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