Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Mar. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Customer Relationships [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Customer Lists [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Leases, Acquired-in-Place, Market Adjustment [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Trade Names [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]                
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names $ 121,838 $ 82,732 $ 33,200          
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum       10 10 5 5 5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Maximum       10 14 15 15 5
Accounts receivable     6,131          
Other current assets     20,200          
Cemetery property     19,949          
Property and equipment, net     105,888          
Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments     66,395          
Finite-lived intangible assets     34,312          
Indefinite-lived intangible assets     33,700          
Deferred charges and other assets     6,533          
Goodwill     108,643          
Total assets acquired     401,751          
Current liabilities     11,719          
Long-term debt     2,548          
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts     69,336          
Deferred tax liability     20,939          
Other liabilities     8,347          
Total liabilities assumed     112,889          
Net assets acquired     $ 288,862