Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Mar. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Goodwill, beginning balance $ 1,454,278 $ 1,348,126    
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance (146,794) (146,794)    
Goodwill, net, beginning balance 1,307,484 1,201,332    
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions 61,396 120,096    
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures (4,930) (19,969)    
Effect of foreign currency and other (2,457) 6,025    
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease) 54,009 106,152    
Goodwill, ending balance 1,508,287 1,454,278 1,348,126  
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance (146,794) (146,794) (146,794)  
Goodwill, net, ending balance 1,361,493 1,307,484 1,201,332  
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 311,046 298,214    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization 189,773 171,597    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net 121,273 126,617    
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names 121,838 82,732   33,200
Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets 10,140 10,140    
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) 131,978 92,872    
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) 253,251 219,489    
Amortization of intangible assets 25,591 25,197 21,698  
Future Amortization Expense, Year One 14,591      
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two 12,589      
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three 10,929      
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four 8,236      
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five 7,745      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense 54,090      
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
        
Goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 200,973 195,346    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum 2      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum 20      
Customer Relationships [Member]
        
Goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 100,423 93,218    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum 10      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum 20      
Trade Names [Member]
        
Goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 3,600 3,600    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum 5      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum 5      
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
        
Goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 6,050 6,050    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum 5      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum 40      
Funeral [Member]
        
Goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Goodwill, beginning balance 1,244,206 1,140,742    
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance 0 0    
Goodwill, net, beginning balance 1,244,206 1,140,742    
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions 60,933 114,020    
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures (4,332) (16,581)    
Effect of foreign currency and other (2,457) 6,025    
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease) 54,144 103,464    
Goodwill, ending balance 1,298,350 1,244,206 1,140,742  
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance 0 0 0  
Goodwill, net, ending balance 1,298,350 1,244,206 1,140,742  
Amortization of intangible assets 18,582 17,464 15,473  
Cemetery [Member]
        
Goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Goodwill, beginning balance 210,072 207,384    
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance (146,794) (146,794)    
Goodwill, net, beginning balance 63,278 60,590    
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions 463 6,076    
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures (598) (3,388)    
Effect of foreign currency and other 0 0    
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease) (135) 2,688    
Goodwill, ending balance 209,937 210,072 207,384  
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance (146,794) (146,794) (146,794)  
Goodwill, net, ending balance 63,143 63,278 60,590  
Amortization of intangible assets $ 5,540 $ 6,095 $ 6,105