Preneed Funeral Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $) In Thousands | Sep. 30, 2011 |
|---|---|
Funeral [Member] | |
| Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items] | |
| Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value | $ 136,116 |
| Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value | 51,838 |
| Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value | 38,398 |
| Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value | 23,512 |
| Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value | $ 249,864 |