Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 21,359		$ 12,052		$ 40,880
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(5,234)	[1]	(3,949)	[1]	(9,205)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(92)	[2]	(530)	[2]	(27)	[2]
Purchases	18		7,343		0
Sales	(8,156)		(108)		0
Contributions	10,392		7,213		2,779
Distributions and other	(1,389)		(662)		(484)
Transfers out of Level 3	0		0		(21,891)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 16,898		$ 21,359		$ 12,052

[1] All unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral 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 (expense) income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) 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.