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.