Schedule II (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	$ 13,973		$ 14,171		$ 19,735
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	9,254		8,153		11,346
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	25,813	[1]	17,926	[1]	56	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	(39,296)	[2]	(26,277)	[2]	(16,966)	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	9,744		13,973		14,171
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Noncurrent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	3,111		3,135		2,775
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	0	[1]	0	[1]	720	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	(1,446)	[2]	(24)	[2]	(360)	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	1,665		3,111		3,135
Asset Allowance for Cancellation, Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	77,792		71,202		58,618
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	2,852		3,204		3,249
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(2,652)	[1]	3,386	[1]	9,335	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	77,992		77,792		71,202
Revenue Allowance for Cancellation, Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(134,760)		(130,897)		(137,769)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(1,244)	[1]	(3,863)	[1]	6,872	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	(136,004)		(134,760)		(130,897)
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	63,614		68,192		54,225
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	67		76		13,967
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	0	[1]	(4,654)	[1]	0	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	$ 63,681		$ 63,614		$ 68,192

[1] Primarily relates to acquisitions and dispositions of operations.

[2] Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.