common stock:
United States	64,616		(11,145		)	9,435		(5,835		)	74,051		(16,980		)
Canada	3,300		(663		)	618		(574		)	3,918		(1,237		)
Other international	10,925		(1,852		)	347		(407		)	11,272		(2,259		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	11,439		(1,573		)	2,814		(763		)	14,253		(2,336		)
Fixed income	180,580		(11,196		)	39,050		(5,003		)	219,630		(16,199		)
Private equity	258		(362		)	10,315		(13,869		)	10,573		(14,231		)
Other	134		(190		)	5,390		(2,134		)	5,524		(2,324		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	285,029	$	(28,269	)	$	68,332	$	(28,636	)	$	353,361	$	(56,905	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,669	$	(31	)	$	—	$	—		$	1,669	$	(31	)
Canadian government	4,966		(7		)	—		—			4,966		(7		)
Corporate	9,181		(221		)	675		(28		)	9,856		(249		)
Residential mortgage-backed	137		(2		)	92		(4		)	229		(6		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,561		(90		)	29		(22		)	1,590		(112		)
Common stock:
United States	15,419		(1,464		)	16,419		(5,176		)	31,838		(6,640		)
Canada	1,545		(82		)	1,454		(676		)	2,999		(758		)
Other international	3,175		(242		)	2,383		(1,603		)	5,558		(1,845		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	866		(10		)	29,974		(7,229		)	30,840		(7,239		)
Fixed income	18,166		(134		)	53,553		(2,200		)	71,719		(2,334		)
Private equity	1		(1		)	10,060		(13,343		)	10,061		(13,344		)
Other	1		(2		)	5,568		(2,655		)	5,569		(2,657		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	56,687	$	(2,286	)	$	120,207	$	(32,936	)	$	176,894	$	(35,222	)

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Invstments (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 352,073	$ 125,758
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(67,145)	(7,330)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	108,717	151,323
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(45,177)	(51,632)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	460,790	277,081
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(112,322)	(58,962)
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,307	2,908
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(10)	(4)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,307	2,908
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(10)	(4)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,817	6,057
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(41)	(295)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,042	315
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(264)	(12)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,859	6,372
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(305)	(307)
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	18,660	8,577
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,628)	(402)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	18,660	8,577
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1,628)	(402)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	15	20
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	15	20
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1)	(1)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		766
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		(4)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		56
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		822
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		(5)
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,428	1,749
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(462)	(124)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,428	1,749
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(462)	(124)
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	172,584	63,027
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(43,555)	(4,450)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	19,470	31,108
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(4,684)	(6,371)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	192,054	94,135
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(48,239)	(10,821)
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	5,448	3,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(966)	(181)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	457	1,475
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(561)	(669)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,905	4,606
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1,527)	(850)
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	14,670	8,542
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(2,454)	(1,403)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,426	5,259
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1,574)	(2,242)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	18,096	13,801
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(4,028)	(3,645)
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	83,652	5,107
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(13,461)	(112)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	58,659	92,630
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(10,571)	(18,457)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	142,311	97,737
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(24,032)	(18,569)
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	49,081	25,887
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(4,293)	(354)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	10,872	14,600
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(11,539)	(9,605)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	59,953	40,487
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(15,832)	(9,959)
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	426	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(275)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	12,776	5,557
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(15,983)	(13,890)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	13,202	5,557
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(16,258)	(13,890)
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		303
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		(384)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		310
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		$ (385)

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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity Statement (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,482,788	$ 254,027	$ (10)	$ 1,735,493	$ (603,876)	$ 97,142	$ 12
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Net income	90,232	0	0	0	89,962	0	270
Dividends declared on common stock	(29,830)	0	0	(29,830)	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation	4,763	0	0	0	0	4,761	2
Employee share-based compensation earned	6,714	0	0	6,714	0	0	0
Stock option exercises	1,469	389	0	1,080	0	0	0
Tax benefits related to share based awards	868	0	0	868	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	532	0	(532)	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(86,871)	0	(10,358)	(76,513)	0	0	0
Other	611	3	60	548	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2010	1,470,744	254,951	(10,308)	1,637,828	(513,914)	101,903	284
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010	1,479,948	242,020	(985)	1,603,112	(477,459)	112,768	492
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Net income	101,682				100,353		1,329
Dividends declared on common stock	(35,140)			(35,140)
Foreign currency translation	(13,229)					(13,216)	(13)
Employee share-based compensation earned	6,843			6,843
Stock option exercises	7,694	1,137		6,557
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	539		(539)
Purchase of Company common stock	(146,590)		(14,785)	(109,914)	(21,891)
Acquisition	18,857						18,857
Noncontrolling interest payment	(568)						(568)
Other	752	72		680
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 1,420,249	$ 243,768	$ (15,770)	$ 1,471,599	$ (398,997)	$ 99,552	$ 20,097

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables

We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amount, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.

If a preneed contract is cancelled prior to delivery, state or provincial law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.

Fair Value Measurements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (FVM&D) Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to require additional disclosures on (1) transfers between levels, (2) Level 3 activity presented on a gross basis, (3) valuation technique, and (4) inputs into the valuation. We adopted Items 1, 3, and 4 during the three months ended March 31, 2010, and the adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. We adopted Item 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2011, and the appropriate disclosures are contained in Notes 4, 5, and 6.

Stock-Based Compensation

In April 2010, the FASB issued additional guidance for the Compensation — Stock Compensation Topic of the ASC to clarify classification of an employee stock-based payment award when the exercise price is denominated in the currency of a market in which the underlying equity security trades. This guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2011. The adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Multi-Deliverable Arrangements

In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that impacts the recognition of revenue in multi-deliverable arrangements. The guidance establishes a selling-price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The goal of this guidance is to clarify disclosures related to multi-deliverable arrangements and to align the accounting with the underlying economics of the multi-deliverable transaction. This guidance became effective for us in the first quarter of 2011, and its adoption did not impact our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 923,536	$ 837,692
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	47,243	90,876
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(95,009)	(53,525)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	875,770	875,043
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	76,987	71,948
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,032	2,061
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(336)	(334)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	80,683	73,675
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	113,763	121,137
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	628	1,004
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(50)	(20)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	114,341	122,121
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	51,128	33,627
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,353	2,751
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,207)	(285)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	51,274	36,093
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,388	5,310
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	77	135
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(32)	(22)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	3,433	5,423
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	127	2,984
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	6	97
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	133	3,079
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,344	2,835
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	19	296
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(292)	(78)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,071	3,053
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	267,707	268,650
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	28,059	63,301
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(36,268)	(8,391)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	259,498	323,560
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	23,638	22,452
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,824	4,542
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,354)	(798)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	25,108	26,196
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	19,481	21,611
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	460	2,240
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,219)	(2,330)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	16,722	21,521
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	132,562	116,260
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,685	6,123
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(23,543)	(18,289)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	110,704	104,094
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	195,093	134,181
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	6,298	6,316
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(9,995)	(5,628)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	191,396	134,869
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	36,800	27,864
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,408	1,395
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(18,713)	(16,890)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	19,495	12,369
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	518	8,833
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	394	615
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(458)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 912	$ 8,990

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Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Table Text Block]

The fair value of our debt instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:

	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	5,159	$	9,092
7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014	193,901		194,244
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	143,629		161,968
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	202,311		216,653
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	306,063		302,375
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	266,095		262,500
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	254,375		251,250
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	159,375		158,063
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	189,000		194,920
Bank credit facility due March 2016	65,000		—
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	37,100		37,991
Total fair value of debt instruments	$	1,822,008	$	1,789,056

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance					$ 17,089		$ 14,943		$ 19,055	$ 14,209
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(2,377)	[1]	1,225	[1]	5,525	[1]	5,350	[1]
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	4	[2]	1,313	[2]	(187)	[2]	1,236	[2]
Sales	0		(155)		(44)		(155)
Contributions	18		1		115		1,881
Distributions and other	856		(2,590)		(4,942)		(9,252)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 17,556		$ 14,003		$ 17,556		$ 14,003		$ 19,055	$ 14,209

[1] All unrealized (losses) gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

[2] All gains (losses) recognized in Other income, net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 285,029	$ 56,687
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(28,269)	(2,286)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	68,332	120,207
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(28,636)	(32,936)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	353,361	176,894
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(56,905)	(35,222)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	564	1,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(2)	(31)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	564	1,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(2)	(31)
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	5,590	4,966
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(18)	(7)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,590	4,966
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(18)	(7)
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,876	9,181
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(79)	(221)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	231	675
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(13)	(28)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,107	9,856
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(92)	(249)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	27	137
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1)	(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	110	92
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(10)	(4)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	137	229
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(11)	(6)
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,720	1,561
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,188)	(90)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	22	29
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(28)	(22)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,742	1,590
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1,216)	(112)
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	64,616	15,419
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(11,145)	(1,464)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	9,435	16,419
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(5,835)	(5,176)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	74,051	31,838
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(16,980)	(6,640)
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,300	1,545
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(663)	(82)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	618	1,454
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(574)	(676)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,918	2,999
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1,237)	(758)
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	10,925	3,175
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,852)	(242)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	347	2,383
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(407)	(1,603)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	11,272	5,558
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(2,259)	(1,845)
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	11,439	866
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,573)	(10)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,814	29,974
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(763)	(7,229)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	14,253	30,840
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(2,336)	(7,239)
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	180,580	18,166
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(11,196)	(134)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	39,050	53,553
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(5,003)	(2,200)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	219,630	71,719
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(16,199)	(2,334)
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	258	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(362)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	10,315	10,060
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(13,869)	(13,343)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	10,573	10,061
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(14,231)	(13,344)
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	134	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(190)	(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,390	5,568
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(2,134)	(2,655)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,524	5,569
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	$ (2,324)	$ (2,657)

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011
Cemetery [Member]
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 9,761
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	43,714
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	31,960
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	30,388
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 115,823

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Debt Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016	$ 65,000	$ 0
Total debt	1,887,584	1,854,882
Less current maturities	(23,685)	(22,502)
Total long-term debt	1,863,899	1,832,380
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	(5,030)	(6,106)
Unsecured Debt [Member] | February 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	4,857	8,557
Unsecured Debt [Member] | October 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	180,692	180,692
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	136,465	157,250
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	197,377	212,927
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	295,000	295,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | October 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	250,000	250,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | May 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	250,000	250,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	150,000	150,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	200,000	200,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Obligations under capital leases	126,658	118,339
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	$ 36,565	$ 38,223

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Fair Value Measurements

In May 2011, the FASB amended the FVM&D Topic of the ASC that expands disclosures about items marked to fair value that are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy to include qualitative explanations of the valuation methodology used and sensitivity analysis of the inputs into the valuation. The amendment also requires that items that are not measured at fair value but for which the fair value is disclosed also disclose the level in the fair value hierarchy in which those items were categorized. The amended guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2012 and we do not believe that this guidance will have any impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB amended the Comprehensive Income Topic of the ASC to require the disclosure of the components of other comprehensive income, which we currently disclose elsewhere in our filings, be shown as either part of one statement of comprehensive income or as a separate statement of other comprehensive income immediately following the income statement. The amended guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2012 and will not have any impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Goodwill Testing

In September 2011, the FASB amended the Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Topic of the ASC that allows us to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If, after assessing the relevant information, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than the carrying amount, no additional work is necessary. If we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount, then we are required to proceed to the quantitative approach. The amended guidance is effective for us in our annual test in the fourth quarter of 2012, adoption will have no impact on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

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Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Mar. 31, 2010
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	$ 6,131
Other current assets	20,200
Cemetery property	19,949
Property and equipment, net	105,888
Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	66,395
Finite-lived intangible assets	34,312
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	33,700
Deferred charges and other assets	6,533
Goodwill	108,643
Total assets acquired	401,751
Current liabilities	11,719
Long-term debt	2,548
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	69,336
Deferred tax liability	20,939
Other liabilities	8,347
Total liabilities assumed	112,889
Net assets acquired	$ 288,862

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Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 29,031		$ 19,707		$ 21,359		$ 12,052
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(7,757)	[1]	501	[1]	(1,001)	[1]	(569)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8)	[2]	(43)	[2]	(67)	[2]	(66)	[2]
Purchases	18		0		18		7,343
Sales	(7,970)		(10)		(8,156)		(10)
Contributions	7,615		255		9,397		1,691
Distributions and other	(522)		(364)		(1,143)		(395)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 20,407		$ 20,046		$ 20,407		$ 20,046

[1] All unrealized (losses) gains 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.

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,817	$	(41	)	$	3,042	$	(264	)	$	4,859	$	(305	)
Canadian government	3,307		(10		)	—		—			3,307		(10		)
Corporate	18,660		(1,628		)	—		—			18,660		(1,628		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			15		(1		)	15		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,428		(462		)	—		—			2,428		(462		)
Common stock:
United States	172,584		(43,555		)	19,470		(4,684		)	192,054		(48,239		)
Canada	5,448		(966		)	457		(561		)	5,905		(1,527		)
Other international	14,670		(2,454		)	3,426		(1,574		)	18,096		(4,028		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	83,652		(13,461		)	58,659		(10,571		)	142,311		(24,032		)
Fixed income	49,081		(4,293		)	10,872		(11,539		)	59,953		(15,832		)
Private equity	426		(275		)	12,776		(15,983		)	13,202		(16,258		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	352,073	$	(67,145	)	$	108,717	$	(45,177	)	$	460,790	$	(112,322	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	6,057	$	(295	)	$	315	$	(12	)	$	6,372	$	(307	)
Canadian government	2,908		(4		)	—		—			2,908		(4		)
Corporate	8,577		(402		)	—		—			8,577		(402		)
Residential mortgage-backed	—		—			20		(1		)	20		(1		)
Asset-backed	766		(4		)	56		(1		)	822		(5		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,749		(124		)	—		—			1,749		(124		)
Common stock:
United States	63,027		(4,450		)	31,108		(6,371		)	94,135		(10,821		)
Canada	3,131		(181		)	1,475		(669		)	4,606		(850		)
Other international	8,542		(1,403		)	5,259		(2,242		)	13,801		(3,645		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	5,107		(112		)	92,630		(18,457		)	97,737		(18,569		)
Fixed income	25,887		(354		)	14,600		(9,605		)	40,487		(9,959		)
Private equity	—		—			5,557		(13,890		)	5,557		(13,890		)
Other	7		(1		)	303		(384		)	310		(385		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	125,758	$	(7,330	)	$	151,323	$	(51,632	)	$	277,081	$	(58,962	)

Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	564	$	(2	)	$	—	$	—		$	564	$	(2	)
Canadian government	5,590		(18		)	—		—			5,590		(18		)
Corporate	2,876		(79		)	231		(13		)	3,107		(92		)
Residential mortgage-backed	27		(1		)	110		(10		)	137		(11		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	4,720		(1,188		)	22		(28		)	4,742		(1,216		)
Common stock:
United States	64,616		(11,145		)	9,435		(5,835		)	74,051		(16,980		)
Canada	3,300		(663		)	618		(574		)	3,918		(1,237		)
Other international	10,925		(1,852		)	347		(407		)	11,272		(2,259		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	11,439		(1,573		)	2,814		(763		)	14,253		(2,336		)
Fixed income	180,580		(11,196		)	39,050		(5,003		)	219,630		(16,199		)
Private equity	258		(362		)	10,315		(13,869		)	10,573		(14,231		)
Other	134		(190		)	5,390		(2,134		)	5,524		(2,324		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	285,029	$	(28,269	)	$	68,332	$	(28,636	)	$	353,361	$	(56,905	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,669	$	(31	)	$	—	$	—		$	1,669	$	(31	)
Canadian government	4,966		(7		)	—		—			4,966		(7		)
Corporate	9,181		(221		)	675		(28		)	9,856		(249		)
Residential mortgage-backed	137		(2		)	92		(4		)	229		(6		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,561		(90		)	29		(22		)	1,590		(112		)
Common stock:
United States	15,419		(1,464		)	16,419		(5,176		)	31,838		(6,640		)
Canada	1,545		(82		)	1,454		(676		)	2,999		(758		)
Other international	3,175		(242		)	2,383		(1,603		)	5,558		(1,845		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	866		(10		)	29,974		(7,229		)	30,840		(7,239		)
Fixed income	18,166		(134		)	53,553		(2,200		)	71,719		(2,334		)
Private equity	1		(1		)	10,060		(13,343		)	10,061		(13,344		)
Other	1		(2		)	5,568		(2,655		)	5,569		(2,657		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	56,687	$	(2,286	)	$	120,207	$	(32,936	)	$	176,894	$	(35,222	)

Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Line Items]

Investment related activities [Table Text Block]

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deposits	$	5,503		$	5,381		$	17,806		$	17,282
Withdrawals	10,269			7,581			28,098			26,858
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	87,135			135,544			413,176			315,986
Sales of available-for-sale securities	49,705			137,354			387,715			247,125
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,101			4,244			31,221			8,937
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(1,764		)	(2,068		)	(14,506		)	(7,524		)

Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]

The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market	$	913,014	$	922,228
Cash and cash equivalents	61,252		64,791
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	974,266	$	987,019

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2011
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,637	$	815	$	(2	)	$	2,450
Canadian government	28,751		862		(18		)	29,595
Corporate	20,677		609		(92		)	21,194
Residential mortgage-backed	1,702		59		(11		)	1,750
Asset-backed	52		—		—			52
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	5,961		—		(1,216		)	4,745
Common stock:
United States	138,464		6,903		(16,980		)	128,387
Canada	12,581		1,457		(1,237		)	12,801
Other international	18,788		843		(2,259		)	17,372
Mutual funds:
Equity	21,474		736		(2,336		)	19,874
Fixed income	648,407		25,030		(16,199		)	657,238
Private equity	24,835		358		(14,231		)	10,962
Other	8,089		829		(2,324		)	6,594
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	931,418	$	38,501	$	(56,905	)	$	913,014

	December 31, 2010
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	5,651	$	863	$	(31	)	$	6,483
Canadian government	26,702		642		(7		)	27,337
Corporate	48,278		5,219		(249		)	53,248
Residential mortgage-backed	1,764		55		(6		)	1,813
Asset-backed	363		5		—			368
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	7,789		1,385		(112		)	9,062
Common stock:
United States	116,799		16,916		(6,640		)	127,075
Canada	11,510		2,510		(758		)	13,262
Other international	16,004		2,175		(1,845		)	16,334
Mutual funds:
Equity	65,114		6,964		(7,239		)	64,839
Fixed income	562,879		24,773		(2,334		)	585,318
Private equity	23,428		351		(13,344		)	10,435
Other	8,475		836		(2,657		)	6,654
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	894,756	$	62,694	$	(35,222	)	$	922,228

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

The inputs into the fair value of our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments are categorized as follows:

	Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011	$	835,672	$	59,786	$	17,556	$	913,014
Trust investments at December 31, 2010	$	806,828	$	98,311	$	17,089	$	922,228

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	19,055		$	14,209		$	17,089		$	14,943
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	(2,377		)	1,225			5,525			5,350
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	4			1,313			(187		)	1,236
Sales	—			(155		)	(44		)	(155		)
Contributions	18			1			115			1,881
Distributions and other	856			(2,590		)	(4,942		)	(9,252		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	17,556		$	14,003		$	17,556		$	14,003

Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	9,028
Due in one to five years	23,395
Due in five to ten years	19,220
Thereafter	3,398
	$	55,041

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Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016	$ 65,000	$ 0
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	37,100	37,991
Total fair value of debt instruments	1,822,008	1,789,056
February 2013 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	5,159	9,092
October 2014 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	193,901	194,244
April 2015 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	143,629	161,968
April 2016 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	202,311	216,653
June 2017 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	306,063	302,375
October 2018 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	266,095	262,500
May 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	254,375	251,250
November 2021 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	159,375	158,063
April 2027 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 189,000	$ 194,920

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Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,648,953
Net income	$ 93,201

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Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 25,588	$ 17,045	$ 132,064	$ 67,297
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(17,108)	(20,256)	(52,715)	(96,634)
Impairment charges	(42,423)	(2,916)	(47,218)	(14,041)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	14,313	17,956	57,405	53,386
Trust expenses and income taxes	(5,882)	(3,993)	(15,120)	(11,835)
Net trust investment income	(25,512)	7,836	74,416	(1,827)
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	25,512	(7,836)	(74,416)	1,827
Other income, net	249	688	969	3,077
Total other income, net	249	688	969	3,077
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	2,338,936		2,338,936		2,411,337
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,776)		(2,776)		(3,263)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	2,336,160		2,336,160		2,408,074
Care trusts’ corpus	971,926		971,926		986,872
Cemetery [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	10,134	6,838	51,225	31,899
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(8,758)	(9,828)	(19,994)	(47,093)
Impairment charges	(24,885)	(1,536)	(26,081)	(4,919)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	4,217	5,491	16,545	14,914
Trust expenses and income taxes	(3,119)	(2,555)	(7,385)	(7,024)
Net trust investment income	(22,411)	(1,590)	14,310	(12,223)
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	22,411	1,590	(14,310)	12,223
Other income, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0	0
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,094,652		1,094,652		1,194,795
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,630)		(1,630)		(2,288)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,093,022		1,093,022		1,192,507
Funeral [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	11,353	5,963	49,618	26,461
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,586)	(8,360)	(18,215)	(42,017)
Impairment charges	(17,533)	(1,129)	(20,821)	(7,298)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	3,911	3,291	15,085	13,223
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,116)	(1,324)	(4,982)	(3,150)
Net trust investment income	(10,971)	(1,559)	20,685	(12,781)
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	10,971	1,559	(20,685)	12,781
Other income, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0	0
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,244,284		1,244,284		1,216,542
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,146)		(1,146)		(975)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,243,138		1,243,138		1,215,567
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,101	4,244	31,221	8,937
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(1,764)	(2,068)	(14,506)	(7,524)
Impairment charges	(5)	(251)	(316)	(1,824)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	6,185	9,174	25,775	25,249
Trust expenses and income taxes	(647)	(114)	(2,753)	(1,661)
Net trust investment income	7,870	10,985	39,421	23,177
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	(7,870)	(10,985)	(39,421)	(23,177)
Other income, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0	0
Care trusts' corpus, excluding accrued expenses	974,266		974,266		987,019
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,340)		(2,340)		(147)
Care trusts’ corpus	971,926		971,926		986,872
Corporate Elimination [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0	0
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0	0
Impairment charges	0	0	0	0
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	0	0	0	0
Trust expenses and income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net trust investment income	0	0	0	0
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	0	0	0	0
Other income, net	249	688	969	3,077
Total other income, net	$ 249	$ 688	$ 969	$ 3,077

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Equity Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains and Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
				(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	112,768		$	—		$	112,768
Activity in 2011	(13,216		)	—			(13,216		)
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(146,669		)	(146,669		)
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	—			146,669			146,669
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	99,552		$	—		$	99,552

Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

The components of comprehensive income are as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Comprehensive income:
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income	$	35,496		$	18,765		$	100,353		$	89,962
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(23,132		)	7,266			(13,216		)	4,761
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Net (loss) income	(481		)	(85		)	1,329			270
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(17		)	3			(13		)	2
Comprehensive income	$	11,866		$	25,949		$	88,453		$	94,995

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Preneed Funeral Activities Fair Value Hierarchy (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	$ 875,770	$ 875,043
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	603,428	610,240
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	251,935	243,444
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	$ 20,407	$ 21,359

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Debt Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]

Debt as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	4,857			8,557
7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014	180,692			180,692
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	136,465			157,250
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377			212,927
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			250,000
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	250,000			250,000
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000			150,000
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
Bank credit facility due March 2016	65,000			—
Obligations under capital leases	126,658			118,339
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	36,565			38,223
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	(5,030		)	(6,106		)
Total debt	1,887,584			1,854,882
Less current maturities	(23,685		)	(22,502		)
Total long-term debt	$	1,863,899		$	1,832,380

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Share-Based Compensation Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

Share-Based Compensation

Stock Benefit Plans

We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. This model allows the use of a range of assumptions related to volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the expected life, and the dividend yield. The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

	Nine Months Ended
Assumptions	September 30, 2011
Dividend yield	2.4	%
Expected volatility	38.4	%
Risk-free interest rate	2.4	%
Expected holding period (in years)	5.0

Stock Options

The following table sets forth stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

	Options		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2010	12,312,783		$	7.53
Granted	2,394,430		9.09
Exercised	(1,136,808	)	6.77
Canceled	(94,857	)	5.32
Outstanding at September 30, 2011	13,475,548		$	7.88
Exercisable at September 30, 2011	8,288,301		$	8.16

As of September 30, 2011, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options of $7.9 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

Restricted Shares

Restricted share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was as follows:

	Restricted shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2010	1,167,273		$	6.35
Granted	538,620		9.13
Vested	(540,723	)	6.58
Nonvested restricted shares at September 30, 2011	1,165,170		$	7.53

As of September 30, 2011, the unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted shares of $6.1 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 931,418	$ 894,756
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	38,501	62,694
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(56,905)	(35,222)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	913,014	922,228
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,637	5,651
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	815	863
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2)	(31)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,450	6,483
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,751	26,702
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	862	642
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(18)	(7)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	29,595	27,337
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	20,677	48,278
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	609	5,219
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(92)	(249)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	21,194	53,248
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,702	1,764
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	59	55
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(11)	(6)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,750	1,813
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	52	363
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains		5
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	52	368
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,961	7,789
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	1,385
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,216)	(112)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	4,745	9,062
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	138,464	116,799
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	6,903	16,916
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(16,980)	(6,640)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	128,387	127,075
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	12,581	11,510
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,457	2,510
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,237)	(758)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	12,801	13,262
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	18,788	16,004
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	843	2,175
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,259)	(1,845)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	17,372	16,334
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	21,474	65,114
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	736	6,964
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,336)	(7,239)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	19,874	64,839
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	648,407	562,879
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	25,030	24,773
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(16,199)	(2,334)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	657,238	585,318
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	24,835	23,428
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	358	351
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(14,231)	(13,344)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	10,962	10,435
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	8,089	8,475
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	829	836
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,324)	(2,657)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 6,594	$ 6,654

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Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 35,496	$ 18,765	$ 100,353	$ 89,962
After tax interest on convertible debt	13	0	38	38
Net income — diluted	$ 35,509	$ 18,765	$ 100,391	$ 90,000
Weighted average shares — basic	(232,917)	(246,214)	(237,037)	(250,762)
Stock options	2,475	1,309	2,370	1,603
Convertible debt	121	0	121	121
Weighted average shares — diluted	235,513	247,523	239,528	252,486
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 0.15	$ 0.08	$ 0.42	$ 0.36
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 0.15	$ 0.08	$ 0.42	$ 0.36

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Cemetry Perpetual Care Trusts, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 42,423,000	$ 2,916,000	$ 47,218,000	$ 14,041,000
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Investment Earnings, Net	7,300,000	10,400,000	29,300,000	29,200,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 5,000	$ 251,000	$ 316,000	$ 1,824,000

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Preneed Funeral Activities Level 1 (Notes) (Funeral [Member])

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Funeral [Member]

Preneed Funeral Activities Text Block

Preneed Funeral Activities

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, related to unperformed, price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts. Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed funeral revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts after the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Deposits	$	18,960		$	18,771		$	55,189		$	61,294
Withdrawals	26,789			25,546			79,734			85,284
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	140,554			77,042			387,545			390,345
Sales of available-for-sale securities	114,476			86,754			448,988			401,253
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	11,353			5,963			49,618			26,461
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,586		)	(8,360		)	(18,215		)	(42,017		)

The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at market	$	875,770		$	875,043
Cash and cash equivalents	100,911			121,212
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	267,603			220,287
Trust investments	1,244,284			1,216,542
Receivables from customers	251,788			247,434
Unearned finance charge	(5,461		)	(5,620		)
	1,490,611			1,458,356
Allowance for cancellation	(34,481		)	(33,799		)
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,456,130		$	1,424,557

The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments (including debt as well as the estimated fair value related to the contract holder’s equity in majority-owned real estate investments).

	September 30, 2011
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	76,987	$	4,032	$	(336	)	$	80,683
Canadian government	113,763		628		(50		)	114,341
Corporate	51,128		1,353		(1,207		)	51,274
Residential mortgage-backed	3,388		77		(32		)	3,433
Asset-backed	127		6		—			133
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,344		19		(292		)	2,071
Common stock:
United States	267,707		28,059		(36,268		)	259,498
Canada	23,638		2,824		(1,354		)	25,108
Other international	19,481		460		(3,219		)	16,722
Mutual funds:
Equity	132,562		1,685		(23,543		)	110,704
Fixed income	195,093		6,298		(9,995		)	191,396
Private equity	36,800		1,408		(18,713		)	19,495
Other	518		394		—			912
Trust investments	$	923,536	$	47,243	$	(95,009	)	$	875,770

	December 31, 2010
	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	71,948	$	2,061	$	(334	)	$	73,675
Canadian government	121,137		1,004		(20		)	122,121
Corporate	33,627		2,751		(285		)	36,093
Residential mortgage-backed	5,310		135		(22		)	5,423
Asset-backed	2,984		97		(2		)	3,079
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,835		296		(78		)	3,053
Common stock:
United States	268,650		63,301		(8,391		)	323,560
Canada	22,452		4,542		(798		)	26,196
Other international	21,611		2,240		(2,330		)	21,521
Mutual funds:
Equity	116,260		6,123		(18,289		)	104,094
Fixed income	134,181		6,316		(5,628		)	134,869
Private equity	27,864		1,395		(16,890		)	12,369
Other	8,833		615		(458		)	8,990
Trust investments	$	837,692	$	90,876	$	(53,525	)	$	875,043

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires significant management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity investments are valued using market appraisals or a discounted cash flow methodology, which is an income approach for fair value model, depending on the nature of the underlying assets. The appraisals assess value based on a combination of replacement cost, comparative sales analysis, and discounted cash flow analysis. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2011, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $12.7 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include common stock and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Treasury, Canadian government, corporate, mortgage-backed fixed income securities, and preferred stock equity securities. Our private equity and other alternative investments are classified as Level 3 securities.

The inputs into the fair value of our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments are categorized as follows:

	Quoted Market Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Market Value
			(In thousands)
Trust investments at September 30, 2011	$	603,428	$	251,935	$	20,407	$	875,770
Trust investments at December 31, 2010	$	610,240	$	243,444	$	21,359	$	875,043

The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	29,031		$	19,707		$	21,359		$	12,052
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	(7,757		)	501			(1,001		)	(569		)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8		)	(43		)	(67		)	(66		)
Purchases	18			—			18			7,343
Sales	(7,970		)	(10		)	(8,156		)	(10		)
Contributions	7,615			255			9,397			1,691
Distributions and other	(522		)	(364		)	(1,143		)	(395		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	20,407		$	20,046		$	20,407		$	20,046

(1) All unrealized (losses) gains 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.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2011 to 2041. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2011 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	136,116
Due in one to five years	51,838
Due in five to ten years	38,398
Thereafter	23,512
	$	249,864

Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $10.2 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $28.9 million and $22.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $17.5 million and a $1.1 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded a $20.8 million and a $7.3 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments, respectively.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2011
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	8,064	$	(80	)	$	9,021	$	(256	)	$	17,085	$	(336	)
Canadian government	9,536		(48		)	105		(2		)	9,641		(50		)
Corporate	20,897		(1,171		)	979		(36		)	21,876		(1,207		)
Residential mortgage-backed	369		(2		)	391		(30		)	760		(32		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,645		(292		)	—		—			1,645		(292		)
Common stock:
United States	122,765		(31,623		)	17,031		(4,645		)	139,796		(36,268		)
Canada	8,374		(1,005		)	620		(349		)	8,994		(1,354		)
Other international	9,966		(1,867		)	2,897		(1,352		)	12,863		(3,219		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	53,310		(10,834		)	45,439		(12,709		)	98,749		(23,543		)
Fixed income	26,896		(3,029		)	8,746		(6,966		)	35,642		(9,995		)
Private equity	1,360		(1,502		)	12,640		(17,211		)	14,000		(18,713		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	263,182	$	(51,453	)	$	97,869	$	(43,556	)	$	361,051	$	(95,009	)

	December 31, 2010
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Market Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	10,433	$	(316	)	$	393	$	(18	)	$	10,826	$	(334	)
Canadian government	1,632		(2		)	668		(18		)	2,300		(20		)
Corporate	5,619		(285		)	—		—			5,619		(285		)
Residential mortgage-backed	836		(9		)	263		(13		)	1,099		(22		)
Asset-backed	225		(1		)	53		(1		)	278		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,045		(78		)	—		—			1,045		(78		)
Common stock:
United States	41,491		(3,019		)	24,919		(5,372		)	66,410		(8,391		)
Canada	4,493		(324		)	1,361		(474		)	5,854		(798		)
Other international	5,251		(862		)	3,446		(1,468		)	8,697		(2,330		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	3,778		(110		)	61,844		(18,179		)	65,622		(18,289		)
Fixed income	9,630		(156		)	8,818		(5,472		)	18,448		(5,628		)
Private equity	214		(71		)	6,715		(16,819		)	6,929		(16,890		)
Other	8		(2		)	309		(456		)	317		(458		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	84,655	$	(5,235	)	$	108,789	$	(48,290	)	$	193,444	$	(53,525	)

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Supplementary Information Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Supplementary Information [Abstract]

Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block]

Supplementary Information

The detail of certain income statement accounts as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Merchandise revenues:
Funeral	$	126,168	$	117,674	$	383,308	$	362,145
Cemetery	132,904		121,131		381,898		352,009
Total merchandise revenues	259,072		238,805		765,206		714,154
Services revenues:
Funeral	234,367		220,913		726,259		688,866
Cemetery	45,571		45,617		145,247		138,669
Total services revenues	279,938		266,530		871,506		827,535
Other revenues	33,989		27,830		92,760		77,612
Total revenues	$	572,999	$	533,165	$	1,729,472	$	1,619,301
Merchandise costs and expenses:
Funeral	$	64,156	$	58,520	$	197,539	$	185,994
Cemetery	56,703		51,551		166,936		151,358
Total cost of merchandise	120,859		110,071		364,475		337,352
Services costs and expenses:
Funeral	127,102		114,662		370,942		335,425
Cemetery	23,853		22,882		73,793		70,990
Total cost of services	150,955		137,544		444,735		406,415
Overhead and other expenses	194,135		182,903		571,743		551,231
Total costs and expenses	$	465,949	$	430,518	$	1,380,953	$	1,294,998

XML

Debt Debt, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	6.67%		6.67%		6.80%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	90.00%		90.00%		93.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 500,000,000		$ 500,000,000		$ 400,000,000
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	175,000,000		175,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	65,000,000		65,000,000		0
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	33,300,000		33,300,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.35%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	401,700,000		401,700,000
Early extinguishment of debt			43,089,000	118,562,000
Repayments of Debt				30,000,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	(1,355,000)	(9,066,000)	(3,504,000)	(9,357,000)
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred			27,100,000	17,300,000
February 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt			3,900,000	23,100,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.88%	7.88%	7.88%	7.88%
October 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				64,300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		7.38%		7.38%
April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt			22,300,000	3,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.75%	6.75%	6.75%	6.75%
April 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt			$ 16,900,000	$ 20,200,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.75%	6.75%	6.75%	6.75%

XML

Income Taxes Level 4 (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	20.50%	34.70%	33.50%	38.80%

XML

Preneed Funeral Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,456,130	$ 1,424,557
Funeral [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	875,770	875,043
Cash and cash equivalents	100,911	121,212
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	267,603	220,287
Trust investments	1,244,284	1,216,542
Receivables from customers	251,788	247,434
Unearned finance charges	(5,461)	(5,620)
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	1,490,611	1,458,356
Allowance for cancellation	(34,481)	(33,799)
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,456,130	$ 1,424,557

XML

Equity Equity, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Dividends declared per share		$ 0.05	$ 0.04	$ 0.15	$ 0.12
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash		$ 11,400,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorization Increase				116,600,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount				200,000,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		1,233,800		14,641,168
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method		11,700,000		145,000,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share		$ 9.48		$ 9.90
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 138,600,000			$ 150,270,000

XML

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus [Abstract]

Schedule of Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receitps Held in Trust Components [Table Text Block]

The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2011									December 31, 2010
	Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total			Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total
	(In thousands)									(In thousands)
Trust investments	$	1,244,284		$	1,094,652		$	2,338,936		$	1,216,542		$	1,194,795		$	2,411,337
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,146		)	(1,630		)	(2,776		)	(975		)	(2,288		)	(3,263		)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,243,138		$	1,093,022		$	2,336,160		$	1,215,567		$	1,192,507		$	2,408,074

Schedule of Care Trust Corpus' Components [Table Text Block]

The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	974,266		$	987,019
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,340		)	(147		)
Care trusts’ corpus	$	971,926		$	986,872

Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income, by Component [Table Text Block]

The components of Other income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	11,353		$	10,134		$	4,101		$	—	$	25,588
Realized losses	(6,586		)	(8,758		)	(1,764		)	—		(17,108		)
Impairment charges	(17,533		)	(24,885		)	(5		)	—		(42,423		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	3,911			4,217			6,185			—		14,313
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,116		)	(3,119		)	(647		)	—		(5,882		)
Net trust investment (loss) income	(10,971		)	(22,411		)	7,870			—		(25,512		)
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	10,971			22,411			(7,870		)	—		25,512
Other income, net	—			—			—			249		249
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	249	$	249

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	49,618		$	51,225		$	31,221		$	—	$	132,064
Realized losses	(18,215		)	(19,994		)	(14,506		)	—		(52,715		)
Impairment charges	(20,821		)	(26,081		)	(316		)	—		(47,218		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	15,085			16,545			25,775			—		57,405
Trust expenses and income taxes	(4,982		)	(7,385		)	(2,753		)	—		(15,120		)
Net trust investment income	20,685			14,310			39,421			—		74,416
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(20,685		)	(14,310		)	(39,421		)	—		(74,416		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			969		969
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	969	$	969

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	5,963		$	6,838		$	4,244		$	—	$	17,045
Realized losses	(8,360		)	(9,828		)	(2,068		)	—		(20,256		)
Impairment charges	(1,129		)	(1,536		)	(251		)	—		(2,916		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	3,291			5,491			9,174			—		17,956
Trust expenses and income taxes	(1,324		)	(2,555		)	(114		)	—		(3,993		)
Net trust investment (loss) income	(1,559		)	(1,590		)	10,985			—		7,836
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	1,559			1,590			(10,985		)	—		(7,836		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			688		688
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	688	$	688

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	26,461		$	31,899		$	8,937		$	—	$	67,297
Realized losses	(42,017		)	(47,093		)	(7,524		)	—		(96,634		)
Impairment charges	(7,298		)	(4,919		)	(1,824		)	—		(14,041		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	13,223			14,914			25,249			—		53,386
Trust expenses and income taxes	(3,150		)	(7,024		)	(1,661		)	—		(11,835		)
Net trust investment (loss) income	(12,781		)	(12,223		)	23,177			—		(1,827		)
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	12,781			12,223			(23,177		)	—		1,827
Other income, net	—			—			—			3,077		3,077
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	3,077	$	3,077

XML

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Statement (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 101,682	$ 90,232
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net	3,504	9,357
Depreciation and amortization	88,363	87,676
Amortization of intangible assets	19,497	18,816
Amortization of cemetery property	27,889	23,438
Amortization of loan costs	3,259	3,223
Provision for doubtful accounts	6,431	4,137
Provision for deferred income taxes	40,038	39,273
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	15,264	(5,831)
Share-based compensation	6,843	6,714
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards	0	(831)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Decrease in receivables	13,583	6,793
Decrease (increase) in other assets	2,560	(1,094)
Increase in payables and other liabilities	7,808	7,687
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
Decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	47,263	30,434
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue	(30,724)	(4,218)
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(33,203)	(27,240)
Effect of cemetery production and deliveries:
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	(47,977)	(29,849)
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue	26,502	7,369
(Decrease) increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(6,280)	1,496
Other	(989)	(1,471)
Net cash provided by operating activities	291,313	266,111
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(85,936)	(67,443)
Acquisitions	(97,473)	(281,800)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment, net	15,233	82,866
Net withdrawals of restricted funds and other	956	26,440
Net cash used in investing activities	(167,220)	(239,937)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	65,000	245,000
Debt issuance costs	0	(6,203)
Payments of debt	(2,169)	(32,398)
Early extinguishment of debt	(43,089)	(118,562)
Repayments of Debt	43,089	118,562
Principal payments on capital leases	(17,186)	(40,716)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	7,694	1,469
Excess tax benefit from share-based awards	0	831
Purchase of Company common stock	(146,590)	(86,871)
Payments of dividends	(33,395)	(30,224)
Bank overdrafts and other	3,573	(5,655)
Net cash used in financing activities	(166,162)	(73,329)
Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents	(1,740)	3,223
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(43,809)	(43,932)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	170,846	179,745
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 127,037	$ 135,813

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Commitments and Contingencies Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

Insurance Loss Reserves

We purchase comprehensive general liability, morticians’ and cemetery professional liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage structured with high deductibles. The high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we have self-insurance reserves of $51.9 million and $53.9 million, respectively.

Litigation

We are a party to various litigation matters, investigations, and proceedings. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein; however, if we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters. We accrue such insurance recoveries when they become probable of being paid and can be reasonably estimated.

Burial Practices Claims. We are named as a defendant in various lawsuits alleging improper burial practices at certain of our cemetery locations. These lawsuits include but are not limited to the Garcia and Sands lawsuits described in the following paragraphs.

Reyvis Garcia and Alicia Garcia v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., Osiris Holding of Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation, d/b/a Graceland Memorial Park South, f/k/a Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc., was filed in December 2004, in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Case No. 04-25646 CA 32. Plaintiffs are the son and sister of the decedent, Eloisa Garcia, who was buried at Graceland Memorial Park South in March 1986, when the cemetery was owned by Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc. Initially, the suit sought damages on the individual claims of the plaintiffs relating to the burial of Eloisa Garcia. Plaintiffs claimed that due to poor recordkeeping, spacing issues and maps, and the fact that the family could not afford to purchase a marker for the grave, the burial location of the decedent could not be readily located. Subsequently, the decedent’s grave was located and verified. In July 2006, plaintiffs amended their complaint, seeking to certify a class of all persons buried at this cemetery whose burial sites cannot be located, claiming that this was due to poor recordkeeping, maps, and surveys at the cemetery. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a third amended class action complaint and added two additional named plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages, as well as equitable and injunctive relief. On May 4, 2011, the trial court certified a class and we are appealing that ruling. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

F. Charles Sands, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Eden Memorial Park, et al.; Case No. BC421528; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles — Central District. This case was filed in September 2009 against SCI and certain subsidiaries regarding our Eden Memorial Park cemetery in Mission Hills, California. The plaintiff seeks to certify a class of cemetery plot owners and their families. The plaintiff also seeks the appointment of a receiver to oversee cemetery operations. The plaintiff claims the cemetery damaged and desecrated burials in order to prepare adjoining graves for subsequent burials. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

Antitrust Claims. We are named as a defendant in an antitrust case filed in 2005. The case is Cause No 4:05-CV-03394; Funeral Consumers Alliance, Inc. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas — Houston (“Funeral Consumers Case”). This was a purported class action on behalf of casket consumers throughout the United States alleging that we and several other companies involved in the funeral industry violated federal antitrust laws and state consumer laws by engaging in various anti-competitive conduct associated with the sale of caskets. Based on the case proceeding as a class action, the plaintiffs filed an expert report indicating that the damages sought from all defendants range from approximately $950 million to $1.5 billion, before trebling. However, the trial court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the case as a class action. We deny that we engaged in anticompetitive practices related to our casket sales, and we have filed reports of our experts, which vigorously dispute the validity of the plaintiffs’ damages theories and calculations. The trial court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims on September 24, 2010, and the plaintiffs filed an appeal on October 19, 2010. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

Wage and Hour Claims. We are named a defendant in various lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state laws regulating wage and hour overtime pay, including but not limited to the Prise, Bryant, Bryant, Helm, Stickle, and Southern lawsuits described in the following paragraphs.

Prise, et al., v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., and Service Corporation International; Cause No. 06-164; in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (the “Wage and Hour Lawsuit”). The Wage and Hour Lawsuit was filed by two former Alderwoods (Pennsylvania), Inc. employees in December 2006 and purports to have been brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) on behalf of all Alderwoods and SCI-affiliated employees who performed work for which they were not fully compensated, including work for which overtime pay was owed. Although the court initially conditionally certified a class of claims as to certain job positions for Alderwoods employees, the court granted our motion to decertify the class on September 9, 2011.

Plaintiffs allege causes of action for violations of the FLSA, failure to maintain proper records, breach of contract, violations of state wage and hour laws, unjust enrichment, fraud and deceit, quantum meruit, negligent misrepresentation, and negligence. Plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, unpaid wages, liquidated, compensatory, consequential and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and pre- and post-judgment interest. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

Bryant, et al. v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. 3:07-CV-5696-SI; in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. This lawsuit was filed on November 8, 2007 against SCI and various subsidiaries and individuals. It is related to the Wage and Hour Lawsuit, raising similar claims and brought by the same attorneys. This lawsuit has been transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and is now Case No. 08-CV-00891-JFC. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

Bryant, et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. RG-07359593; and Helm, et al. v. AWGI & SCI; Case No. RG-07359602; in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Alameda. These cases were filed on December 5, 2007 by counsel for plaintiffs in the Wage and Hour Lawsuit. These cases assert state law claims similar to the federal claims asserted in the Wage and Hour Lawsuit. These cases were removed to federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco/Oakland Division. The Bryant case is now Case No. 3:08-CV-01190-SI and the Helm case is now Case No. C 08-01184-SI. On December 29, 2009, the court in the Helm case denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the case as a class action. The plaintiffs modified and refiled their motion for certification. On March 9, 2011, the court denied plaintiffs’ renewed motions to certify a class in both of the Bryant and Helm cases. The plaintiffs have also (i) filed additional lawsuits with similar allegations seeking class certification of state law claims in different states, and (ii) made a large number of demands for arbitration. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in these lawsuits.

Stickle, et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. 08-CV-83; in the U.S. District Court for Arizona, Phoenix Division. Counsel for plaintiffs in the Wage and Hour Lawsuit filed this case on January 17, 2008, against SCI and various related entities and individuals asserting FLSA and other ancillary claims based on the alleged failure to pay for overtime. In September 2009, the Court conditionally certified a class of claims as to certain job positions of SCI affiliated employees. On April 20, 2011, the court granted our motion to decertify the class. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

Southern, et al. v. SCI Kentucky Funeral Services, Inc.; Case No. 11CIO6501; in the Jefferson Circuit Court, Division Eight, Kentucky. This lawsuit was filed on October 6, 2011 against an SCI subsidiary and purports to have been brought on behalf of employees who worked in Kentucky as funeral directors. The plaintiffs allege causes of action for various violations of Kentucky wage and hour laws, and breach of contract. Plaintiffs seek unpaid wages, compensatory and exemplary relief, damages, attorneys' fees and costs, and pre- and post judgment interest. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.

The ultimate outcome of the matters described above cannot be determined at this time. We intend to vigorously defend all of the above lawsuits; however, an adverse decision in one or more of such matters could have a material effect on us, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows

XML

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 263,182	$ 84,655
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(51,453)	(5,235)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	97,869	108,789
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(43,556)	(48,290)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	361,051	193,444
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(95,009)	(53,525)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	8,064	10,433
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(80)	(316)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	9,021	393
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(256)	(18)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	17,085	10,826
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(336)	(334)
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,536	1,632
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(48)	(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	105	668
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(2)	(18)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	9,641	2,300
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(50)	(20)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	369	836
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(2)	(9)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	391	263
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(30)	(13)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	760	1,099
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(32)	(22)
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	20,897	5,619
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,171)	(285)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	979	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(36)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	21,876	5,619
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1,207)	(285)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		225
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		53
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		278
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		(2)
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,645	1,045
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(292)	(78)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,645	1,045
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(292)	(78)
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	122,765	41,491
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(31,623)	(3,019)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	17,031	24,919
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(4,645)	(5,372)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	139,796	66,410
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(36,268)	(8,391)
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	8,374	4,493
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,005)	(324)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	620	1,361
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(349)	(474)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	8,994	5,854
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1,354)	(798)
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,966	5,251
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,867)	(862)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,897	3,446
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1,352)	(1,468)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	12,863	8,697
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(3,219)	(2,330)
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	53,310	3,778
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(10,834)	(110)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	45,439	61,844
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(12,709)	(18,179)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	98,749	65,622
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(23,543)	(18,289)
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	26,896	9,630
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(3,029)	(156)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	8,746	8,818
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(6,966)	(5,472)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	35,642	18,448
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(9,995)	(5,628)
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,360	214
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,502)	(71)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	12,640	6,715
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(17,211)	(16,819)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	14,000	6,929
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(18,713)	(16,890)
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		8
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		309
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		(456)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		317
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		$ (458)

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Acquisition Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Acquisition [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

Acquisitions

Keystone

In March 2010, pursuant to a tender offer, we acquired Keystone North America, Inc. (Keystone) for C$8.07 per share in cash, resulting in a purchase price of $288.9 million, which included the refinancing of $80.7 million of Keystone’s debt.

The primary reasons for the merger and the principal factors that contributed to the recognition of goodwill in this acquisition were:

• the acquisition of Keystone enhances our network footprint, enabling us to serve a number of new, complementary areas;

• combining the two companies’ operations provides synergies and related cost savings through the elimination of duplicate home office functions and economies of scale; and

• the acquisition of Keystone’s preneed backlog of deferred revenues enhances our long-term stability.

The following table summarizes the adjusted fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of March 26, 2010, for various purchase price allocation adjustments made subsequent to our first quarter results:

	(In thousands)
Accounts receivable	$	6,131
Other current assets	20,200
Cemetery property	19,949
Property and equipment, net	105,888
Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	66,395
Finite-lived intangible assets	34,312
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	33,700
Deferred charges and other assets	6,533
Goodwill	108,643
Total assets acquired	401,751
Current liabilities	11,719
Long-term debt	2,548
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	69,336
Deferred tax liability	20,939
Other liabilities	8,347
Total liabilities assumed	112,889
Net assets acquired	$	288,862

The gross amount of accounts receivable is $8.2 million, of which $2.1 million is not expected to be collected. Included in preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments are receivables under preneed contracts with a fair value of $5.2 million. The gross amount due under the contracts is $5.5 million, of which $0.3 million is not expected to be collected.

We have finalized our assessment of the fair values. Goodwill, land, and certain identifiable intangible assets recorded in the acquisition are not subject to amortization; however, the goodwill and intangible assets will be tested periodically for impairment as required by the Intangible Assets Topic of the ASC. Of the $108.6 million in goodwill recognized, $4.3 million was allocated to our cemetery segment and $104.3 million was allocated to our funeral segment. As a result of the carryover of Keystone’s tax basis, $26.0 million of this goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The identified intangible assets are comprised of the following:

	Useful life
	Minimum		Maximum	Fair Value
	(Years)			(In thousands)
Preneed customer relationships related to insurance claims			10	$	15,200
Preneed deferred revenue	10	-	14	1,740
Covenants-not-to-compete	5	-	15	13,332
Operating leases	5	-	15	440
Tradenames			5	3,600
Tradenames			Indefinite	33,200
Licenses and permits			Indefinite	500
Total intangible assets				$	68,012

The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes the results of operations of Keystone. The following unaudited pro forma information presents information as if the merger occurred on January 1, 2010:

	Nine Months Ended
	2010
	(In thousands)
Revenue	$	1,648,953
Net income	$	93,201

Neptune

The Company acquired 70% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society, Inc. (Neptune) on June 3, 2011 for $44 million. Neptune is the nation's largest direct cremation organization with a network of 30 locations in nine states. Neptune operates under the brand names Neptune Society, Neptune Cremation Service, and Trident Society. With this acquisition we will be expanding the footprint into a sector of the market that will continue to grow and that we do not currently target through our traditional funeral service and cemetery network. We have not completed our purchase price allocation as we are still reviewing the underlying accounting records.

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Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 259,072	$ 238,805	$ 765,206	$ 714,154
Total services revenues	279,938	266,530	871,506	827,535
Other revenues	33,989	27,830	92,760	77,612
Total revenues	572,999	533,165	1,729,472	1,619,301
Total cost of merchandise	120,859	110,071	364,475	337,352
Total cost of services	150,955	137,544	444,735	406,415
Overhead and other expenses	194,135	182,903	571,743	551,231
Total costs and expenses	465,949	430,518	1,380,953	1,294,998
Funeral [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	126,168	117,674	383,308	362,145
Total services revenues	234,367	220,913	726,259	688,866
Total cost of merchandise	64,156	58,520	197,539	185,994
Total cost of services	127,102	114,662	370,942	335,425
Cemetery [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	132,904	121,131	381,898	352,009
Total services revenues	45,571	45,617	145,247	138,669
Total cost of merchandise	56,703	51,551	166,936	151,358
Total cost of services	$ 23,853	$ 22,882	$ 73,793	$ 70,990

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Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation, Textuals (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Stock Options [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 7.9
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1.4
Restricted Stock [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 6.1
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1.4

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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.05	$ 0.04	$ 0.15	$ 0.12

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Debt Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Debt [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

Debt

Debt as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:

	September 30, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	4,857			8,557
7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014	180,692			180,692
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	136,465			157,250
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377			212,927
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			250,000
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	250,000			250,000
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000			150,000
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
Bank credit facility due March 2016	65,000			—
Obligations under capital leases	126,658			118,339
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	36,565			38,223
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	(5,030		)	(6,106		)
Total debt	1,887,584			1,854,882
Less current maturities	(23,685		)	(22,502		)
Total long-term debt	$	1,863,899		$	1,832,380

Current maturities of debt at September 30, 2011 were primarily comprised of our capital leases. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 6.67% at September 30, 2011 and 6.80% at December 31, 2010. Approximately 90% and 93% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Bank Credit Facility

As of December 31, 2010, we had a $400 million bank credit facility due November 2013 with a syndicate of financial institutions, including a sublimit of $175 million for letters of credit. In the first quarter of 2011, we amended our bank credit facility to increase the availability thereunder from $400 million to $500 million and extended the maturity to March 2016.

As of September 30, 2011, we have $65.0 million outstanding cash advances under our bank credit facility and have used it to support $33.3 million of letters of credit. The bank credit facility provides us with flexibility for working capital, if needed, and is guaranteed by a majority of our domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guaranty is a guaranty of payment of the outstanding amount of the total lending commitment, including letters of credit. The bank credit facility contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. We pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.35%. As of September 30, 2011, we have $401.7 million in borrowing capacity under the bank credit facility.

Debt Extinguishments and Reductions

During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2011, we paid an aggregate of $43.1 million to retire $22.3 million  aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015, $16.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016, and $3.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.875% Senior Notes due February 2013,resulting in the recognition of a $3.5 million loss recorded in Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repaid $30.0 million of amounts drawn on our bank credit facility, $20.2 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016, $3.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015, $64.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014, and $23.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.875% Senior Notes due February 2013. As a result of these transactions, we recognized a $9.4 million loss recorded in Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Capital Leases

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we acquired $27.1 million and $17.3 million, respectively, of primarily transportation equipment using capital leases

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$ 974,266	$ 987,019
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	913,014	922,228
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	61,252	64,791
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$ 974,266	$ 987,019

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investments Classifed by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 9,028
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	23,395
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	19,220
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	3,398
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 55,041

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Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			$ 112,768
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent			(13,229)	4,763
Balance at end of period	99,552		99,552
Net income attributable to common stockholders	35,496	18,765	100,353	89,962
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders	(23,132)	7,266	(13,216)	4,761
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(481)	(85)	1,329	270
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(17)	3	(13)	2
Comprehensive income	11,866	25,949	88,453	94,995
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			112,768
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent			(13,216)	4,761
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			(146,669)
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			146,669
Balance at end of period	99,552		99,552
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			112,768
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent			(13,216)
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			0
Reclassification of net unrealized loss 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	99,552		99,552
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			0
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent			0
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			(146,669)
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			146,669
Balance at end of period	$ 0		$ 0

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Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

Our reportable segment information is as follows:

	Funeral		Cemetery		Reportable Segments
	(In thousands)
Three Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	384,003	$	188,996	$	572,999
2010	$	358,931	$	174,234	$	533,165
Gross profits:
2011	$	69,022	$	38,028	$	107,050
2010	$	69,058	$	33,589	$	102,647
Nine Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	1,178,362	$	551,110	$	1,729,472
2010	$	1,105,687	$	513,614	$	1,619,301
Gross profits:
2011	$	243,827	$	104,692	$	348,519
2010	$	231,167	$	93,136	$	324,303

Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]

The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Gross profits from reportable segments	$	107,050		$	102,647		$	348,519		$	324,303
General and administrative expenses	(23,863		)	(26,860		)	(77,381		)	(80,086		)
(Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,001		)	(7,291		)	(15,264		)	5,831
Operating income	78,186			68,496			255,874			250,048
Interest expense	(33,038		)	(31,497		)	(100,476		)	(96,281		)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	(1,355		)	(9,066		)	(3,504		)	(9,357		)
Other income, net	249			688			969			3,077
Income before income taxes	$	44,042		$	28,621		$	152,863		$	147,487

Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]

Our geographic area information is as follows:

	United States		Canada		Germany		Total
			(In thousands)
Three Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	518,754	$	52,824	$	1,421	$	572,999
2010	$	479,120	$	52,399	$	1,646	$	533,165
Nine Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	1,569,748	$	154,706	$	5,018	$	1,729,472
2010	$	1,458,883	$	155,497	$	4,921	$	1,619,301

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Segment Reporting Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Segment Reporting

Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations. Our geographic areas include United States, Canada, and Germany. We conduct both funeral and cemetery operations in the United States and Canada and funeral operations in Germany.

Our reportable segment information is as follows:

	Funeral		Cemetery		Reportable Segments
	(In thousands)
Three Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	384,003	$	188,996	$	572,999
2010	$	358,931	$	174,234	$	533,165
Gross profits:
2011	$	69,022	$	38,028	$	107,050
2010	$	69,058	$	33,589	$	102,647
Nine Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	1,178,362	$	551,110	$	1,729,472
2010	$	1,105,687	$	513,614	$	1,619,301
Gross profits:
2011	$	243,827	$	104,692	$	348,519
2010	$	231,167	$	93,136	$	324,303

The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Gross profits from reportable segments	$	107,050		$	102,647		$	348,519		$	324,303
General and administrative expenses	(23,863		)	(26,860		)	(77,381		)	(80,086		)
(Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,001		)	(7,291		)	(15,264		)	5,831
Operating income	78,186			68,496			255,874			250,048
Interest expense	(33,038		)	(31,497		)	(100,476		)	(96,281		)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	(1,355		)	(9,066		)	(3,504		)	(9,357		)
Other income, net	249			688			969			3,077
Income before income taxes	$	44,042		$	28,621		$	152,863		$	147,487

Our geographic area information is as follows:

	United States		Canada		Germany		Total
			(In thousands)
Three Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	518,754	$	52,824	$	1,421	$	572,999
2010	$	479,120	$	52,399	$	1,646	$	533,165
Nine Months ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2011	$	1,569,748	$	154,706	$	5,018	$	1,729,472
2010	$	1,458,883	$	155,497	$	4,921	$	1,619,301

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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Statement (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Revenues	$ 572,999	$ 533,165	$ 1,729,472	$ 1,619,301
Costs and expenses	(465,949)	(430,518)	(1,380,953)	(1,294,998)
Gross profits	107,050	102,647	348,519	324,303
General and administrative expenses	(23,863)	(26,860)	(77,381)	(80,086)
(Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,001)	(7,291)	(15,264)	5,831
Operating income	78,186	68,496	255,874	250,048
Interest expense	(33,038)	(31,497)	(100,476)	(96,281)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net	(1,355)	(9,066)	(3,504)	(9,357)
Other income (expense), net	249	688	969	3,077
Income before income taxes	44,042	28,621	152,863	147,487
Provision for income taxes	(9,027)	(9,941)	(51,181)	(57,255)
Net income	35,015	18,680	101,682	90,232
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	481	85	(1,329)	(270)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 35,496	$ 18,765	$ 100,353	$ 89,962
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 0.15	$ 0.08	$ 0.42	$ 0.36
Basic weighted average number of shares	232,917	246,214	237,037	250,762
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 0.15	$ 0.08	$ 0.42	$ 0.36
Diluted weighted average number of shares	235,513	247,523	239,528	252,486
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.05	$ 0.04	$ 0.15	$ 0.12

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Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)				(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income:
Net income — basic	$	35,496	$	18,765	$	100,353	$	89,962
After tax interest on convertible debt	13		—		38		38
Net income — diluted	$	35,509	$	18,765	$	100,391	$	90,000
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	232,917		246,214		237,037		250,762
Stock options	2,475		1,309		2,370		1,603
Convertible debt	121		—		121		121
Weighted average shares — diluted	235,513		247,523		239,528		252,486
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.15	$	0.08	$	0.42	$	0.36
Diluted	$	0.15	$	0.08	$	0.42	$	0.36

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Acquisition Acquisition, Textuals (Details) (USD $)					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010 Current [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Noncurrent [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Cemetery [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Funeral [Member]
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price Per Share		$ 8.07
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price	$ 44,000,000	$ 288,900,000
Business Acquisition, Debt Refinancing		80,700,000
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Gross Contractual Amount			8,200,000	5,500,000
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Estimated Uncollectible			2,100,000	300,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Noncurrent Assets, Receivables		5,200,000
Goodwill		108,643,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period					4,300,000	104,300,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount		26,000,000
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	70.00%
Acquired Indefinite and Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Amount		$ 68,012,000

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Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Textuals (Details) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	5.1	6.6	5.5	5.4

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Fair Value Hierarchy (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	$ 967,503	$ 1,062,771
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	834,284	932,782
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	119,114	123,738
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	$ 14,105	$ 6,251

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Fair Value Hierarchy (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	$ 913,014	$ 922,228
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	835,672	806,828
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	59,786	98,311
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	$ 17,556	$ 17,089

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Share-Based Compensation Level 4 (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend yield	2.40%
Expected volatility	38.40%
Risk-free interest rate	2.40%
Expected holding period	5.0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at beggining of period	12,312,783
Options outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price	7.53
Granted	2,394,430
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	9.09
Exercised	1,136,808
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	6.77
Cancelled	(94,857)
Cancelled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	5.32
Options outstanding at end of period	13,475,548
Options outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price	7.88
Options exercisable at September 30, 2011	8,288,301
Options exercisable at September 30, 2011, Weighted Average Exercise Price	8.16
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period	1,167,273
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	6.35
Granted	538,620
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	9.13
Vested	(540,723)
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	6.58
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period	1,165,170
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period, weighted average grant date fair value	7.53

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Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 42,423,000	$ 2,916,000	$ 47,218,000	$ 14,041,000
Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	12,700,000		12,700,000
Investment Earnings, Net	10,200,000	6,700,000	28,900,000	22,500,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 17,533,000	$ 1,129,000	$ 20,821,000	$ 7,298,000

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 25,588	$ 17,045	$ 132,064	$ 67,297
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(17,108)	(20,256)	(52,715)	(96,634)
Cemetery [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	25,946	30,565	76,442	79,984
Withdrawals	25,917	26,303	84,444	79,080
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	88,518	77,625	411,195	542,829
Sales of available-for-sale securities	78,721	90,148	407,272	502,508
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	10,134	6,838	51,225	31,899
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (8,758)	$ (9,828)	$ (19,994)	$ (47,093)

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 25,588	$ 17,045	$ 132,064	$ 67,297
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(17,108)	(20,256)	(52,715)	(96,634)
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	5,503	5,381	17,806	17,282
Withdrawals	10,269	7,581	28,098	26,858
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	87,135	135,544	413,176	315,986
Sales of available-for-sale securities	49,705	137,354	387,715	247,125
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,101	4,244	31,221	8,937
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (1,764)	$ (2,068)	$ (14,506)	$ (7,524)

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Acquisition Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Acquisition [Abstract]

Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the adjusted fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of March 26, 2010, for various purchase price allocation adjustments made subsequent to our first quarter results:

	(In thousands)
Accounts receivable	$	6,131
Other current assets	20,200
Cemetery property	19,949
Property and equipment, net	105,888
Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	66,395
Finite-lived intangible assets	34,312
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	33,700
Deferred charges and other assets	6,533
Goodwill	108,643
Total assets acquired	401,751
Current liabilities	11,719
Long-term debt	2,548
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	69,336
Deferred tax liability	20,939
Other liabilities	8,347
Total liabilities assumed	112,889
Net assets acquired	$	288,862

Schedule of Finite and Indefinte-lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of a Business Comination [Table Text Block]

The identified intangible assets are comprised of the following:

	Useful life
	Minimum		Maximum	Fair Value
	(Years)			(In thousands)
Preneed customer relationships related to insurance claims			10	$	15,200
Preneed deferred revenue	10	-	14	1,740
Covenants-not-to-compete	5	-	15	13,332
Operating leases	5	-	15	440
Tradenames			5	3,600
Tradenames			Indefinite	33,200
Licenses and permits			Indefinite	500
Total intangible assets				$	68,012

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

The following unaudited pro forma information presents information as if the merger occurred on January 1, 2010:

	Nine Months Ended
	2010
	(In thousands)
Revenue	$	1,648,953
Net income	$	93,201