Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance			$ 17,687
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)			15,420	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)			(48)	[2]
Contributions			3,430
Distributions and other			(9,645)
Fair market value, ending balance			26,844
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	26,885		17,879		15,986
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,242	[3]	13,429	[3]	(403)	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(39)	[4]	(43)	[4]	(58)	[4]
Purchases	0		1,188		0
Sales	0		0		9
Contributions	6,122		3,229		4,664
Distributions and other	(6,885)		(9,245)		(2,301)
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	0		448		0
Fair market value, ending balance	28,325		26,885		17,879
Other Investments [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,808		744		912
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	826	[3]	1,442	[3]	(159)	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(6)	[4]	(3)	[4]	(2)	[4]
Purchases	3,214		0		0
Sales	0		0		0
Contributions	4		0		0
Distributions and other	(140)		(393)		(7)
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	0		18		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 5,706		$ 1,808		$ 744

[1] All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery 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 income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), 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.

[3] All unrealized 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.

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