Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | |
| Investment related activities [Line Items] | ||||
| Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities | $ 25,588 | $ 17,045 | $ 132,064 | $ 67,297 |
| Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities | (17,108) | (20,256) | (52,715) | (96,634) |
Cemetery [Member] | ||||
| Investment related activities [Line Items] | ||||
| Deposits | 25,946 | 30,565 | 76,442 | 79,984 |
| Withdrawals | 25,917 | 26,303 | 84,444 | 79,080 |
| Purchases of available-for-sale securities | 88,518 | 77,625 | 411,195 | 542,829 |
| Sales of available-for-sale securities | 78,721 | 90,148 | 407,272 | 502,508 |
| Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities | 10,134 | 6,838 | 51,225 | 31,899 |
| Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities | $ (8,758) | $ (9,828) | $ (19,994) | $ (47,093) |