Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 16,603		$ 25,370		$ 16,898		$ 21,359
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(284)	[1]	2,894	[1]	(1,584)	[1]	6,756	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(6)	[2]	(52)	[2]	(16)	[2]	(59)	[2]
Sales	0		0		9		186
Contributions	1,281		1,296		2,559		1,782
Distributions and other	(326)		(477)		580		621
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 17,268		$ 29,031		$ 17,268		$ 29,031

[1] All unrealized (losses) gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral 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 (expense) income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) 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