Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			$ 112,768
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent			(13,229)	4,763
Balance at end of period	99,552		99,552
Net income attributable to common stockholders	35,496	18,765	100,353	89,962
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders	(23,132)	7,266	(13,216)	4,761
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(481)	(85)	1,329	270
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(17)	3	(13)	2
Comprehensive income	11,866	25,949	88,453	94,995
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			112,768
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent			(13,216)	4,761
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			(146,669)
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			146,669
Balance at end of period	99,552		99,552
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			112,768
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent			(13,216)
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			0
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			0
Balance at end of period	99,552		99,552
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			0
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent			0
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			(146,669)
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			146,669
Balance at end of period	$ 0		$ 0