Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetary Activities Receivables Net and Trust Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 1,826,835		$ 1,595,940
Cemetery [Member]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	1,595,940		1,563,893		1,382,717
Net preneed contract sales	501,654		468,850		423,985
Dispositions (acquisitions) of businesses, net	1,124		(5,500)		5,508
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	133,351	[1]	(24,407)	[1]	121,225	[1]
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(417,965)		(403,524)		(373,071)
Deposits to trust	98,130		98,121		96,864
Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings	(98,738)		(109,382)		(100,474)
Change in cancellation allowance	(3,481)		(759)		(3,764)
Effect of foreign currency and other	16,820		8,648		10,903
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 1,826,835		$ 1,595,940		$ 1,563,893

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