Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], 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
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance					$ 15,655		$ 6,251		$ 16,229	$ 14,674
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(442)	[1]	(8,530)	[1]	(1,919)	[1]	(1,545)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(13)	[2]	(8)	[2]	(32)	[2]	(73)	[2]
Contributions	1,044		7,910		3,760		9,762
Distributions and other	(369)		59		1,015		290
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 16,449		$ 14,105		$ 16,449		$ 14,105		$ 16,229	$ 14,674

[1] All unrealized losses 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 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 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