Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Private Equity Funds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 28,325		$ 26,885
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,476	[1]	(470)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(17)	[2]	(8)	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	0		1,887
Contributions	540		467
Distributions and other	(1,281)		(1,247)
Fair market value, ending balance	31,043		27,514
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	5,706		1,803
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,952	[1]	2,036	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(8)	[2]	0	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	0		0
Contributions	251		0
Distributions and other	(577)		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 7,324		$ 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.