Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 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)
Cemetery
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	34,018	27,407	95,421	81,019
Withdrawals	33,669	26,542	96,238	89,881
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	247,853	98,803	458,176	395,200
Sales of available-for-sale securities	285,411	73,171	481,258	407,503
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	40,635	19,965	86,822	66,284
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (4,439)	$ (3,454)	$ (10,564)	$ (12,509)