Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [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
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 15,378		$ 10,664		$ 15,655		$ 6,251
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(132)	[1]	2,860	[1]	(1,477)	[1]	6,985	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(7)	[2]	(57)	[2]	(19)	[2]	(65)	[2]
Contributions	1,360		1,349		2,716		1,852
Distributions and other	(370)		(142)		646		349
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 16,229		$ 14,674		$ 16,229		$ 14,674

[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 (expense) 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 (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