Major Segments of Business (Revenue, pre-tax income and total and total assets by segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	$ 58,378	$ 54,549	$ 180,892	$ 166,705
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	7,251	5,215	25,934	14,255
Total assets	828,077		828,077		$ 827,528
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	44,089	41,770	138,727	127,926
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	12,593	11,635	43,792	39,025
Total assets	586,258		586,258		568,842
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	14,289	12,779	42,165	38,779
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	4,312	3,074	12,814	10,959
Total assets	231,107		231,107		240,009
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	0		0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(9,654)	$ (9,494)	(30,672)	$ (35,729)
Total assets	$ 10,712		$ 10,712		$ 18,677