Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 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		Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Purchases	$ 0		$ 18		$ 0		$ 18
Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance					16,898		21,359		17,268	29,031
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(748)	[1]	(7,757)	[1]	(2,332)	[1]	(1,001)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(12)	[2]	(8)	[2]	(28)	[2]	(67)	[2]
Sales	0		(7,970)		(9)		(8,156)
Contributions	995		7,615		3,554		9,397
Distributions and other	(320)		(522)		(900)		(1,143)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 17,183		$ 20,407		$ 17,183		$ 20,407		$ 17,268	$ 29,031

[1] All unrealized losses 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 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 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