Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 625,505	$ 597,372	$ 1,277,857	$ 1,199,878
Gross Profit	125,821	128,189	285,421	255,756
General and administrative expenses	(31,162)	(29,558)	(62,028)	(55,517)
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,545)	1,058	(6,514)	568
Operating income	89,114	99,689	216,879	200,807
Interest expense	(32,740)	(33,894)	(65,509)	(67,482)
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	468	0	468	0
Other income (expense), net	(699)	(2,221)	(1,683)	1,684
Income before income taxes	56,143	63,574	150,155	135,009
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	570,344	544,352	1,165,781	1,091,528
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	53,887	51,590	108,868	105,131
GERMANY
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	1,274	1,430	3,208	3,219
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	415,819	396,421	877,838	820,702
Gross Profit	80,222	81,687	200,369	181,711
Other income (expense), net	0	0	0	0
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	209,686	200,951	400,019	379,176
Gross Profit	45,599	46,502	85,052	74,045
Other income (expense), net	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0