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)