Equity Level 1 (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Equity

(All shares reported in whole numbers)

Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unrealized Gains and Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
			(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	105,852	$	—		$	105,852
Activity in 2012	5,760		—			5,760
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—		78,178			78,178
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	—		(78,178		)	(78,178		)
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	111,612	$	—		$	111,612

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The U.S. dollar amount that arises from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

Cash Dividends

On February 8, 2012, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $.05 per common share. At March 31, 2012, this dividend totaling $10.9 million was recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Capital in excess of par value in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. This dividend will be paid on April 30, 2012.

Share Repurchase Program

Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our stock repurchase program. In February 2012, our Board of Directors approved an increase in our share repurchase program authorizing the investment of up to an additional $120 million to repurchase our common stock, bringing total authorization up to $200 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we repurchased 6,591,870 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $73.2 million, which is an average cost per share of $11.10. After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $146.8 million at March 31, 2012.

Subsequent to March 31, 2012, we repurchased an additional 759,276 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $8.3 million, which is an average cost per share of $10.93. After these second quarter repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program is approximately $138.5 million.