Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 6,251		$ 4,341		$ 31,837
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	286	[1]	(4,304)	[1]	(14,039)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(101)	[2]	(529)	[2]	(27)	[2]
Sales	0		(48)		0
Contributions	10,795		7,508		2,672
Distributions and other	(1,576)		(717)		(510)
Transfers out of Level 3	0		0		(15,592)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 15,655		$ 6,251		$ 4,341

[1] All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery 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 cemetery 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.