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

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

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An amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the contract. The aggregate fair value as of the balance sheet date of financial instruments and other positions may include: (1) mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset backed securities; (2) US government and agency obligations; (3) state and municipal government obligations; (4) other sovereign government debt; (5) corporate obligations; (6) corporate equities; (7) principal investments; (8) derivative contracts; and (9) physical commodities. Includes both pledged and unpledged holdings.

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An amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the contract. The aggregate fair value as of the balance sheet date of financial instruments and other positions may include: (1) mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset backed securities; (2) US government and agency obligations; (3) state and municipal government obligations; (4) other sovereign government debt; (5) corporate obligations; (6) corporate equities; (7) principal investments; (8) derivative contracts; and (9) physical commodities. Includes both pledged and unpledged holdings.

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

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

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

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Unearned discounts (other than cash or quantity discounts and the like), finance charges, and interest included in the face amount of receivables, that are shown as a deduction from the related receivables. For example, 1) finance charges booked as a receivable when a loan is made and recognized as income at a later date; and 2) interest charges deducted from the face loan amount, resulting in a discounted amount actually advanced to the borrower (wherein the receivable includes the amount actually advanced to the borrower and the as yet unearned interest income).

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all investments.

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