Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - Funeral - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Private Equity Funds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance		$ 31,043	$ 27,514	$ 28,325	$ 26,885
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	[1]	713	(1,165)	4,189	(1,635)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	[2]	(21)	(6)	(38)	(14)
Payments to Acquire Other Investments		0	1,068	0	2,955
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments		(36)	0	(36)	0
Contributions		4,092	490	4,632	957
Distributions and other		(1,425)	(562)	(2,706)	(1,809)
Fair market value, ending balance		34,366	27,339	34,366	27,339
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance		7,324	3,839	5,706	1,803
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	[1]	(868)	820	1,084	2,856
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	[2]	(5)	(1)	(13)	(1)
Payments to Acquire Other Investments		23	0	23	0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments		0	0	0	0
Contributions		975	0	1,226	0
Distributions and other		(338)	(189)	(915)	(189)
Fair market value, ending balance		$ 7,111	$ 4,469	$ 7,111	$ 4,469

[1] All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our 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 receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed receipts held in trust.

[2] All net losses recognized in Other (expense) income, net for our 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 receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed receipts held in trust.