Schedule II (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	$ 8,884		$ 9,172		$ 13,602
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	8,327		9,706		9,254
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	53,719	[1]	38,122	[1]	25,612	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	(59,895)	[2]	(48,116)	[2]	(39,296)	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	11,035		8,884		9,172
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Noncurrent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	1,316		1,665		3,111
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	9,670	[1]	1	[1]	0	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	(350)	[2]	(1,446)	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	10,986		1,316		1,665
Asset Allowance for Cancellation, Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	83,642		78,564		78,163
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	4,498		4,549		2,852
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	13,121	[1]	529	[1]	(2,451)	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	101,261		83,642		78,564
Revenue Allowance for Cancellation, Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(131,320)		(136,004)		(134,760)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(2,200)	[1]	4,684	[1]	(1,244)	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	(133,520)		(131,320)		(136,004)
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	67,732		63,681		63,614
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	6,213		3,713		67
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	973	[1]	338	[1]	0	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	$ 74,918		$ 67,732		$ 63,681

[1] Primarily relates to acquisitions and dispositions of operations.

[2] Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.