Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 15,655		$ 6,251		$ 4,341
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	128	[1]	286	[1]	(4,304)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(66)	[2]	(101)	[2]	(529)	[2]
Sales	0		0		(48)
Contributions	4,932		10,795		7,508
Distributions and other	(2,512)		(1,576)		(717)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 18,137		$ 15,655		$ 6,251

[1] All unrealized gains (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 (expense), 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 (expense), 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.