Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 20,396	$ 55,511	$ 87,841	$ 106,476
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(10,410)	(15,291)	(36,143)	(35,607)
Cemetery [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	25,512	26,404	50,707	50,496
Withdrawals	22,630	28,583	47,363	58,527
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	58,981	189,112	329,064	322,677
Sales of available-for-sale securities	61,270	194,996	316,687	328,551
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	8,610	24,244	47,882	41,091
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (4,296)	$ (5,615)	$ (18,066)	$ (11,236)

The cash outflow to acquire debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities which would be classified as available-for-sale securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity.

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+ Details

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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+ Details