Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts 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 Perpetual Care [Member] | ||||
| Investment related activities [Line Items] | ||||
| Deposits | 5,503 | 5,381 | 17,806 | 17,282 |
| Withdrawals | 10,269 | 7,581 | 28,098 | 26,858 |
| Purchases of available-for-sale securities | 87,135 | 135,544 | 413,176 | 315,986 |
| Sales of available-for-sale securities | 49,705 | 137,354 | 387,715 | 247,125 |
| Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities | 4,101 | 4,244 | 31,221 | 8,937 |
| Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities | $ (1,764) | $ (2,068) | $ (14,506) | $ (7,524) |