Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 1,508,287	$ 1,454,278
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(146,794)	(146,794)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,361,493	1,307,484
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	20,289	61,396
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(2,251)	(4,930)
Effect of foreign currency and other	2,879	(2,457)
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	20,917	54,009
Goodwill, ending balance	1,529,204	1,508,287	1,454,278
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(146,794)	(146,794)	(146,794)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,382,410	1,361,493	1,307,484
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	320,725	311,046
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names	134,823	121,838		33,200
Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	10,140	10,140
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	144,963	131,978
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	257,703	253,251
Amortization of intangible assets	23,853	25,591	25,197
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	13,759
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	12,194
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	9,527
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	8,708
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	6,157
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	207,985	189,773
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	112,740	121,273
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	208,594	200,973
Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	102,481	100,423
Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	3,600	3,600
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	6,050	6,050
Funeral [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,298,350	1,244,206
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,298,350	1,244,206
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	20,289	60,933
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(2,210)	(4,332)
Effect of foreign currency and other	2,879	(2,457)
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	20,958	54,144
Goodwill, ending balance	1,319,308	1,298,350	1,244,206
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0	0	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,319,308	1,298,350	1,244,206
Amortization of intangible assets	18,803	18,582	17,464
Cemetery [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	209,937	210,072
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(146,794)	(146,794)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	63,143	63,278
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	0	463
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(41)	(598)
Effect of foreign currency and other	0	0
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	(41)	(135)
Goodwill, ending balance	209,896	209,937	210,072
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(146,794)	(146,794)	(146,794)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	63,102	63,143	63,278
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 5,021	$ 5,540	$ 6,095
Minimum [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years