Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 259,072	$ 238,805	$ 765,206	$ 714,154
Total services revenues	279,938	266,530	871,506	827,535
Other revenues	33,989	27,830	92,760	77,612
Total revenues	572,999	533,165	1,729,472	1,619,301
Total cost of merchandise	120,859	110,071	364,475	337,352
Total cost of services	150,955	137,544	444,735	406,415
Overhead and other expenses	194,135	182,903	571,743	551,231
Total costs and expenses	465,949	430,518	1,380,953	1,294,998
Funeral [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	126,168	117,674	383,308	362,145
Total services revenues	234,367	220,913	726,259	688,866
Total cost of merchandise	64,156	58,520	197,539	185,994
Total cost of services	127,102	114,662	370,942	335,425
Cemetery [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	132,904	121,131	381,898	352,009
Total services revenues	45,571	45,617	145,247	138,669
Total cost of merchandise	56,703	51,551	166,936	151,358
Total cost of services	$ 23,853	$ 22,882	$ 73,793	$ 70,990