Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Receivables Net and Trust Invesments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,870,874		$ 1,535,932
Funeral [Member]
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	1,535,932		1,486,018		1,427,192
Net preneed contract sales	192,712		124,962		116,167
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(170,921)		(125,625)		(106,489)
Deposits to trust	82,168		81,601		72,750
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	272,403		6,021		143,252
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	125,986	[1]	84,611	[1]	(11,348)	[1]
Maturities and distributed earnings	(153,446)		(126,130)		(148,820)
Change in cancellation allowance	(3,245)		934		(232)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(10,715)		3,540		(6,454)
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,870,874		$ 1,535,932		$ 1,486,018

[1] Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).