Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 112,768
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	(6,925)	15,635	60,523
Balance at end of period	105,852	112,768
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	112,768	97,142	36,649
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	(6,916)	15,626	60,493
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	(80,789)	147,688	323,131
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	80,789	(147,688)	(323,131)
Balance at end of period	105,852	112,768	97,142
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	112,768	97,142	36,649
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	(6,916)	15,626	60,493
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	0	0	0
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	105,852	112,768	97,142
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	0	0	0
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	(80,789)	147,688	323,131
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	80,789	(147,688)	(323,131)
Balance at end of period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0