Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 25,957		$ 14,935		$ 17,687		$ 15,219
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,830	[1]	(126)	[1]	13,230	[1]	(1,479)	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(6)	[2]	(7)	[2]	(13)	[2]	(18)	[2]
Contributions	1,673		1,360		2,335		2,716
Distributions and other	(2,827)		(366)		(6,612)		(642)
Fair market value, ending balance	26,627		15,796		26,627		15,796
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,035		443		450		436
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	389	[1]	(6)	[1]	976	[1]	2	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(1)	[2]	0	[2]	(3)	[2]	(1)	[2]
Contributions	0		0		0		0
Distributions and other	(165)		(4)		(165)		(4)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 1,258		$ 433		$ 1,258		$ 433

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

[2] All losses recognized in Other income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.