Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [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	$ 17,687		$ 15,219
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	11,400	[1]	(1,353)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(7)	[2]	(11)	[2]
Contributions	662		1,356
Distributions and other	(3,785)		(276)
Fair market value, ending balance	25,957		14,935
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	450		436
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	587	[1]	8	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(2)	[2]	(1)	[2]
Contributions	0		0
Distributions and other	0		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 1,035		$ 443

[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