Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 15,655		$ 6,251
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,345)	[1]	6,311	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(12)	[2]	(8)	[2]
Sales	0		0
Contributions	1,356		503
Distributions and other	(276)		(2,393)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 15,378		$ 10,664

[1] All unrealized (losses) gains 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 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 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