Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Receivables Net and Trust Invesments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,532,228		$ 1,478,865
Funeral [Member]
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	1,478,865		1,424,557		1,356,353
Net preneed contract sales	127,588		111,447		126,121
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(125,625)		(106,489)		(99,142)
Deposits to trust	81,601		72,750		80,027
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	6,021		143,252		29,607
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	84,611	[1]	(11,348)	[1]	82,097	[1]
Maturities and distributed earnings	(126,130)		(148,820)		(140,593)
Change in cancellation allowance	1,758		(30)		(1,140)
Effect of foreign currency and other	3,539		(6,454)		(8,773)
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,532,228		$ 1,478,865		$ 1,424,557

[1] Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).