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)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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

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+ Details