Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 17,879		$ 15,986
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	10,850	[1]	(1,307)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(5)	[2]	(10)	[2]
Sales	0		(9)
Contributions	637		1,278
Distributions and other	(3,630)		(254)
Fair market value, ending balance	25,731		15,684
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	744		912
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	509	[1]	7	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(1)	[2]	0	[2]
Sales	0		0
Contributions	0		0
Distributions and other	0		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 1,252		$ 919

[1] All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral 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, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, 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