Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetary Activities Receivables Net and Trust Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 1,595,940		$ 1,563,893
Cemetery [Member]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	1,563,893		1,382,717		1,062,952
Net preneed contract sales	468,850		423,985		408,328
Dispositions (acquisitions) of businesses, net	(5,500)		5,508		7,749
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	(24,407)	[1]	121,225	[1]	271,804	[1]
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(403,524)		(373,071)		(351,459)
Deposits to trust	98,121		96,864		92,687
Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings	(109,382)		(100,474)		(104,580)
Change in cancellation allowance	(759)		(3,764)		(10,141)
Effect of foreign currency and other	8,648		10,903		5,377
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 1,595,940		$ 1,563,893		$ 1,382,717

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