Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Mar. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 1,454,278	$ 1,348,126
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(146,794)	(146,794)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,307,484	1,201,332
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	61,396	120,096
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(4,930)	(19,969)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(2,457)	6,025
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	54,009	106,152
Goodwill, ending balance	1,508,287	1,454,278	1,348,126
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(146,794)	(146,794)	(146,794)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,361,493	1,307,484	1,201,332
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	311,046	298,214
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	189,773	171,597
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	121,273	126,617
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names	121,838	82,732		33,200
Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	10,140	10,140
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	131,978	92,872
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	253,251	219,489
Amortization of intangible assets	25,591	25,197	21,698
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	14,591
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	12,589
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	10,929
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	8,236
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	7,745
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	54,090
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	200,973	195,346
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	2
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum	20
Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	100,423	93,218
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	10
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum	20
Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	3,600	3,600
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum	5
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	6,050	6,050
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum	40
Funeral [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,244,206	1,140,742
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,244,206	1,140,742
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	60,933	114,020
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(4,332)	(16,581)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(2,457)	6,025
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	54,144	103,464
Goodwill, ending balance	1,298,350	1,244,206	1,140,742
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,298,350	1,244,206	1,140,742
Amortization of intangible assets	18,582	17,464	15,473
Cemetery [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	210,072	207,384
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(146,794)	(146,794)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	63,278	60,590
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	463	6,076
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(598)	(3,388)
Effect of foreign currency and other	0	0
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	(135)	2,688
Goodwill, ending balance	209,937	210,072	207,384
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(146,794)	(146,794)	(146,794)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	63,143	63,278	60,590
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 5,540	$ 6,095	$ 6,105