Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance					$ 6,251		$ 4,341		$ 14,674	$ 4,930
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(8,530)	[1]	(81)	[1]	(1,545)	[1]	(446)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8)	[2]	(18)	[2]	(73)	[2]	(41)	[2]
Sales	0		(25)		0		(48)
Contributions	7,910		263		9,762		1,601
Distributions and other	59		(92)		(290)		(430)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 14,105		$ 4,977		$ 14,105		$ 4,977		$ 14,674	$ 4,930

[1] All unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery 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 cemetery 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.