Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care, 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	$ 21,274		$ 18,649		$ 19,779		$ 11,122
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(206)	[1]	1,315	[1]	1,091	[1]	7,404	[1]
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	(13)	[2]	(5)	[2]	(37)	[2]	(100)	[2]
Sales					(17)		0
Contributions	9,058		0		10,461		2,317
Distributions and other	(3,331)		(122)		(4,495)		(906)
Fair market value, ending balance	26,782		19,837		26,782		19,837
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	11,983		10,815		11,587		7,659
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	23	[1]	492	[1]	704	[1]	3,926	[1]
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	(17)	[2]	(3)	[2]	(29)	[2]	(56)	[2]
Sales					0		0
Contributions	0		0		0		0
Distributions and other	0		(139)		(273)		(364)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 11,989		$ 11,165		$ 11,989		$ 11,165

[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.