Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2010 | |
| Product Information [Line Items] | ||||
| Total merchandise revenues | $ 259,072 | $ 238,805 | $ 765,206 | $ 714,154 |
| Total services revenues | 279,938 | 266,530 | 871,506 | 827,535 |
| Other revenues | 33,989 | 27,830 | 92,760 | 77,612 |
| Total revenues | 572,999 | 533,165 | 1,729,472 | 1,619,301 |
| Total cost of merchandise | 120,859 | 110,071 | 364,475 | 337,352 |
| Total cost of services | 150,955 | 137,544 | 444,735 | 406,415 |
| Overhead and other expenses | 194,135 | 182,903 | 571,743 | 551,231 |
| Total costs and expenses | 465,949 | 430,518 | 1,380,953 | 1,294,998 |
Funeral [Member] | ||||
| Product Information [Line Items] | ||||
| Total merchandise revenues | 126,168 | 117,674 | 383,308 | 362,145 |
| Total services revenues | 234,367 | 220,913 | 726,259 | 688,866 |
| Total cost of merchandise | 64,156 | 58,520 | 197,539 | 185,994 |
| Total cost of services | 127,102 | 114,662 | 370,942 | 335,425 |
Cemetery [Member] | ||||
| Product Information [Line Items] | ||||
| Total merchandise revenues | 132,904 | 121,131 | 381,898 | 352,009 |
| Total services revenues | 45,571 | 45,617 | 145,247 | 138,669 |
| Total cost of merchandise | 56,703 | 51,551 | 166,936 | 151,358 |
| Total cost of services | $ 23,853 | $ 22,882 | $ 73,793 | $ 70,990 |