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Preneed Funeral Activities (Notes) (Funeral)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Funeral
  
Preneed Funeral Activities
Preneed Funeral Activities
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, related to unperformed, price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts. Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the "Consolidation" accounting standard. In accordance with this standard, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed funeral revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts after the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
 Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed.
The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Deposits
$
29,995

 
$
27,923

Withdrawals
$
45,444

 
$
43,737

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
$
104,231

 
$
61,485

Sales of available-for-sale securities
$
82,320

 
$
64,051

Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities
$
4,349

 
$
16,101

Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities
$
(4,735
)
 
$
(1,474
)


The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(In thousands)
Trust investments, at fair value
$
1,218,591

 
$
1,205,747

Cash and cash equivalents
126,391

 
162,229

Insurance-backed fixed income securities
265,059

 
260,899

Trust investments
1,610,041

 
1,628,875

Receivables from customers
270,933

 
262,700

Unearned finance charge
(11,992
)
 
(11,054
)
 
1,868,982

 
1,880,521

Allowance for cancellation
(37,617
)
 
(37,498
)
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments
$
1,831,365

 
$
1,843,023


The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts.
 
March 31, 2015
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2
 
$
82,111

 
$
1,132

 
$
(99
)
 
$
83,144

Canadian government
2
 
77,971

 
856

 
(356
)
 
78,471

Corporate
2
 
24,044

 
673

 
(121
)
 
24,596

Residential mortgage-backed
2
 
1,476

 
32

 
(15
)
 
1,493

Asset-backed
2
 
5

 
—

 
—

 
5

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2
 
2,205

 
131

 
(62
)
 
2,274

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
1
 
369,115

 
31,162

 
(10,822
)
 
389,455

Canada
1
 
13,832

 
3,960

 
(738
)
 
17,054

Other international
1
 
35,885

 
2,637

 
(2,436
)
 
36,086

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
1
 
318,059

 
5,747

 
(7,309
)
 
316,497

Fixed income
1
 
233,082

 
2,726

 
(4,659
)
 
231,149

Private equity
3
 
33,031

 
4,180

 
(6,168
)
 
31,043

Other
3
 
6,305

 
1,341

 
(322
)
 
7,324

Trust investments
 
 
$
1,197,121

 
$
54,577

 
$
(33,107
)
 
$
1,218,591


 
December 31, 2014
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2
 
$
85,775

 
$
468

 
$
(455
)
 
$
85,788

Canadian government
2
 
90,430

 
449

 
(874
)
 
90,005

Corporate
2
 
24,765

 
423

 
(126
)
 
25,062

Residential mortgage-backed
2
 
1,325

 
29

 
(12
)
 
1,342

Asset-backed
2
 
6

 
—

 
—

 
6

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
2
 
2,503

 
113

 
(113
)
 
2,503

Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
1
 
377,441

 
18,533

 
(7,405
)
 
388,569

Canada
1
 
14,708

 
4,292

 
(895
)
 
18,105

Other international
1
 
38,035

 
1,175

 
(1,560
)
 
37,650

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
1
 
308,548

 
3,332

 
(15,901
)
 
295,979

Fixed income
1
 
229,414

 
869

 
(3,576
)
 
226,707

Private equity
3
 
35,094

 
2,649

 
(9,418
)
 
28,325

Other
3
 
5,084

 
726

 
(104
)
 
5,706

Trust investments
 
 
$
1,213,128

 
$
33,058

 
$
(40,439
)
 
$
1,205,747


Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy.
Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values. A significant increase (decrease) in the discount rates results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, valuations are reviewed by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy.
As of March 31, 2015, the funeral merchandise and service trusts' unfunded commitment for private equity and other investments was $40.3 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, due to the nature of the investments in this category, distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended

March 31, 2015

March 31, 2014
 
Private Equity

Other

Private Equity

Other

(In thousands)
Fair value, beginning balance
$
28,325


$
5,706


$
26,885


$
1,803

Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)
3,476


1,952


(470
)

2,036

Net realized losses included in Other (expense) income, net(2)
(17
)

(8
)

(8
)

—

Purchases
—

 
—

 
1,887

 
—

Contributions
540


251


467


—

Distributions
(1,281
)

(577
)

(1,247
)

—

Fair value, ending balance
$
31,043


$
7,324


$
27,514


$
3,839


__________________________________________
(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.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2045. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2015 are estimated as follows:
 
Fair Value
 
(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
112,864

Due in one to five years
32,324

Due in five to ten years
30,115

Thereafter
12,406

 
$
187,709


Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments was $14.4 million and $16.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other (expense) income, net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded a $0.5 million and a $0.3 million impairment charge, respectively, for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the remaining securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, are shown in the following tables:
 
March 31, 2015
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
10,060

 
$
(57
)
 
$
4,790

 
$
(42
)
 
$
14,850

 
$
(99
)
Canadian government
229

 
(1
)
 
12,890

 
(355
)
 
13,119

 
(356
)
Corporate
4,491

 
(37
)
 
2,629

 
(84
)
 
7,120

 
(121
)
Residential mortgage-backed
267


(2
)

241


(13
)

508


(15
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
78

 
(62
)
 
—

 
—

 
78

 
(62
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
137,804

 
(10,822
)
 
367

 
—

 
138,171

 
(10,822
)
Canada
2,558

 
(501
)
 
860

 
(237
)
 
3,418

 
(738
)
Other international
14,324

 
(2,436
)
 
2

 
—

 
14,326

 
(2,436
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
104,675

 
(6,175
)
 
11,172

 
(1,134
)
 
115,847

 
(7,309
)
Fixed income
36,130


(4,334
)

10,995


(325
)

47,125


(4,659
)
Private equity
—

 
—

 
15,380

 
(6,168
)
 
15,380

 
(6,168
)
Other
—

 
—

 
1,303

 
(322
)
 
1,303

 
(322
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
310,616

 
$
(24,427
)
 
$
60,629

 
$
(8,680
)
 
$
371,245

 
$
(33,107
)

 
December 31, 2014
 
In Loss Position
Less Than 12 Months
 
In Loss Position
Greater Than 12 Months
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Fixed income securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
32,243

 
$
(412
)
 
$
4,978

 
$
(43
)
 
$
37,221

 
$
(455
)
Canadian government
2,894

 
(52
)
 
14,904

 
(822
)
 
17,798

 
(874
)
Corporate
4,988

 
(56
)
 
2,420

 
(70
)
 
7,408

 
(126
)
Residential mortgage-backed
217

 
(10
)
 
106

 
(2
)
 
323

 
(12
)
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
26

 
(113
)
 
—

 
—

 
26

 
(113
)
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
126,527

 
(7,403
)
 
438

 
(2
)
 
126,965

 
(7,405
)
Canada
1,752

 
(379
)
 
1,085

 
(516
)
 
2,837

 
(895
)
Other international
19,593

 
(1,557
)
 
2

 
(3
)
 
19,595

 
(1,560
)
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
233,827

 
(13,219
)
 
23,717

 
(2,682
)
 
257,544

 
(15,901
)
Fixed income
112,160

 
(3,128
)
 
11,452

 
(448
)
 
123,612

 
(3,576
)
Private equity
203

 
(461
)
 
13,870

 
(8,957
)
 
14,073

 
(9,418
)
Other
5

 
(11
)
 
464

 
(93
)
 
469

 
(104
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
534,435

 
$
(26,801
)
 
$
73,436

 
$
(13,638
)
 
$
607,871

 
$
(40,439
)