Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 106,205	$ 111,717	$ 111,717	$ 111,717	$ 0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax			(6,804)		0
Reclassification of currency translation adjustment to Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net			1,292		0
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			69,478	0	69,478
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			(69,478)	0	(69,478)
Balance at end of period	$ 106,205	$ 111,717	$ 106,205	$ 106,205	$ 0