Supplementary Information Level 4 (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
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 275,368	$ 258,950	$ 537,435	$ 506,134
Total services revenues	287,707	286,061	597,076	591,568
Other revenues	34,297	31,763	65,367	58,771
Total revenues	597,372	576,774	1,199,878	1,156,473
Total cost of merchandise	125,488	120,037	253,401	243,616
Total cost of services	153,546	151,343	306,525	293,780
Overhead and other expenses	190,149	190,371	384,196	377,608
Total costs and expenses	469,183	461,751	944,122	915,004
Funeral [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	131,369	124,877	271,602	257,140
Total services revenues	238,876	235,607	498,574	491,892
Total cost of merchandise	64,593	63,369	136,820	133,383
Total cost of services	128,809	125,902	255,967	243,840
Cemetery [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	143,999	134,073	265,833	248,994
Total services revenues	48,831	50,454	98,502	99,676
Total cost of merchandise	60,895	56,668	116,581	110,233
Total cost of services	$ 24,737	$ 25,441	$ 50,558	$ 49,940