Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - Funeral - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Private Equity Funds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance		$ 34,366	$ 27,339	$ 28,325	$ 26,885
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	[1]	1,859	265	6,048	(1,370)
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	[2]	(7)	(7)	(45)	(21)
Payments to Acquire Other Investments		0	289	0	3,244
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments				(36)	0
Contributions		0	4,998	4,632	5,955
Distributions and other		(2,328)	(2,949)	(5,034)	(4,758)
Fair market value, ending balance		33,890	29,935	33,890	29,935
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance		7,111	4,476	5,706	1,810
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	[1]	(551)	1,071	533	3,927
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	[2]	(4)	(4)	(17)	(5)
Payments to Acquire Other Investments		0	0	23	0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments				0	0
Contributions		0	121	1,226	121
Distributions and other		(1,155)	0	(2,070)	(189)
Fair market value, ending balance		$ 5,401	$ 5,664	$ 5,401	$ 5,664

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