Supplementary Information Level 4 (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
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 267,523	$ 259,072	$ 804,958	$ 765,206
Total services revenues	281,267	279,938	878,343	871,506
Other revenues	32,392	33,989	97,759	92,760
Total revenues	581,182	572,999	1,781,060	1,729,472
Total cost of merchandise	118,121	120,859	371,522	364,475
Total cost of services	153,285	150,955	459,810	444,735
Overhead and other expenses	188,505	194,135	572,701	571,743
Total costs and expenses	459,911	465,949	1,404,033	1,380,953
Funeral [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	129,736	126,168	401,338	383,308
Total services revenues	232,413	234,367	730,987	726,259
Total cost of merchandise	62,958	64,156	199,778	197,539
Total cost of services	129,301	127,102	385,268	370,942
Cemetery [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	137,787	132,904	403,620	381,898
Total services revenues	48,854	45,571	147,356	145,247
Total cost of merchandise	55,163	56,703	171,744	166,936
Total cost of services	$ 23,984	$ 23,853	$ 74,542	$ 73,793