Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 283,324	$ 261,987
Total services revenues	334,875	309,451
Other revenues	34,153	31,068
Total revenues	652,352	602,506
Total cost of merchandise	134,039	127,811
Total cost of services	160,682	153,081
Overhead and other expenses	198,031	194,047
Total costs and expenses	492,752	474,939
Funeral [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	153,832	140,153
Total services revenues	280,325	259,779
Total cost of merchandise	77,510	72,125
Total cost of services	134,326	127,260
Cemetery [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	129,492	121,834
Total services revenues	54,550	49,672
Total cost of merchandise	56,529	55,686
Total cost of services	$ 26,356	$ 25,821