Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 299,907	$ 282,129	$ 583,231	$ 544,116
Total services revenues	289,616	280,944	624,491	590,395
Other revenues	35,982	34,299	70,135	65,367
Total revenues	625,505	597,372	1,277,857	1,199,878
Total cost of merchandise	128,781	122,144	262,820	249,955
Total cost of services	167,930	156,890	328,612	309,971
Overhead and other expenses	202,973	190,149	401,004	384,196
Total costs and expenses	499,684	469,183	992,436	944,122
Options exercised by attestation	143,000	0	143,000	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	(143,000)	0	(143,000)	0
Funeral [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	149,920	138,130	303,752	278,283
Total services revenues	236,381	232,114	516,706	491,893
Total revenues	415,819	396,421	877,838	820,702
Total cost of merchandise	64,239	61,249	141,749	133,374
Total cost of services	141,735	132,153	276,061	259,413
Cemetery [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	149,987	143,999	279,479	265,833
Total services revenues	53,235	48,830	107,785	98,502
Total revenues	209,686	200,951	400,019	379,176
Total cost of merchandise	64,542	60,895	121,071	116,581
Total cost of services	$ 26,195	$ 24,737	$ 52,551	$ 50,558