Preneed Cemetery 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
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)
Cemetery [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	25,010	25,946	75,717	76,442
Withdrawals	28,260	25,917	75,623	84,444
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	114,549	88,518	443,613	411,195
Sales of available-for-sale securities	111,663	78,721	428,350	407,272
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	9,754	10,134	57,636	51,225
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (6,962)	$ (8,758)	$ (25,028)	$ (19,994)

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

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-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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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