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.