Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 26,885		$ 17,879
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(470)	[1]	10,850	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8)	[2]	(5)	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	1,887		0
Contributions	467		637
Distributions and other	(1,247)		(3,630)
Fair market value, ending balance	27,514		25,731
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,803		744
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,036	[1]	509	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	0	[2]	(1)	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	0		0
Contributions	0		0
Distributions and other	0		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 3,839		$ 1,252

[1] All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral 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 funeral 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.