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.