Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 105,852
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	5,892	(6,925)	15,635
Balance at end of period	111,717	105,852
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	105,852	112,768	97,142
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	5,865	(6,916)	15,626
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	95,686	(80,789)	147,688
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	(95,686)	80,789	(147,688)
Balance at end of period	111,717	105,852	112,768
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	105,852	112,768	97,142
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	5,865	(6,916)	15,626
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	0	0	0
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	111,717	105,852	112,768
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent		0	0
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	95,686	(80,789)	147,688
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	(95,686)	80,789	(147,688)
Balance at end of period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0