Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 46,390	$ 52,192	$ 93,068	$ 83,921
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(6,818)	(11,770)	(10,928)	(15,983)
Cemetery
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	33,132	28,344	61,403	53,612
Withdrawals	28,221	33,458	62,569	63,339
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	111,565	190,675	210,323	296,397
Sales of available-for-sale securities	103,530	208,589	195,847	334,332
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	20,655	29,743	46,187	46,319
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (3,826)	$ (6,885)	$ (6,125)	$ (9,055)