Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands
3 Months Ended9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2010
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period  $ 112,768 
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent  (13,229)4,763
Balance at end of period99,552 99,552 
Net income attributable to common stockholders35,49618,765100,35389,962
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders(23,132)7,266(13,216)4,761
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests(481)(85)1,329270
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest(17)3(13)2
Comprehensive income11,86625,94988,45394,995
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
    
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period  112,768 
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent  (13,216)4,761
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes  (146,669) 
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes  146,669 
Balance at end of period99,552 99,552 
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
    
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period  112,768 
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent  (13,216) 
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes  0 
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes  0 
Balance at end of period99,552 99,552 
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
    
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]    
Balance at beginning of period  0 
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent  0 
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes  (146,669) 
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes  146,669 
Balance at end of period$ 0 $ 0