Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Private Equity Funds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 27,339		$ 26,333		$ 26,885		$ 17,879
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	265	[1]	1,830	[1]	(1,370)	[1]	14,441	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(7)	[2]	0	[2]	(21)	[2]	(11)	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	289		0		3,244		0
Contributions	4,998		19		5,955		2,221
Distributions and other	(2,949)		(1,197)		(4,758)		(7,545)
Fair market value, ending balance	29,935		26,985		29,935		26,985
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	4,476		1,457		1,810		744
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,071	[1]	256	[1]	3,927	[1]	1,126	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(4)	[2]	0	[2]	(5)	[2]	(2)	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	0		0		0		0
Contributions	121		0		121		0
Distributions and other	0		(194)		(189)		(349)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 5,664		$ 1,519		$ 5,664		$ 1,519

[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 (expense) income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, 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.