Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 1,382,410	$ 1,361,493
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,382,410
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	582,226	20,289
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(2,774)	(2,251)
Goodwill, Other Changes	(31,097)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(8,663)	2,879
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	539,692	20,917
Goodwill, ending balance		1,382,410	1,361,493
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,922,102	1,382,410
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	422,830	320,725
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	227,119	207,985
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	195,711	112,740
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names	215,135	134,823
Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	11,640	10,140
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	226,775	144,963
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	422,486	257,703
Amortization of intangible assets	21,859	23,853	25,591
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	17,572
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	14,884
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	14,065
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	11,525
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	10,722
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	218,771	208,594
Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	174,282	102,481
Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	12,750	3,600
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	17,027	6,050
Funeral [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,319,308	1,298,350
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,319,308
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	322,118	20,289
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(2,774)	(2,210)
Goodwill, Other Changes	(29,070)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(8,663)	2,879
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	281,611	20,958
Goodwill, ending balance		1,319,308	1,298,350
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,600,919	1,319,308
Amortization of intangible assets	17,245	18,803	18,582
Cemetery [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	63,102	63,143
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	63,102
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	260,108	0
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	0	(41)
Goodwill, Other Changes	(2,027)
Effect of foreign currency and other	0	0
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	258,081	(41)
Goodwill, ending balance		63,102	63,143
Goodwill, net, ending balance	321,183	63,102
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 4,590	$ 5,021	$ 5,540
Minimum [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years