Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 25,731		$ 15,684		$ 17,879		$ 15,986
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,761	[1]	(277)	[1]	12,611	[1]	(1,584)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(6)	[2]	(6)	[2]	(11)	[2]	(16)	[2]
Sales					0		(9)
Contributions	1,565		1,281		2,202		2,559
Distributions and other	(2,718)		(323)		(6,348)		(577)
Fair market value, ending balance	26,333		16,359		26,333		16,359
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,252		919		744		912
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	361	[1]	(7)	[1]	870	[1]	0	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(1)	[2]	0	[2]	(2)	[2]	0	[2]
Sales					0		0
Contributions	0		0		0		0
Distributions and other	(155)		(3)		(155)		(3)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 1,457		$ 909		$ 1,457		$ 909

[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.