Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Private Equity Funds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 27,514		$ 25,731		$ 26,885		$ 17,879
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,165)	[1]	1,761	[1]	(1,635)	[1]	12,611	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(6)	[2]	(6)	[2]	(14)	[2]	(11)	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	1,068		0		2,955		0
Contributions	490		1,565		957		2,202
Distributions and other	(562)		(2,718)		(1,809)		(6,348)
Fair market value, ending balance	27,339		26,333		27,339		26,333
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	3,839		1,252		1,803		744
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	820	[1]	361	[1]	2,856	[1]	870	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(1)	[2]	(1)	[2]	(1)	[2]	(2)	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	0		0		0		0
Contributions	0		0		0		0
Distributions and other	(189)		155		(189)		(155)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 4,469		$ 1,457		$ 4,469		$ 1,457

[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.