Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 66,604	$ 37,789	$ 159,672	$ 121,710
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(7,468)	(6,632)	(18,396)	(22,615)
Funeral
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	376,048		376,048		294,500
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss			2,355		12,519
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	36,568		36,568		115,423
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses			(8,022)		(30,144)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	412,616		412,616		409,923
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses			(10,377)		(42,663)
Deposits	23,618	20,187	76,490	63,802
Withdrawals	27,718	24,242	103,410	92,491
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	238,860	125,113	379,650	302,939
Sales of available-for-sale securities	274,630	91,064	445,880	337,714
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	18,935	12,953	50,947	41,654
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(2,094)	(2,212)	(6,233)	(8,378)
Other Investments | Funeral
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	714		714		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss			(22)		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0		0		527
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses			0		(33)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	714		714		527
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses			$ (22)		$ (33)