Major Segments of Business (Revenue, pre-tax income and total and total assets by segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	$ 63,331	$ 63,253
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	7,618	11,023
Total assets	827,178		$ 833,139
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	49,302	50,137
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	16,729	17,798
Total assets	591,785		591,389
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	14,029	13,116
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	4,249	4,046
Total assets	225,301		229,479
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(13,360)	$ (10,821)
Total assets	$ 10,092		$ 12,271