Approximate [Member] Plan Name [Axis] Exceeding 10% of shareholders' equity [Member] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Other collateralized bank loans payable [Member] ProForma Net Earnings Statutory reserves transferred Mortgage Loan Settlements North America Life Insurance Company Assets accounted for at fair value on non-recurring basis Liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis Cemetery perpetual care trust investments {1} Cemetery perpetual care trust investments Assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) before Income Taxes Mortgage Loan, Interest Rate Net Investment Income Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure Schedule of Mortgate loans on a nonaccrual status Fixed Maturities 1) Basis of Presentation Disposal of property and equipment Disposal of property and equipment Purchase - equity securities Purchase - equity securities Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Increase in future policy benefits Common stock Entity Voluntary Filers Remaining Term [Domain] Compensation [Domain] Commitments to fund new residential construction loans funded Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, Total Fair Value of Liability Derivatives, Interest Rate Swaps Other real estate owned held for investment Fair Value, Losses (Gains) included in other comprehensive income Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 Life Insurance Segment GrantOfEmployeeStockOptions Financing Receivable, by Credit Quality Indicator Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment Mortgage Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses Securities on deposit for regulatory authorities Net carrying amount for sales of securities Gross Realized Losses Gross Realized Losses Categories of Investments, Marketable Securities, Held-to-maturity Securities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities Use of Estimates Policy 2) Recent Accounting Pronouncements Annuity contract receipts Purchase-fixed maturity securities Purchase-fixed maturity securities Stock dividends Provision for loan losses and loss reserve Document and Entity Information Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] Investment Income, Categories [Domain] 2012 [Member] Aurora Loan Services [Member] Revolving Line of Credit 3 [Member] Loans Payable [Domain] Due in 2016 [Member] CEO, and past senior VP [Member] Estimated fair value of Cash Fair Value of Asset Derivatives, Interest Rate Swaps Fair Value of Asset Derivatives, Call Options Trading Securities, Equity Segment Reporting Information, Intersegment Revenue Mortgage Options granted April 13, 2012 Performing Financing Receivable Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Interest Income, Accrual Method Time Duration {1} Time Duration Bonds Schedule of Gains and Losses on Derivatives Schedule Of Calculation Of Numerator And Denominator In Earnings Per Share Table Text Block 4) Stock-based Compensation Calls and maturities - fixed maturity securities Other expenses Other income Net mortuary and cemetery sales Accumulated depreciation on real estate held for investment Additional paid-in capital Receivable from reinsurers Total investments Total investments Other real estate owned held for sale Investments: 2014 [Member] 2013 [Member] MrQuistMember [Member] Note payable to a bank [Member] Fair Value of Asset Derivatives, Total Future Policy Benefits - Annuities Pro Forma Weighted Average Shares Outstanding, Diluted Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount Aging of Loans No. of Investment Positions Less than 12 months Mortgage loans on real estate and construction Common Stock Industrial, miscellaneous and all other equity securities Schedule of Revenues and Expenses by Reportable Segment Available-for-sale Securities {1} Available-for-sale Securities as of December 31, 2011 Accounting Policy 10) Allowance For Doubtful Accounts and Loan Losses and Impaired Loans 6) Earnings Per Share 5) Capital Stock Equity Component Weighted-average Class A equivalent common shares outstanding-assuming dilution (1) Salaries Value of business acquired Class of Stock Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 2015 [Member] Bank prime rate less .75% [Member] 6% note payable [Member] Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) [Member] Initial Settlement Amount Paid Ceding commission paid Fair Value Balance Fair Value Balance Fair Value Balance Level 3 Inputs Future policy benefits - annuities Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment Financing Receivable, Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality Financing Receivable, Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment Range {1} Range Restricted Assets Average market value over amortized cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEstimatedFairValue Commercial Loan Scenario Change in line of credit borrowings Change in line of credit borrowings Changes in assets for perpetual care trusts Changes in assets for perpetual care trusts Other comprehensive income Other comprehensive loss Allowance for losses on mortgage loans on real estate and construction loans, held for investment Total liabilities Total liabilities Mutual Funds [Member] 2016 [Member] 1993 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] 6.34% note payable [Member] Scott M. Quist [Member] ProForma Net Earnings per Class A equivalent common share Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Revenue from customers Segment Loan loss reserve, Charge-offs Loan loss reserve, Charge-offs Aging of Loans {1} Aging of Loans Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality More than 12 months Real estate held for investment, net of depreciation Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Loss Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Loss US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities AsOfSeptember302012Member Cash received for reinsurance with North America Life Balance Balance Balance Income tax (provision) benefit Income tax (provision) benefit Cost of goods and services sold-mortuaries and cemeteries Common Stock Outstanding Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes Bank and other loans payable Property and equipment, net Policy and other loans, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $449,011 and $427,136 for 2012 and 2011 Class of Stock {1} Class of Stock Entity Filer Category Current Fiscal Year End Date SafeHarborPlanMember [Member] 2006 Director Stock Option Plan [Member] Mark to market of interest rate swaps [Member] Deferred Tax Credits related to compensation expense [Member] Amounts deducted by Wells Fargo Current Investment Income, Investment Expense Investment Income, Investment Expense Gross Investment Income Short-term investments, principally gains on sale of mortgage loans Contractual Maturity {1} Contractual Maturity Real estate held Real estate held Details Schedule of Credit Risk of Mortgage Loans based on Performance Status Schedule of Allowance for loan losses as a contra-asset account Schedule of Major categories of net investment income Tables/Schedules Notes Payments received for mortgage, policy and other loans Sales - equity securities Additional Paid-in Capital Comprehensive Income Statement Benefits and expenses: Unearned premium reserve Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Mortgage loans on real estate and construction loans, held for investment net of allowances for losses of $4,263,375 and $4,881,173 for 2012 and 2011 Equity securities, available for sale, at estimated fair value Fixed maturity securities, held to maturity, at amortized cost 2003 Stock Option Plan [Member] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Bank prime rate less .28% [Member] Due in 2013 [Member] Estimated fair value of Other liabilities and accrued expensesbenefits Mortgage Loan Settlements {1} Mortgage Loan Settlements Fair Value of Liability Derivatives, Interest rate lock and forward sales commitments Interest Rate Lock Commitments Derivatives - bank loan interest rate swaps, Interest rate lock commitments Significant Reconciling Items Total Past Due Past due 30 to 59 days Allowance for credit losses, Provision Policy, Student and other loans Other than Temporary Impairments Contractual Maturity Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains Repayment of bank loans on notes and contracts Repayment of bank loans on notes and contracts Purchase of short-term investments Purchase of short-term investments Treasury Stock {1} Treasury Stock Statement, Equity Components Net earnings Net earnings Net earnings Surrenders and other policy benefits Common Stock Issued Common Stock Authorized Document Fiscal Year Focus Amendment Flag Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Axis] Related Party [Axis] American Life and Security Corporation [Member] Due in 2014 [Member] Estimated fair value of net assets aquired Estimated fair value of Receivables, Net Amounts accrued for loan losses Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, Interest Rate Swaps Mortgage loans in which settlements with third party investors were still pending OtherRealEstateOwnedHeldForSale Available-for-sale Securities {2} Available-for-sale Securities Cemetery and Mortuary Business Segments Deferred tax credits recognized related to compensation expense Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment Maximum Investments by Category Due in 2012 Schedule of loan loss reserve which is included in other liabilities and accrued expenses Schedule of aging of mortgage loans Held-to-maturity Securities {1} Held-to-maturity Securities Note 8: Fair Value of Financial Instruments Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Sale of treasury stock Commissions Mortgage fee income Stockholders' Equity Cemetery perpetual care obligation Liabilities Assets Due in 2013 to 2016 [Member] Participating in Mortgage loans with Security National Life [Member] Interest Rate Swap Instrument [Member] Other notes payable [Member] Due in 2015 [Member] Estimated fair value of Total liabilities assumed Assets transferred, promissory notes Mortgages originated and sold Derivatives - interest rate lock commitments Options granted December 2, 2011 Interest not acrued on non-performing loans Past due 60 to 89 days Real Estate Gain (Loss) on Investments, Including Marketable Securities and Investments Held at Cost, Categories of Investments Due in 2013 through 2016 Residential Construction Total Fixed Maturity Securities Held To Maturity Redeemable Preferred Stock Unaudited pro forma Schedule of Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date Equity Securities Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Net change in cash and cash equivalents Net change in cash and cash equivalents Mortgage, policy, and other loans made Mortgage, policy, and other loans made Grant of stock options Class C Common Stock {1} Class C Common Stock Other comprehensive income: Treasury Stock Other liabilities and accrued expenses Other assets Cemetery perpetual care trust investments Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Unaudited [Member] Revolving line-of-credit, interest payable at the prime rate minus .75% [Member] 5.75% note payable [Member] Wells Fargo Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, Interest Rate Lock Commitments Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring Fair Value, Losses (Gains) included in earnings Bank Loan Interest Rate Swaps Policyholder account balances Credit Quality Indicator Mortgage Loans, Net Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Period Increase (Decrease) Nonredeemable Preferred Stock Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Gain AsOfJune302012Member Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities {1} Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities 11) Derivative Investments Cash flows from financing activities: Purchase of real estate Purchase of real estate Net earnings per Class A Equivalent common share (1) Interest expense Total revenues Total revenues Realized gains on investments and other assets Accumulated depreciation on other real estate owned held for investment Treasury stock at cost - 1,060,011 Class A shares in 2012 and 1,198,167 Class A shares in 2011 Treasury stock at cost - 1,060,011 Class A shares in 2012 and 1,198,167 Class A shares in 2011 Short-term investments Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Document Period End Date Remaining Term [Axis] Due in 2017 or later [Member] ProForma Revenues Estimated fair value of Receivable from reinsurers Assets transferred TaxEffect-GainLossOnDerivatives Fair Value of Liability Derivatives, Call Options Mortgage loans on real estate Level 3 Inputs {1} Level 3 Inputs Derivatives - bank loan interest rate swaps Non-redeemable preferred stock Loan loss reserve, Provisions for losses Past due 90 or more days Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Beginning Balance Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance Restricted Assets {1} Restricted Assets Estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed AsOfDecember312012Member Gain (Loss) on Investments Available-for-sale Securities 13) Acquisitions Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities Cash paid for purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash received Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from operating activities: Conversion Class C to Class A Comprehensive income Comprehensive income Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments Allowance for doubtful accounts on policy and other loans Cash and cash equivalents Entity Central Index Key Continental American Insurance Company [Member] 2000 Director Stock Option Plan [Member] Revolving line-of-credit, interest payable at the variable overnight Libor rate [Member] Assets transferred, cash Fair Value of Asset Derivatives, Interest rate lock and forward sales commitments Policyholder Account Balances Liabilities accounted for at fair value Identifiable Assets Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance Allowance for credit losses, Charge-offs Allowance for credit losses, Charge-offs Mortgage loans on real estate balances, net of allowance for losses Gross Realized Gains Due in 2017 through 2021 Average Market Value of Security over initial investment Short-term investments at amortized cost Loans Held-for-sale, Consumer, Installment, Student Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss Types of Financial Instruments HeldToMaturitySecuritiesEstimatedFairValue Held-to-maturity Securities 9) Other Business Activity Sale of real estate Purchase of property and equipment Purchase of property and equipment Securities available for sale: Net unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities Amortization of deferred policy and pre-need acquisition costs and value of business acquired Future life, annuity, and other benefits Total Assets Total Assets Deferred policy and pre-need contract acquisition costs Restricted assets of cemeteries and mortuaries Real estate held for investment, net of accumulated depreciation of $4,417,735 and $4,189,641 for 2012 and 2011 Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] Loans Payable [Axis] Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Name [Axis] Commitments to fund new residential construction loans Reinsurance Interest accuring on a portion of the mortgage loans - range Restricted assets of cemeteries and mortuaries {1} Restricted assets of cemeteries and mortuaries Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance In Foreclosure Minimum Cemeteries and mortuaries Categories of Investments, Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Mortgage loans on real estate and construction, allowance for losses Mortgage loans on real estate and construction, allowance for losses Residential Mortgage Schedule of Derivative Assets at Fair Value 3) Investments Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Amount received for perpetual care trusts Statement of Cash Flows Class A Common Stock {1} Class A Common Stock Selling, general and administrative expenses: Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Deferred pre-need cemetery and mortuary contract revenues Class B Common Stock as of December 31, 2010 [Member] Financial Standby Letter of Credit [Member] Assets transferred, Policy loans Loan loss reserve, balance at start of period Loan loss reserve, balance at start of period Loan loss reserve, balance at end of period Net realized gain related to sales of securities Due after 2021 Financial Instrument Corporate Debt Securities Proceeds from borrowing on bank loans Sales of short-term investments Securities held to maturity: Comprehensive income: Statements of Stockholders' Equity Weighted-average Class A equivalent common share outstanding (1) Costs related to funding mortgage loans Death benefits Accrued investment income Other real estate owned held for investment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,748,820 and $1,810,238 for 2012 and 2011 Class C Common Stock Related Party [Domain] 3.85% note payable [Member] Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Plan [Domain] Compensation [Axis] ProForma Net Earnings per Class A equivalent common share assuming dilution Deduction from Purchase Proceeds Funds reserved and accrued to settle investor related claims Reinsurance {1} Reinsurance Fair Value of Liability Derivatives, Total AmountAvailableToOriginateLoansUnderWellsFargoAgreement Derivatives - bank loan interest rate swaps, Call Options Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 Fair Value, Hierarchy Mortgage Loans during period Mortgage loans Mortgage loans Range Other real estate owned, held for investment, net of depreciation US Treasury and Government Schedule of Changes in the consolidated balance sheet line items measured using level 3 inputs Schedule of Impaired Mortgage Loans Annuity contract withdrawals Annuity contract withdrawals Cash flows from investing activities: Earnings (loss) before income taxes Earnings (loss) before income taxes Total benefits and expenses Total benefits and expenses Other than temporary impairments on investments Other than temporary impairments on investments Net investment income Insurance premiums and other considerations Revenues: Common Stock Par Value Balance Sheet Parenthetical Accounts payable Cemetery land and improvements Receivables, net Mortgage loans sold to investors Statement {1} Statement Statement Balance Sheet Entity Current Reporting Status Document Type Plan Name [Domain] Third Party Investors [Member] Revolving Line of Credit 2 [Member] Revolving Line of Credit 1 [Member] GainLossOnDerivativesSubTotal AmountAvailableToOriginateLoansUnderUBS Agreement Amount available to originate loans under this agreement OtherRealEstateOwnedHeldForInvestment Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy Nonperforming Financing Receivable Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Average Recorded Investment Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment Other Assets Time Duration Amortized Cost Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Scenario, Unspecified Policies 12) Reinsurance, Commitments and Contingencies 7) Business Segments Mortgage loans foreclosed into real estate Purchase of restricted assets Purchase of restricted assets Net earnings per Class A Equivalent common share-assuming dilution (1) Income Statement Income taxes Goodwill Class A Common Stock