Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetary Activities Receivables Net and Trust Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 2,300,911		$ 1,826,835
Cemetery [Member]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	1,826,835		1,595,940		1,563,893
Net preneed contract sales	562,433		501,654		468,850
Dispositions (acquisitions) of businesses, net	199,433		1,124		(5,500)
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	203,499	[1]	133,351	[1]	(24,407)	[1]
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(471,710)		(417,965)		(403,524)
Deposits to trust	106,185		98,130		98,121
Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings	(119,576)		(98,738)		(109,382)
Change in cancellation allowance	3,002		(3,481)		(759)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(9,190)		16,820		8,648
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 2,300,911		$ 1,826,835		$ 1,595,940

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