Equity Components of Accumulated Other Comrehensive income (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
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	$ (16,060)	$ 7,497	$ (13,732)	$ (9,773)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			88,441
Activity in 2014			80,239	110,779
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax	3,114	0	3,114	0
Balance at end of period	77,823		77,823
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax			(13,732)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			88,441	111,717
Activity in 2014			(10,618)	(9,768)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax			3,114
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			11,672	67,271
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			(11,672)	(67,271)
Balance at end of period	77,823	101,949	77,823	101,949
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			88,441	111,717
Activity in 2014				(9,768)
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			0	0
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			0	0
Balance at end of period	77,823	101,949	77,823	101,949
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax			0
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			0	0
Activity in 2014				0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax			0
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes			11,672	67,271
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes			(11,672)	(67,271)
Balance at end of period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0