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)

The cash outflow to acquire debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities which would be classified as available-for-sale securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity.

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+ Details

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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+ Details