Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Other Investments [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 450		$ 436		$ 532
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,218	[1]	28	[1]	(71)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(5)	[2]	(2)	[2]	(6)	[2]
Contributions	0		0		0
Distributions and other	(418)		(12)		(19)
Fair market value, ending balance	1,245		450		436
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance			15,219
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)			100	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)			(64)	[2]
Contributions			4,932
Distributions and other			(2,500)
Fair market value, ending balance			17,687
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	17,687				5,719
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	15,420	[1]			517	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(48)	[2]			(95)	[2]
Contributions	3,430				10,795
Distributions and other	(9,645)				(1,717)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 26,844				$ 15,219

[1] All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.

[2] All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.