Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 28,015	$ 46,390	$ 39,897	$ 93,068
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(14,428)	(6,818)	(26,321)	(10,928)
Funeral
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	563,470		563,470		$ 534,435
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	29,090		29,090		26,801
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	55,722		55,722		73,436
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	8,026		8,026		13,638
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	619,192		619,192		607,871
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	37,116		37,116		40,439
Deposits	32,485	24,949	62,480	52,872
Withdrawals	41,745	31,955	87,189	75,692
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	76,404	79,305	180,635	140,790
Sales of available-for-sale securities	89,998	107,199	172,318	171,250
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	9,856	15,911	14,205	32,012
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(3,838)	$ (2,665)	(8,572)	$ (4,139)
Private Equity Funds | Funeral
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0		0		203
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0		0		461
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	18,452		18,452		13,870
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	5,929		5,929		8,957
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	18,452		18,452		14,073
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	5,929		5,929		9,418
Other Investments | Funeral
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0		0		5
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0		0		11
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,143		1,143		464
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	145		145		93
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,143		1,143		469
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ 145		$ 145		$ 104