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

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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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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