Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 20,763	$ 25,588	$ 108,604	$ 132,064
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(13,050)	(17,108)	(49,193)	(52,715)
Funeral [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	181,118		181,118		282,821
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	10,648		10,648		39,446
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	85,201		85,201		76,375
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	40,370		40,370		39,120
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	266,319		266,319		359,196
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	51,018		51,018		78,566
Deposits	19,982	18,960	64,081	55,189
Withdrawals	22,943	26,789	78,034	79,734
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	53,034	140,554	324,304	387,545
Sales of available-for-sale securities	51,672	114,476	323,471	448,988
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	7,681	11,353	43,446	49,618
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(4,570)	(6,586)	(18,730)	(18,215)
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,855		3,855		7,263
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	253		253		615
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,555		1,555		2,403
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	321		321		681
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,410		5,410		9,666
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	574		574		1,296
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	614		614		1,977
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	1,790		1,790		3,499
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	15,294		15,294		13,502
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	19,498		19,498		15,750
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	15,908		15,908		15,479
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	$ 21,288		$ 21,288		$ 19,249