Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery, 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	$ 27,557		$ 26,627		$ 26,844		$ 17,687
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,056	[1]	2,015	[1]	2,666	[1]	15,245	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8)	[2]	0	[2]	(23)	[2]	(13)	[2]
Contributions	5,379		21		6,404		2,356
Distributions and other	(3,147)		(1,248)		(5,054)		(7,860)
Fair market value, ending balance	30,837		27,415		30,837		27,415
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,078		1,258		1,245		450
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(186)	[1]	277	[1]	(149)	[1]	1,253	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(5)	[2]	0	[2]	(6)	[2]	(3)	[2]
Contributions	127		0		127		0
Distributions and other	0		(205)		(203)		(370)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 1,014		$ 1,330		$ 1,014		$ 1,330

[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.