Supplementary Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 344,619	$ 292,952	$ 664,746	$ 582,043
Total services revenues	361,327	295,293	743,870	622,471
Other revenues	40,800	35,986	83,639	70,135
Total revenues	746,746	624,231	1,492,255	1,274,649
Total cost of merchandise	159,406	130,129	310,897	261,890
Total cost of services	201,258	165,423	397,801	326,848
Overhead and other expenses	230,218	202,696	461,453	400,601
Total costs and expenses	590,882	498,248	1,170,151	989,339
Options exercised by attestation			761,000	143,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares			(761,000)	(143,000)
Funeral
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	155,649	142,949	320,384	302,564
Total services revenues	290,078	242,076	601,238	514,686
Total revenues	479,531	414,545	988,585	874,630
Total cost of merchandise	73,295	65,611	155,249	140,819
Total cost of services	162,235	139,203	321,740	274,297
Cemetery
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	188,970	150,003	344,362	279,479
Total services revenues	71,249	53,217	142,632	107,785
Total revenues	267,215	209,686	503,670	400,019
Total cost of merchandise	86,111	64,518	155,648	121,071
Total cost of services	$ 39,023	$ 26,220	$ 76,061	$ 52,551