10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

R	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

or

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the transition period from  to

Commission file number 1-6402-1

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas		74-1488375
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I. R. S. employer identification number)
1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas		77019
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)
	713-522-5141
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
	None
(Former name, former address, or former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o
		(Do not check if smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of October 22, 2013 was 211,960,401 (net of treasury shares).

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

INDEX

	Page
Glossary	3
Part I. Financial Information	4
Item 1. Financial Statements	4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations — Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income — Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	5
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet — September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012	6
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	7
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	8
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	9
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	38
The Company	38
Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources	39
Results of Operations - Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	45
Critical Accounting Policies	53
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements	54
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	55
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	55
Part II. Other Information	55
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	55
Item 1A. Risk Factors	55
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	57
Item 6. Exhibits	57
Signature	58

2

GLOSSARY

The following terms are common to the deathcare industry, are used throughout this report, and have the following meanings:

Atneed — Funeral and cemetery arrangements sold after a death has occurred.

Burial Vaults — A reinforced container intended to inhibit the subsidence of the earth and house the casket after it is placed in the ground.

Cemetery Perpetual Care or Endowment Care Fund — A trust fund established for the purpose of maintaining cemetery grounds and property into perpetuity.

Cemetery Property — Developed lots, lawn crypts, and mausoleum spaces and undeveloped land we intend to develop.

Cemetery Property Revenue — Recognized sales of cemetery property when a minimum of 10% of the sales price has been collected and the property has been constructed or is available for interment.

Cemetery Merchandise and Services — Stone and bronze memorials, markers, merchandise installations, and burial openings and closings.

Cremation — The reduction of human remains to bone fragments by intense heat.

Funeral Merchandise and Services — Professional services relating to funerals and cremations and funeral-related merchandise, including caskets, casket memorialization products, burial vaults, cremation receptacles, cremation memorial products, and flowers.

Funeral Recognized Preneed Revenue — Funeral merchandise and products sold on a preneed contract and delivered before a death has occurred, including funeral merchandise and travel protection insurance, which primarily represents sales by the Neptune Society.

Funeral Services Performed— The number of funeral services provided after the date of death, sometimes referred to as funeral volume.

General Agency (GA) Revenues — Commissions we receive from third-party life insurance companies for life insurance policies or annuities sold to preneed customers for the purpose of funding preneed funeral arrangements. The commission rate paid is determined based on the product type sold, the length of payment terms, and the age of the insured/annuitant.

Interment — The burial or final placement of human remains in the ground, in mausoleums, or in cremation niches.

Lawn Crypt — An underground outer burial receptacle constructed of concrete and reinforced steel, which is usually pre-installed in predetermined designated areas.

Marker — A method of identifying a deceased person in a particular burial space, crypt, or niche. Permanent burial markers are usually made of bronze, granite, or stone.

Maturity — When the underlying contracted service is performed or merchandise is delivered, typically at death. This is the point at which preneed contracts are converted to atneed contracts (note — delivery of certain merchandise and services can occur prior to death).

Mausoleum — An above ground structure that is designed to house caskets and cremation urns.

Preneed — Purchase of products and services prior to a death occurring.

Preneed Backlog — Future revenues from unfulfilled preneed funeral and cemetery contractual arrangements.

Preneed Cemetery Production — Sales of preneed or atneed cemetery contracts. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

Preneed Funeral Production — Sales of preneed funeral trust-funded and insurance-funded contracts. Preneed funeral trust-funded contracts are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered. We do not reflect the unfulfilled insurance-funded preneed funeral contract amounts in our consolidated balance sheet. The proceeds of the life insurance policies or annuity contracts will be reflected in funeral revenues as these funerals are performed by the Company.

Sales Average — Average revenue per funeral service performed, excluding the impact of funeral recognized preneed revenue, GA revenue, and certain other revenues.

Trust Fund Income — Recognized earnings from our merchandise and service and perpetual care trust investments.

As used herein, “SCI”, “Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to Service Corporation International and companies owned directly or indirectly by Service Corporation International, unless the context requires otherwise.

3

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	609,951		$	581,182		$	1,887,808		$	1,781,060
Costs and expenses	(493,872		)	(459,911		)	(1,486,308		)	(1,404,033		)
Gross profits	116,079			121,271			401,500			377,027
General and administrative expenses	(33,764		)	(26,410		)	(95,792		)	(81,927		)
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	981			315			(5,533		)	883
Operating income	83,296			95,176			300,175			295,983
Interest expense	(38,080		)	(33,568		)	(103,589		)	(101,050		)
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	—			—			468			—
Other income (expense), net	666			2,317			(1,017		)	4,001
Income before income taxes	45,882			63,925			196,037			198,934
Provision for income taxes	(18,488		)	(22,128		)	(75,485		)	(71,183		)
Net income	27,394			41,797			120,552			127,751
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(615		)	(735		)	(2,537		)	(1,588		)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	26,779		$	41,062		$	118,015		$	126,163
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	0.13		$	0.19		$	0.56		$	0.58
Basic weighted average number of shares	211,954			214,914			211,721			216,974
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	0.12		$	0.19		$	0.55		$	0.57
Diluted weighted average number of shares	216,370			218,460			215,877			220,306
Dividends declared per share	$	0.07		$	0.06		$	0.20		$	0.17

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

4

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Net income	$	27,394		$	41,797		$	120,552		$	127,751
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	7,497			13,513			(9,773		)	10,991
Total comprehensive income	34,891			55,310			110,779			138,742
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(620		)	(745		)	(2,532		)	(1,600		)
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$	34,271		$	54,565		$	108,247		$	137,142

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

5

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(UNAUDITED)

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands, except share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	182,592		$	92,708
Receivables, net	78,990			101,817
Deferred tax assets	42,813			42,864
Inventories, net	24,612			24,560
Other	28,963			20,546
Total current assets	357,970			282,495
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,577,398			1,535,932
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	2,003,478			1,826,835
Cemetery property, at cost	1,486,095			1,489,948
Property and equipment, net	1,623,187			1,641,101
Goodwill, net	1,377,946			1,382,410
Restricted Cash	419,548			4,457
Deferred charges and other assets	423,014			420,810
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,120,726			1,099,580
Total assets	$	10,389,362		$	9,683,568
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	392,011		$	373,783
Current maturities of long-term debt	36,647			31,429
Income taxes	3,103			6,892
Total current liabilities	431,761			412,104
Long-term debt	2,257,103			1,916,621
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	523,091			536,647
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	895,893			861,148
Deferred tax liability	530,670			471,198
Other liabilities	397,113			399,950
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	2,793,456			2,624,321
Care trusts’ corpus	1,119,501			1,098,752
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Equity:
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 212,082,348 and 211,056,501 shares issued, respectively, and 211,960,401 and 211,046,501 shares outstanding, respectively	211,960			211,047
Capital in excess of par value	1,282,667			1,307,058
Accumulated deficit	(169,797		)	(286,795		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	101,949			111,717
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,426,779			1,343,027
Noncontrolling interests	13,995			19,800
Total equity	1,440,774			1,362,827
Total liabilities and equity	$	10,389,362		$	9,683,568

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

6

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	120,552		$	127,751
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	(468		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	91,945			89,349
Amortization of intangible assets	16,619			17,950
Amortization of cemetery property	32,036			31,528
Amortization of loan costs	3,997			3,635
Provision for doubtful accounts	5,238			6,801
Provision for deferred income taxes	55,784			57,428
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	5,533			(883		)
Share-based compensation	8,887			8,217
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	(6,083		)	—
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Decrease in receivables	14,487			1,066
Increase in other assets	(14,636		)	(6,331		)
Increase in payables and other liabilities	24,767			6,623
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
Decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	33,066			34,134
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue	(10,202		)	(30,325		)
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(34,026		)	(18,185		)
Effect of cemetery production and deliveries:
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	(49,500		)	(72,012		)
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue	36,183			27,502
Decrease in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(8,051		)	(480		)
Other	306			(3,481		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	326,434			280,287
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(79,586		)	(80,973		)
Acquisitions	(8,543		)	(19,281		)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment, net	10,013			8,933
Net withdrawals (deposits) of resticted funds	341			(3,816		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(77,775		)	(95,137		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	—			17,907
Payments of debt	(91,794		)	(988		)
Principal payments on capital leases	(19,585		)	(19,303		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	4,954			17,347
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	6,083			—
Purchase of Company common stock	(1,708		)	(144,607		)
Payments of dividends	(42,371		)	(34,844		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(8,333		)	—
Bank overdrafts and other	(5,479		)	868
Net cash used in financing activities	(158,233		)	(163,620		)
Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents	(542		)	1,448
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	89,884			22,978
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	92,708			128,569
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	182,592		$	151,547

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

7

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands)

	Common Stock			Treasury Stock			Capital in Excess of Par Value			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	224,666		$	(1,710	)	$	1,430,330		$	(367,044	)	$	105,852		$	20,101		$	1,412,195
Comprehensive income	—			—			—			126,163			10,979			1,600			138,742
Dividends declared on common stock ($.17 per share)	—			—			(36,582		)	—			—			—			(36,582		)
Employee share-based compensation earned	—			—			8,217			—			—			—			8,217
Stock option exercises	2,853			—			14,494			—			—			—			17,347
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	483			—			(483		)	—			—			—			—
Purchase of Company common stock	—			(12,400		)	(79,828		)	(52,379		)	—			—			(144,607		)
Noncontrolling interest payment	—			—			—			—			—			(405		)	(405		)
Other	82			—			866			—			—			—			948
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	228,084		$	(14,110	)	$	1,337,014		$	(293,260	)	$	116,831		$	21,296		$	1,395,855
Balance at December 31, 2012	211,057			(10		)	1,307,058			(286,795		)	111,717			19,800			1,362,827
Comprehensive income	—			—			—			118,015			(9,768		)	2,532			110,779
Dividends declared on common stock ($.20 per share)	—			—			(42,371		)	—			—			—			(42,371		)
Employee share-based compensation earned	—			—			8,887			—			—			—			8,887
Stock option exercises	573			—			4,524			—			—			—			5,097
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	378			(3		)	(375		)	—			—			—			—
Purchase of Company common stock	—			(117		)	(717		)	(1,017		)	—			—			(1,851		)
Cancellation of Company Stock	(8		)	8			—			—			—			—			—
Tax Benefits Related to Share-Based Awards							6,083			—			—			—			6,083
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—			—			(1,696		)	—			—			(6,637		)	(8,333		)
Noncontrolling interest payment	—			—			—			—			—			(1,700		)	(1,700		)
Other	82			—			1,274			—			—			—			1,356
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	212,082		$	(122	)	$	1,282,667		$	(169,797	)	$	101,949		$	13,995		$	1,440,774

(See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements)

8

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

9

1. Nature of Operations

We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral service locations and cemeteries primarily operating in the United States and Canada. Our operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses.

Funeral service locations provide all professional services relating to funerals and cremations, including the use of funeral facilities and motor vehicles and preparation and embalming services. Funeral-related merchandise, including caskets, casket memorialization products, burial vaults, cremation receptacles, cremation memorial products, flowers, and other ancillary products and services, is sold at funeral service locations. Cemeteries provide cemetery property interment rights, including developed lots, lawn crypts, and mausoleum spaces and sell cemetery-related merchandise and services, including stone and bronze memorials, markers, merchandise installations, and burial openings and closings. We also sell preneed funeral and cemetery merchandise and services whereby a customer contractually agrees to the terms of certain products and services to be provided in the future.

On May 29, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Stewart) for $13.25 per share in cash. Stewart operates 217 funeral homes and 141 cemeteries as of July 31, 2013. The transaction provides us with an opportunity for growth consistent with our capital deployment strategy and will allow us the ability to serve a number of new, complementary areas, while enabling us to capitalize on what we believe will produce significant synergies and operating efficiencies. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.5 billion, which includes approximately $331.6 million of Stewart's debt. We expect to fund the transaction with cash on hand, the utilization of debt under our new credit agreement, the proceeds from the July 2013 issuance of our long-term senior notes as discussed in Note 9 and assuming $200.0 million of Stewart's debt. The acquisition is subject to, among other conditions, antitrust clearance. It is anticipated that the acquisition will be completed by the end of 2013 or in early 2014, however there can be no assurance that the acquisition will be completed by this time or at all.

10

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior amounts to conform to the current period financial statements presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables

We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are entered into prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables generally have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amounts, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.

If a preneed contract is canceled prior to delivery, state or provincial law governs the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.

11

3. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Income Taxes

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the Income Taxes Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to eliminate a diversity in practice for the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendment requires that the unrecognized tax benefit be presented as a reduction of the deferred tax assets associated with the carryforwards except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. This amendment is effective for us starting with our first quarter of 2014 and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial condition.

Foreign Currency

In March 2013, the FASB amended the Foreign Currency Matters Topic of the ASC to clarify the appropriate accounting when a parent ceases to have a controlling interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity. This clarification provides that the cumulative translation adjustment should only be released into net income if the loss of controlling interest represents complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or asset group had resided. This amendment is effective for us starting with our first quarter of 2014 and adoption would impact our consolidated financial condition and results of operations if we dispose of a foreign entity.

Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB amended the Comprehensive Income Topic of the ASC to require reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated comprehensive income by component. We are required to present significant amounts reclassified to net income in their entirety by income statement line item and to cross reference any disclosure elsewhere in the notes for amounts reclassified in less than their entirety. We adopted this amendment effective January 1, 2013 and the appropriate disclosures are contained in Note 12.

Intangible Testing

In July 2012, the FASB amended the Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Topic of the ASC that allows us to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the relevant information, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than the carrying amount, no additional analysis is necessary. If we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount, then we are required to proceed to the quantitative approach. The amended guidance is effective for us as of our annual test in the fourth quarter of 2013, and adoption is not expected to impact our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

12

4. Preneed Funeral Activities

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, related to unperformed, price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts. Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed funeral revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts after the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Deposits	$	20,187		$	19,982		$	63,802		$	64,081
Withdrawals	24,242			22,943			92,491			78,034
Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1)	125,113			53,034			302,939			324,304
Sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	91,064			51,672			337,714			323,471
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	12,953			7,681			41,654			43,446
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(2,212		)	(4,570		)	(8,378		)	(18,730		)

(1) Reflects the rebalancing of Neptune Society trust assets during the current quarter.

The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,005,320		$	977,973
Cash and cash equivalents	98,892			85,943
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	277,052			273,098
Trust investments	1,381,264			1,337,014
Receivables from customers	243,334			241,896
Unearned finance charge	(9,653		)	(8,645		)
	1,614,945			1,570,265
Allowance for cancellation	(37,547		)	(34,333		)
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$	1,577,398		$	1,535,932

The cost and fair values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the market value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair value of private equity investments (including debt as well as the estimated fair value related to the contract holder’s equity in majority-owned real estate investments).

13

	September 30, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	96,240	$	1,699	$	(4,499	)	$	93,440
Canadian government	2	105,784		48		(1,356		)	104,476
Corporate	2	50,520		2,864		(739		)	52,645
Residential mortgage-backed	2	2,362		20		(24		)	2,358
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	4,649		547		(50		)	5,146
Common stock:
United States	1	225,447		61,091		(3,989		)	282,549
Canada	1	23,793		2,912		(1,635		)	25,070
Other international	1	18,444		4,065		(509		)	22,000
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	175,783		17,256		(2,786		)	190,253
Fixed income	1	212,275		3,943		(17,339		)	198,879
Private equity	3	30,811		3,533		(7,359		)	26,985
Other	3	1,206		313		—			1,519
Trust investments		$	947,314	$	98,291	$	(40,285	)	$	1,005,320

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	105,594	$	5,072	$	(880	)	$	109,786
Canadian government	2	110,399		861		(113		)	111,147
Corporate	2	51,611		2,531		(623		)	53,519
Residential mortgage-backed	2	3,123		57		(8		)	3,172
Asset-backed	2	129		3		—			132
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	3,603		211		(103		)	3,711
Common stock:
United States	1	230,971		38,514		(6,903		)	262,582
Canada	1	23,284		2,598		(1,271		)	24,611
Other international	1	18,089		1,874		(658		)	19,305
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	145,589		10,097		(6,728		)	148,958
Fixed income	1	225,365		7,314		(10,252		)	222,427
Private equity	3	36,626		221		(18,968		)	17,879
Other	3	542		202		—			744
Trust investments		$	954,925	$	69,555	$	(46,507	)	$	977,973

14

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (FVM&D) Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of September 30, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $8.3 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	26,333		$	1,457		$	16,359		$	909
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,830			256			(758		)	10
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	—			—			(11		)	(1		)
Contributions	19			—			995			—
Distributions and other	(1,197		)	(194		)	(316		)	(4		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	26,985		$	1,519		$	16,269		$	914

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	17,879		$	744		$	15,986		$	912
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	14,441			1,126			(2,342		)	10
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(11		)	(2		)	(27		)	(1		)
Sales	—			—			(9		)	—
Contributions	2,221			—			3,554			—
Distributions and other	(7,545		)	(349		)	(893		)	(7		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	26,985		$	1,519		$	16,269		$	914

(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.

15

(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.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2053. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2013 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	132,664
Due in one to five years	44,840
Due in five to ten years	44,962
Thereafter	30,453
	$	252,919

Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were$11.4 million and $8.5 millionfor thethreemonths endedSeptember 30, 2013and2012, respectively.Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $35.7 million and $27.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. For both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.2 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.8 million and a $0.7 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the remaining securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, are shown in the following tables:

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	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	29,033	$	(3,230	)	$	17,445	$	(1,269	)	$	46,478	$	(4,499	)
Canadian government	23,989		(1,100		)	6,252		(256		)	30,241		(1,356		)
Corporate	18,650		(446		)	4,317		(293		)	22,967		(739		)
Residential mortgage-backed	1,322		(23		)	19		(1		)	1,341		(24		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,214		(50		)	—		—			1,214		(50		)
Common stock:
United States	46,129		(3,097		)	4,069		(892		)	50,198		(3,989		)
Canada	4,590		(696		)	2,686		(939		)	7,276		(1,635		)
Other international	4,820		(358		)	740		(151		)	5,560		(509		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	15,211		(122		)	13,344		(2,664		)	28,555		(2,786		)
Fixed income	65,418		(3,149		)	53,809		(14,190		)	119,227		(17,339		)
Private equity	—		—			13,687		(7,359		)	13,687		(7,359		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	210,376	$	(12,271	)	$	116,368	$	(28,014	)	$	326,744	$	(40,285	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	22,357	$	(803	)	$	6,741	$	(77	)	$	29,098	$	(880	)
Canadian government	7,912		(113		)	—		—			7,912		(113		)
Corporate	7,809		(347		)	4,283		(276		)	12,092		(623		)
Residential mortgage-backed	956		(8		)	—		—			956		(8		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,220		(93		)	52		(10		)	1,272		(103		)
Common stock:
United States	70,752		(4,694		)	9,089		(2,209		)	79,841		(6,903		)
Canada	6,592		(652		)	2,516		(619		)	9,108		(1,271		)
Other international	7,606		(521		)	608		(137		)	8,214		(658		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	6,779		(126		)	26,340		(6,602		)	33,119		(6,728		)
Fixed income	38,686		(1,021		)	24,131		(9,231		)	62,817		(10,252		)
Private equity	—		—			17,389		(18,968		)	17,389		(18,968		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	170,669	$	(8,378	)	$	91,149	$	(38,129	)	$	261,818	$	(46,507	)

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5. Preneed Cemetery Activities

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, for contracts sold in advance of when the property interment rights, merchandise, or services are needed. Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed cemetery revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts when the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Deposits	$	27,407		$	25,010		$	81,019		$	75,717
Withdrawals	26,542			28,260			89,881			75,623
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	98,803			114,549			395,200			443,613
Sales of available-for-sale securities	73,171			111,663			407,503			428,350
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	19,965			9,754			66,284			57,636
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(3,454		)	(6,962		)	(12,509		)	(25,028		)

The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,314,770		$	1,204,084
Cash and cash equivalents	99,682			86,923
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	4			9
Trust investments	1,414,456			1,291,016
Receivables from customers	673,342			614,599
Unearned finance charges	(30,430		)	(29,471		)
	2,057,368			1,876,144
Allowance for cancellation	(53,890		)	(49,309		)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$	2,003,478		$	1,826,835

The cost and fair values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the market value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair value of private equity investments.

18

	September 30, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	109,856	$	2,436	$	(6,712	)	$	105,580
Canadian government	2	17,720		122		(320		)	17,522
Corporate	2	47,354		4,182		(654		)	50,882
Residential mortgage-backed	2	145		2		(1		)	146
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	7,744		892		(68		)	8,568
Common stock:
United States	1	368,746		115,819		(4,591		)	479,974
Canada	1	14,556		3,169		(1,010		)	16,715
Other international	1	32,773		8,507		(678		)	40,602
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	279,475		42,647		(2,512		)	319,610
Fixed income	1	270,478		6,126		(30,178		)	246,426
Private equity	3	26,894		4,258		(3,737		)	27,415
Other	3	1,089		242		(1		)	1,330
Trust investments		$	1,176,830	$	188,402	$	(50,462	)	$	1,314,770

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	99,630	$	7,925	$	(841	)	$	106,714
Canadian government	2	17,562		402		(83		)	17,881
Corporate	2	43,515		2,456		(775		)	45,196
Residential mortgage-backed	2	150		4		—			154
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	5,840		334		(196		)	5,978
Common stock:
United States	1	363,190		71,613		(7,716		)	427,087
Canada	1	16,026		2,862		(846		)	18,042
Other international	1	29,889		3,687		(857		)	32,719
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	279,265		19,520		(9,921		)	288,864
Fixed income	1	251,687		10,975		(19,350		)	243,312
Private equity	3	32,785		77		(15,175		)	17,687
Other	3	407		44		(1		)	450
Trust investments		$	1,139,946	$	119,899	$	(55,761	)	$	1,204,084

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination

19

of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of September 30, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $8.6 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	26,627		$	1,258		$	15,796		$	433
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,015			277			(458		)	16
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	—			—			(12		)	(1		)
Contributions	21			—			1,044			—
Distributions and other	(1,248		)	(205		)	(362		)	(7		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	27,415		$	1,330		$	16,008		$	441

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	17,687		$	450		$	15,219		$	436
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	15,245			1,253			(1,937		)	18
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(13		)	(3		)	(30		)	(2		)
Contributions	2,356			—			3,760			—
Distributions and other	(7,860		)	(370		)	(1,004		)	(11		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	27,415		$	1,330		$	16,008		$	441

(1) All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery 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 cemetery 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.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2013 are estimated as follows:

20

	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	23,074
Due in one to five years	59,767
Due in five to ten years	43,707
Thereafter	47,582
	$	174,130

Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $9.2 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $28.1 million and $20.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. For both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.2 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $1.5 million and a $0.8 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the remaining securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 are shown in the following tables:

21

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	50,411	$	(5,255	)	$	16,678	$	(1,457	)	$	67,089	$	(6,712	)
Canadian government	9,713		(195		)	3,204		(125		)	12,917		(320		)
Corporate	15,191		(438		)	3,301		(216		)	18,492		(654		)
Residential mortgage-backed	71		(1		)	—		—			71		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,197		(68		)	—		—			2,197		(68		)
Common stock:
United States	64,772		(3,944		)	3,618		(647		)	68,390		(4,591		)
Canada	1,922		(434		)	1,881		(576		)	3,803		(1,010		)
Other international	8,001		(483		)	856		(195		)	8,857		(678		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	20,440		(406		)	14,252		(2,106		)	34,692		(2,512		)
Fixed income	110,221		(6,748		)	38,656		(23,430		)	148,877		(30,178		)
Private equity	—		—			6,863		(3,737		)	6,863		(3,737		)
Other	—		—			316		(1		)	316		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	282,939	$	(17,972	)	$	89,625	$	(32,490	)	$	372,564	$	(50,462	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	28,626	$	(841	)	$	—	$	—		$	28,626	$	(841	)
Canadian government	5,319		(83		)	—		—			5,319		(83		)
Corporate	14,060		(571		)	2,137		(204		)	16,197		(775		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,497		(143		)	126		(53		)	1,623		(196		)
Common stock:
United States	82,989		(5,624		)	11,131		(2,092		)	94,120		(7,716		)
Canada	3,114		(461		)	1,115		(385		)	4,229		(846		)
Other international	9,056		(655		)	741		(202		)	9,797		(857		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	28,132		(1,427		)	43,172		(8,494		)	71,304		(9,921		)
Fixed income	54,533		(2,205		)	29,104		(17,145		)	83,637		(19,350		)
Private equity	46		(17		)	17,136		(15,158		)	17,182		(15,175		)
Other	8		—			378		(1		)	386		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	227,380	$	(12,027	)	$	105,040	$	(43,734	)	$	332,420	$	(55,761	)

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6. Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts

We are required by state and provincial law to pay into cemetery perpetual care trusts a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights. Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. We consolidate our cemetery perpetual care trust investments with a corresponding amount recorded as Care trusts’ corpus. Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care trusts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Deposits	$	6,139		$	6,501		$	19,789		$	18,866
Withdrawals	9,388			9,239			26,009			23,422
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	23,050			24,467			113,497			126,478
Sales of available-for-sale securities	25,805			27,733			82,556			101,110
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,871			3,328			13,772			7,522
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(966		)	(1,518		)	(1,728		)	(5,435		)

The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,080,618	$	1,045,568
Cash and cash equivalents	40,108		54,012
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,120,726	$	1,099,580

The cost and fair values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair value of private equity investments.

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	September 30, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	731	$	16	$	(5	)	$	742
Canadian government	2	30,329		217		(561		)	29,985
Corporate	2	23,038		250		(222		)	23,066
Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,322		16		(11		)	1,327
Asset-backed	2	160		2		(2		)	160
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	3,359		174		(40		)	3,493
Common stock:
United States	1	179,225		37,782		(3,398		)	213,609
Canada	1	8,409		1,722		(726		)	9,405
Other international	1	6,885		704		(363		)	7,226
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	15,071		4,435		(59		)	19,447
Fixed income	1	708,858		35,127		(2,829		)	741,156
Private equity	3	28,215		475		(8,853		)	19,837
Other	3	10,011		1,154		—			11,165
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	1,015,613	$	82,074	$	(17,069	)	$	1,080,618

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	820	$	45	$	(1	)	$	864
Canadian government	2	30,159		709		(140		)	30,728
Corporate	2	22,877		537		(51		)	23,363
Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,498		41		(2		)	1,537
Asset-backed	2	161		10		—			171
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	5,637		61		(938		)	4,760
Common stock:
United States	1	163,173		19,609		(3,389		)	179,393
Canada	1	8,954		1,568		(731		)	9,791
Other international	1	14,693		1,392		(447		)	15,638
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	16,999		2,102		(211		)	18,890
Fixed income	1	680,921		61,172		(441		)	741,652
Private equity	3	24,727		338		(13,943		)	11,122
Other	3	9,653		1,110		(3,104		)	7,659
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	980,272	$	88,694	$	(23,398	)	$	1,045,568

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

24

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of September 30, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $1.4 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	18,649		$	10,815		$	11,609		$	7,314
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,315			492			552			276
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(5		)	(3		)	(33		)	(8		)
Contributions	—			—			465			—
Distributions and other	(122		)	(139		)	(1,708		)	(129		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	19,837		$	11,165		$	10,885		$	7,453

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	11,122		$	7,659		$	10,849		$	6,890
Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	7,404			3,926			670			813
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(100		)	(56		)	(103		)	(26		)
Sales	—			—			(26		)	—
Contributions	2,317			—			3,244			—
Distributions and other	(906		)	(364		)	(3,749		)	(224		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	19,837		$	11,165		$	10,885		$	7,453

(1) All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

(2) All (losses) gains recognized in Other income, net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

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Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2013 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	7,764
Due in one to five years	27,927
Due in five to ten years	18,576
Thereafter	1,013
	$	55,280

Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. Recognized trust fund income related to these trust investments were $9.5 million and $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Recognized trust fund income related to these trust investments were $31.2 million and $29.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we did not record an impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.2 million and a $0.3 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the remaining securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings, and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

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	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	356	$	(5	)	$	18	$	—		$	374	$	(5	)
Canadian government	16,705		(346		)	5,421		(215		)	22,126		(561		)
Corporate	11,231		(108		)	3,486		(114		)	14,717		(222		)
Residential mortgage-backed	560		(11		)	2		—			562		(11		)
Asset-backed	66		(1		)	15		(1		)	81		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,083		(20		)	160		(20		)	1,243		(40		)
Common stock:
United States	30,801		(2,644		)	2,426		(754		)	33,227		(3,398		)
Canada	822		(96		)	1,817		(630		)	2,639		(726		)
Other international	2,977		(195		)	723		(168		)	3,700		(363		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	221		(14		)	207		(45		)	428		(59		)
Fixed income	134,626		(1,960		)	28,430		(869		)	163,056		(2,829		)
Private equity	—		—			19,333		(8,853		)	19,333		(8,853		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	199,448	$	(5,400	)	$	62,038	$	(11,669	)	$	261,486	$	(17,069	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	373	$	(1	)	$	—	$	—		$	373	$	(1	)
Canadian government	9,145		(140		)	—		—			9,145		(140		)
Corporate	5,439		(33		)	1,886		(18		)	7,325		(51		)
Residential mortgage-backed	183		(2		)	—		—			183		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,115		(639		)	973		(299		)	4,088		(938		)
Common stock:
United States	38,323		(2,403		)	7,495		(986		)	45,818		(3,389		)
Canada	1,246		(281		)	1,055		(450		)	2,301		(731		)
Other international	4,712		(389		)	696		(58		)	5,408		(447		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,654		(127		)	404		(84		)	3,058		(211		)
Fixed income	10,552		(37		)	31,837		(404		)	42,389		(441		)
Private equity	—		—			10,752		(13,943		)	10,752		(13,943		)
Other	—		—			6,308		(3,104		)	6,308		(3,104		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	75,742	$	(4,052	)	$	61,406	$	(19,346	)	$	137,148	$	(23,398	)

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7. Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts’ Corpus

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust

We consolidate the merchandise and service trusts associated with our preneed funeral and cemetery activities in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. Although the guidance requires the consolidation of the merchandise and service trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, us, or our customers. The customers are the legal beneficiaries of these merchandise and service trusts, and therefore their interests in these trusts represent a liability to us.

The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2013									December 31, 2012
	Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total			Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total
	(In thousands)									(In thousands)
Trust investments	$	1,381,264		$	1,414,456		$	2,795,720		$	1,337,014		$	1,291,016		$	2,628,030
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(911		)	(1,353		)	(2,264		)	(1,827		)	(1,882		)	(3,709		)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,380,353		$	1,413,103		$	2,793,456		$	1,335,187		$	1,289,134		$	2,624,321

Care Trusts’ Corpus

The Care trusts’ corpus reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet represents the cemetery perpetual care trusts, including the related accrued expenses.

The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,120,726		$	1,099,580
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,225		)	(828		)
Care trusts’ corpus	$	1,119,501		$	1,098,752

Other Income, Net

The components of Other income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	12,953		$	19,965		$	4,871		$	—	$	37,789
Realized losses	(2,212		)	(3,454		)	(966		)	—		(6,632		)
Impairment charges	(157		)	(218		)	—			—		(375		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	2,470			3,171			5,372			—		11,013
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,705		)	(3,512		)	(273		)	—		(6,490		)
Net trust investment income	10,349			15,952			9,004			—		35,305
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(10,349		)	(15,952		)	(9,004		)	—		(35,305		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			666		666
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	666	$	666

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	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net			Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	41,654		$	66,284		$	13,772		$	—		$	121,710
Realized losses	(8,378		)	(12,509		)	(1,728		)	—			(22,615		)
Impairment charges	(803		)	(1,515		)	(189		)	—			(2,507		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	18,493			13,615			19,245			—			51,353
Trust expenses and income taxes	(7,743		)	(10,268		)	(1,857		)	—			(19,868		)
Net trust investment income	43,223			55,607			29,243			—			128,073
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(43,223		)	(55,607		)	(29,243		)	—			(128,073		)
Other expense, net	—			—			—			(1,017		)	(1,017		)
Total other expense, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,017	)	$	(1,017	)

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	7,681		$	9,754		$	3,328		$	—	$	20,763
Realized losses	(4,570		)	(6,962		)	(1,518		)	—		(13,050		)
Impairment charges	(151		)	(189		)	(4		)	—		(344		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	2,083			2,247			8,113			—		12,443
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,288		)	(3,116		)	(727		)	—		(6,131		)
Net trust investment income	2,755			1,734			9,192			—		13,681
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(2,755		)	(1,734		)	(9,192		)	—		(13,681		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			2,317		2,317
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,317	$	2,317

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	43,446		$	57,636		$	7,522		$	—	$	108,604
Realized losses	(18,730		)	(25,028		)	(5,435		)	—		(49,193		)
Impairment charges	(725		)	(781		)	(258		)	—		(1,764		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	10,834			8,308			22,170			—		41,312
Trust expenses and income taxes	(7,236		)	(9,367		)	(635		)	—		(17,238		)
Net trust investment income	27,589			30,768			23,364			—		81,721
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(27,589		)	(30,768		)	(23,364		)	—		(81,721		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			4,001		4,001
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	4,001	$	4,001

8. Income Taxes

Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. Our effective tax rate was 40.3% and 34.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2013

29

and 2012, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 38.5% and 35.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was primarily due to the benefits associated with the settlement of a tax audit discussed below. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2013 is above the 35% federal statutory tax rate due to state tax expense which is partially offset by foreign earnings taxed at lower rates.

Internal Revenue Service Settlement

Our affiliate, SCI Funeral and Cemetery Purchasing Cooperative ("COOP"), is a corporation taxed under subchapter T of the United States Internal Revenue Code, the operation of which has resulted in the deferral of tax payments. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in connection with its audits of the COOP's 2003 - 2005 federal income tax returns, proposed adjustments that would accelerate amounts that the Company had previously deferred and would result in the payment of interest on those deferred tax payments. We reached a partial settlement with the IRS in the first quarter of 2012 and as a result the Company made a payment of $6.6 million which reduced our tax expense by $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 for adjustments to our "unrecognized tax benefits" – that is, the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the benefits recognized in our financial statements, and other tax matters.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As of September 30, 2013, the gross amount of our unrecognized tax benefits was $132.5 million and the gross amount of our accrued interest was $43.8 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our unrecognized tax benefit decreased by $11.5 million which did not significantly impact the unaudited condensed statement of operations since the majority of unrecognized tax benefits relate to temporary items. This is primarily due to the expiration of statute of limitations and a decrease in liability related to U.S. tax positions taken in prior years. Additional interest expense of $2.2 million was accrued during the quarter.

A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, are audited and finally settled. While we have effectively concluded our 2003 - 2005 tax years with respect to our affiliate the COOP, SCI and Subsidiaries' tax years 1999 - 2005 remain under review at the IRS Appeals level. SCI and Subsidiaries received a letter of no change to its tax liability for the years 2008 - 2010. Furthermore, SCI and its affiliates are under audit by various state and foreign jurisdictions for years through 2010. The outcome of each of these audits cannot be predicted at this time. It is reasonably possible that the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease over the next twelve months either because we prevail on positions or because the tax authorities prevail. Due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of completion of audits and possible outcomes, a current estimate of the range of increases or decreases that may occur within the next twelve months cannot be made.

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9. Debt

Debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—		$	4,757
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	136,465			136,465
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377			197,377
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			250,000
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	250,000			250,000
4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	200,000			200,000
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000			150,000
5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	425,000			—
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
Bank credit facility	—			86,600
Obligations under capital leases	189,011			176,445
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,711			5,698
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	(3,814		)	(4,292		)
Total debt	2,293,750			1,948,050
Less current maturities	(36,647		)	(31,429		)
Total long-term debt	$	2,257,103		$	1,916,621

Current maturities of debt at September 30, 2013 were primarily comprised of our capital leases. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 5.72% and 6.28% at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Approximately 92% and 87% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Stewart Acquisition Financing

In conjunction with our entry into a definitive agreement to acquire Stewart (See Note 1) on May 28, 2013, the Company also entered into an agreement with a leading bank to provide $1.825 billion of committed financing. This committed financing consisted of a $500 million replacement revolving facility (to be provided in the event amendments to SCI's existing bank credit facility could not be obtained), a $600 million term loan, and a $725 million senior unsecured bridge facility.

In July 2013, we entered into a new credit agreement with a syndicate of banks. The new $1.1 billion credit agreement replaces the existing $500 million bank credit facility providing for a new $500 million bank credit facility and a $600 million term loan, both maturing in July 2018. A significant amount of the term loan will be drawn upon the closing of and used to fund the Stewart Acquisition and includes quarterly amortization requirements. After the acquisition, the credit agreement requires us to use the first $200 million of divestiture proceeds to prepay our term loan while our leverage ratio exceeds 3.75X (net debt to EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement). The new $500 million bank credit facility will be used partially to fund the Stewart acquisition, but will primarily exist to provide the Company with flexibility for general corporate purposes.

In June 2013, Stewart launched a consent solicitation from the holders of Stewart's $200 million 6.5% senior notes due April 2019, which notes are expected to remain outstanding after our acquisition of Stewart. The consent solicitation requested, among other things, the waiver of the holders' change of control rights as they relate to the Stewart acquisition. Consenting holders received a 0.25% fee based on the aggregate principal amount of notes for which consents were delivered (half of which was immediately payable and half of which will be paid upon the closing of the Stewart acquisition), and upon the closing of the Stewart Acquisition, SCI will provide a guarantee of the notes. This consent solicitation was successful and the applicable waivers will only be effective upon closing of the Stewart acquisition.

Finally, in July 2013, the Company issued $425 million in 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022, in a private placement offering made in accordance with rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. Pending the closing of the Stewart acquisition, the net proceeds are being held in an escrow account and reported as restricted cash. The issuance of these notes was a non-cash financing activity as the funds were deposited directly to the escrow account. In the event the Stewart acquisition does not close, SCI is required to redeem the notes at par value to the bond holders. The notes are subject to the provisions of the Company's Senior Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993, as amended, which includes certain covenants limiting, among other things, the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale-leaseback transactions.

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With the aforementioned $1.1 billion credit agreement and the newly issued $425 million Senior Notes, we believe we have completed the necessary financing to fund the Stewart acquisition when the transaction closes.

Bank Credit Agreement

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had a $500 million bank credit facility due July 2018 with a syndicate of banks.

In conjunction with entering into the new bank credit facility, all outstanding cash advances of $86.6 million were repaid. Our new bank credit facility includes a $175 million sublimit for letters of credit and provides us with flexibility for working capital, if needed, and is guaranteed by a majority of our domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guaranty is a guaranty of payment of the outstanding amount of the total lending commitment, including letters of credit. The bank credit facility contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. We have no outstanding cash advances under our bank credit facility but currently do use it to support $31.8 million of letters of credit. We pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.25% for the third quarter. As of September 30, 2013, we have $468.2 million in borrowing capacity under the bank credit facility.

Debt Extinguishments and Reductions

During the first nine months of 2013, we paid an aggregate of $19.7 million to retire $19.6 million in capital lease obligations and $0.1 million to retire other debt. Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a gain of $0.5 million recorded in Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

During the first nine months of 2012, we paid an aggregate of $19.3 million to retire capital lease obligations with no associated gain or loss recognized on early extinguishment of this debt.

Capital Leases

During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, we acquired $34.0 million and $51.0 million, respectively, of capital leases, primarily related to transportation equipment.

10. Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Estimates

The fair value estimates of the following financial instruments have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms.

The fair value of our debt instruments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—	$	4,786
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	145,676		150,112
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	216,621		222,049
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	327,450		341,094
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	284,560		298,750
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	266,875		276,250
4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	190,500		204,500
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	170,250		186,000
5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	407,469		—
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	207,500		215,500
Bank credit facility	—		86,600
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,711		5,698
Total fair value of debt instruments	$	2,221,612	$	1,991,339

The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 1 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC. The bank credit

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agreement and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements. A significant increase (decrease) in the inputs results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments.

11. Share-Based Compensation

Stock Benefit Plans

We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. This model uses a range of assumptions related to volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the expected life, and the dividend yield. The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

	Nine Months Ended
Assumptions	September 30, 2013
Dividend yield	1.9	%
Expected volatility	35.2	%
Risk-free interest rate	0.7	%
Expected holding period (in years)	4.0

Stock Options

The following table sets forth stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

	Options		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	12,401,970		$	8.84
Granted	2,041,330		$	15.26
Exercised	(573,335	)	$	8.89
Canceled	(36,397	)	$	10.31
Outstanding at September 30, 2013	13,833,568		$	9.78
Exercisable at September 30, 2013	9,719,085		$	8.50

As of September 30, 2013, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options of $9.7 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

Restricted Shares

Restricted share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was as follows:

	Restricted shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2012	1,104,579		$	9.78
Granted	378,280		$	15.26
Vested	(296,886	)	$	8.63
Canceled	(2,744	)	$	10.32
Nonvested restricted shares at September 30, 2013	1,183,229		$	11.81

As of September 30, 2013, the unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted shares of $7.5 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

12. Equity

(All shares reported in whole numbers)

Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

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	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains and Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
				(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	111,717		$	—		$	111,717
Activity in 2013	(9,768		)	—			(9,768		)
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			67,271			67,271
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	—			(67,271		)	(67,271		)
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	101,949		$	—		$	101,949

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The U.S. dollar amount that arises from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

Cash Dividends

On August 14, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $.07 per common share. This dividend, totaling $14.8 million, was paid on September 30, 2013.

Share Repurchase Program

Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our stock repurchase program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were no share repurchases under our share repurchase program. The remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $190.1 million at September 30, 2013.

Noncontrolling Interests

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we acquired an additional 10% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society, Inc. for $8.3 million, increasing our ownership from 70% to 80%.

13. Segment Reporting

Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations. Our geographic areas include United States, Canada, and Germany. We conduct both funeral and cemetery operations in the United States and Canada and funeral operations in Germany.

Our reportable segment information is as follows:

	Funeral		Cemetery		Reportable Segments
	(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	399,581	$	210,370	$	609,951
2012	$	388,365	$	192,817	$	581,182
Gross profits:
2013	$	67,088	$	48,991	$	116,079
2012	$	75,992	$	45,279	$	121,271
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	1,277,419	$	610,389	$	1,887,808
2012	$	1,209,067	$	571,993	$	1,781,060
Gross profits:
2013	$	267,457	$	134,043	$	401,500
2012	$	257,703	$	119,324	$	377,027

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The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Gross profits from reportable segments	$	116,079		$	121,271		$	401,500		$	377,027
General and administrative expenses	(33,764		)	(26,410		)	(95,792		)	(81,927		)
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	981			315			(5,533		)	883
Operating income	83,296			95,176			300,175			295,983
Interest expense	(38,080		)	(33,568		)	(103,589		)	(101,050		)
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	—			—			468			—
Other income (expense), net	666			2,317			(1,017		)	4,001
Income before income taxes	$	45,882		$	63,925		$	196,037		$	198,934

Our geographic area information is as follows:

	United States		Canada		Germany		Total
			(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	552,128	$	56,462	$	1,361	$	609,951
2012	$	523,600	$	56,280	$	1,302	$	581,182
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	1,717,909	$	165,330	$	4,569	$	1,887,808
2012	$	1,615,128	$	161,411	$	4,521	$	1,781,060

14. Supplementary Information

Revenues and Costs and Expenses

The detail of certain income statement accounts as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is as follows:

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	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Property and merchandise revenues:
Funeral	$	138,015	$	133,756	$	441,767	$	412,039
Cemetery	153,770		137,787		433,249		403,620
Total property and merchandise revenues	291,785		271,543		875,016		815,659
Services revenues:
Funeral	231,511		228,392		748,217		720,285
Cemetery	49,921		48,854		157,706		147,356
Total services revenues	281,432		277,246		905,923		867,641
Other revenues	36,734		32,393		106,869		97,760
Total revenues	$	609,951	$	581,182	$	1,887,808	$	1,781,060
Property and merchandise costs and expenses:
Funeral	$	62,945	$	61,183	$	204,694	$	194,557
Cemetery	62,429		55,163		183,500		171,744
Total cost of property and merchandise	125,374		116,346		388,194		366,301
Services costs and expenses:
Funeral	138,420		131,076		414,481		390,489
Cemetery	24,318		23,984		76,869		74,542
Total cost of services	162,738		155,060		491,350		465,031
Overhead and other expense	205,760		188,505		606,764		572,701
Total costs and expenses	$	493,872	$	459,911	$	1,486,308	$	1,404,033

Non-Cash Investing Transactions

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,
	2013	2012	2013		2012
	(In thousands)		(In thousands)
Options exercised by attestation	—	—	143		—
Shares repurchased	—	—	(143	)	—

15. Commitments and Contingencies

Insurance Loss Reserves

We purchase comprehensive general liability, morticians’ and cemetery professional liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage structured with high deductibles. The high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we have self-insurance reserves of $60.7 millionand $57.5 million, respectively.

Litigation

We are a party to various litigation matters, investigations, and proceedings. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein; however, if we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters. We accrue such insurance recoveries when they become probable of being paid and can be reasonably estimated.

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Burial Practices Claims. We are named as a defendant in various lawsuits alleging improper burial practices at certain of our cemetery locations. These lawsuits include but are not limited to the Garcia,Sands, and Schwartz lawsuits described in the following paragraphs.

Reyvis Garcia and Alicia Garcia v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., Osiris Holding of Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation, d/b/a Graceland Memorial Park South, f/k/a Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc., was filed in December 2004, in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Case No. 04-25646 CA 32. Plaintiffs are the son and sister of the decedent, Eloisa Garcia, who was buried at Graceland Memorial Park South in March 1986, when the cemetery was owned by Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc. Initially, the suit sought damages on the individual claims of the plaintiffs relating to the burial of Eloisa Garcia. Plaintiffs claimed that due to poor recordkeeping, spacing issues and maps, and the fact that the family could not afford to purchase a marker for the grave, the burial location of the decedent could not be readily located. Subsequently, the decedent’s grave was located and verified. In July 2006, plaintiffs amended their complaint, seeking to certify a class of all persons buried at this cemetery whose burial sites cannot be located, claiming that this was due to poor recordkeeping, maps, and surveys at the cemetery. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a third amended class action complaint and added two additional named plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages, as well as equitable and injunctive relief. On May 4, 2011, the trial court certified a class and we appealed that ruling. On July 31, 2013, the Court of Appeals reversed the order certifying the case. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

F. Charles Sands, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Eden Memorial Park, et al.; Case No. BC421528; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles — Central District. This case was filed in September 2009 against SCI and certain subsidiaries regarding our Eden Memorial Park cemetery in Mission Hills, California. The plaintiff seeks compensatory, consequential and punitive damages as well as the appointment of a receiver to oversee cemetery operations. The plaintiff alleges the cemetery engaged in wrongful burial practices and did not disclose them to customers. After a hearing in February 2012, the court in May 2012 issued an order certifying classes of cemetery plot owners and their families based on alleged Company misrepresentation, concealment or nondisclosure of material facts regarding alleged improper burial practices pertaining to the period from February 1985 to September 2009. Pursuant to a court order, the Company may be precluded from making certain arguments that challenge the sufficiency of plaintiff's physical evidence, although the extent to which that order will apply at trial remains unclear. The case is scheduled for trial in November 2013. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

Barbara Schwartz & Carol Neitlich, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. SCI Funeral Services of Florida, Inc., et al.; Case No. 2012CA015954, In the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial District in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. This lawsuit has been removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and is now Case No. 9:12-CV-80180-DMM. This case was filed by counsel for plaintiffs in the Sands case regarding our Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Chapel and Bailey Memorial Gardens located in North Lauderdale, Florida. Plaintiffs seek to certify a class of cemetery plot owners and their families. Plaintiffs allege the cemetery engaged in wrongful burial practices and did not disclose them to customers. Plaintiffs seek compensatory, consequential and punitive damages as well as the appointment of a receiver to oversee the cemetery operations. On our motion, the court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims in March 2013. The plaintiffs are appealing the dismissal. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

Wage and Hour Claims. We are named a defendant in various lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state laws regulating wage and hour overtime pay, including but not limited to the Bryant and Helm lawsuits described below.

Bryant, et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. RG-07359593; and Helm, et al. v. AWGI & SCI; Case No. RG-07359602; in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Alameda. These cases were filed on December 5, 2007. These cases were removed to federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco/Oakland Division. The Bryant case is now Case No. 3:08-CV-01190-SI and the Helm case is now Case No. C 08-01184-SI. On December 29, 2009, the court in the Helm case denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the case as a class action. The plaintiffs modified and refiled their motion for certification. On March 9, 2011, the court denied plaintiffs’ renewed motions to certify a class in both of the Bryant and Helm cases and dismissed the Helm case. The Helm plaintiff is appealing the court's order decertifying her claims. The individual claims in the Bryant case are still pending. The plaintiffs have also (i) filed additional lawsuits with similar allegations seeking class certification of state law claims in different states, and (ii) made a large number of demands for arbitration. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in these lawsuits.

Claims Regarding Acquisition of Stewart Enterprises. We are named as a defendant in the following lawsuit.

Karen Moulton, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Stewart Enterprises, Inc., Service Corporation International and others; Case No. 2013-5636; in the Civil District Court Parish of New Orleans. This case was filed as a class action in June 2013 against SCI and our subsidiary in connection with SCI's proposed acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. The plaintiffs allege that SCI aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duties by Stewart Enterprises and its board of directors in negotiating the combination of Stewart Enterprises with a subsidiary of SCI. The plaintiffs seek damages and an injunction against

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the proposed combination. We have filed exceptions to the plaintiffs’ complaint, but the case has been stayed until after the closing of the acquisition. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of damages.

The ultimate outcome of the matters described above cannot be determined at this time. We intend to vigorously defend all of the above lawsuits; however, an adverse decision in one or more of such matters could have a material effect on us, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

16. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common shares that then shared in our earnings.

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)				(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income:
Net income — basic	$	26,779	$	41,062	$	118,015	$	126,163
After tax interest on convertible debt	13		13		38		38
Net income — diluted	$	26,792	$	41,075	$	118,053	$	126,201
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	211,954		214,914		211,721		216,974
Stock options	4,295		3,425		4,035		3,211
Convertible debt	121		121		121		121
Weighted average shares — diluted	216,370		218,460		215,877		220,306
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.13	$	0.19	$	0.56	$	0.58
Diluted	$	0.12	$	0.19	$	0.55	$	0.57

The computation of diluted EPS excludes outstanding stock options and convertible debt in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options and debt would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, total options not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 1.4 million and 1.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, total options not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 1.7 million and 1.8 million, respectively.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Company

We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral homes and cemeteries unequalled in geographic scale and reach. At September 30, 2013, we operated 1,431 funeral service locations and 374 cemeteries (including 214 combination locations) in North America, which are geographically diversified across 43 states, 8 Canadian provinces, and the District of Columbia. Our funeral segment also includes the operations of 12 funeral homes in Germany that we intend to exit when economic values and conditions are conducive to a sale. Our funeral service and cemetery operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses. We sell cemetery property and funeral and cemetery products and services at the time of need and on a preneed basis.

On May 29, 2013, we announced our execution of a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Stewart), the second largest operator of funeral homes and cemeteries in North America. This transaction provides us with an opportunity for growth consistent with our capital deployment strategy and will allow us the ability to serve a number of new, complementary areas, while enabling us to capitalize on what we believe will produce significant synergies and operating efficiencies. The acquisition is subject to, among other conditions, antitrust clearance. It is anticipated that the acquisition will be

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completed at the end of 2013 or in early 2014, however there can be no assurance that the acquisition will be completed by this time or at all.

Our financial position is enhanced by our $7.6 billion backlog of future revenues from both trust and insurance-funded sales at September 30, 2013, which is the result of preneed funeral and cemetery sales. Preneed selling provides us with a current opportunity to lock-in future market share while deterring the customer from going to a competitor in the future. We believe it adds to the stability and predictability of our revenue and cash flows. While revenue on the majority of preneed funeral sales is deferred until the time of need, sales of preneed cemetery property provides opportunities for full current revenue recognition (to the extent we collect 10% from the customer and the property is developed).

We believe we have the financial strength and flexibility to reward shareholders through dividends while maintaining a prudent capital structure and pursuing new opportunities for profitable growth. We also currently have approximately $190.1 million authorized to repurchase our common stock.

Factors affecting our operating results include: demographic trends in terms of population growth and average age, which impact death rates and number of deaths; establishing and maintaining leading market share positions supported by strong local heritage and relationships; effectively responding to increasing cremation trends by selling complementary services and merchandise; controlling salary and merchandise costs; and exercising pricing leverage related to our at-need revenues. The average revenue per funeral contract is influenced by the mix of traditional and cremation services because our average cremation service revenue is approximately half of the average revenue earned from a traditional burial service. To further enhance revenue opportunities we are developing memorialization products and services that specifically appeal to cremation customers. We believe that these additional products and services will help drive increases in cremation revenue in future periods.

For further discussion of our key operating metrics, see our Results of Operations and Cash Flow sections below.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Capital Allocation Considerations

We rely on cash flow from operations as a significant source of liquidity. Our cash flow from operating activities provided $326.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. In July 2013, we repaid the entire $86.6 million outstanding under our bank credit facility in conjunction with entering into a new bank credit facility associated with the Stewart acquisition financing. In addition, we have $468.2 million in excess borrowing capacity under our bank credit facility. We currently have no significant maturities of long-term debt until April 2015.

Our bank credit facility requires us to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios. As of September 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. Our financial covenant requirements and actual ratios as of September 30, 2013 are as follows:

	Per Credit Agreement	Actual
Leverage ratio	4.00 (Max)	2.69
Interest coverage ratio	3.00 (Min)	4.93

The bank credit facility maintains the same leverage and interest coverage ratios until the Stewart transaction closes. Upon closing, the leverage ratio will increase to a 5.00X maximum (net debt to EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement), while the interest coverage ratio will remain unchanged.

We believe the sources of liquidity can be supplemented by our ability to access the capital markets for additional debt or equity securities. We believe that our $182.6 million of cash on hand, future operating cash flows, and the available capacity under our credit facility will give us adequate liquidity to meet our short-term needs. In July 2013, as part of establishing financing for the Stewart acquisition, we issued $425 million in 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022 and entered into a new $1.1 billion credit agreement due July 2018 with a syndicate of banks. The net proceeds of the $425 million 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022 will be held in escrow, pending the closing of the Stewart acquisition. The credit agreement consists of a $500 million bank credit facility and a term loan of up to $600 million. The term loan will be drawn upon the closing of and used to fund the Stewart Acquisition. The bank credit facility will be used partially to fund the Stewart Acquisition, but will primarily exist to provide the company with flexibility for general corporate purposes and to give us access to capital markets to refinance our long-term debt if, and when, we choose to do so.

It is our intention to evaluate the best uses of our cash flow that will yield the highest value and return on capital. Our capital deployment strategy is prioritized as follows:

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Reinvest in the core business. We expect to continue to focus on funding growth initiatives that generate increased profitability, revenue, and cash flows. Our primary internal growth initiative is to increase our funeral and cemetery preneed backlog to grow the Company over the long-term. We will also invest in the construction of funeral home facilities and in the construction of cemetery property to promote future cemetery sales growth. Lastly, from time to time we may have other smaller capital projects, primarily related to the improvement of processes and systems.

Invest in acquisitions. We intend to make acquisitions of funeral homes and cemeteries when pricing and terms are favorable. We expect an acquisition investment to earn an after-tax cash return that is in excess of our weighted average cost of capital with room for execution risk. We target businesses with favorable consumer segments and/or where we can achieve additional economies of scale.

On May 29, 2013, we announced our execution of a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Stewart), the second largest operator of funeral homes and cemeteries in North America. This transaction provides us with an opportunity for growth consistent with our capital deployment strategy and will allow us the ability to serve a number of new, complementary areas, while enabling us to capitalize on what we believe will produce significant synergies and operating efficiencies. The acquisition is subject to, among other conditions, antitrust clearance. It is anticipated that the acquisition will be completed at the end of 2013 or in early 2014, however there can be no assurance that the acquisition will be completed by this time or at all.

Repurchase shares. Absent a strategic acquisition opportunity, we believe share repurchases are attractive at the appropriate price. Currently, we have approximately $190.1 million authorized under our share repurchase program. We intend to make purchases from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions, debt covenants, and normal trading restrictions. Our credit agreement contains covenants that limit our ability to repurchase our common stock. There can be no assurance that we will buy our common stock under our share repurchase program in the future.

Pay a dividend. Beginning in November 2007, we began to pay quarterly dividends of $0.04 per common share. The quarterly dividend has steadily increased over the past few years with the latest increase to $0.07 per common share approved by the Board of Directors on May 8, 2013. We intend to continue to grow our cash dividend commensurate with the growth of our free cash flow. While we intend to pay regular quarterly cash dividends for the foreseeable future, all future dividends are subject to limitations in our debt covenants and final determination by our Board of Directors each quarter upon review of our financial performance.

Repurchase debt. While the Company has no significant debt maturities until April 2015, we will seek to make open market debt repurchases when it is opportunistic to do so relative to other capital deployment opportunities in order to manage our near-term debt maturity profile.

The Company has a relatively consistent annual cash flow stream which is generally resistant to down economic cycles. This cash flow stream is available to substantially reduce our long-term debt maturities should we choose to do so. Furthermore, the Company's capital expenditures are generally discretionary in nature and can be managed based on the availability of operating cash flow.

Cash Flow

We believe our ability to generate strong operating cash flow is one of our fundamental financial strengths and provides us with substantial flexibility in meeting operating and investing needs.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $46.1 million to $326.4 million in the first nine months of 2013 from $280.3 million in the first nine months of 2012. This increase was driven by:

• a $115.9 million increase in cash receipts from customers;

• a $35.5 million increase in net trust fund withdrawals;

• a $5.0 million increase in General Agency (GA) receipts; partially offset by

• a $75.7 million increase in vendor payments;

• a $23.1 million increase in payroll;

• a $6.1 million excess tax benefit from share based awards in 2013; and

• a $5.1 million increase in cash tax payments.

Investing Activities

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Cash flows from investing activities used $77.8 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to using $95.1 million in the same period of 2012. This decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $10.7 million in cash spent on acquisitions, a $4.2 million increase in net withdrawals of restricted funds, a $1.4 million decrease in capital expenditures, and a $1.1 million million increase in cash receipts from divestitures and asset sales.

Financing Activities

Financing activities used $158.2 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to using $163.6 million in the same period of 2012. This decrease was primarily driven by a $142.9 million decrease in repurchases of company common stock and a $6.1 million excess tax benefit from share based awards in 2013, partially offset by a $109.0 million increase in payments of debt, a $12.4 million decrease in proceeds from exercised stock options, an $8.3 million increase in purchases of noncontrolling interest, a $7.5 million increase in payments of dividends, and a $6.4 million increase in bank overdrafts and other.

We repurchased 0.1 million shares in the first nine months of 2013 for $1.7 million and 12.4 million shares in the same period of 2012 for $144.6 million.

We paid cash dividends of $42.4 million in the first nine months of 2013 and $34.8 million in the same period of 2012.

Financial Assurances

In support of our operations, we have entered into arrangements with certain surety companies whereby such companies agree to issue surety bonds on our behalf as financial assurance and/or as required by existing state and local regulations. The surety bonds are used for various business purposes; however, the majority of the surety bonds issued and outstanding have been used to support our preneed funeral and cemetery sales activities. The obligations underlying these surety bonds are recorded on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as Deferred preneed funeral revenues and Deferred preneed cemetery revenues. The breakdown of surety bonds between funeral and cemetery preneed arrangements, as well as surety bonds for other activities, is described below.

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in millions)
Preneed funeral	$	119.3	$	110.1
Preneed cemetery:
Merchandise and services	113.2		114.6
Pre-construction	2.9		7.2
Bonds supporting preneed funeral and cemetery obligations	235.4		231.9
Bonds supporting preneed business permits	3.0		2.9
Other bonds	18.3		17.2
Total surety bonds outstanding	$	256.7	$	252.0

When selling preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, we may post surety bonds where allowed by state law. We post the surety bonds in lieu of trusting a certain amount of funds received from the customer. The amount of the bond posted is generally determined by the total amount of the preneed contract that would otherwise be required to be trusted, in accordance with applicable state law. For the three months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, we had $4.7 million and $4.2 million, respectively, of cash receipts attributable to bonded sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we had $13.8 million and $14.4 million, respectively, of cash receipts attributable to bonded sales. These amounts do not consider reductions associated with taxes, obtaining costs, or other costs.

Surety bond premiums are paid annually and are automatically renewable until maturity of the underlying preneed contracts, unless we are given prior notice of cancellation. Except for cemetery pre-construction bonds (which are irrevocable), the surety companies generally have the right to cancel the surety bonds at any time with appropriate notice. In the event a surety company were to cancel the surety bond, we are required to obtain replacement surety assurance from another surety company or fund a trust for an amount generally less than the posted bond amount. Management does not expect that we will be required to fund material future amounts related to these surety bonds because of lack of surety capacity or surety company non-performance.

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Activities and Backlog of Contracts

In addition to selling our products and services to client families at the time of need, we sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, which provide for future funeral or cemetery services and merchandise. Since preneed funeral and cemetery services or merchandise will not be provided until sometime in the future, most states and provinces require that all or a portion of the funds collected from customers on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts be paid into merchandise and service trusts until

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the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. These trust funds own investments in equity and debt securities and mutual funds, which are sensitive to current market prices. In certain situations, as described above, where permitted by state or provincial laws, we post a surety bond as financial assurance for a certain amount of the preneed funeral or cemetery contract in lieu of placing funds into trust accounts.

Trust-Funded Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Contracts: The funds are deposited into trust and invested by independent trustees in accordance with state and provincial laws. We retain any funds above the amounts required to be deposited into trust accounts and use them for working capital purposes, generally to offset the selling and administrative costs of our preneed programs.

The tables below detail our results of preneed funeral and cemetery production and maturities, excluding insurance contracts, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

	North America
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(Dollars in millions)				(Dollars in millions)
Funeral:
Preneed trust-funded (including bonded):
Sales production	$	46.0	$	37.6	$	136.7	$	107.0
Sales production (number of contracts)	17,022		14,596		50,318		43,034
Maturities	$	43.8	$	42.5	$	141.7	$	133.0
Maturities (number of contracts)	12,358		12,362		40,247		39,802
Cemetery:
Sales production:
Preneed	$	133.7	$	114.9	$	414.7	$	379.3
Atneed	56.9		57.9		181.2		176.9
Total sales production	$	190.6	$	172.8	$	595.9	$	556.2
Sales production deferred to backlog:
Preneed	$	54.3	$	48.3	$	164.9	$	159.1
Atneed	43.1		42.8		136.3		132.7
Total sales production deferred to backlog	$	97.4	$	91.1	$	301.2	$	291.8
Revenue recognized from backlog:
Preneed	$	53.0	$	47.5	$	128.3	$	122.8
Atneed	44.2		43.7		135.5		131.7
Total revenue recognized from backlog	$	97.2	$	91.2	$	263.8	$	254.5

Insurance-Funded Preneed Funeral Contracts: Where permitted by state or provincial law, customers may arrange their preneed funeral contract by purchasing a life insurance or annuity policy from third-party insurance companies, for which we earn a commission as general sales agent for the insurance company. The policy amount of the insurance contract between the customer and the third-party insurance company generally equals the amount of the preneed funeral contract. As the insurance contract is between the insurance company and the customer, we do not reflect the unfulfilled insurance-funded preneed funeral contract amounts in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The table below details the results of insurance-funded preneed funeral production and maturities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the number of contracts associated with those transactions.

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	North America
	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(Dollars in millions)				(Dollars in millions)
Preneed funeral insurance-funded:
Sales production (1)	$	147.4	$	126.5	$	432.9	$	395.3
Sales production (number of contracts) (1)	25,135		21,714		74,618		67,430
General Agency revenue	$	27.3	$	24.1	$	79.3	$	71.7
Maturities	$	77.5	$	75.5	$	250.9	$	234.4
Maturities (number of contracts)	13,507		13,450		43,781		41,226

(1) Amounts are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

North America Backlog of Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Contracts: The following table reflects our North America backlog of trust-funded deferred preneed funeral and cemetery contract revenues, including amounts related to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Additionally, the table reflects our backlog of unfulfilled insurance-funded contracts (which are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet) at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The backlog amounts presented are reduced by an amount that we believe will cancel before maturity based on historical experience.

The table also reflects our preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments (fair value and cost bases) associated with the backlog of deferred preneed funeral and cemetery contract revenues, net of the estimated cancellation allowance. We believe that the table below is meaningful because it sets forth the aggregate amount of future revenues we expect to recognize as a result of preneed sales, as well as the amount of assets associated with those revenues. Because the future revenues exceed the asset amounts, future revenues will exceed the cash distributions actually received from the associated trusts.

	September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
	Fair Value			Cost			Fair Value			Cost
				(Dollars in billions)
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	$	0.50		$	0.50		$	0.53		$	0.53
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	1.38			1.32			1.34			1.32
	$	1.88		$	1.82		$	1.87		$	1.85
Allowance for cancellation on trust investments	(0.16		)	(0.15		)	(0.15		)	(0.15		)
Backlog of trust-funded preneed funeral revenues	$	1.72		$	1.67		$	1.72		$	1.70
Backlog of insurance-funded preneed funeral revenues (1)	3.74			3.74			3.68			3.68
Total backlog of preneed funeral revenues	$	5.46		$	5.41		$	5.40		$	5.38
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$	1.58		$	1.52		$	1.54		$	1.52
Allowance for cancellation on trust investments	(0.15		)	(0.15		)	(0.14		)	(0.14		)
Assets associated with backlog of trust-funded deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation	$	1.43		$	1.37		$	1.40		$	1.38
Insurance policies associated with insurance-funded deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation (1)	3.74			3.74			3.68			3.68
Total assets associated with backlog of preneed funeral revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation	$	5.17		$	5.11		$	5.08		$	5.06
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	0.90		$	0.90		$	0.86		$	0.86
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	1.41			1.27			1.29			1.23
	$	2.31		$	2.17		$	2.15		$	2.09
Allowance for cancellation on trust investments	(0.15		)	(0.15		)	(0.15		)	(0.15		)
Total backlog of deferred cemetery revenues	$	2.16		$	2.02		$	2.00		$	1.94
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$	2.00		$	1.86		$	1.82		$	1.76
Allowance for cancellation on trust investments	(0.17		)	(0.17		)	(0.16		)	(0.16		)
Total assets associated with backlog of deferred cemetery revenues, net of estimated allowance for cancellation	$	1.83		$	1.69		$	1.66		$	1.60

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(1) Amounts are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The fair value of our funeral and cemetery trust investments was based on a combination of quoted market prices, observable inputs such as interest rates or yield curves, and appraisals. The difference between the backlog and asset amounts represents the contracts for which we have posted surety bonds as financial assurance in lieu of trusting, the amounts collected from customers that were not required to be deposited into trust, and allowable cash distributions from trust assets. The table also reflects the amounts expected to be received from insurance companies through the assignment of policy proceeds related to insurance-funded funeral contracts.

Trust Investments

In addition to selling our products and services to client families at the time of need, we sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, which provide for future funeral or cemetery services and merchandise. Since preneed funeral and cemetery services or merchandise will not be provided until sometime in the future, most states and provinces require that all or a portion of the funds collected from customers on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts be paid into trusts and/or preneed escrow accounts until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Investment earnings associated with the trust investments are expected to mitigate the inflationary costs of providing the preneed funeral and cemetery services and merchandise in the future for the prices that were guaranteed at the time of sale.

Also, we are required by state and provincial law to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trusts. For these investments, the original corpus remains in the trust in perpetuity and the net ordinary earnings are intended to offset the expense to maintain the cemetery property. The majority of states require that net gains or losses are retained and added to the corpus, but certain states allow the net realized gains and losses to be included in the income that is distributed.

Independent trustees manage and invest all of the funds deposited into the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts as well as the cemetery perpetual care trusts. The trustees are selected based on their respective geographic footprint and qualifications per state and provincial regulations. All of the trustees engage the same independent investment advisor either directly or indirectly through SCI's wholly-owned registered investment advisor. The trustees, with input from the investment advisor, establish an investment policy that serves as an operating document to guide the investment activities of the trusts including asset allocation and manager selection. The investments are also governed by state and provincial guidelines. Asset allocation for the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts is generally based on matching the time period that we expect the funeral or cemetery preneed contract to be outstanding. Since net ordinary earnings are distributed monthly from the cemetery perpetual care trusts to offset cemetery maintenance costs, the cemetery perpetual care trusts contain a higher fixed income allocation than the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts. The investment advisor recommends investment managers to the trustees that are selected on the basis of various criteria set forth in the investment policy. The primary investment objectives for the funeral and cemetery merchandise and service trusts include (1) achieving growth of principal over time sufficient to preserve and increase the purchasing power of the assets, and (2) preserving capital within acceptable levels of volatility. Preneed funeral and cemetery contracts generally take years to mature. Therefore, the funds associated with these contracts are often invested for several market cycles. While cemetery perpetual care trusts share the same investment objectives as listed above, these trusts emphasize providing a steady stream of investment income with some capital appreciation. The trusts seek to control risk and volatility through a combination of asset styles, asset classes, and institutional investment managers.

As of September 30, 2013, 84% of our trusts were under the control and custody of two large financial institutions engaged as preferred trustees. The U.S. trustees primarily use common trust fund structures as the investment vehicle for their trusts. Through the common trust fund structure, each respective trustee manages the allocation of assets through individual managed accounts or institutional mutual funds. In the event a particular state prohibits the use of a common trust fund as a qualified investment, the trustee utilizes institutional mutual funds. The U.S. trusts include a modest allocation to alternative investments, which are comprised primarily of private equity and real estate investments. These investments are structured as limited liability companies (LLCs) and are managed by certain trustees. The trusts that are eligible to allocate a portion of their investments to alternative investments purchase units of the respective LLCs.

Fixed Income Securities

Fixed income investments are intended to preserve principal, provide a source of current income, and reduce overall portfolio volatility. The SCI trusts have direct investments primarily in government fixed income securities. Insurance backed fixed income investments preserve the principal, guarantee annual appreciation, and reduce overall portfolio volatility.

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Canadian government fixed income securities are investments in Canadian federal and provincial government instruments. In many cases, regulatory restrictions mandate that the funds from the sales of preneed funeral and cemetery products sold in certain Canadian jurisdictions must be invested in these instruments.

Equity Securities

Equity investments have historically provided long-term capital appreciation in excess of inflation. The SCI trusts have direct investments primarily in domestic equity portfolios that include large, mid, and small capitalization companies of different investment objectives (i.e., growth and value). The majority of the equity portfolio is managed by multiple institutional investment managers that specialize in an objective-specific area of expertise. Our equity securities are exposed to market risk; however, these securities are well-diversified. As of September 30, 2013, the largest single equity position represented less than 1% of the total equity securities portfolio.

Mutual Funds

The SCI trust funds employ institutional mutual funds where operationally or economically efficient. Institutional mutual funds are utilized to invest in various asset classes including US equities, non-US equities, convertible bonds, corporate bonds, government bonds, Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS), high yield bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and commodities. The mutual funds are governed by guidelines outlined in their individual prospectuses.

Private Equity

The objective of these investments is to provide high rates of return with controlled volatility. These investments are typically long-term in duration. These investments are diversified by strategy, sector, manager, and vintage year. Private equity exposure is accessed through limited liability companies (LLCs) established by certain preferred trustees. These LLCs invest in numerous limited partnerships, including private equity, fund of funds, distressed debt, and mezzanine financing. The trustees that have oversight of their respective LLCs work closely with the investment advisor in making all current investments.

Trust Performance

The trust fund income recognized from these investment assets continues to be volatile. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2013, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index increased approximately 19.34% and the Barclay’s Aggregate Index decreased approximately 1.68%, while the combined SCI trusts increased approximately 11.52%.

SCI, its trustees, and its investment advisor continue to monitor the capital markets and the trusts on an ongoing basis. The trustees, with input from the investment advisor, will take prudent action as needed to achieve the investment goals and objectives of the trusts.

Results of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

Management Summary

Key highlights in the third quarter of 2013 were as follows:

• Funeral gross profits decreased $8.9 million, or 11.7%, primarily due to inflationary increases in fixed costs and lower funeral services performed; and

• Cemetery gross profits increased $3.7 million, or 8.2%, due primarily to an increase in cemetery recognized preneed revenues led by a strong growth in preneed sales production.

Results of Operations

In the third quarter of 2013, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $26.8 million ($0.12 per diluted share) compared to net income attributable to common stockholders in the third quarter of 2012 of $41.1 million ($0.19 per diluted share). These results were impacted by the following items:

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	2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net after-tax gains from the sale of assets	$	422		$	404
After-tax expenses related to system and process transition costs	$	(1,964	)	$	(1,515	)
After-tax expenses related to Stewart acquisition and transition costs	$	(8,798	)	$	—
After-tax expenses related to legal defense fees and labor matters	$	(590	)	$	—
Change in certain tax reserves and other	$	(792	)	$	(61	)

Consolidated Versus Comparable Results

The table below reconciles our consolidated GAAP results to our comparable, or “same store,” results for the three months ended September 30,2013 and 2012. We define comparable operations (or same store operations) as those funeral and cemetery locations that were owned for the entire period beginning January 1, 2012 and ending September 30,2013. The following tables present operating results for funeral and cemetery locations that were owned by us during this period.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	Consolidated		Less: Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction		Less: Results Associated with Divestitures			Comparable
			(Dollars in millions)
North America Revenue
Funeral revenue	$	398.2	$	10.2	$	0.3		$	387.7
Cemetery revenue	210.4		—		—			210.4
	608.6		10.2		0.3			598.1
Germany revenue	1.4		—		—			1.4
Total revenue	$	610.0	$	10.2	$	0.3		$	599.5
North America Gross Profits
Funeral gross profits (losses)	$	66.8	$	1.4	$	(0.7	)	$	66.1
Cemetery gross profits (losses)	49.0		—		(0.3		)	49.3
	115.8		1.4		(1.0		)	115.4
Germany gross profits	0.3		—		—			0.3
Total gross profits (losses)	$	116.1	$	1.4	$	(1.0	)	$	115.7

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012	Consolidated		Less: Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction		Less: Results Associated with Divestitures			Comparable
			(Dollars in millions)
North America Revenue
Funeral revenue	$	387.1	$	2.2	$	1.0		$	383.9
Cemetery revenue	192.8		—		—			192.8
	579.9		2.2		1.0			576.7
Germany revenue	1.3		—		—			1.3
Total revenue	$	581.2	$	2.2	$	1.0		$	578.0
North America Gross Profits
Funeral gross profits (losses)	$	75.9	$	0.4	$	(0.6	)	$	76.1
Cemetery gross profits (losses)	45.3		—		—			45.3
	121.2		0.4		(0.6		)	121.4
Germany gross profits	0.1		—		—			0.1
Total gross profits (losses)	$	121.3	$	0.4	$	(0.6	)	$	121.5

The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our consolidated average revenue per funeral service for the three months ended September 30,2013 and 2012. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing consolidated funeral

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revenue, excluding General Agency (GA) revenues, recognized preneed revenues and certain other revenues, to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of consolidated funeral services performed during the period. Recognized preneed revenues are preneed sales of items that are delivered at the time of sale, including memorial merchandise and travel protection insurance and are excluded from our calculation of consolidated average revenue per services because the associated service has not yet been performed.

	Three Months Ended
	September 30,
	2013		2012
	(Dollars in millions, except average revenue per funeral service)
Consolidated funeral revenue	$	399.6	$	388.4
Less: Funeral consolidated recognized preneed revenue	19.6		14.4
Less: Consolidated GA revenue	27.3		24.1
Less: Other revenue	4.1		3.4
Adjusted consolidated funeral revenue	$	348.6	$	346.5
Consolidated funeral services performed	66,603		67,455
Consolidated average revenue per funeral service	$	5,234	$	5,137

The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our comparable average revenue per funeral service for the three months ended September 30,2013 and 2012. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing comparable funeral revenue, excluding comparable GA revenues, recognized preneed revenues and certain other revenues, to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of comparable funeral services performed during the period. Recognized preneed revenues are preneed sales of items that are delivered at the time of sale, including memorial merchandise and travel protection insurance and are excluded from our calculation of comparable average revenue per services because the associated service has not yet been performed.

	Three Months Ended
	September 30,
	2013		2012
	(Dollars in millions, except average revenue per funeral service)
Comparable funeral revenue	$	389.1	$	385.2
Less: Funeral comparable recognized preneed revenue	16.7		13.9
Less: Comparable GA revenue	27.0		24.1
Less: Other revenue	3.9		3.4
Adjusted comparable funeral revenue	$	341.5	$	343.8
Comparable funeral services performed	64,641		66,576
Comparable average revenue per funeral service	$	5,283	$	5,164

Funeral Results

Funeral Revenue

Consolidated revenues from funeral operations were $399.6 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $388.4 million for the same period in 2012. This increase is attributable to $8.0 million of additional revenues as the result of acquisitions through 2013 and 2012 and the $3.9 million increase in comparable revenues described below. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $0.7 million in revenues contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012.

Comparable revenues from funeral operations were $389.1 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $385.2 million for the same period in 2012. This increase was primarily due to the 2.3% increase in comparable average revenue per funeral service described below, an increase in recognized preneed revenues for items that are delivered at the time of sale, and higher General Agency revenues. Neptune Society contributed $2.0 million or 9.7% to the revenue growth previously mentioned. These increases were partially offset by the 2.9% decrease in the number of comparable funeral services performed described below.

Funeral Services Performed

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Our consolidated funeral services performed decreased 1.3% during the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This is primarily the result of a 2.9% decrease in comparable funeral services performed, partially offset by acquisitions in 2013 and 2012. We believe the comparable decrease is consistent with trends experienced by other funeral service providers and industry vendors. Our comparable cremation rate of 50.2% in the third quarter of 2013 increased from 48.6% in 2012. This growth in comparable cremations was generated equally by cremations with service and direct cremations. While the average revenue for cremations of either type is lower than that for traditional burials, we continue to expand our cremation memorialization product and service offerings, which have resulted in higher revenue for cremation services.

Average Revenue Per Funeral Service

Our consolidated average revenue per funeral service increased $97, or 1.9%, in the third quarter of 2013 compared to 2012, primarily due to an increase in comparable average revenue per funeral service described below, partially offset by an increase in the number of cremations. Our comparable average revenue per funeral service increased $119, or 2.3%, in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase in comparable average revenue per funeral service is primarily from initiatives centered around better consumer choice and flexibility, such as enhanced Dignity packaging, increased receptions and event offerings, and expansion of floral offerings through e-commerce solutions. Excluding an unfavorable Canadian currency impact and higher funeral trust fund income, the average revenue per funeral service grew approximately 1.8% despite an increase in cremation rates.

Funeral Gross Profits

Consolidated funeral gross profits decreased $8.9 million, or 11.7%, in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This decrease is primarily attributable to a $9.8 million decrease in comparable gross profits described below and a decline of $0.1 million in gross profits contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012, partially offset by $1.0 million of additional gross profits related to acquisitions that occurred in 2013 and 2012.

Comparable funeral gross profits decreased $9.8 million, or 12.9%, in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Comparable gross margin percentage decreased from19.8%to17.1%in thethird quarter of 2013when compared to the same period in2012primarily as a result of the increase in comparable revenue, including Neptune Society's revenue,described above being more than offset by the following:

• a $3.8 million increase in selling compensation mostly driven by higher preneed funeral production;

• a $3.1 million increase in overhead expenses including investments in our sales support infrastructure;

• a $1.8 million increase in funeral expenses related to catering, reception, and event offerings; and

• a $1.3 million increase in health insurance expenses.

Cemetery Results

Cemetery Revenue

Consolidated cemetery revenues increased $17.6 million, or 9.1%, in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 as a result of the increase in comparable revenues. Comparable cemetery revenues increased $17.6 million, or 9.1%, primarily as a result of higher preneed property for which construction was completed and we received at least 10% of the sales price from the customer and higher merchandise revenues.

Cemetery Gross Profits

Consolidated cemetery gross profits increased $3.7 million, or 8.2%, in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable gross profits described below. This increase was partially offset by a decline of $0.3 million in gross profits contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012.

Comparable cemetery gross profits increased $4.0 million, or 8.8%, and gross margin percentage decreased from 23.5% to 23.4% in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 primarily as a result of the increase in comparable revenue described above partially offset by the following:

• a $5.3 million increase in selling cost driven mostly by higher preneed cemetery production;

• a $3.3 million increase in property and merchandise expenses driven by higher revenues; and

• a $1.7 million increase in overhead expenses including investments in our sales support infrastructure.

Other Financial Statement Items

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General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $7.4 million to $33.8 million during the third quarter of 2013 compared to $26.4 million in the same period of 2012. The current quarter included $6.9 million of costs related to the pending acquisition of Stewart Enterprises and $2.3 million of other system integration costs. The prior year included, $2.3 million of costs related to the implementation of a new purchase order system and the transition to new outsource providers for certain accounting and administrative functions.

Gains (Losses) on Divestitures and Impairment Charges, Net

We recognized a $1.0 million net pre-tax gain on divestitures and impairment charges in the third quarter of 2013 compared to a $0.3 million net pre-tax gain in the same period of 2012, which is associated with the divestiture of non-strategic funeral and cemetery locations in the United States and Canada.

Interest expense

Interest expense increased $4.5 million to $38.1 million during the third quarter of 2013 compared to $33.6 million in the same period of 2012. The current period included $5.7 million of interest expense associated with the incremental debt raised in anticipation of the Stewart acquisition.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net decreased $1.6 million to $0.7 million of income during the third quarter of 2013 compared to $2.3 million of income in the third quarter of 2012, primarily due to an unfavorable foreign currency impact from liability settlements between the U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries in the third quarter of 2012.

Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances. Our effective tax rate was 40.3% and 34.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2013 is above the 35% federal statutory tax rate due to state tax expense which is partially offset by foreign earnings taxed at lower rates.

Weighted Average Shares

The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 216.4 million during the third quarter of 2013, compared to 218.5 million in the same period of 2012. The decrease in the number of shares reflects the impact of shares repurchased under our share repurchase program.

Results of Operations — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

Management Summary

Key highlights in the first nine months of 2013 were as follows:

• Funeral gross profit increased $9.8 million, or 3.8%, due to higher funeral services performed and average revenue per funeral service, along with an increase in preneed revenues for items that are delivered at the time of sale. These increases were partially offset by higher selling expenses related to preneed sales initiatives and higher direct cost of services performed; and

• Cemetery gross profit increased $14.7 million, or 12.3%, due to an increase in cemetery preneed property recognized revenue on higher sales production, higher trust fund income and higher atneed revenues, partially offset by higher selling compensation expenses and higher direct cost of services performed.

Results of Operations

In the first nine months of 2013, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $118.0 million ($0.55 per diluted share) compared to net income attributable to common stockholders in the first nine months of 2012 of $126.2 million ($0.57 per diluted share). These results were impacted by the following items:

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	2013			2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net after-tax (losses) gains from the sale of assets	$	(3,490	)	$	99
After-tax gains from the early extinguishment of debt, net	$	296		$	—
After-tax expenses related to system and process transition costs	$	(3,783	)	$	(2,953	)
After-tax expenses related to Stewart acquisition and transition costs	$	(11,274	)	$	—
After-tax expenses related to legal defense fees and labor matters	$	(1,971	)	$	—
Change in certain tax reserves and other	$	(1,788	)	$	1,830

Consolidated Versus Comparable Results

The table below reconciles our consolidated GAAP results to our comparable, or “same store,” results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. We define comparable operations (or same store operations) as those funeral and cemetery locations that were owned for the entire period beginning January 1, 2012 and ending September 30, 2013. The following tables present operating results for funeral and cemetery locations that were owned by us during this period.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013	Consolidated		Less: Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction			Less: Results Associated with Divestitures			Comparable
			(Dollars in millions)
North America Revenue
Funeral revenue	$	1,272.8	$	27.1		$	1.7		$	1,244.0
Cemetery revenue	610.4		—			(0.1		)	610.5
	1,883.2		27.1			1.6			1,854.5
Germany revenue	4.6		—			—			4.6
Total revenue	$	1,887.8	$	27.1		$	1.6		$	1,859.1
North America Gross Profits
Funeral gross profits (losses)	$	266.9	$	4.6		$	(0.4	)	$	262.7
Cemetery gross profits (losses)	134.0		(0.1		)	(0.3		)	134.4
	400.9		4.5			(0.7		)	397.1
Germany gross profits	0.6		—			—			0.6
Total gross profits (losses)	$	401.5	$	4.5		$	(0.7	)	$	397.7

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012	Consolidated		Less: Results Associated with Acquisition/New Construction		Less: Results Associated with Divestitures			Comparable
			(Dollars in millions)
North America Revenue
Funeral revenue	$	1,204.6	$	2.2	$	5.1		$	1,197.3
Cemetery revenue	572.0		—		0.3			571.7
	1,776.6		2.2		5.4			1,769.0
Germany revenue	4.5		—		—			4.5
Total revenue	$	1,781.1	$	2.2	$	5.4		$	1,773.5
North America Gross Profits
Funeral gross profits (losses)	$	257.3	$	—	$	(0.8	)	$	258.1
Cemetery gross profits (losses)	119.3		—		(0.1		)	119.4
	376.6		—		(0.9		)	377.5
Germany gross profits	0.4		—		—			0.4
Total gross profits (losses)	$	377.0	$	—	$	(0.9	)	$	377.9

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The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our consolidated average revenue per funeral service for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing consolidated funeral revenue, excluding General Agency (GA) revenues, recognized preneed revenues and certain other revenues, to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of consolidated funeral services performed during the period. Recognized preneed revenues are preneed sales of items that are delivered at the time of sale, including memorial merchandise and travel protection insurance and are excluded from our calculation of consolidated average revenue per services because the associated service has not yet been performed.

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2013		2012
	(Dollars in millions, except average revenue per funeral service)
Consolidated funeral revenue	$	1,277.4	$	1,209.1
Less: Funeral consolidated recognized preneed revenue	56.5		42.2
Less: Consolidated GA revenue	79.3		71.7
Less: Other revenue	12.7		9.6
Adjusted consolidated funeral revenue	$	1,128.9	$	1,085.6
Consolidated funeral services performed	216,434		211,012
Consolidated average revenue per funeral service	$	5,216	$	5,145

The following table provides the data necessary to calculate our comparable average revenue per funeral service for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. We calculate average revenue per funeral service by dividing comparable funeral revenue, excluding comparable GA revenues, recognized preneed revenues and certain other revenues to avoid distorting our averages of normal funeral services revenue, by the number of comparable funeral services performed during the period. Recognized preneed revenues are preneed sales of items that are delivered at the time of sale, including memorial merchandise and travel protection insurance and are excluded from our calculation of comparable average revenue per services because the associated service has not yet been performed.

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2013		2012
	(Dollars in millions, except average revenue per funeral service)
Comparable funeral revenue	$	1,248.6	$	1,201.8
Less: Funeral comparable recognized preneed revenue	51.2		41.3
Less: Comparable GA revenue	78.6		71.6
Less: Other revenue	12.3		9.7
Adjusted comparable funeral revenue	$	1,106.5	$	1,079.2
Comparable funeral services performed	210,226		209,405
Comparable average revenue per funeral service	$	5,263	$	5,154

Funeral Results

Funeral Revenue

Consolidated revenues from funeral operations were $1,277.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $1,209.1 million for the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily attributable to the $24.9 million of additional revenues as the result of acquisitions in 2013 and 2012 and a $46.8 million increase in comparable revenues described below. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $3.4 million in revenues contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012. Comparable revenues from funeral operations were $1,248.6 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $1,201.8 million for the same period in 2012. This increase was primarily due to the 2.1% increase in average revenue per funeral service described below and the 0.4% increase in the number of comparable funeral services performed described below, as well as increased recognized preneed revenues for items that are delivered at the time of sale, and higher General Agency revenues. Neptune Society contributed $13.3 million or 23.4% to the revenue growth previously mentioned.

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Funeral Services Performed

Our consolidated funeral services performed increased 2.6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, primarily as the result of acquisitions in 2013 and 2012 and a 0.4% increase in comparable funeral services performed. We believe this increase was somewhat impacted by extreme weather throughout North America in the first half of the year, and we believe is consistent with trends experienced by other funeral service providers and industry vendors. Our comparable cremation rate of 49.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased from 48.4% in 2012. This growth in comparable cremations was generated equally by cremations with service and direct cremations. While the average revenue for cremations of either type is lower than that for traditional burials, we continue to expand our cremation memorialization product and service offerings, which have resulted in higher revenue for cremation services.

Average Revenue Per Funeral Service

Our consolidated average revenue per funeral service increased $71, or 1.4%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, primarily as a result of the increase in comparable average revenue per funeral service described below partially offset by an increase in the number of cremations. Our comparable average revenue per funeral service increased $109, or 2.1%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase in comparable average revenue per funeral service is primarily from initiatives centered around better consumer choice and flexibility, such as enhanced Dignity packaging, increased receptions and event offerings, and expansion of floral offerings through e-commerce solutions. Excluding an unfavorable Canadian currency impact and higher funeral trust fund income, the average revenue per funeral service grew approximately 1.6% despite an increase in cremation rates. The addition of Neptune Society fulfilled contracts to our comparable results (which include only the cremation service component in our comparable analysis) has accelerated our cremation mix change and put slight downward pressure on our total average revenue per service.

Funeral Gross Profits

Consolidated funeral gross profits increased $9.8 million, or 3.8%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily attributable to a $4.8 million increase in comparable gross profits described below, $4.6 million of additional gross profits related to acquisitions that occurred in 2013 and 2012, and a $0.4 million increase in losses by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012.

Comparable funeral gross profits increased $4.8 million, or 1.9%, and the comparable gross margin percentage decreased from 21.5% to 21.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 when compared to the same period in 2012 primarily as a result of the increase in comparable revenue, including Neptune Society's revenue, described above, partially offset by the following:

• a $14.2 million increase in selling compensation mostly driven by higher preneed funeral production;

• an $8.4 million increase in overhead expenses including investments in our sales support infrastructure;

• a $6.5 million increase in funeral expenses related to catering, reception, and event offerings;

• a $3.6 million increase in salary expense driven by the increase in funeral services performed described above;

• a $1.7 million unfavorable impact related to an adjustment in self-insurance casualty reserves; and

• a $1.3 million increase in health insurance expenses.

Cemetery Results

Cemetery Revenue

Consolidated revenues from our cemetery operations increased $38.4 million, or 6.7%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 primarily as a result of the increase in comparable revenues described below. The increase was partially offset by a decline of $0.4 million in revenues contributed by non-strategic assets that were divested throughout 2013 and 2012. Comparable cemetery revenues increased $38.8 million, or 6.8%, primarily as a result of strong cemetery preneed property production for which construction was completed and we received at least 10% of the sales price from the customer during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, higher atneed and preneed merchandise and service revenues and increased trust fund income .

Cemetery Gross Profits

Consolidated cemetery gross profits increased $14.7 million, or 12.3%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily the result of the increase in comparable gross profits described below.

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Comparable cemetery gross profits increased $15.0 million, or 12.6%, and gross margin percentage increased from 20.9% to 22.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. This increase is primarily the result of higher revenues mentioned above, partially offset by the following:

• a $15.5 million increase in comparable selling costs impacted by higher preneed cemetery production;

• a $4.5 million increase in overhead expenses including investments in our sales support infrastructure; and

• a $2.0 million increase in property and merchandise expenses driven by higher revenues.

Other Financial Statement Items

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $13.9 million to $95.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $81.9 million for the same period in 2012. The increase is primarily due to $10.1 million of costs related to the pending acquisition of Stewart Enterprises and $4.9 million of other system integration costs in 2013 partially offset by $4.5 million of costs related to the implementation of a new purchase order system and the transition to the new outsource providers for certain accounting and administrative functions in 2012.

Gains (Losses) on Divestitures and Impairment Charges, net

 We recognized a $5.5 million net pre-tax loss on divestitures and impairment charges in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which is associated with the divestiture of non-strategic funeral and cemetery locations in North America, along with losses on the final settlement of an indemnification liability related to our former operations in Spain. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recognized a $0.9 million net pre-tax gain on divestitures and impairment charges due to gains on indemnification reserves.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income (expense), net decreased $5.0 million to expense of $1.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to a favorable foreign currency impact from liability settlements between the U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries in the first nine months of 2012.

Provision for Income Taxes

Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances. Our effective tax rate was 38.5% and 35.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is above the 35% federal statutory tax rate due to state tax expense which is partially offset by foreign earnings taxed at lower rates.

Weighted Average Shares

The diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding was 215.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 220.3 million in the same period of 2012. The decrease in the number of shares reflects the impact of shares repurchased under our share repurchase program.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting policies are disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

No other significant changes to our accounting policies have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2012, except as described below within Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Changes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Changes

For discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and accounting changes, see Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 3.

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Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made in reliance on the “safe harbor” protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be accompanied by words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” or “predict,” that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements are based on assumptions that we believe are reasonable; however, many important factors could cause our actual results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made by us, or on our behalf. Important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

• Our affiliated funeral and cemetery trust funds own investments in equity securities, fixed income securities, and mutual funds, which are affected by market conditions that are beyond our control.

• We may be required to replenish our affiliated funeral and cemetery trust funds in order to meet minimum funding requirements, which would have a negative effect on our earnings and cash flow.

• Our ability to execute our strategic plan depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control.  

• Our credit agreements contain covenants that may prevent us from engaging in certain transactions. 

• If we lost the ability to use surety bonding to support our preneed funeral and preneed cemetery activities, we may be required to make material cash payments to fund certain trust funds.

• The funeral home and cemetery industry continues to be increasingly competitive.

• Increasing death benefits related to preneed funeral contracts funded through life insurance or annuity contracts may not cover future increases in the cost of providing a price-guaranteed funeral service. 

• The financial condition of third-party insurance companies that fund our preneed funeral contracts may impact our future revenues.

• Unfavorable results of litigation, including currently pending class action cases concerning cemetery or burial practices, could have a material adverse impact on our financial statements.

• Unfavorable publicity could affect our reputation and business.

• If the number of deaths in our markets declines, our cash flows and revenues may decrease.

• If we are not able to respond effectively to changing consumer preferences, our market share, revenues and profitability could decrease.

• The continuing upward trend in the number of cremations performed in North America could result in lower revenues and gross profit. 

• Our funeral home and cemetery businesses are high fixed-cost businesses. 

• Regulation and compliance could have a material adverse impact on our financial results.

• Increased costs, including potential increased health care costs, may have a negative impact on earnings and cash flows.

• Cemetery burial practice claims could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. 

• A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have established accruals, are audited and finally resolved.

• Declines in overall economic conditions beyond our control could reduce future potential earnings and cash flows and could result in future goodwill impairments and /or other intangible assets.

• Any failure to maintain the security of the information relating to our customers, their loved ones, our associates and vendors could damage our reputation, could cause us to incur substantial additional costs and to become subject to litigation, and could adversely affect our operating results.

• The acquisition of Stewart is subject to certain closing conditions that, if not satisfied or waived, will result in the acquisition not being completed, which may cause the market price of SCI common stock to decline.

• We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Stewart.

• The acquisition of Stewart may result in unexpected consequences to our business and results of operations.

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• Our level of indebtedness following the completion of the acquisition of Stewart could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our indebtedness.

For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties, see our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed February 13, 2013. Copies of this document as well as other SEC filings can be obtained from our website at www.sci-corp.com. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by us, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Marketable Equity and Debt Securities — Price Risk

In connection with our preneed funeral operations and preneed cemetery merchandise and service sales, the related funeral and cemetery trust funds own investments in equity and debt securities and mutual funds, which are sensitive to current market prices.

Cost and market values as of September 30, 2013 are presented in Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements and Notes 4, 5, and 6 of this Form 10-Q. Also, see Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Financial Conditions, Liquidity and Capital Resources, for discussion of trust investments.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2013, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)). Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2013 and that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with US GAAP.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information regarding legal proceedings is set forth in Note 15 in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q, which information is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our Risk Factors as set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, except as set forth below.

Any failure to maintain the security of the information relating to our customers, their loved ones, our associates, and our vendors could damage our reputation, could cause us to incur substantial additional costs and to become subject to litigation, and could adversely affect our operating results.

In the ordinary course of our business, we receive certain personal information, in both physical and electronic formats, about our customers, their loved ones, our associates, and our vendors. In addition, our on-line operations at our websites depend upon the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks, including information permitting cashless payments. We maintain substantial security measures to protect, and to prevent unauthorized access to, such information. Nevertheless, it is possible that computer hackers and others (through cyberattacks, which are rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly

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sophisticated, or by other means) might defeat our security measures in the future and obtain the personal information of customers, their loved ones, our associates, and our vendors that we hold. Further, our associates, contractors, or third parties with whom we do business may attempt to circumvent our security measures in order to misappropriate such information, and may purposefully or inadvertently cause a breach involving such information. A breach of our security measures could adversely affect our reputation with our customers and their loved ones, associates, and vendors, as well as our operations, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and could result in litigation against us or the imposition of penalties. Moreover, a security breach could require that we expend significant additional resources to upgrade further the security measures that we employ to guard such important personal information against cyberattacks and other attempts to access such information and could result in a disruption of our operations.

The acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. is subject to certain closing conditions that, if not satisfied or waived, will result in the acquisition not being completed, which may cause the market price of SCI common stock to decline.

The acquisition is subject to customary conditions to closing, including the approval of Stewart Enterprises, Inc.'s (Stewart) stockholders and the receipt of antitrust regulatory approvals. If any condition to the acquisition agreement is not satisfied or, if permissible, waived, the acquisition will not be completed. In addition, SCI and Stewart may terminate the acquisition agreement in certain circumstances. If the acquisition is not completed, the market price of SCI common stock may decline if the current market price reflects a market assumption that the acquisition will be completed. SCI will also still be obligated to pay certain investment banking, financing, legal and accounting fees, and related expenses.

We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Stewart.

The success of the acquisition will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated cost savings from reduced back-office and infrastructure expenses, elimination of duplicative public company and management structure costs, and improved purchasing power through greater scale. However, to realize the anticipated benefits from the acquisition, we must successfully combine the businesses of SCI and Stewart in a manner that permits those costs savings to be realized. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer or cost more to realize than expected. SCI and Stewart have operated and, until the completion of the acquisition, will continue to operate, independently. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of valuable employees, the disruption of each company's ongoing businesses, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, practices, and policies that could adversely impact our operations.

The acquisition of Stewart may result in unexpected consequences to our business and results of operations.

Although Stewart's business will generally be subject to risks similar to those to which we are subject to in our existing operations, we may not have discovered all risks applicable to Stewart's business during the due diligence process and such risks may not be discovered prior to closing. Some of these risks could produce unexpected and unwanted consequences for us. Undiscovered risks may result in us incurring financial liabilities, which could be material and have a negative impact on our business operations.

Our level of indebtedness following the completion of the acquisition of Stewart could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our indebtedness.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness which will be increased substantially if and when we complete the acquisition of Stewart Enterprises. Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences, including the following:

•it may limit our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements and general corporate or other purposes;

•a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations will be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, including indebtedness we may incur in the future, and will not be available for other purposes, including to finance our working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate or other purposes;

•it could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate and place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt;

•it could make us more vulnerable to downturns in general economic or industry conditions or in our business, or prevent us from carrying out activities that are important to our growth;

•it could increase our interest expense if interest rates in general increase because a portion of our indebtedness, including all of our indebtedness under our senior credit facilities, bears interest at floating rates; and

•it could make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including any financial and other restrictive covenants,

56

could result in an event of default under the agreements governing our other indebtedness which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of our indebtedness.

Any of the above listed factors could materially affect our business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to our high level of indebtedness, we also have significant rental and other obligations under our operating and capital leases for funeral service locations, cemetery operating and maintenance equipment and transportation equipment. These obligations could further increase the risks described above.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On September 30, 2013, we issued 1,069 deferred common stock equivalents, or units, pursuant to provisions regarding dividends under the Amended and Restated Director Fee Plan to four non-employee directors. We did not receive any monetary consideration for the issuances. These issuances were unregistered because they did not constitute a “sale” within the meaning of Section 2(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 6. Exhibits

12.1	Ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
31.1	Certification of Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	Interactive data file.

57

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

October 24, 2013		SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
	By:	/s/ Tammy Moore
		Tammy Moore
		Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

58

Index to Exhibits

12.1	Ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
31.1	Certification of Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Thomas L. Ryan as Chief Executive Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Periodic Financial Reports by Eric D. Tanzberger as Principal Financial Officer in satisfaction of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	Interactive data file.

59

EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(In thousands, except ratio amounts)

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Earnings:
Pretax income	$	45,882	$	63,925	$	196,037	$	198,934
Add fixed charges as adjusted (from below)	40,072		35,382		109,591		106,666
	$	85,954	$	99,307	$	305,628	$	305,600
Fixed charges:
Interest expense:
Corporate	$	36,569	$	32,339	$	99,592	$	97,415
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,511		1,229		3,997		3,635
1/3 of rental expense	1,992		1,814		6,002		5,616
Fixed charges	$	40,072	$	35,382	$	109,591	$	106,666
Ratio (earnings divided by fixed charges)	2.14		2.81		2.79		2.87

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Service Corporation International

a Texas corporation

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Section 302 Certification

I, Thomas L. Ryan, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Service Corporation International, a Texas corporation (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	October 24, 2013	/s/ Thomas L. Ryan
		Thomas L. Ryan
		President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Service Corporation International

a Texas corporation

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Section 302 Certification

I, Eric D. Tanzberger, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Service Corporation International, a Texas corporation (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	October 24, 2013	/s/ Eric D. Tranzberger
		Eric D. Tranzberger
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

I, Thomas L. Ryan, of Service Corporation International, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013 (the “Periodic Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) the information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Service Corporation International.

Dated:	October 24, 2013	/s/ Thomas L. Ryan
		Thomas L. Ryan
		President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

I, Eric D. Tanzberger, of Service Corporation International, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013 (the “Periodic Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) the information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Service Corporation International.

Dated:	October 24, 2013	/s/ Eric D. Tanzberger
		Eric D. Tanzberger
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

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Debt Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Debt [Abstract]

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

Debt

Debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—		$	4,757
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	136,465			136,465
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377			197,377
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			250,000
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	250,000			250,000
4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	200,000			200,000
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000			150,000
5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	425,000			—
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
Bank credit facility	—			86,600
Obligations under capital leases	189,011			176,445
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,711			5,698
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	(3,814		)	(4,292		)
Total debt	2,293,750			1,948,050
Less current maturities	(36,647		)	(31,429		)
Total long-term debt	$	2,257,103		$	1,916,621

Current maturities of debt at September 30, 2013 were primarily comprised of our capital leases. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 5.72% and 6.28% at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Approximately 92% and 87% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Stewart Acquisition Financing

In conjunction with our entry into a definitive agreement to acquire Stewart (See Note 1) on May 28, 2013, the Company also entered into an agreement with a leading bank to provide $1.825 billion of committed financing. This committed financing consisted of a $500 million replacement revolving facility (to be provided in the event amendments to SCI's existing bank credit facility could not be obtained), a $600 million term loan, and a $725 million senior unsecured bridge facility.

In July 2013, we entered into a new credit agreement with a syndicate of banks. The new $1.1 billion credit agreement replaces the existing $500 million bank credit facility providing for a new $500 million bank credit facility and a $600 million term loan, both maturing in July 2018. A significant amount of the term loan will be drawn upon the closing of and used to fund the Stewart Acquisition and includes quarterly amortization requirements. After the acquisition, the credit agreement requires us to use the first $200 million of divestiture proceeds to prepay our term loan while our leverage ratio exceeds 3.75X (net debt to EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement). The new $500 million bank credit facility will be used partially to fund the Stewart acquisition, but will primarily exist to provide the Company with flexibility for general corporate purposes.

In June 2013, Stewart launched a consent solicitation from the holders of Stewart's $200 million 6.5% senior notes due April 2019, which notes are expected to remain outstanding after our acquisition of Stewart. The consent solicitation requested, among other things, the waiver of the holders' change of control rights as they relate to the Stewart acquisition. Consenting holders received a 0.25% fee based on the aggregate principal amount of notes for which consents were delivered (half of which was immediately payable and half of which will be paid upon the closing of the Stewart acquisition), and upon the closing of the Stewart Acquisition, SCI will provide a guarantee of the notes. This consent solicitation was successful and the applicable waivers will only be effective upon closing of the Stewart acquisition.

Finally, in July 2013, the Company issued $425 million in 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022, in a private placement offering made in accordance with rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. Pending the closing of the Stewart acquisition, the net proceeds are being held in an escrow account and reported as restricted cash. The issuance of these notes was a non-cash financing activity as the funds were deposited directly to the escrow account. In the event the Stewart acquisition does not close, SCI is required to redeem the notes at par value to the bond holders. The notes are subject to the provisions of the Company's Senior Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993, as amended, which includes certain covenants limiting, among other things, the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale-leaseback transactions.

With the aforementioned $1.1 billion credit agreement and the newly issued $425 million Senior Notes, we believe we have completed the necessary financing to fund the Stewart acquisition when the transaction closes.

Bank Credit Agreement

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had a $500 million bank credit facility due July 2018 with a syndicate of banks.

In conjunction with entering into the new bank credit facility, all outstanding cash advances of $86.6 million were repaid. Our new bank credit facility includes a $175 million sublimit for letters of credit and provides us with flexibility for working capital, if needed, and is guaranteed by a majority of our domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guaranty is a guaranty of payment of the outstanding amount of the total lending commitment, including letters of credit. The bank credit facility contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. We have no outstanding cash advances under our bank credit facility but currently do use it to support $31.8 million of letters of credit. We pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.25% for the third quarter. As of September 30, 2013, we have $468.2 million in borrowing capacity under the bank credit facility.

Debt Extinguishments and Reductions

During the first nine months of 2013, we paid an aggregate of $19.7 million to retire $19.6 million in capital lease obligations and $0.1 million to retire other debt. Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a gain of $0.5 million recorded in Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

During the first nine months of 2012, we paid an aggregate of $19.3 million to retire capital lease obligations with no associated gain or loss recognized on early extinguishment of this debt.

Capital Leases

During the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, we acquired $34.0 million and $51.0 million, respectively, of capital leases, primarily related to transportation equipment.

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$ 1,120,726	$ 1,099,580
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,080,618	1,045,568
Restricted Cash	40,108	54,012
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$ 1,120,726	$ 1,099,580

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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Statement (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 182,592	$ 92,708
Receivables, net	78,990	101,817
Deferred tax assets	42,813	42,864
Inventories, net	24,612	24,560
Other	28,963	20,546
Total current assets	357,970	282,495
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,577,398	1,535,932
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	2,003,478	1,826,835
Cemetery property, at cost	1,486,095	1,489,948
Property and equipment, net	1,623,187	1,641,101
Goodwill, net	1,377,946	1,382,410
Restricted Cash	419,548	4,457
Deferred charges and other assets	423,014	420,810
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,120,726	1,099,580
Total assets	10,389,362	9,683,568
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	392,011	373,783
Current maturities of long-term debt	36,647	31,429
Income taxes	3,103	6,892
Total current liabilities	431,761	412,104
Long-term debt	2,257,103	1,916,621
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	523,091	536,647
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	895,893	861,148
Deferred tax liability	530,670	471,198
Other liabilities	397,113	399,950
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	2,793,456	2,624,321
Care trusts’ corpus	1,119,501	1,098,752
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 212,082,348 and 211,056,501 shares issued, respectively, and 211,960,401 and 211,046,501 shares outstanding, respectively	211,960	211,047
Capital in excess of par value	1,282,667	1,307,058
Accumulated deficit	(169,797)	(286,795)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	101,949	111,717
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,426,779	1,343,027
Noncontrolling interests	13,995	19,800
Total equity	1,440,774	1,362,827
Total liabilities and equity	$ 10,389,362	$ 9,683,568

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior amounts to conform to the current period financial statements presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables

We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are entered into prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables generally have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amounts, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.

If a preneed contract is canceled prior to delivery, state or provincial law governs the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.

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Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common shares that then shared in our earnings.

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)				(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income:
Net income — basic	$	26,779	$	41,062	$	118,015	$	126,163
After tax interest on convertible debt	13		13		38		38
Net income — diluted	$	26,792	$	41,075	$	118,053	$	126,201
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	211,954		214,914		211,721		216,974
Stock options	4,295		3,425		4,035		3,211
Convertible debt	121		121		121		121
Weighted average shares — diluted	216,370		218,460		215,877		220,306
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.13	$	0.19	$	0.56	$	0.58
Diluted	$	0.12	$	0.19	$	0.55	$	0.57

The computation of diluted EPS excludes outstanding stock options and convertible debt in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options and debt would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, total options not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 1.4 million and 1.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, total options not currently included in the computation of dilutive EPS were 1.7 million and 1.8 million, respectively.

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Equity Equity, Textuals (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 09, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares		0	0	(143)	0
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.06	$ 0.20	$ 0.17
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash				$ 14,800,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount				190,100,000
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Purchase of Interest by Parent				0.10
Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries				$ 8,333,000	$ 0
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership before Transaction				70.00%
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership after Transaction				80.00%

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investments Classifed by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 7,764
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	27,927
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	18,576
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	1,013
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 55,280

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Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Text Block]

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Estimates

The fair value estimates of the following financial instruments have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms.

The fair value of our debt instruments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—	$	4,786
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	145,676		150,112
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	216,621		222,049
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	327,450		341,094
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	284,560		298,750
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	266,875		276,250
4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	190,500		204,500
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	170,250		186,000
5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	407,469		—
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	207,500		215,500
Bank credit facility	—		86,600
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,711		5,698
Total fair value of debt instruments	$	2,221,612	$	1,991,339

The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 1 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC. The bank credit agreement and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements. A significant increase (decrease) in the inputs results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments.

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 26,627		$ 15,796		$ 17,687		$ 15,219
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,015	[1]	(458)	[1]	15,245	[1]	(1,937)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	0	[2]	(12)	[2]	(13)	[2]	(30)	[2]
Contributions	21		1,044		2,356		3,760
Distributions and other	(1,248)		(362)		(7,860)		(1,004)
Fair market value, ending balance	27,415		16,008		27,415		16,008
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,258		433		450		436
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	277	[1]	16	[1]	1,253	[1]	18	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	0	[2]	(1)	[2]	(3)	[2]	(2)	[2]
Contributions	0		0		0		0
Distributions and other	(205)		(7)		(370)		(11)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 1,330		$ 441		$ 1,330		$ 441

[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.

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 199,448	$ 75,742
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(5,400)	(4,052)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	62,038	61,406
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(11,669)	(19,346)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	261,486	137,148
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(17,069)	(23,398)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	356	373
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(5)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	18	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	374	373
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(5)	(1)
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	16,705	9,145
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(346)	(140)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,421	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(215)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	22,126	9,145
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(561)	(140)
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	11,231	5,439
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(108)	(33)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,486	1,886
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(114)	(18)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	14,717	7,325
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(222)	(51)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	560	183
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(11)	(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	562	183
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(11)	(2)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	66
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	15
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	81
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(2)
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,083	3,115
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(20)	(639)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	160	973
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(20)	(299)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,243	4,088
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(40)	(938)
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	30,801	38,323
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(2,644)	(2,403)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,426	7,495
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(754)	(986)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	33,227	45,818
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(3,398)	(3,389)
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	822	1,246
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(96)	(281)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,817	1,055
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(630)	(450)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,639	2,301
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(726)	(731)
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,977	4,712
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(195)	(389)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	723	696
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(168)	(58)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,700	5,408
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(363)	(447)
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	221	2,654
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(14)	(127)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	207	404
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(45)	(84)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	428	3,058
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(59)	(211)
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	134,626	10,552
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,960)	(37)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	28,430	31,837
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(869)	(404)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	163,056	42,389
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(2,829)	(441)
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	19,333	10,752
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(8,853)	(13,943)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	19,333	10,752
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(8,853)	(13,943)
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		6,308
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		(3,104)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		6,308
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		$ (3,104)

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Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 37,789		$ 20,763		$ 121,710		$ 108,604
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,632)		(13,050)		(22,615)		(49,193)
Funeral [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	20,187		19,982		63,802		64,081
Withdrawals	24,242		22,943		92,491		78,034
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	125,113	[1]	53,034	[1]	302,939	[1]	324,304	[1]
Sales of available-for-sale securities	91,064	[1]	51,672	[1]	337,714	[1]	323,471	[1]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	12,953		7,681		41,654		43,446
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (2,212)		$ (4,570)		$ (8,378)		$ (18,730)

[1] Reflects the rebalancing of Neptune Society trust assets during the current quarter.

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	50,411	$	(5,255	)	$	16,678	$	(1,457	)	$	67,089	$	(6,712	)
Canadian government	9,713		(195		)	3,204		(125		)	12,917		(320		)
Corporate	15,191		(438		)	3,301		(216		)	18,492		(654		)
Residential mortgage-backed	71		(1		)	—		—			71		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,197		(68		)	—		—			2,197		(68		)
Common stock:
United States	64,772		(3,944		)	3,618		(647		)	68,390		(4,591		)
Canada	1,922		(434		)	1,881		(576		)	3,803		(1,010		)
Other international	8,001		(483		)	856		(195		)	8,857		(678		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	20,440		(406		)	14,252		(2,106		)	34,692		(2,512		)
Fixed income	110,221		(6,748		)	38,656		(23,430		)	148,877		(30,178		)
Private equity	—		—			6,863		(3,737		)	6,863		(3,737		)
Other	—		—			316		(1		)	316		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	282,939	$	(17,972	)	$	89,625	$	(32,490	)	$	372,564	$	(50,462	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	28,626	$	(841	)	$	—	$	—		$	28,626	$	(841	)
Canadian government	5,319		(83		)	—		—			5,319		(83		)
Corporate	14,060		(571		)	2,137		(204		)	16,197		(775		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,497		(143		)	126		(53		)	1,623		(196		)
Common stock:
United States	82,989		(5,624		)	11,131		(2,092		)	94,120		(7,716		)
Canada	3,114		(461		)	1,115		(385		)	4,229		(846		)
Other international	9,056		(655		)	741		(202		)	9,797		(857		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	28,132		(1,427		)	43,172		(8,494		)	71,304		(9,921		)
Fixed income	54,533		(2,205		)	29,104		(17,145		)	83,637		(19,350		)
Private equity	46		(17		)	17,136		(15,158		)	17,182		(15,175		)
Other	8		—			378		(1		)	386		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	227,380	$	(12,027	)	$	105,040	$	(43,734	)	$	332,420	$	(55,761	)

Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	356	$	(5	)	$	18	$	—		$	374	$	(5	)
Canadian government	16,705		(346		)	5,421		(215		)	22,126		(561		)
Corporate	11,231		(108		)	3,486		(114		)	14,717		(222		)
Residential mortgage-backed	560		(11		)	2		—			562		(11		)
Asset-backed	66		(1		)	15		(1		)	81		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,083		(20		)	160		(20		)	1,243		(40		)
Common stock:
United States	30,801		(2,644		)	2,426		(754		)	33,227		(3,398		)
Canada	822		(96		)	1,817		(630		)	2,639		(726		)
Other international	2,977		(195		)	723		(168		)	3,700		(363		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	221		(14		)	207		(45		)	428		(59		)
Fixed income	134,626		(1,960		)	28,430		(869		)	163,056		(2,829		)
Private equity	—		—			19,333		(8,853		)	19,333		(8,853		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	199,448	$	(5,400	)	$	62,038	$	(11,669	)	$	261,486	$	(17,069	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	373	$	(1	)	$	—	$	—		$	373	$	(1	)
Canadian government	9,145		(140		)	—		—			9,145		(140		)
Corporate	5,439		(33		)	1,886		(18		)	7,325		(51		)
Residential mortgage-backed	183		(2		)	—		—			183		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,115		(639		)	973		(299		)	4,088		(938		)
Common stock:
United States	38,323		(2,403		)	7,495		(986		)	45,818		(3,389		)
Canada	1,246		(281		)	1,055		(450		)	2,301		(731		)
Other international	4,712		(389		)	696		(58		)	5,408		(447		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,654		(127		)	404		(84		)	3,058		(211		)
Fixed income	10,552		(37		)	31,837		(404		)	42,389		(441		)
Private equity	—		—			10,752		(13,943		)	10,752		(13,943		)
Other	—		—			6,308		(3,104		)	6,308		(3,104		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	75,742	$	(4,052	)	$	61,406	$	(19,346	)	$	137,148	$	(23,398	)

Cemetery [Member]

Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]

Investment related activities [Table Text Block]

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Deposits	$	27,407		$	25,010		$	81,019		$	75,717
Withdrawals	26,542			28,260			89,881			75,623
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	98,803			114,549			395,200			443,613
Sales of available-for-sale securities	73,171			111,663			407,503			428,350
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	19,965			9,754			66,284			57,636
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(3,454		)	(6,962		)	(12,509		)	(25,028		)

Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]

The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,314,770		$	1,204,084
Cash and cash equivalents	99,682			86,923
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	4			9
Trust investments	1,414,456			1,291,016
Receivables from customers	673,342			614,599
Unearned finance charges	(30,430		)	(29,471		)
	2,057,368			1,876,144
Allowance for cancellation	(53,890		)	(49,309		)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$	2,003,478		$	1,826,835

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	109,856	$	2,436	$	(6,712	)	$	105,580
Canadian government	2	17,720		122		(320		)	17,522
Corporate	2	47,354		4,182		(654		)	50,882
Residential mortgage-backed	2	145		2		(1		)	146
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	7,744		892		(68		)	8,568
Common stock:
United States	1	368,746		115,819		(4,591		)	479,974
Canada	1	14,556		3,169		(1,010		)	16,715
Other international	1	32,773		8,507		(678		)	40,602
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	279,475		42,647		(2,512		)	319,610
Fixed income	1	270,478		6,126		(30,178		)	246,426
Private equity	3	26,894		4,258		(3,737		)	27,415
Other	3	1,089		242		(1		)	1,330
Trust investments		$	1,176,830	$	188,402	$	(50,462	)	$	1,314,770

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	99,630	$	7,925	$	(841	)	$	106,714
Canadian government	2	17,562		402		(83		)	17,881
Corporate	2	43,515		2,456		(775		)	45,196
Residential mortgage-backed	2	150		4		—			154
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	5,840		334		(196		)	5,978
Common stock:
United States	1	363,190		71,613		(7,716		)	427,087
Canada	1	16,026		2,862		(846		)	18,042
Other international	1	29,889		3,687		(857		)	32,719
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	279,265		19,520		(9,921		)	288,864
Fixed income	1	251,687		10,975		(19,350		)	243,312
Private equity	3	32,785		77		(15,175		)	17,687
Other	3	407		44		(1		)	450
Trust investments		$	1,139,946	$	119,899	$	(55,761	)	$	1,204,084

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	26,627		$	1,258		$	15,796		$	433
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,015			277			(458		)	16
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	—			—			(12		)	(1		)
Contributions	21			—			1,044			—
Distributions and other	(1,248		)	(205		)	(362		)	(7		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	27,415		$	1,330		$	16,008		$	441

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	17,687		$	450		$	15,219		$	436
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	15,245			1,253			(1,937		)	18
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(13		)	(3		)	(30		)	(2		)
Contributions	2,356			—			3,760			—
Distributions and other	(7,860		)	(370		)	(1,004		)	(11		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	27,415		$	1,330		$	16,008		$	441

Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2013 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	23,074
Due in one to five years	59,767
Due in five to ten years	43,707
Thereafter	47,582
	$	174,130

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Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	50,411	$	(5,255	)	$	16,678	$	(1,457	)	$	67,089	$	(6,712	)
Canadian government	9,713		(195		)	3,204		(125		)	12,917		(320		)
Corporate	15,191		(438		)	3,301		(216		)	18,492		(654		)
Residential mortgage-backed	71		(1		)	—		—			71		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,197		(68		)	—		—			2,197		(68		)
Common stock:
United States	64,772		(3,944		)	3,618		(647		)	68,390		(4,591		)
Canada	1,922		(434		)	1,881		(576		)	3,803		(1,010		)
Other international	8,001		(483		)	856		(195		)	8,857		(678		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	20,440		(406		)	14,252		(2,106		)	34,692		(2,512		)
Fixed income	110,221		(6,748		)	38,656		(23,430		)	148,877		(30,178		)
Private equity	—		—			6,863		(3,737		)	6,863		(3,737		)
Other	—		—			316		(1		)	316		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	282,939	$	(17,972	)	$	89,625	$	(32,490	)	$	372,564	$	(50,462	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	28,626	$	(841	)	$	—	$	—		$	28,626	$	(841	)
Canadian government	5,319		(83		)	—		—			5,319		(83		)
Corporate	14,060		(571		)	2,137		(204		)	16,197		(775		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,497		(143		)	126		(53		)	1,623		(196		)
Common stock:
United States	82,989		(5,624		)	11,131		(2,092		)	94,120		(7,716		)
Canada	3,114		(461		)	1,115		(385		)	4,229		(846		)
Other international	9,056		(655		)	741		(202		)	9,797		(857		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	28,132		(1,427		)	43,172		(8,494		)	71,304		(9,921		)
Fixed income	54,533		(2,205		)	29,104		(17,145		)	83,637		(19,350		)
Private equity	46		(17		)	17,136		(15,158		)	17,182		(15,175		)
Other	8		—			378		(1		)	386		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	227,380	$	(12,027	)	$	105,040	$	(43,734	)	$	332,420	$	(55,761	)

Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	356	$	(5	)	$	18	$	—		$	374	$	(5	)
Canadian government	16,705		(346		)	5,421		(215		)	22,126		(561		)
Corporate	11,231		(108		)	3,486		(114		)	14,717		(222		)
Residential mortgage-backed	560		(11		)	2		—			562		(11		)
Asset-backed	66		(1		)	15		(1		)	81		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,083		(20		)	160		(20		)	1,243		(40		)
Common stock:
United States	30,801		(2,644		)	2,426		(754		)	33,227		(3,398		)
Canada	822		(96		)	1,817		(630		)	2,639		(726		)
Other international	2,977		(195		)	723		(168		)	3,700		(363		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	221		(14		)	207		(45		)	428		(59		)
Fixed income	134,626		(1,960		)	28,430		(869		)	163,056		(2,829		)
Private equity	—		—			19,333		(8,853		)	19,333		(8,853		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	199,448	$	(5,400	)	$	62,038	$	(11,669	)	$	261,486	$	(17,069	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	373	$	(1	)	$	—	$	—		$	373	$	(1	)
Canadian government	9,145		(140		)	—		—			9,145		(140		)
Corporate	5,439		(33		)	1,886		(18		)	7,325		(51		)
Residential mortgage-backed	183		(2		)	—		—			183		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,115		(639		)	973		(299		)	4,088		(938		)
Common stock:
United States	38,323		(2,403		)	7,495		(986		)	45,818		(3,389		)
Canada	1,246		(281		)	1,055		(450		)	2,301		(731		)
Other international	4,712		(389		)	696		(58		)	5,408		(447		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,654		(127		)	404		(84		)	3,058		(211		)
Fixed income	10,552		(37		)	31,837		(404		)	42,389		(441		)
Private equity	—		—			10,752		(13,943		)	10,752		(13,943		)
Other	—		—			6,308		(3,104		)	6,308		(3,104		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	75,742	$	(4,052	)	$	61,406	$	(19,346	)	$	137,148	$	(23,398	)

Funeral [Member]

Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]

Investment related activities [Table Text Block]

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Deposits	$	20,187		$	19,982		$	63,802		$	64,081
Withdrawals	24,242			22,943			92,491			78,034
Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1)	125,113			53,034			302,939			324,304
Sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	91,064			51,672			337,714			323,471
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	12,953			7,681			41,654			43,446
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(2,212		)	(4,570		)	(8,378		)	(18,730		)

Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]

The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,005,320		$	977,973
Cash and cash equivalents	98,892			85,943
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	277,052			273,098
Trust investments	1,381,264			1,337,014
Receivables from customers	243,334			241,896
Unearned finance charge	(9,653		)	(8,645		)
	1,614,945			1,570,265
Allowance for cancellation	(37,547		)	(34,333		)
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$	1,577,398		$	1,535,932

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The cost and fair values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the market value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair value of private equity investments (including debt as well as the estimated fair value related to the contract holder’s equity in majority-owned real estate investments).

	September 30, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	96,240	$	1,699	$	(4,499	)	$	93,440
Canadian government	2	105,784		48		(1,356		)	104,476
Corporate	2	50,520		2,864		(739		)	52,645
Residential mortgage-backed	2	2,362		20		(24		)	2,358
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	4,649		547		(50		)	5,146
Common stock:
United States	1	225,447		61,091		(3,989		)	282,549
Canada	1	23,793		2,912		(1,635		)	25,070
Other international	1	18,444		4,065		(509		)	22,000
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	175,783		17,256		(2,786		)	190,253
Fixed income	1	212,275		3,943		(17,339		)	198,879
Private equity	3	30,811		3,533		(7,359		)	26,985
Other	3	1,206		313		—			1,519
Trust investments		$	947,314	$	98,291	$	(40,285	)	$	1,005,320

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	105,594	$	5,072	$	(880	)	$	109,786
Canadian government	2	110,399		861		(113		)	111,147
Corporate	2	51,611		2,531		(623		)	53,519
Residential mortgage-backed	2	3,123		57		(8		)	3,172
Asset-backed	2	129		3		—			132
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	3,603		211		(103		)	3,711
Common stock:
United States	1	230,971		38,514		(6,903		)	262,582
Canada	1	23,284		2,598		(1,271		)	24,611
Other international	1	18,089		1,874		(658		)	19,305
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	145,589		10,097		(6,728		)	148,958
Fixed income	1	225,365		7,314		(10,252		)	222,427
Private equity	3	36,626		221		(18,968		)	17,879
Other	3	542		202		—			744
Trust investments		$	954,925	$	69,555	$	(46,507	)	$	977,973

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	26,333		$	1,457		$	16,359		$	909
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,830			256			(758		)	10
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	—			—			(11		)	(1		)
Contributions	19			—			995			—
Distributions and other	(1,197		)	(194		)	(316		)	(4		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	26,985		$	1,519		$	16,269		$	914

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	17,879		$	744		$	15,986		$	912
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	14,441			1,126			(2,342		)	10
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(11		)	(2		)	(27		)	(1		)
Sales	—			—			(9		)	—
Contributions	2,221			—			3,554			—
Distributions and other	(7,545		)	(349		)	(893		)	(7		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	26,985		$	1,519		$	16,269		$	914

Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2053. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2013 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	132,664
Due in one to five years	44,840
Due in five to ten years	44,962
Thereafter	30,453
	$	252,919

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	29,033	$	(3,230	)	$	17,445	$	(1,269	)	$	46,478	$	(4,499	)
Canadian government	23,989		(1,100		)	6,252		(256		)	30,241		(1,356		)
Corporate	18,650		(446		)	4,317		(293		)	22,967		(739		)
Residential mortgage-backed	1,322		(23		)	19		(1		)	1,341		(24		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,214		(50		)	—		—			1,214		(50		)
Common stock:
United States	46,129		(3,097		)	4,069		(892		)	50,198		(3,989		)
Canada	4,590		(696		)	2,686		(939		)	7,276		(1,635		)
Other international	4,820		(358		)	740		(151		)	5,560		(509		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	15,211		(122		)	13,344		(2,664		)	28,555		(2,786		)
Fixed income	65,418		(3,149		)	53,809		(14,190		)	119,227		(17,339		)
Private equity	—		—			13,687		(7,359		)	13,687		(7,359		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	210,376	$	(12,271	)	$	116,368	$	(28,014	)	$	326,744	$	(40,285	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	22,357	$	(803	)	$	6,741	$	(77	)	$	29,098	$	(880	)
Canadian government	7,912		(113		)	—		—			7,912		(113		)
Corporate	7,809		(347		)	4,283		(276		)	12,092		(623		)
Residential mortgage-backed	956		(8		)	—		—			956		(8		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,220		(93		)	52		(10		)	1,272		(103		)
Common stock:
United States	70,752		(4,694		)	9,089		(2,209		)	79,841		(6,903		)
Canada	6,592		(652		)	2,516		(619		)	9,108		(1,271		)
Other international	7,606		(521		)	608		(137		)	8,214		(658		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	6,779		(126		)	26,340		(6,602		)	33,119		(6,728		)
Fixed income	38,686		(1,021		)	24,131		(9,231		)	62,817		(10,252		)
Private equity	—		—			17,389		(18,968		)	17,389		(18,968		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	170,669	$	(8,378	)	$	91,149	$	(38,129	)	$	261,818	$	(46,507	)

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 2,003,478	$ 1,826,835
Cemetery [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,314,770	1,204,084
Cash and cash equivalents	99,682	86,923
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	4	9
Trust investments	1,414,456	1,291,016
Receivables from customers	673,342	614,599
Unearned finance charges	(30,430)	(29,471)
Preneed cemetary receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	2,057,368	1,876,144
Allowance for cancellation	(53,890)	(49,309)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 2,003,478	$ 1,826,835

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Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

Our reportable segment information is as follows:

	Funeral		Cemetery		Reportable Segments
	(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	399,581	$	210,370	$	609,951
2012	$	388,365	$	192,817	$	581,182
Gross profits:
2013	$	67,088	$	48,991	$	116,079
2012	$	75,992	$	45,279	$	121,271
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	1,277,419	$	610,389	$	1,887,808
2012	$	1,209,067	$	571,993	$	1,781,060
Gross profits:
2013	$	267,457	$	134,043	$	401,500
2012	$	257,703	$	119,324	$	377,027

Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]

The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Gross profits from reportable segments	$	116,079		$	121,271		$	401,500		$	377,027
General and administrative expenses	(33,764		)	(26,410		)	(95,792		)	(81,927		)
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	981			315			(5,533		)	883
Operating income	83,296			95,176			300,175			295,983
Interest expense	(38,080		)	(33,568		)	(103,589		)	(101,050		)
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	—			—			468			—
Other income (expense), net	666			2,317			(1,017		)	4,001
Income before income taxes	$	45,882		$	63,925		$	196,037		$	198,934

Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]

Our geographic area information is as follows:

	United States		Canada		Germany		Total
			(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	552,128	$	56,462	$	1,361	$	609,951
2012	$	523,600	$	56,280	$	1,302	$	581,182
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	1,717,909	$	165,330	$	4,569	$	1,887,808
2012	$	1,615,128	$	161,411	$	4,521	$	1,781,060

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Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 947,314	$ 954,925
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	98,291	69,555
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(40,285)	(46,507)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,005,320	977,973
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	96,240	105,594
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,699	5,072
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(4,499)	(880)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	93,440	109,786
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	105,784	110,399
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	48	861
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,356)	(113)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	104,476	111,147
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	50,520	51,611
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,864	2,531
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(739)	(623)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	52,645	53,519
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,362	3,123
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	20	57
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(24)	(8)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,358	3,172
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis		129
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains		3
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value		132
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	4,649	3,603
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	547	211
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(50)	(103)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	5,146	3,711
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	225,447	230,971
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	61,091	38,514
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,989)	(6,903)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	282,549	262,582
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	23,793	23,284
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,912	2,598
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,635)	(1,271)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	25,070	24,611
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	18,444	18,089
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,065	1,874
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(509)	(658)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	22,000	19,305
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	175,783	145,589
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	17,256	10,097
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,786)	(6,728)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	190,253	148,958
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	212,275	225,365
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,943	7,314
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(17,339)	(10,252)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	198,879	222,427
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	30,811	36,626
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,533	221
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(7,359)	(18,968)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	26,985	17,879
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,206	542
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	313	202
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 1,519	$ 744

XML

Preneed Cemetery Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Cemetery [Member]
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 23,074
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	59,767
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	43,707
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	47,582
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 174,130

XML

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Table Text Block]

The fair value of our debt instruments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—	$	4,786
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	145,676		150,112
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	216,621		222,049
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	327,450		341,094
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	284,560		298,750
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	266,875		276,250
4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	190,500		204,500
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	170,250		186,000
5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	407,469		—
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	207,500		215,500
Bank credit facility	—		86,600
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,711		5,698
Total fair value of debt instruments	$	2,221,612	$	1,991,339

XML

Share-Based Compensation Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Exercised	0	0	143,000	0
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend yield			1.90%
Expected volatility			35.20%
Risk-free interest rate			0.70%
Expected holding period			4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at beginning of period			12,401,970
Options outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price			$ 8.84
Granted			2,041,330
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$ 15.26
Exercised			573,335
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$ 8.89
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period			36,397
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$ 10.31
Options outstanding at end of period	13,833,568		13,833,568
Options outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price	$ 9.78		$ 9.78
Options exercisable at March 31, 2012	9,719,085		9,719,085
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 8.50		$ 8.50
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period			1,104,579
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value			$ 9.78
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period			378,280
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$ 15.26
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period			(296,886)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$ 8.63
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period			2,744
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price			$ 10.32
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period	1,183,229		1,183,229
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 11.81		$ 11.81

XML

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Textuals (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1.4	1.3	1.7	1.8

XML

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016	$ 0	$ 86,600	$ 86,600
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,711		5,698
Total fair value of debt instruments	2,221,612		1,991,339
February 2013 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0		4,786
April 2015 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	145,676		150,112
April 2016 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	216,621		222,049
June 2017 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	327,450		341,094
October 2018 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	284,560		298,750
May 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	266,875		276,250
November 2020 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	190,500		204,500
November 2021 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	170,250		186,000
January 2022 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	407,469		0
April 2027 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 207,500		$ 215,500

XML

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 210,376	$ 170,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(12,271)	(8,378)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	116,368	91,149
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(28,014)	(38,129)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	326,744	261,818
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(40,285)	(46,507)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	29,033	22,357
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(3,230)	(803)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	17,445	6,741
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1,269)	(77)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	46,478	29,098
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(4,499)	(880)
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	23,989	7,912
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1,100)	(113)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,252	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(256)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	30,241	7,912
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1,356)	(113)
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	18,650	7,809
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(446)	(347)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,317	4,283
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(293)	(276)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	22,967	12,092
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(739)	(623)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,322	956
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(23)	(8)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	19	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,341	956
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(24)	(8)
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,214	1,220
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(50)	(93)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	52
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	(10)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,214	1,272
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(50)	(103)
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	46,129	70,752
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(3,097)	(4,694)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,069	9,089
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(892)	(2,209)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	50,198	79,841
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(3,989)	(6,903)
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,590	6,592
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(696)	(652)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,686	2,516
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(939)	(619)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,276	9,108
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1,635)	(1,271)
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,820	7,606
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(358)	(521)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	740	608
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(151)	(137)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,560	8,214
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(509)	(658)
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	15,211	6,779
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(122)	(126)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	13,344	26,340
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(2,664)	(6,602)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	28,555	33,119
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(2,786)	(6,728)
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	65,418	38,686
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(3,149)	(1,021)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	53,809	24,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(14,190)	(9,231)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	119,227	62,817
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(17,339)	(10,252)
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	13,687	17,389
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(7,359)	(18,968)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	13,687	17,389
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	$ (7,359)	$ (18,968)

XML

Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 291,785	$ 271,543	$ 875,016	$ 815,659
Total services revenues	281,432	277,246	905,923	867,641
Other revenues	36,734	32,393	106,869	97,760
Total revenues	609,951	581,182	1,887,808	1,781,060
Total cost of merchandise	125,374	116,346	388,194	366,301
Total cost of services	162,738	155,060	491,350	465,031
Overhead and other expenses	205,760	188,505	606,764	572,701
Total costs and expenses	493,872	459,911	1,486,308	1,404,033
Options exercised by attestation	0	0	143,000	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	0	0	(143,000)	0
Funeral [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	138,015	133,756	441,767	412,039
Total services revenues	231,511	228,392	748,217	720,285
Total revenues	399,581	388,365	1,277,419	1,209,067
Total cost of merchandise	62,945	61,183	204,694	194,557
Total cost of services	138,420	131,076	414,481	390,489
Cemetery [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	153,770	137,787	433,249	403,620
Total services revenues	49,921	48,854	157,706	147,356
Total revenues	210,370	192,817	610,389	571,993
Total cost of merchandise	62,429	55,163	183,500	171,744
Total cost of services	$ 24,318	$ 23,984	$ 76,869	$ 74,542

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.

Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.

Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.

Funeral and Cemetery cash flow [Policy Text Block]

Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care trusts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]

These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (FVM&D) Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of September 30, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of September 30, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of September 30, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 1 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC. The bank credit agreement and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues.

Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues.

Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned.

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common shares that then shared in our earnings.

The computation of diluted EPS excludes outstanding stock options and convertible debt in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options and debt would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior amounts to conform to the current period financial statements presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables

We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are entered into prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables generally have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amounts, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.

If a preneed contract is canceled prior to delivery, state or provincial law governs the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.

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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Statement (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 120,552	$ 127,751
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	(468)	0
Depreciation and amortization	91,945	89,349
Amortization of intangible assets	16,619	17,950
Amortization of cemetery property	32,036	31,528
Amortization of loan costs	3,997	3,635
Provision for doubtful accounts	5,238	6,801
Provision for deferred income taxes	55,784	57,428
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	5,533	(883)
Share-based compensation	8,887	8,217
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	(6,083)	0
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Decrease in receivables	14,487	1,066
Increase (decrease) in other assets	(14,636)	(6,331)
Decrease in payables and other liabilities	24,767	6,623
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
Decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	33,066	34,134
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue	(10,202)	(30,325)
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(34,026)	(18,185)
Effect of cemetery production and deliveries:
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	(49,500)	(72,012)
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue	36,183	27,502
(Decrease) increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(8,051)	(480)
Other	306	(3,481)
Net cash provided by operating activities	326,434	280,287
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(79,586)	(80,973)
Acquisitions	(8,543)	(19,281)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment, net	10,013	8,933
Other	341	(3,816)
Net cash used in investing activities	(77,775)	(95,137)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	17,907
Payments of debt	(91,794)	(988)
Principal payments on capital leases	(19,585)	(19,303)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	4,954	17,347
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	6,083	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(1,708)	(144,607)
Payments of dividends	(42,371)	(34,844)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(8,333)	0
Bank overdrafts and other	(5,479)	868
Net cash used in financing activities	(158,233)	(163,620)
Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents	(542)	1,448
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	89,884	22,978
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	92,708	128,569
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 182,592	$ 151,547

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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 09, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.06	$ 0.20	$ 0.17

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Income Taxes

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the Income Taxes Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to eliminate a diversity in practice for the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendment requires that the unrecognized tax benefit be presented as a reduction of the deferred tax assets associated with the carryforwards except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. This amendment is effective for us starting with our first quarter of 2014 and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial condition.

Foreign Currency

In March 2013, the FASB amended the Foreign Currency Matters Topic of the ASC to clarify the appropriate accounting when a parent ceases to have a controlling interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity. This clarification provides that the cumulative translation adjustment should only be released into net income if the loss of controlling interest represents complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or asset group had resided. This amendment is effective for us starting with our first quarter of 2014 and adoption would impact our consolidated financial condition and results of operations if we dispose of a foreign entity.

Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB amended the Comprehensive Income Topic of the ASC to require reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated comprehensive income by component. We are required to present significant amounts reclassified to net income in their entirety by income statement line item and to cross reference any disclosure elsewhere in the notes for amounts reclassified in less than their entirety. We adopted this amendment effective January 1, 2013 and the appropriate disclosures are contained in Note 12.

Intangible Testing

In July 2012, the FASB amended the Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Topic of the ASC that allows us to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the relevant information, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than the carrying amount, no additional analysis is necessary. If we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount, then we are required to proceed to the quantitative approach. The amended guidance is effective for us as of our annual test in the fourth quarter of 2013, and adoption is not expected to impact our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

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Nature of Operations Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Nature of Operations [Abstract]

Nature of Operations [Text Block]

Nature of Operations

We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral service locations and cemeteries primarily operating in the United States and Canada. Our operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses.

Funeral service locations provide all professional services relating to funerals and cremations, including the use of funeral facilities and motor vehicles and preparation and embalming services. Funeral-related merchandise, including caskets, casket memorialization products, burial vaults, cremation receptacles, cremation memorial products, flowers, and other ancillary products and services, is sold at funeral service locations. Cemeteries provide cemetery property interment rights, including developed lots, lawn crypts, and mausoleum spaces and sell cemetery-related merchandise and services, including stone and bronze memorials, markers, merchandise installations, and burial openings and closings. We also sell preneed funeral and cemetery merchandise and services whereby a customer contractually agrees to the terms of certain products and services to be provided in the future.

On May 29, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Stewart) for $13.25 per share in cash. Stewart operates 217 funeral homes and 141 cemeteries as of July 31, 2013. The transaction provides us with an opportunity for growth consistent with our capital deployment strategy and will allow us the ability to serve a number of new, complementary areas, while enabling us to capitalize on what we believe will produce significant synergies and operating efficiencies. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.5 billion, which includes approximately $331.6 million of Stewart's debt. We expect to fund the transaction with cash on hand, the utilization of debt under our new credit agreement, the proceeds from the July 2013 issuance of our long-term senior notes as discussed in Note 9 and assuming $200.0 million of Stewart's debt. The acquisition is subject to, among other conditions, antitrust clearance. It is anticipated that the acquisition will be completed by the end of 2013 or in early 2014, however there can be no assurance that the acquisition will be completed by this time or at all.

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Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 26,333		$ 16,359		$ 17,879		$ 15,986
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,830	[1]	(758)	[1]	14,441	[1]	(2,342)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	0	[2]	(11)	[2]	(11)	[2]	(27)	[2]
Sales					0		(9)
Contributions	19		995		2,221		3,554
Distributions and other	(1,197)		(316)		(7,545)		(893)
Fair market value, ending balance	26,985		16,269		26,985		16,269
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,457		909		744		912
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	256	[1]	10	[1]	1,126	[1]	10	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	0	[2]	(1)	[2]	(2)	[2]	(1)	[2]
Sales					0		0
Contributions	0		0		0		0
Distributions and other	(194)		4		(349)		(7)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 1,519		$ 914		$ 1,519		$ 914

[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.

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Line Items]

Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]

Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	50,411	$	(5,255	)	$	16,678	$	(1,457	)	$	67,089	$	(6,712	)
Canadian government	9,713		(195		)	3,204		(125		)	12,917		(320		)
Corporate	15,191		(438		)	3,301		(216		)	18,492		(654		)
Residential mortgage-backed	71		(1		)	—		—			71		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,197		(68		)	—		—			2,197		(68		)
Common stock:
United States	64,772		(3,944		)	3,618		(647		)	68,390		(4,591		)
Canada	1,922		(434		)	1,881		(576		)	3,803		(1,010		)
Other international	8,001		(483		)	856		(195		)	8,857		(678		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	20,440		(406		)	14,252		(2,106		)	34,692		(2,512		)
Fixed income	110,221		(6,748		)	38,656		(23,430		)	148,877		(30,178		)
Private equity	—		—			6,863		(3,737		)	6,863		(3,737		)
Other	—		—			316		(1		)	316		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	282,939	$	(17,972	)	$	89,625	$	(32,490	)	$	372,564	$	(50,462	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	28,626	$	(841	)	$	—	$	—		$	28,626	$	(841	)
Canadian government	5,319		(83		)	—		—			5,319		(83		)
Corporate	14,060		(571		)	2,137		(204		)	16,197		(775		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,497		(143		)	126		(53		)	1,623		(196		)
Common stock:
United States	82,989		(5,624		)	11,131		(2,092		)	94,120		(7,716		)
Canada	3,114		(461		)	1,115		(385		)	4,229		(846		)
Other international	9,056		(655		)	741		(202		)	9,797		(857		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	28,132		(1,427		)	43,172		(8,494		)	71,304		(9,921		)
Fixed income	54,533		(2,205		)	29,104		(17,145		)	83,637		(19,350		)
Private equity	46		(17		)	17,136		(15,158		)	17,182		(15,175		)
Other	8		—			378		(1		)	386		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	227,380	$	(12,027	)	$	105,040	$	(43,734	)	$	332,420	$	(55,761	)

Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	356	$	(5	)	$	18	$	—		$	374	$	(5	)
Canadian government	16,705		(346		)	5,421		(215		)	22,126		(561		)
Corporate	11,231		(108		)	3,486		(114		)	14,717		(222		)
Residential mortgage-backed	560		(11		)	2		—			562		(11		)
Asset-backed	66		(1		)	15		(1		)	81		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,083		(20		)	160		(20		)	1,243		(40		)
Common stock:
United States	30,801		(2,644		)	2,426		(754		)	33,227		(3,398		)
Canada	822		(96		)	1,817		(630		)	2,639		(726		)
Other international	2,977		(195		)	723		(168		)	3,700		(363		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	221		(14		)	207		(45		)	428		(59		)
Fixed income	134,626		(1,960		)	28,430		(869		)	163,056		(2,829		)
Private equity	—		—			19,333		(8,853		)	19,333		(8,853		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	199,448	$	(5,400	)	$	62,038	$	(11,669	)	$	261,486	$	(17,069	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	373	$	(1	)	$	—	$	—		$	373	$	(1	)
Canadian government	9,145		(140		)	—		—			9,145		(140		)
Corporate	5,439		(33		)	1,886		(18		)	7,325		(51		)
Residential mortgage-backed	183		(2		)	—		—			183		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,115		(639		)	973		(299		)	4,088		(938		)
Common stock:
United States	38,323		(2,403		)	7,495		(986		)	45,818		(3,389		)
Canada	1,246		(281		)	1,055		(450		)	2,301		(731		)
Other international	4,712		(389		)	696		(58		)	5,408		(447		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,654		(127		)	404		(84		)	3,058		(211		)
Fixed income	10,552		(37		)	31,837		(404		)	42,389		(441		)
Private equity	—		—			10,752		(13,943		)	10,752		(13,943		)
Other	—		—			6,308		(3,104		)	6,308		(3,104		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	75,742	$	(4,052	)	$	61,406	$	(19,346	)	$	137,148	$	(23,398	)

Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Line Items]

Investment related activities [Table Text Block]

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Deposits	$	6,139		$	6,501		$	19,789		$	18,866
Withdrawals	9,388			9,239			26,009			23,422
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	23,050			24,467			113,497			126,478
Sales of available-for-sale securities	25,805			27,733			82,556			101,110
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,871			3,328			13,772			7,522
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(966		)	(1,518		)	(1,728		)	(5,435		)

Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]

The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,080,618	$	1,045,568
Cash and cash equivalents	40,108		54,012
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,120,726	$	1,099,580

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	September 30, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	731	$	16	$	(5	)	$	742
Canadian government	2	30,329		217		(561		)	29,985
Corporate	2	23,038		250		(222		)	23,066
Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,322		16		(11		)	1,327
Asset-backed	2	160		2		(2		)	160
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	3,359		174		(40		)	3,493
Common stock:
United States	1	179,225		37,782		(3,398		)	213,609
Canada	1	8,409		1,722		(726		)	9,405
Other international	1	6,885		704		(363		)	7,226
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	15,071		4,435		(59		)	19,447
Fixed income	1	708,858		35,127		(2,829		)	741,156
Private equity	3	28,215		475		(8,853		)	19,837
Other	3	10,011		1,154		—			11,165
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	1,015,613	$	82,074	$	(17,069	)	$	1,080,618

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	820	$	45	$	(1	)	$	864
Canadian government	2	30,159		709		(140		)	30,728
Corporate	2	22,877		537		(51		)	23,363
Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,498		41		(2		)	1,537
Asset-backed	2	161		10		—			171
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	5,637		61		(938		)	4,760
Common stock:
United States	1	163,173		19,609		(3,389		)	179,393
Canada	1	8,954		1,568		(731		)	9,791
Other international	1	14,693		1,392		(447		)	15,638
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	16,999		2,102		(211		)	18,890
Fixed income	1	680,921		61,172		(441		)	741,652
Private equity	3	24,727		338		(13,943		)	11,122
Other	3	9,653		1,110		(3,104		)	7,659
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	980,272	$	88,694	$	(23,398	)	$	1,045,568

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	18,649		$	10,815		$	11,609		$	7,314
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,315			492			552			276
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(5		)	(3		)	(33		)	(8		)
Contributions	—			—			465			—
Distributions and other	(122		)	(139		)	(1,708		)	(129		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	19,837		$	11,165		$	10,885		$	7,453

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	11,122		$	7,659		$	10,849		$	6,890
Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	7,404			3,926			670			813
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(100		)	(56		)	(103		)	(26		)
Sales	—			—			(26		)	—
Contributions	2,317			—			3,244			—
Distributions and other	(906		)	(364		)	(3,749		)	(224		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	19,837		$	11,165		$	10,885		$	7,453

Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2013 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	7,764
Due in one to five years	27,927
Due in five to ten years	18,576
Thereafter	1,013
	$	55,280

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Share-Based Compensation Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

	Nine Months Ended
Assumptions	September 30, 2013
Dividend yield	1.9	%
Expected volatility	35.2	%
Risk-free interest rate	0.7	%
Expected holding period (in years)	4.0

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

	Options		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	12,401,970		$	8.84
Granted	2,041,330		$	15.26
Exercised	(573,335	)	$	8.89
Canceled	(36,397	)	$	10.31
Outstanding at September 30, 2013	13,833,568		$	9.78
Exercisable at September 30, 2013	9,719,085		$	8.50

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]

Restricted share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was as follows:

	Restricted shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2012	1,104,579		$	9.78
Granted	378,280		$	15.26
Vested	(296,886	)	$	8.63
Canceled	(2,744	)	$	10.32
Nonvested restricted shares at September 30, 2013	1,183,229		$	11.81

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Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 26,779	$ 41,062	$ 118,015	$ 126,163
After tax interest on convertible debt	13	13	38	38
Net income — diluted	$ 26,792	$ 41,075	$ 118,053	$ 126,201
Weighted average shares — basic	(211,954)	(214,914)	(211,721)	(216,974)
Stock options	4,295	3,425	4,035	3,211
Convertible debt	121	121	121	121
Weighted average shares — diluted	216,370	218,460	215,877	220,306
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 0.13	$ 0.19	$ 0.56	$ 0.58
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 0.12	$ 0.19	$ 0.55	$ 0.57

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Nature of Operations Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	May 29, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013 Cemetery [Member]	Apr. 30, 2013 Funeral [Member]
Pending Acquisition, Outstanding Long-term Debt		$ 331,600,000
Pending Acquisition, Transaction Costs		1,465,246,636
Pending Acquisition, Location Count			141	217
Pending Acquisition, Share Price		13.25
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Debt Assumed	$ 200,000,000

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Commitments and Contingencies Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Self Insurance Reserve	$ 60.7	$ 57.5

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 18,649		$ 11,609		$ 11,122		$ 10,849
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,315	[1]	552	[1]	7,404	[1]	670	[1]
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	(5)	[2]	(33)	[2]	(100)	[2]	(103)	[2]
Sales					0		(26)
Contributions	0		465		2,317		3,244
Distributions and other	(122)		(1,708)		(906)		(3,749)
Fair market value, ending balance	19,837		10,885		19,837		10,885
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	10,815		7,314		7,659		6,890
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	492	[1]	276	[1]	3,926	[1]	813	[1]
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	(3)	[2]	(8)	[2]	(56)	[2]	(26)	[2]
Sales					0		0
Contributions	0		0		0		0
Distributions and other	(139)		(129)		(364)		(224)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 11,165		$ 7,453		$ 11,165		$ 7,453

[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.

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Invstments (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 282,939	$ 227,380
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(17,972)	12,027
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	89,625	105,040
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(32,490)	43,734
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	372,564	332,420
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(50,462)	(55,761)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	50,411	28,626
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(5,255)	(841)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	16,678	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1,457)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	67,089	28,626
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	6,712	(841)
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,713	5,319
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(195)	(83)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,204	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(125)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	12,917	5,319
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	320	(83)
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	15,191	14,060
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(438)	(571)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,301	2,137
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(216)	(204)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	18,492	16,197
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	654	(775)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	71
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	71
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1)
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,197	1,497
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(68)	(143)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	126
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	(53)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,197	1,623
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	68	(196)
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	64,772	82,989
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(3,944)	(5,624)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,618	11,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(647)	(2,092)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	68,390	94,120
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	4,591	(7,716)
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,922	3,114
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(434)	(461)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,881	1,115
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(576)	(385)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,803	4,229
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	1,010	(846)
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	8,001	9,056
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(483)	(655)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	856	741
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(195)	(202)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	8,857	9,797
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	678	(857)
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	20,440	28,132
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(406)	(1,427)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	14,252	43,172
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(2,106)	(8,494)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	34,692	71,304
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	2,512	(9,921)
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	110,221	54,533
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(6,748)	(2,205)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	38,656	29,104
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(23,430)	(17,145)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	148,877	83,637
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	30,178	(19,350)
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	46
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	(17)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,863	17,136
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(3,737)	(15,158)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	6,863	17,182
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	3,737	(15,175)
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	8
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	316	378
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	316	386
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	$ 1	$ 1

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 37,789	$ 20,763	$ 121,710	$ 108,604
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,632)	(13,050)	(22,615)	(49,193)
Cemetery [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	27,407	25,010	81,019	75,717
Withdrawals	26,542	28,260	89,881	75,623
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	98,803	114,549	395,200	443,613
Sales of available-for-sale securities	73,171	111,663	407,503	428,350
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	19,965	9,754	66,284	57,636
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (3,454)	$ (6,962)	$ (12,509)	$ (25,028)

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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income	$ 27,394	$ 41,797	$ 120,552	$ 127,751
Foreign currency translation adjustments	7,497	13,513	(9,773)	10,991
Comprehensive income	34,891	55,310	110,779	138,742
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(620)	(745)	(2,532)	(1,600)
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 34,271	$ 54,565	$ 108,247	$ 137,142

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 1 (Notes) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member])

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Text Block

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts

We are required by state and provincial law to pay into cemetery perpetual care trusts a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights. Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. We consolidate our cemetery perpetual care trust investments with a corresponding amount recorded as Care trusts’ corpus. Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care trusts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Deposits	$	6,139		$	6,501		$	19,789		$	18,866
Withdrawals	9,388			9,239			26,009			23,422
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	23,050			24,467			113,497			126,478
Sales of available-for-sale securities	25,805			27,733			82,556			101,110
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,871			3,328			13,772			7,522
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(966		)	(1,518		)	(1,728		)	(5,435		)

The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,080,618	$	1,045,568
Cash and cash equivalents	40,108		54,012
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,120,726	$	1,099,580

The cost and fair values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair value of private equity investments.

	September 30, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	731	$	16	$	(5	)	$	742
Canadian government	2	30,329		217		(561		)	29,985
Corporate	2	23,038		250		(222		)	23,066
Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,322		16		(11		)	1,327
Asset-backed	2	160		2		(2		)	160
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	3,359		174		(40		)	3,493
Common stock:
United States	1	179,225		37,782		(3,398		)	213,609
Canada	1	8,409		1,722		(726		)	9,405
Other international	1	6,885		704		(363		)	7,226
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	15,071		4,435		(59		)	19,447
Fixed income	1	708,858		35,127		(2,829		)	741,156
Private equity	3	28,215		475		(8,853		)	19,837
Other	3	10,011		1,154		—			11,165
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	1,015,613	$	82,074	$	(17,069	)	$	1,080,618

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	820	$	45	$	(1	)	$	864
Canadian government	2	30,159		709		(140		)	30,728
Corporate	2	22,877		537		(51		)	23,363
Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,498		41		(2		)	1,537
Asset-backed	2	161		10		—			171
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	5,637		61		(938		)	4,760
Common stock:
United States	1	163,173		19,609		(3,389		)	179,393
Canada	1	8,954		1,568		(731		)	9,791
Other international	1	14,693		1,392		(447		)	15,638
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	16,999		2,102		(211		)	18,890
Fixed income	1	680,921		61,172		(441		)	741,652
Private equity	3	24,727		338		(13,943		)	11,122
Other	3	9,653		1,110		(3,104		)	7,659
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	980,272	$	88,694	$	(23,398	)	$	1,045,568

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of September 30, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $1.4 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	18,649		$	10,815		$	11,609		$	7,314
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,315			492			552			276
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(5		)	(3		)	(33		)	(8		)
Contributions	—			—			465			—
Distributions and other	(122		)	(139		)	(1,708		)	(129		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	19,837		$	11,165		$	10,885		$	7,453

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	11,122		$	7,659		$	10,849		$	6,890
Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	7,404			3,926			670			813
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(100		)	(56		)	(103		)	(26		)
Sales	—			—			(26		)	—
Contributions	2,317			—			3,244			—
Distributions and other	(906		)	(364		)	(3,749		)	(224		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	19,837		$	11,165		$	10,885		$	7,453

(1) All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

(2) All (losses) gains recognized in Other income, net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities at September 30, 2013 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	7,764
Due in one to five years	27,927
Due in five to ten years	18,576
Thereafter	1,013
	$	55,280

Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. Recognized trust fund income related to these trust investments were $9.5 million and $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Recognized trust fund income related to these trust investments were $31.2 million and $29.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we did not record an impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.2 million and a $0.3 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the remaining securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings, and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses, are shown in the following tables.

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	356	$	(5	)	$	18	$	—		$	374	$	(5	)
Canadian government	16,705		(346		)	5,421		(215		)	22,126		(561		)
Corporate	11,231		(108		)	3,486		(114		)	14,717		(222		)
Residential mortgage-backed	560		(11		)	2		—			562		(11		)
Asset-backed	66		(1		)	15		(1		)	81		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,083		(20		)	160		(20		)	1,243		(40		)
Common stock:
United States	30,801		(2,644		)	2,426		(754		)	33,227		(3,398		)
Canada	822		(96		)	1,817		(630		)	2,639		(726		)
Other international	2,977		(195		)	723		(168		)	3,700		(363		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	221		(14		)	207		(45		)	428		(59		)
Fixed income	134,626		(1,960		)	28,430		(869		)	163,056		(2,829		)
Private equity	—		—			19,333		(8,853		)	19,333		(8,853		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	199,448	$	(5,400	)	$	62,038	$	(11,669	)	$	261,486	$	(17,069	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	373	$	(1	)	$	—	$	—		$	373	$	(1	)
Canadian government	9,145		(140		)	—		—			9,145		(140		)
Corporate	5,439		(33		)	1,886		(18		)	7,325		(51		)
Residential mortgage-backed	183		(2		)	—		—			183		(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,115		(639		)	973		(299		)	4,088		(938		)
Common stock:
United States	38,323		(2,403		)	7,495		(986		)	45,818		(3,389		)
Canada	1,246		(281		)	1,055		(450		)	2,301		(731		)
Other international	4,712		(389		)	696		(58		)	5,408		(447		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,654		(127		)	404		(84		)	3,058		(211		)
Fixed income	10,552		(37		)	31,837		(404		)	42,389		(441		)
Private equity	—		—			10,752		(13,943		)	10,752		(13,943		)
Other	—		—			6,308		(3,104		)	6,308		(3,104		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	75,742	$	(4,052	)	$	61,406	$	(19,346	)	$	137,148	$	(23,398	)

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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	212,082,348	211,056,501
Common stock, shares outstanding	211,960,401	211,046,501

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 375,000	$ 344,000	$ 2,507,000	$ 1,764,000
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, low end of the range	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	20.00%		20.00%		60.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, low end of the range	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	10.00%		10.00%		25.00%
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	1,400,000		1,400,000
Investment Earnings, Net	9,500,000	10,500,000	31,200,000	29,600,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 0	$ 4,000	$ 189,000	$ 258,000

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Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Statement (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	$ 609,951	$ 581,182	$ 1,887,808	$ 1,781,060
Costs and expenses	(493,872)	(459,911)	(1,486,308)	(1,404,033)
Gross profits	116,079	121,271	401,500	377,027
General and administrative expenses	(33,764)	(26,410)	(95,792)	(81,927)
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	981	315	(5,533)	883
Operating income	83,296	95,176	300,175	295,983
Interest expense	(38,080)	(33,568)	(103,589)	(101,050)
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	0	468	0
Other (expense) income, net	666	2,317	(1,017)	4,001
Income before income taxes	45,882	63,925	196,037	198,934
Provision for income taxes	(18,488)	(22,128)	(75,485)	(71,183)
Net income	27,394	41,797	120,552	127,751
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(615)	(735)	(2,537)	(1,588)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 26,779	$ 41,062	$ 118,015	$ 126,163
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 0.13	$ 0.19	$ 0.56	$ 0.58
Basic weighted average number of shares	211,954	214,914	211,721	216,974
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 0.12	$ 0.19	$ 0.55	$ 0.57
Diluted weighted average number of shares	216,370	218,460	215,877	220,306
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.07	$ 0.06	$ 0.20	$ 0.17

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetery Activities, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 375,000	$ 344,000	$ 2,507,000	$ 1,764,000
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, low end of the range	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	20.00%		20.00%		60.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, low end of the range	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	10.00%		10.00%		25.00%
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	8,600,000		8,600,000
Investment Earnings, Net	9,200,000	6,700,000	28,100,000	20,000,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 218,000	$ 189,000	$ 1,515,000	$ 781,000

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Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus [Abstract]

Schedule of Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receitps Held in Trust Components [Table Text Block]

The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2013									December 31, 2012
	Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total			Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total
	(In thousands)									(In thousands)
Trust investments	$	1,381,264		$	1,414,456		$	2,795,720		$	1,337,014		$	1,291,016		$	2,628,030
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(911		)	(1,353		)	(2,264		)	(1,827		)	(1,882		)	(3,709		)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,380,353		$	1,413,103		$	2,793,456		$	1,335,187		$	1,289,134		$	2,624,321

Schedule of Care Trust Corpus' Components [Table Text Block]

The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,120,726		$	1,099,580
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,225		)	(828		)
Care trusts’ corpus	$	1,119,501		$	1,098,752

Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income, by Component [Table Text Block]

The components of Other income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	12,953		$	19,965		$	4,871		$	—	$	37,789
Realized losses	(2,212		)	(3,454		)	(966		)	—		(6,632		)
Impairment charges	(157		)	(218		)	—			—		(375		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	2,470			3,171			5,372			—		11,013
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,705		)	(3,512		)	(273		)	—		(6,490		)
Net trust investment income	10,349			15,952			9,004			—		35,305
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(10,349		)	(15,952		)	(9,004		)	—		(35,305		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			666		666
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	666	$	666

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net			Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	41,654		$	66,284		$	13,772		$	—		$	121,710
Realized losses	(8,378		)	(12,509		)	(1,728		)	—			(22,615		)
Impairment charges	(803		)	(1,515		)	(189		)	—			(2,507		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	18,493			13,615			19,245			—			51,353
Trust expenses and income taxes	(7,743		)	(10,268		)	(1,857		)	—			(19,868		)
Net trust investment income	43,223			55,607			29,243			—			128,073
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(43,223		)	(55,607		)	(29,243		)	—			(128,073		)
Other expense, net	—			—			—			(1,017		)	(1,017		)
Total other expense, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,017	)	$	(1,017	)

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	7,681		$	9,754		$	3,328		$	—	$	20,763
Realized losses	(4,570		)	(6,962		)	(1,518		)	—		(13,050		)
Impairment charges	(151		)	(189		)	(4		)	—		(344		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	2,083			2,247			8,113			—		12,443
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,288		)	(3,116		)	(727		)	—		(6,131		)
Net trust investment income	2,755			1,734			9,192			—		13,681
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(2,755		)	(1,734		)	(9,192		)	—		(13,681		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			2,317		2,317
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,317	$	2,317

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	43,446		$	57,636		$	7,522		$	—	$	108,604
Realized losses	(18,730		)	(25,028		)	(5,435		)	—		(49,193		)
Impairment charges	(725		)	(781		)	(258		)	—		(1,764		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	10,834			8,308			22,170			—		41,312
Trust expenses and income taxes	(7,236		)	(9,367		)	(635		)	—		(17,238		)
Net trust investment income	27,589			30,768			23,364			—		81,721
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(27,589		)	(30,768		)	(23,364		)	—		(81,721		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			4,001		4,001
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	4,001	$	4,001

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Commitments and Contingencies Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

Insurance Loss Reserves

We purchase comprehensive general liability, morticians’ and cemetery professional liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage structured with high deductibles. The high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we have self-insurance reserves of $60.7 millionand $57.5 million, respectively.

Litigation

We are a party to various litigation matters, investigations, and proceedings. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein; however, if we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters. We accrue such insurance recoveries when they become probable of being paid and can be reasonably estimated.

Burial Practices Claims. We are named as a defendant in various lawsuits alleging improper burial practices at certain of our cemetery locations. These lawsuits include but are not limited to the Garcia,Sands, and Schwartz lawsuits described in the following paragraphs.

Reyvis Garcia and Alicia Garcia v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., Osiris Holding of Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation, d/b/a Graceland Memorial Park South, f/k/a Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc., was filed in December 2004, in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Case No. 04-25646 CA 32. Plaintiffs are the son and sister of the decedent, Eloisa Garcia, who was buried at Graceland Memorial Park South in March 1986, when the cemetery was owned by Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc. Initially, the suit sought damages on the individual claims of the plaintiffs relating to the burial of Eloisa Garcia. Plaintiffs claimed that due to poor recordkeeping, spacing issues and maps, and the fact that the family could not afford to purchase a marker for the grave, the burial location of the decedent could not be readily located. Subsequently, the decedent’s grave was located and verified. In July 2006, plaintiffs amended their complaint, seeking to certify a class of all persons buried at this cemetery whose burial sites cannot be located, claiming that this was due to poor recordkeeping, maps, and surveys at the cemetery. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a third amended class action complaint and added two additional named plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages, as well as equitable and injunctive relief. On May 4, 2011, the trial court certified a class and we appealed that ruling. On July 31, 2013, the Court of Appeals reversed the order certifying the case. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

F. Charles Sands, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Eden Memorial Park, et al.; Case No. BC421528; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles — Central District. This case was filed in September 2009 against SCI and certain subsidiaries regarding our Eden Memorial Park cemetery in Mission Hills, California. The plaintiff seeks compensatory, consequential and punitive damages as well as the appointment of a receiver to oversee cemetery operations. The plaintiff alleges the cemetery engaged in wrongful burial practices and did not disclose them to customers. After a hearing in February 2012, the court in May 2012 issued an order certifying classes of cemetery plot owners and their families based on alleged Company misrepresentation, concealment or nondisclosure of material facts regarding alleged improper burial practices pertaining to the period from February 1985 to September 2009. Pursuant to a court order, the Company may be precluded from making certain arguments that challenge the sufficiency of plaintiff's physical evidence, although the extent to which that order will apply at trial remains unclear. The case is scheduled for trial in November 2013. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

Barbara Schwartz & Carol Neitlich, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. SCI Funeral Services of Florida, Inc., et al.; Case No. 2012CA015954, In the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial District in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. This lawsuit has been removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and is now Case No. 9:12-CV-80180-DMM. This case was filed by counsel for plaintiffs in the Sands case regarding our Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Chapel and Bailey Memorial Gardens located in North Lauderdale, Florida. Plaintiffs seek to certify a class of cemetery plot owners and their families. Plaintiffs allege the cemetery engaged in wrongful burial practices and did not disclose them to customers. Plaintiffs seek compensatory, consequential and punitive damages as well as the appointment of a receiver to oversee the cemetery operations. On our motion, the court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims in March 2013. The plaintiffs are appealing the dismissal. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.

Wage and Hour Claims. We are named a defendant in various lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state laws regulating wage and hour overtime pay, including but not limited to the Bryant and Helm lawsuits described below.

Bryant, et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. RG-07359593; and Helm, et al. v. AWGI & SCI; Case No. RG-07359602; in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Alameda. These cases were filed on December 5, 2007. These cases were removed to federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco/Oakland Division. The Bryant case is now Case No. 3:08-CV-01190-SI and the Helm case is now Case No. C 08-01184-SI. On December 29, 2009, the court in the Helm case denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the case as a class action. The plaintiffs modified and refiled their motion for certification. On March 9, 2011, the court denied plaintiffs’ renewed motions to certify a class in both of the Bryant and Helm cases and dismissed the Helm case. The Helm plaintiff is appealing the court's order decertifying her claims. The individual claims in the Bryant case are still pending. The plaintiffs have also (i) filed additional lawsuits with similar allegations seeking class certification of state law claims in different states, and (ii) made a large number of demands for arbitration. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in these lawsuits.

Claims Regarding Acquisition of Stewart Enterprises. We are named as a defendant in the following lawsuit.

Karen Moulton, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Stewart Enterprises, Inc., Service Corporation International and others; Case No. 2013-5636; in the Civil District Court Parish of New Orleans. This case was filed as a class action in June 2013 against SCI and our subsidiary in connection with SCI's proposed acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. The plaintiffs allege that SCI aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duties by Stewart Enterprises and its board of directors in negotiating the combination of Stewart Enterprises with a subsidiary of SCI. The plaintiffs seek damages and an injunction against the proposed combination. We have filed exceptions to the plaintiffs’ complaint, but the case has been stayed until after the closing of the acquisition. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of damages.

The ultimate outcome of the matters described above cannot be determined at this time. We intend to vigorously defend all of the above lawsuits; however, an adverse decision in one or more of such matters could have a material effect on us, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

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Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 375,000	$ 344,000	$ 2,507,000	$ 1,764,000
Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, low end of the range	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	20.00%		20.00%		60.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, low end of the range	0.00%		0.00%		0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	10.00%		10.00%		25.00%
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	8,300,000		8,300,000
Investment Earnings, Net	11,400,000	8,500,000	35,700,000	27,700,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 157,000	$ 151,000	$ 803,000	$ 725,000

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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1,015,613	$ 980,272
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	82,074	88,694
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(17,069)	(23,398)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,080,618	1,045,568
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	731	820
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	16	45
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(5)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	742	864
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	30,329	30,159
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	217	709
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(561)	(140)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	29,985	30,728
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	23,038	22,877
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	250	537
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(222)	(51)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	23,066	23,363
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,322	1,498
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	16	41
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(11)	(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,327	1,537
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	160	161
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2	10
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	2	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	160	171
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,359	5,637
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	174	61
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(40)	(938)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	3,493	4,760
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	179,225	163,173
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	37,782	19,609
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,398)	(3,389)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	213,609	179,393
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	8,409	8,954
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,722	1,568
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(726)	(731)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	9,405	9,791
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,885	14,693
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	704	1,392
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(363)	(447)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	7,226	15,638
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	15,071	16,999
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,435	2,102
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(59)	(211)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	19,447	18,890
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	708,858	680,921
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	35,127	61,172
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,829)	(441)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	741,156	741,652
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,215	24,727
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	475	338
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(8,853)	(13,943)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	19,837	11,122
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	10,011	9,653
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,154	1,110
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(3,104)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 11,165	$ 7,659

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Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation, Textuals (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 9.7
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 4 months 13 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 7.5
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 4 months 12 days

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Preneed Funeral Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,577,398	$ 1,535,932
Funeral [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,005,320	977,973
Cash and cash equivalents	98,892	85,943
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	277,052	273,098
Trust investments	1,381,264	1,337,014
Receivables from customers	243,334	241,896
Unearned finance charges	(9,653)	(8,645)
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	1,614,945	1,570,265
Allowance for cancellation	(37,547)	(34,333)
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,577,398	$ 1,535,932

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Supplementary Information Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Supplementary Information [Abstract]

Schedule of Product Information [Table Text Block]

The detail of certain income statement accounts as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Property and merchandise revenues:
Funeral	$	138,015	$	133,756	$	441,767	$	412,039
Cemetery	153,770		137,787		433,249		403,620
Total property and merchandise revenues	291,785		271,543		875,016		815,659
Services revenues:
Funeral	231,511		228,392		748,217		720,285
Cemetery	49,921		48,854		157,706		147,356
Total services revenues	281,432		277,246		905,923		867,641
Other revenues	36,734		32,393		106,869		97,760
Total revenues	$	609,951	$	581,182	$	1,887,808	$	1,781,060
Property and merchandise costs and expenses:
Funeral	$	62,945	$	61,183	$	204,694	$	194,557
Cemetery	62,429		55,163		183,500		171,744
Total cost of property and merchandise	125,374		116,346		388,194		366,301
Services costs and expenses:
Funeral	138,420		131,076		414,481		390,489
Cemetery	24,318		23,984		76,869		74,542
Total cost of services	162,738		155,060		491,350		465,031
Overhead and other expense	205,760		188,505		606,764		572,701
Total costs and expenses	$	493,872	$	459,911	$	1,486,308	$	1,404,033

XML

Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)				(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income:
Net income — basic	$	26,779	$	41,062	$	118,015	$	126,163
After tax interest on convertible debt	13		13		38		38
Net income — diluted	$	26,792	$	41,075	$	118,053	$	126,201
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	211,954		214,914		211,721		216,974
Stock options	4,295		3,425		4,035		3,211
Convertible debt	121		121		121		121
Weighted average shares — diluted	216,370		218,460		215,877		220,306
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.13	$	0.19	$	0.56	$	0.58
Diluted	$	0.12	$	0.19	$	0.55	$	0.57

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Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 1 (Notes) (Cemetery [Member])

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Cemetery [Member]

Preneed Cemetery Activities Text Block

Preneed Cemetery Activities

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, for contracts sold in advance of when the property interment rights, merchandise, or services are needed. Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed cemetery revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts when the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Deposits	$	27,407		$	25,010		$	81,019		$	75,717
Withdrawals	26,542			28,260			89,881			75,623
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	98,803			114,549			395,200			443,613
Sales of available-for-sale securities	73,171			111,663			407,503			428,350
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	19,965			9,754			66,284			57,636
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(3,454		)	(6,962		)	(12,509		)	(25,028		)

The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,314,770		$	1,204,084
Cash and cash equivalents	99,682			86,923
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	4			9
Trust investments	1,414,456			1,291,016
Receivables from customers	673,342			614,599
Unearned finance charges	(30,430		)	(29,471		)
	2,057,368			1,876,144
Allowance for cancellation	(53,890		)	(49,309		)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$	2,003,478		$	1,826,835

The cost and fair values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the market value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair value of private equity investments.

	September 30, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	109,856	$	2,436	$	(6,712	)	$	105,580
Canadian government	2	17,720		122		(320		)	17,522
Corporate	2	47,354		4,182		(654		)	50,882
Residential mortgage-backed	2	145		2		(1		)	146
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	7,744		892		(68		)	8,568
Common stock:
United States	1	368,746		115,819		(4,591		)	479,974
Canada	1	14,556		3,169		(1,010		)	16,715
Other international	1	32,773		8,507		(678		)	40,602
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	279,475		42,647		(2,512		)	319,610
Fixed income	1	270,478		6,126		(30,178		)	246,426
Private equity	3	26,894		4,258		(3,737		)	27,415
Other	3	1,089		242		(1		)	1,330
Trust investments		$	1,176,830	$	188,402	$	(50,462	)	$	1,314,770

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	99,630	$	7,925	$	(841	)	$	106,714
Canadian government	2	17,562		402		(83		)	17,881
Corporate	2	43,515		2,456		(775		)	45,196
Residential mortgage-backed	2	150		4		—			154
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	5,840		334		(196		)	5,978
Common stock:
United States	1	363,190		71,613		(7,716		)	427,087
Canada	1	16,026		2,862		(846		)	18,042
Other international	1	29,889		3,687		(857		)	32,719
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	279,265		19,520		(9,921		)	288,864
Fixed income	1	251,687		10,975		(19,350		)	243,312
Private equity	3	32,785		77		(15,175		)	17,687
Other	3	407		44		(1		)	450
Trust investments		$	1,139,946	$	119,899	$	(55,761	)	$	1,204,084

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of September 30, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $8.6 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	26,627		$	1,258		$	15,796		$	433
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,015			277			(458		)	16
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	—			—			(12		)	(1		)
Contributions	21			—			1,044			—
Distributions and other	(1,248		)	(205		)	(362		)	(7		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	27,415		$	1,330		$	16,008		$	441

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	17,687		$	450		$	15,219		$	436
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	15,245			1,253			(1,937		)	18
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(13		)	(3		)	(30		)	(2		)
Contributions	2,356			—			3,760			—
Distributions and other	(7,860		)	(370		)	(1,004		)	(11		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	27,415		$	1,330		$	16,008		$	441

(1) All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery 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 cemetery 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.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2013 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	23,074
Due in one to five years	59,767
Due in five to ten years	43,707
Thereafter	47,582
	$	174,130

Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $9.2 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $28.1 million and $20.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. For both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.2 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $1.5 million and a $0.8 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the remaining securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	50,411	$	(5,255	)	$	16,678	$	(1,457	)	$	67,089	$	(6,712	)
Canadian government	9,713		(195		)	3,204		(125		)	12,917		(320		)
Corporate	15,191		(438		)	3,301		(216		)	18,492		(654		)
Residential mortgage-backed	71		(1		)	—		—			71		(1		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,197		(68		)	—		—			2,197		(68		)
Common stock:
United States	64,772		(3,944		)	3,618		(647		)	68,390		(4,591		)
Canada	1,922		(434		)	1,881		(576		)	3,803		(1,010		)
Other international	8,001		(483		)	856		(195		)	8,857		(678		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	20,440		(406		)	14,252		(2,106		)	34,692		(2,512		)
Fixed income	110,221		(6,748		)	38,656		(23,430		)	148,877		(30,178		)
Private equity	—		—			6,863		(3,737		)	6,863		(3,737		)
Other	—		—			316		(1		)	316		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	282,939	$	(17,972	)	$	89,625	$	(32,490	)	$	372,564	$	(50,462	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	28,626	$	(841	)	$	—	$	—		$	28,626	$	(841	)
Canadian government	5,319		(83		)	—		—			5,319		(83		)
Corporate	14,060		(571		)	2,137		(204		)	16,197		(775		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,497		(143		)	126		(53		)	1,623		(196		)
Common stock:
United States	82,989		(5,624		)	11,131		(2,092		)	94,120		(7,716		)
Canada	3,114		(461		)	1,115		(385		)	4,229		(846		)
Other international	9,056		(655		)	741		(202		)	9,797		(857		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	28,132		(1,427		)	43,172		(8,494		)	71,304		(9,921		)
Fixed income	54,533		(2,205		)	29,104		(17,145		)	83,637		(19,350		)
Private equity	46		(17		)	17,136		(15,158		)	17,182		(15,175		)
Other	8		—			378		(1		)	386		(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	227,380	$	(12,027	)	$	105,040	$	(43,734	)	$	332,420	$	(55,761	)

XML

Debt Debt, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	May 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		5.72%		5.72%				6.28%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		92.00%		92.00%				87.00%
Financing Commitment							$ 1,825,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		500,000,000		500,000,000
Consent Solitication Fee		0.25%
Long-term Line of Credit							600,000,000
Pending Divestiture Proceeds	200,000,000
Leverage Ratio with payment terms	375.00%
Bridge Loan							725,000,000
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,100,000,000
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		175,000,000		175,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		0		0		86,600,000		86,600,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		31,800,000		31,800,000
Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations				19,700,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.25%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		468,200,000		468,200,000
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations				19,585,000	19,303,000
Repayments of Debt				100,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		0	0	468,000	0
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred				34,000,000	51,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	425,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.375%
Unsecured Debt [Member] | February 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		0		0				4,757,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		136,465,000		136,465,000				136,465,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		197,377,000		197,377,000				197,377,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		295,000,000		295,000,000				295,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | October 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		250,000,000		250,000,000				250,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | May 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		250,000,000		250,000,000				250,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		200,000,000		200,000,000				200,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		150,000,000		150,000,000				150,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 200,000,000		$ 200,000,000				$ 200,000,000

XML

Debt Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]

Debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—		$	4,757
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	136,465			136,465
6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377			197,377
7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			250,000
7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	250,000			250,000
4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	200,000			200,000
8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000			150,000
5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	425,000			—
7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
Bank credit facility	—			86,600
Obligations under capital leases	189,011			176,445
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,711			5,698
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	(3,814		)	(4,292		)
Total debt	2,293,750			1,948,050
Less current maturities	(36,647		)	(31,429		)
Total long-term debt	$	2,257,103		$	1,916,621

XML

Preneed Funeral Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Funeral [Member]
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 132,664
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	44,840
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	44,962
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	30,453
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 252,919

XML

Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

Income Taxes

Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. Our effective tax rate was 40.3% and 34.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 38.5% and 35.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was primarily due to the benefits associated with the settlement of a tax audit discussed below. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2013 is above the 35% federal statutory tax rate due to state tax expense which is partially offset by foreign earnings taxed at lower rates.

Internal Revenue Service Settlement

Our affiliate, SCI Funeral and Cemetery Purchasing Cooperative ("COOP"), is a corporation taxed under subchapter T of the United States Internal Revenue Code, the operation of which has resulted in the deferral of tax payments. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), in connection with its audits of the COOP's 2003 - 2005 federal income tax returns, proposed adjustments that would accelerate amounts that the Company had previously deferred and would result in the payment of interest on those deferred tax payments. We reached a partial settlement with the IRS in the first quarter of 2012 and as a result the Company made a payment of $6.6 million which reduced our tax expense by $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 for adjustments to our "unrecognized tax benefits" – that is, the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the benefits recognized in our financial statements, and other tax matters.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As of September 30, 2013, the gross amount of our unrecognized tax benefits was $132.5 million and the gross amount of our accrued interest was $43.8 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our unrecognized tax benefit decreased by $11.5 million which did not significantly impact the unaudited condensed statement of operations since the majority of unrecognized tax benefits relate to temporary items. This is primarily due to the expiration of statute of limitations and a decrease in liability related to U.S. tax positions taken in prior years. Additional interest expense of $2.2 million was accrued during the quarter.

A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, are audited and finally settled. While we have effectively concluded our 2003 - 2005 tax years with respect to our affiliate the COOP, SCI and Subsidiaries' tax years 1999 - 2005 remain under review at the IRS Appeals level. SCI and Subsidiaries received a letter of no change to its tax liability for the years 2008 - 2010. Furthermore, SCI and its affiliates are under audit by various state and foreign jurisdictions for years through 2010. The outcome of each of these audits cannot be predicted at this time. It is reasonably possible that the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease over the next twelve months either because we prevail on positions or because the tax authorities prevail. Due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of completion of audits and possible outcomes, a current estimate of the range of increases or decreases that may occur within the next twelve months cannot be made.

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Preneed Funeral Activities Level 1 (Notes) (Funeral [Member])

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Funeral [Member]

Preneed Funeral Activities Text Block

Preneed Funeral Activities

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, related to unperformed, price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts. Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed funeral revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts after the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.

The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Deposits	$	20,187		$	19,982		$	63,802		$	64,081
Withdrawals	24,242			22,943			92,491			78,034
Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1)	125,113			53,034			302,939			324,304
Sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	91,064			51,672			337,714			323,471
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	12,953			7,681			41,654			43,446
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(2,212		)	(4,570		)	(8,378		)	(18,730		)

(1) Reflects the rebalancing of Neptune Society trust assets during the current quarter.

The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,005,320		$	977,973
Cash and cash equivalents	98,892			85,943
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	277,052			273,098
Trust investments	1,381,264			1,337,014
Receivables from customers	243,334			241,896
Unearned finance charge	(9,653		)	(8,645		)
	1,614,945			1,570,265
Allowance for cancellation	(37,547		)	(34,333		)
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$	1,577,398		$	1,535,932

The cost and fair values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair value represents the market value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated fair value of private equity investments (including debt as well as the estimated fair value related to the contract holder’s equity in majority-owned real estate investments).

	September 30, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	96,240	$	1,699	$	(4,499	)	$	93,440
Canadian government	2	105,784		48		(1,356		)	104,476
Corporate	2	50,520		2,864		(739		)	52,645
Residential mortgage-backed	2	2,362		20		(24		)	2,358
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	4,649		547		(50		)	5,146
Common stock:
United States	1	225,447		61,091		(3,989		)	282,549
Canada	1	23,793		2,912		(1,635		)	25,070
Other international	1	18,444		4,065		(509		)	22,000
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	175,783		17,256		(2,786		)	190,253
Fixed income	1	212,275		3,943		(17,339		)	198,879
Private equity	3	30,811		3,533		(7,359		)	26,985
Other	3	1,206		313		—			1,519
Trust investments		$	947,314	$	98,291	$	(40,285	)	$	1,005,320

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
				(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	105,594	$	5,072	$	(880	)	$	109,786
Canadian government	2	110,399		861		(113		)	111,147
Corporate	2	51,611		2,531		(623		)	53,519
Residential mortgage-backed	2	3,123		57		(8		)	3,172
Asset-backed	2	129		3		—			132
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	3,603		211		(103		)	3,711
Common stock:
United States	1	230,971		38,514		(6,903		)	262,582
Canada	1	23,284		2,598		(1,271		)	24,611
Other international	1	18,089		1,874		(658		)	19,305
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	145,589		10,097		(6,728		)	148,958
Fixed income	1	225,365		7,314		(10,252		)	222,427
Private equity	3	36,626		221		(18,968		)	17,879
Other	3	542		202		—			744
Trust investments		$	954,925	$	69,555	$	(46,507	)	$	977,973

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (FVM&D) Topic of the ASC.

Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of September 30, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.

As of September 30, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $8.3 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.

The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	26,333		$	1,457		$	16,359		$	909
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,830			256			(758		)	10
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	—			—			(11		)	(1		)
Contributions	19			—			995			—
Distributions and other	(1,197		)	(194		)	(316		)	(4		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	26,985		$	1,519		$	16,269		$	914

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013						September 30, 2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance	$	17,879		$	744		$	15,986		$	912
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	14,441			1,126			(2,342		)	10
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(11		)	(2		)	(27		)	(1		)
Sales	—			—			(9		)	—
Contributions	2,221			—			3,554			—
Distributions and other	(7,545		)	(349		)	(893		)	(7		)
Fair market value, ending balance	$	26,985		$	1,519		$	16,269		$	914

(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.

Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2013 to 2053. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at September 30, 2013 are estimated as follows:

	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	132,664
Due in one to five years	44,840
Due in five to ten years	44,962
Thereafter	30,453
	$	252,919

Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were$11.4 million and $8.5 millionfor thethreemonths endedSeptember 30, 2013and2012, respectively.Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments were $35.7 million and $27.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income, net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. For both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.2 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a $0.8 million and a $0.7 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.

We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the remaining securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, are shown in the following tables:

	September 30, 2013
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	29,033	$	(3,230	)	$	17,445	$	(1,269	)	$	46,478	$	(4,499	)
Canadian government	23,989		(1,100		)	6,252		(256		)	30,241		(1,356		)
Corporate	18,650		(446		)	4,317		(293		)	22,967		(739		)
Residential mortgage-backed	1,322		(23		)	19		(1		)	1,341		(24		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,214		(50		)	—		—			1,214		(50		)
Common stock:
United States	46,129		(3,097		)	4,069		(892		)	50,198		(3,989		)
Canada	4,590		(696		)	2,686		(939		)	7,276		(1,635		)
Other international	4,820		(358		)	740		(151		)	5,560		(509		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	15,211		(122		)	13,344		(2,664		)	28,555		(2,786		)
Fixed income	65,418		(3,149		)	53,809		(14,190		)	119,227		(17,339		)
Private equity	—		—			13,687		(7,359		)	13,687		(7,359		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	210,376	$	(12,271	)	$	116,368	$	(28,014	)	$	326,744	$	(40,285	)

	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months					In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
						(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	22,357	$	(803	)	$	6,741	$	(77	)	$	29,098	$	(880	)
Canadian government	7,912		(113		)	—		—			7,912		(113		)
Corporate	7,809		(347		)	4,283		(276		)	12,092		(623		)
Residential mortgage-backed	956		(8		)	—		—			956		(8		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	1,220		(93		)	52		(10		)	1,272		(103		)
Common stock:
United States	70,752		(4,694		)	9,089		(2,209		)	79,841		(6,903		)
Canada	6,592		(652		)	2,516		(619		)	9,108		(1,271		)
Other international	7,606		(521		)	608		(137		)	8,214		(658		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	6,779		(126		)	26,340		(6,602		)	33,119		(6,728		)
Fixed income	38,686		(1,021		)	24,131		(9,231		)	62,817		(10,252		)
Private equity	—		—			17,389		(18,968		)	17,389		(18,968		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	170,669	$	(8,378	)	$	91,149	$	(38,129	)	$	261,818	$	(46,507	)

XML

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity Statement (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,412,195	$ 224,666	$ (1,710)	$ 1,430,330	$ (367,044)	$ 105,852	$ 20,101
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	138,742	0	0	0	126,163	10,979	1,600
Dividends declared on common stock	(36,582)	0	0	(36,582)	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	8,217	0	0	8,217	0	0	0
Stock option exercises	17,347	2,853	0	14,494	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	483	0	(483)	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(144,607)	0	(12,400)	(79,828)	(52,379)	0	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0
Noncontrolling interest payment	(405)	0	0	0	0	0	(405)
Other	948	82	0	866	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2012
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	1,362,827	211,057	(10)	1,307,058	(286,795)	111,717	19,800
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	110,779	0	0	0	118,015	(9,768)	2,532
Dividends declared on common stock	(42,371)	0	0	(42,371)	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	8,887	0	0	8,887	0	0	0
Stock option exercises	5,097	573	0	4,524	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	378	(3)	(375)	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	1,851	0	117	717	1,017	0	0
Cancellation of Company Stock	0	(8)	8	0	0	0	0
Tax Benefits Related to Share-Based Awards	(6,083)			(6,083)	0	0	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(8,333)	0	0	1,696	0	0	6,637
Noncontrolling interest payment	(1,700)	0	0	0	0	0	(1,700)
Other	1,356	82	0	1,274	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 1,440,774	$ 212,082	$ (122)	$ 1,282,667	$ (169,797)	$ 101,949	$ 13,995

XML

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 37,789	$ 20,763	$ 121,710	$ 108,604
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,632)	(13,050)	(22,615)	(49,193)
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	6,139	6,501	19,789	18,866
Withdrawals	9,388	9,239	26,009	23,422
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	23,050	24,467	113,497	126,478
Sales of available-for-sale securities	25,805	27,733	82,556	101,110
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,871	3,328	13,772	7,522
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (966)	$ (1,518)	$ (1,728)	$ (5,435)

XML

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1,176,830	$ 1,139,946
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	188,402	119,899
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(50,462)	(55,761)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,314,770	1,204,084
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	109,856	99,630
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,436	7,925
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(6,712)	(841)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	105,580	106,714
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	17,720	17,562
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	122	402
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(320)	(83)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	17,522	17,881
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	47,354	43,515
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,182	2,456
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(654)	(775)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	50,882	45,196
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	145	150
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	146	154
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7,744	5,840
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	892	334
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(68)	(196)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	8,568	5,978
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	368,746	363,190
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	115,819	71,613
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(4,591)	(7,716)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	479,974	427,087
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	14,556	16,026
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,169	2,862
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,010)	(846)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	16,715	18,042
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	32,773	29,889
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	8,507	3,687
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(678)	(857)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	40,602	32,719
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	279,475	279,265
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	42,647	19,520
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,512)	(9,921)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	319,610	288,864
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	270,478	251,687
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	6,126	10,975
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(30,178)	(19,350)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	246,426	243,312
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	26,894	32,785
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,258	77
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,737)	(15,175)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	27,415	17,687
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,089	407
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	242	44
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 1,330	$ 450

XML

Equity Level 3 (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains and Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
				(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	111,717		$	—		$	111,717
Activity in 2013	(9,768		)	—			(9,768		)
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			67,271			67,271
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	—			(67,271		)	(67,271		)
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	101,949		$	—		$	101,949

XML

Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 111,717
Activity in 2012	110,779	138,742
Balance at end of period	101,949
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	111,717
Activity in 2012	(9,768)	10,979
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	67,271
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	(67,271)
Balance at end of period	101,949
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	111,717
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	0
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	0
Balance at end of period	101,949
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0
Activity in 2012	0
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	67,271
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	(67,271)
Balance at end of period	$ 0

XML

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	$ 2,795,720		$ 2,795,720		$ 2,628,030
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,264)		(2,264)		(3,709)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	2,793,456		2,793,456		2,624,321
Care trusts’ corpus	1,119,501		1,119,501		1,098,752
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	37,789	20,763	121,710	108,604
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,632)	(13,050)	(22,615)	(49,193)
Impairment charges	(375)	(344)	(2,507)	(1,764)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	11,013	12,443	51,353	41,312
Trust expenses and income taxes	(6,490)	(6,131)	(19,868)	(17,238)
Net trust investment income	35,305	13,681	128,073	81,721
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	(35,305)	(13,681)	(128,073)	(81,721)
Other income, net	666	2,317	(1,017)	4,001
Total other income, net	666	2,317	(1,017)	4,001
Funeral [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,381,264		1,381,264		1,337,014
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(911)		(911)		(1,827)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,380,353		1,380,353		1,335,187
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	12,953	7,681	41,654	43,446
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(2,212)	(4,570)	(8,378)	(18,730)
Impairment charges	(157)	(151)	(803)	(725)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	2,470	2,083	18,493	10,834
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,705)	(2,288)	(7,743)	(7,236)
Net trust investment income	10,349	2,755	43,223	27,589
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	(10,349)	(2,755)	(43,223)	(27,589)
Other income, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0	0
Cemetery [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,414,456		1,414,456		1,291,016
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,353)		(1,353)		(1,882)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,413,103		1,413,103		1,289,134
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	19,965	9,754	66,284	57,636
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(3,454)	(6,962)	(12,509)	(25,028)
Impairment charges	(218)	(189)	(1,515)	(781)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	3,171	2,247	13,615	8,308
Trust expenses and income taxes	(3,512)	(3,116)	(10,268)	(9,367)
Net trust investment income	15,952	1,734	55,607	30,768
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	(15,952)	(1,734)	(55,607)	(30,768)
Other income, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0	0
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,225)		(1,225)		(828)
Care trusts' corpus, excluding accrued expenses	1,120,726		1,120,726		1,099,580
Care trusts’ corpus	1,119,501		1,119,501		1,098,752
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,871	3,328	13,772	7,522
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(966)	(1,518)	(1,728)	(5,435)
Impairment charges	0	(4)	(189)	(258)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	5,372	8,113	19,245	22,170
Trust expenses and income taxes	(273)	(727)	(1,857)	(635)
Net trust investment income	9,004	9,192	29,243	23,364
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	(9,004)	(9,192)	(29,243)	(23,364)
Other income, net	0	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0	0
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0	0
Impairment charges	0	0	0	0
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	0	0	0	0
Trust expenses and income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net trust investment income	0	0	0	0
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	0	0	0	0
Other income, net	666	2,317	(1,017)	4,001
Total other income, net	$ 666	$ 2,317	$ (1,017)	$ 4,001

XML

Share-Based Compensation Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

Share-Based Compensation

Stock Benefit Plans

We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. This model uses a range of assumptions related to volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the expected life, and the dividend yield. The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

	Nine Months Ended
Assumptions	September 30, 2013
Dividend yield	1.9	%
Expected volatility	35.2	%
Risk-free interest rate	0.7	%
Expected holding period (in years)	4.0

Stock Options

The following table sets forth stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

	Options		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2012	12,401,970		$	8.84
Granted	2,041,330		$	15.26
Exercised	(573,335	)	$	8.89
Canceled	(36,397	)	$	10.31
Outstanding at September 30, 2013	13,833,568		$	9.78
Exercisable at September 30, 2013	9,719,085		$	8.50

As of September 30, 2013, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options of $9.7 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

Restricted Shares

Restricted share activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was as follows:

	Restricted shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2012	1,104,579		$	9.78
Granted	378,280		$	15.26
Vested	(296,886	)	$	8.63
Canceled	(2,744	)	$	10.32
Nonvested restricted shares at September 30, 2013	1,183,229		$	11.81

As of September 30, 2013, the unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted shares of $7.5 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.

XML

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus [Abstract]

Deferred Preneed Funeral And Cemetery Receipts Held In Trust And Care Trusts Corpus Text Block

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts’ Corpus

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust

We consolidate the merchandise and service trusts associated with our preneed funeral and cemetery activities in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. Although the guidance requires the consolidation of the merchandise and service trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, us, or our customers. The customers are the legal beneficiaries of these merchandise and service trusts, and therefore their interests in these trusts represent a liability to us.

The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2013									December 31, 2012
	Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total			Preneed Funeral			Preneed Cemetery			Total
	(In thousands)									(In thousands)
Trust investments	$	1,381,264		$	1,414,456		$	2,795,720		$	1,337,014		$	1,291,016		$	2,628,030
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(911		)	(1,353		)	(2,264		)	(1,827		)	(1,882		)	(3,709		)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,380,353		$	1,413,103		$	2,793,456		$	1,335,187		$	1,289,134		$	2,624,321

Care Trusts’ Corpus

The Care trusts’ corpus reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet represents the cemetery perpetual care trusts, including the related accrued expenses.

The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are detailed below.

	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,120,726		$	1,099,580
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,225		)	(828		)
Care trusts’ corpus	$	1,119,501		$	1,098,752

Other Income, Net

The components of Other income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	12,953		$	19,965		$	4,871		$	—	$	37,789
Realized losses	(2,212		)	(3,454		)	(966		)	—		(6,632		)
Impairment charges	(157		)	(218		)	—			—		(375		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	2,470			3,171			5,372			—		11,013
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,705		)	(3,512		)	(273		)	—		(6,490		)
Net trust investment income	10,349			15,952			9,004			—		35,305
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(10,349		)	(15,952		)	(9,004		)	—		(35,305		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			666		666
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	666	$	666

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net			Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	41,654		$	66,284		$	13,772		$	—		$	121,710
Realized losses	(8,378		)	(12,509		)	(1,728		)	—			(22,615		)
Impairment charges	(803		)	(1,515		)	(189		)	—			(2,507		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	18,493			13,615			19,245			—			51,353
Trust expenses and income taxes	(7,743		)	(10,268		)	(1,857		)	—			(19,868		)
Net trust investment income	43,223			55,607			29,243			—			128,073
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(43,223		)	(55,607		)	(29,243		)	—			(128,073		)
Other expense, net	—			—			—			(1,017		)	(1,017		)
Total other expense, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(1,017	)	$	(1,017	)

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	7,681		$	9,754		$	3,328		$	—	$	20,763
Realized losses	(4,570		)	(6,962		)	(1,518		)	—		(13,050		)
Impairment charges	(151		)	(189		)	(4		)	—		(344		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	2,083			2,247			8,113			—		12,443
Trust expenses and income taxes	(2,288		)	(3,116		)	(727		)	—		(6,131		)
Net trust investment income	2,755			1,734			9,192			—		13,681
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(2,755		)	(1,734		)	(9,192		)	—		(13,681		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			2,317		2,317
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,317	$	2,317

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Funeral Trusts			Cemetery Trusts			Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts			Other, Net		Total
				(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	43,446		$	57,636		$	7,522		$	—	$	108,604
Realized losses	(18,730		)	(25,028		)	(5,435		)	—		(49,193		)
Impairment charges	(725		)	(781		)	(258		)	—		(1,764		)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	10,834			8,308			22,170			—		41,312
Trust expenses and income taxes	(7,236		)	(9,367		)	(635		)	—		(17,238		)
Net trust investment income	27,589			30,768			23,364			—		81,721
Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(27,589		)	(30,768		)	(23,364		)	—		(81,721		)
Other income, net	—			—			—			4,001		4,001
Total other income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	4,001	$	4,001

XML

Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 609,951	$ 581,182	$ 1,887,808	$ 1,781,060
Gross Profit	116,079	121,271	401,500	377,027
General and administrative expenses	(33,764)	(26,410)	(95,792)	(81,927)
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	981	315	(5,533)	883
Operating income	83,296	95,176	300,175	295,983
Interest expense	(38,080)	(33,568)	(103,589)	(101,050)
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	0	468	0
Other income (expense), net	666	2,317	(1,017)	4,001
Income before income taxes	45,882	63,925	196,037	198,934
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	552,128	523,600	1,717,909	1,615,128
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	56,462	56,280	165,330	161,411
GERMANY
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	1,361	1,302	4,569	4,521
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	399,581	388,365	1,277,419	1,209,067
Gross Profit	67,088	75,992	267,457	257,703
Other income (expense), net	0	0	0	0
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	210,370	192,817	610,389	571,993
Gross Profit	48,991	45,279	134,043	119,324
Other income (expense), net	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Supplementary Information Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Supplementary Information [Abstract]

Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block]

Supplementary Information

Revenues and Costs and Expenses

The detail of certain income statement accounts as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(In thousands)				(In thousands)
Property and merchandise revenues:
Funeral	$	138,015	$	133,756	$	441,767	$	412,039
Cemetery	153,770		137,787		433,249		403,620
Total property and merchandise revenues	291,785		271,543		875,016		815,659
Services revenues:
Funeral	231,511		228,392		748,217		720,285
Cemetery	49,921		48,854		157,706		147,356
Total services revenues	281,432		277,246		905,923		867,641
Other revenues	36,734		32,393		106,869		97,760
Total revenues	$	609,951	$	581,182	$	1,887,808	$	1,781,060
Property and merchandise costs and expenses:
Funeral	$	62,945	$	61,183	$	204,694	$	194,557
Cemetery	62,429		55,163		183,500		171,744
Total cost of property and merchandise	125,374		116,346		388,194		366,301
Services costs and expenses:
Funeral	138,420		131,076		414,481		390,489
Cemetery	24,318		23,984		76,869		74,542
Total cost of services	162,738		155,060		491,350		465,031
Overhead and other expense	205,760		188,505		606,764		572,701
Total costs and expenses	$	493,872	$	459,911	$	1,486,308	$	1,404,033

XML

Equity Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Equity

(All shares reported in whole numbers)

Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains and Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
				(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	111,717		$	—		$	111,717
Activity in 2013	(9,768		)	—			(9,768		)
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			67,271			67,271
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	—			(67,271		)	(67,271		)
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	101,949		$	—		$	101,949

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The U.S. dollar amount that arises from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

Cash Dividends

On August 14, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $.07 per common share. This dividend, totaling $14.8 million, was paid on September 30, 2013.

Share Repurchase Program

Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our stock repurchase program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were no share repurchases under our share repurchase program. The remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $190.1 million at September 30, 2013.

Noncontrolling Interests

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we acquired an additional 10% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society, Inc. for $8.3 million, increasing our ownership from 70% to 80%.

XML

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jul. 23, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Service Corporation International
Entity Central Index Key	0000089089
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		211,960,401

XML

Segment Reporting Level 1 (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Segment Reporting

Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations. Our geographic areas include United States, Canada, and Germany. We conduct both funeral and cemetery operations in the United States and Canada and funeral operations in Germany.

Our reportable segment information is as follows:

	Funeral		Cemetery		Reportable Segments
	(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	399,581	$	210,370	$	609,951
2012	$	388,365	$	192,817	$	581,182
Gross profits:
2013	$	67,088	$	48,991	$	116,079
2012	$	75,992	$	45,279	$	121,271
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	1,277,419	$	610,389	$	1,887,808
2012	$	1,209,067	$	571,993	$	1,781,060
Gross profits:
2013	$	267,457	$	134,043	$	401,500
2012	$	257,703	$	119,324	$	377,027

The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(In thousands)						(In thousands)
Gross profits from reportable segments	$	116,079		$	121,271		$	401,500		$	377,027
General and administrative expenses	(33,764		)	(26,410		)	(95,792		)	(81,927		)
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	981			315			(5,533		)	883
Operating income	83,296			95,176			300,175			295,983
Interest expense	(38,080		)	(33,568		)	(103,589		)	(101,050		)
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	—			—			468			—
Other income (expense), net	666			2,317			(1,017		)	4,001
Income before income taxes	$	45,882		$	63,925		$	196,037		$	198,934

Our geographic area information is as follows:

	United States		Canada		Germany		Total
			(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	552,128	$	56,462	$	1,361	$	609,951
2012	$	523,600	$	56,280	$	1,302	$	581,182
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Revenues from external customers:
2013	$	1,717,909	$	165,330	$	4,569	$	1,887,808
2012	$	1,615,128	$	161,411	$	4,521	$	1,781,060

XML

Debt Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016	$ 0	$ 86,600	$ 86,600
Total debt	2,293,750		1,948,050
Less current maturities	(36,647)		(31,429)
Total long-term debt	2,257,103		1,916,621
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	(3,814)		(4,292)
Unsecured Debt [Member] | February 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0		4,757
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	136,465		136,465
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	197,377		197,377
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	295,000		295,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | October 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	250,000		250,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | May 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	250,000		250,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	200,000		200,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	150,000		150,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | January 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	425,000		0
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	200,000		200,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016	0		86,600
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Obligations under capital leases	189,011		176,445
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	$ 4,711		$ 5,698

XML

Income Taxes Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	40.30%		34.60%	38.50%	35.80%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	35.00%
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority						$ 6.6
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes		3.1
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	132.5			132.5
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	43.8			43.8
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)				11.5
Unrecognized tax benefits, reduction of accrued interest				$ 2.2