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