Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
|---|
Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 |
|---|
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | | | | |
| Revenue from External Customers | $ 572,999 | $ 533,165 | $ 1,729,472 | $ 1,619,301 |
| Gross Profit | 107,050 | 102,647 | 348,519 | 324,303 |
| General and administrative expenses | (23,863) | (26,860) | (77,381) | (80,086) |
| Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net | (5,001) | (7,291) | (15,264) | 5,831 |
| Operating income | 78,186 | 68,496 | 255,874 | 250,048 |
| Interest expense | (33,038) | (31,497) | (100,476) | (96,281) |
| Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net | (1,355) | (9,066) | (3,504) | (9,357) |
| Other income (expense), net | 249 | 688 | 969 | 3,077 |
| Income before income taxes | 44,042 | 28,621 | 152,863 | 147,487 |
Funeral [Member] | | | | |
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | | | | |
| Revenue from External Customers | 384,003 | 358,931 | 1,178,362 | 1,105,687 |
| Gross Profit | 69,022 | 69,058 | 243,827 | 231,167 |
| Other income (expense), net | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cemetery [Member] | | | | |
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | | | | |
| Revenue from External Customers | 188,996 | 174,234 | 551,110 | 513,614 |
| Gross Profit | 38,028 | 33,589 | 104,692 | 93,136 |
| Other income (expense), net | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Corporate Elimination [Member] | | | | |
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | | | | |
| Other income (expense), net | 249 | 688 | 969 | 3,077 |
UNITED STATES | | | | |
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | | | | |
| Revenue from External Customers | 518,754 | 479,120 | 1,569,748 | 1,458,883 |
CANADA | | | | |
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | | | | |
| Revenue from External Customers | 52,824 | 52,399 | 154,706 | 155,497 |
GERMANY | | | | |
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | | | | |
| Revenue from External Customers | $ 1,421 | $ 1,646 | $ 5,018 | $ 4,921 |