Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
        
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]        
Fair market value, beginning balance $ 26,627 $ 15,796 $ 17,687 $ 15,219
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,015 [1] (458) [1] 15,245 [1] (1,937) [1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2) 0 [2] (12) [2] (13) [2] (30) [2]
Contributions 21 1,044 2,356 3,760
Distributions and other (1,248) (362) (7,860) (1,004)
Fair market value, ending balance 27,415 16,008 27,415 16,008
Other Investments [Member]
        
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]        
Fair market value, beginning balance 1,258 433 450 436
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income 277 [1] 16 [1] 1,253 [1] 18 [1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2) 0 [2] (1) [2] (3) [2] (2) [2]
Contributions 0 0 0 0
Distributions and other (205) (7) (370) (11)
Fair market value, ending balance $ 1,330 $ 441 $ 1,330 $ 441
[1] All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[2] All losses recognized in Other income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.