Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 52,192	$ 20,396	$ 83,921	$ 87,841
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(11,770)	(10,410)	(15,983)	(36,143)
Cemetery [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	28,344	25,512	53,612	50,707
Withdrawals	33,458	22,630	63,339	47,363
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	190,675	58,981	296,397	329,064
Sales of available-for-sale securities	208,589	61,270	334,332	316,687
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	29,743	8,610	46,319	47,882
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (6,885)	$ (4,296)	$ (9,055)	$ (18,066)