Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 262,067	$ 247,184
Total services revenues	309,369	305,507
Other revenues	31,070	27,008
Total revenues	602,506	579,699
Total cost of merchandise	127,913	123,580
Total cost of services	152,979	142,439
Overhead and other expenses	194,047	187,234
Total costs and expenses	474,939	453,253
Funeral [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	140,233	132,263
Total services revenues	259,698	256,285
Total cost of merchandise	72,227	70,015
Total cost of services	127,158	117,940
Cemetery [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	121,834	114,921
Total services revenues	49,671	49,222
Total cost of merchandise	55,686	53,565
Total cost of services	$ 25,821	$ 24,499