Schedule II (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	$ 9,744		$ 13,973		$ 14,171
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	9,706		9,254		8,153
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	38,946	[1]	25,813	[1]	17,926	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	(48,116)	[2]	(39,296)	[2]	(26,277)	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	10,280		9,744		13,973
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Noncurrent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	1,665		3,111		3,135
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	1	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	(350)	[2]	(1,446)	[2]	(24)	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	1,316		1,665		3,111
Asset Allowance for Cancellation, Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	77,992		77,792		71,202
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	4,549		2,852		3,204
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(295)	[1]	(2,652)	[1]	3,386	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	82,246		77,992		77,792
Revenue Allowance for Cancellation, Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(136,004)		(134,760)		(130,897)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	4,684	[1]	(1,244)	[1]	(3,863)	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	(131,320)		(136,004)		(134,760)
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	63,681		63,614		68,192
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	3,713		67		76
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	338	[1]	0	[1]	(4,654)	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	$ 67,732		$ 63,681		$ 63,614

[1] Primarily relates to acquisitions and dispositions of operations.

[2] Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.