Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [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	$ 26,844		$ 17,687
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,487	[1]	11,400	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8)	[2]	(7)	[2]
Contributions	499		662
Distributions and other	(1,303)		(3,785)
Fair market value, ending balance	27,519		25,957
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,245		450
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	9	[1]	587	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(1)	[2]	(2)	[2]
Contributions	0		0
Distributions and other	0		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 1,253		$ 1,035

[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.