Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Receivables Net and Trust Invesments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,478,865		$ 1,424,557
Funeral [Member]
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	1,424,557		1,356,353		1,191,692
Net preneed contract sales	111,447		126,121		155,834
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(106,489)		(99,142)		(118,049)
Deposits to trust	72,750		80,027		85,901
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	143,252		29,607		(6,226)
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	(11,348)	[1]	82,097	[1]	164,003	[1]
Maturities and distributed earnings	(148,820)		(140,593)		(141,135)
Change in cancellation allowance	(30)		(1,140)		(2,054)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(6,454)		(8,773)		26,387
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,478,865		$ 1,424,557		$ 1,356,353

[1] Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).