Carriage Services (CSV) 10-K 25 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 20, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CARRIAGE SERVICES INC
Entity Central Index Key	1016281
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$279.40
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,433,775

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$413	$1,377
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts of $847 in 2013 and $1,127 in 2014	19,264	17,950
Assets held for sale	0	3,544
Inventories	5,294	5,300
Prepaid expenses	4,590	4,421
Other current assets	7,144	3,525
Total current assets	36,705	36,117
Preneed cemetery trust investments	71,972	68,341
Preneed funeral trust investments	97,607	97,144
Preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts of $1,825 in 2013 and $2,339 in 2014	26,284	24,521
Receivables from preneed trusts	12,809	11,166
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $88,627 in 2013 and $95,249 in 2014	186,211	160,690
Cemetery property	75,564	72,911
Goodwill	257,442	221,087
Deferred charges and other non-current assets	14,264	12,280
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	48,670	42,342
Total assets	827,528	746,599
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	9,838	13,424
Accounts payable	6,472	7,046
Other liabilities	1,437	9,939
Accrued liabilities	15,203	12,854
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale	0	4,357
Total current liabilities	32,950	47,620
Long-term debt, net of current portion	111,887	105,642
Revolving credit facility	40,500	36,900
Convertible junior subordinated debentures due in 2029 to an affiliate	0	89,770
Convertible subordinated notes due 2021	114,542	0
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion	3,098	3,786
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	56,875	55,479
Deferred preneed funeral revenue	31,265	30,588
Deferred tax liability	36,414	11,915
Other long-term liabilities	2,401	1,548
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	71,972	68,341
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	97,607	97,144
Care trusts’ corpus	48,142	41,893
Total liabilities	647,653	590,626
Commitments and contingencies:
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized; 22,183,000 and 22,434,000 issued as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively	224	222
Additional paid-in capital	212,386	204,324
Accumulated deficit	-17,468	-33,306
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,922,000 shares at December 31, 2013 and 2014	-15,267	-15,267
Total stockholders’ equity	179,875	155,973
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$827,528	$746,599

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for bad debts	$1,127	$847
Preneed receivables, allowance for bad debts	2,339	1,825
Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment	$95,249	$88,627
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	22,434,000	22,183,000
Treasury stock, shares	3,922,000	3,922,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$226,124	$213,074	$198,191
Total field costs and expenses	156,116	148,789	136,964
Field costs and expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	10,545	10,179	8,942
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs	9,806	10,013	8,460
Gross profit	70,008	64,285	61,227
Corporate costs and expenses:
General, administrative and other	28,915	25,923	23,986
Home office depreciation and amortization	1,378	1,456	974
Total corporate costs and expenses	30,293	27,379	24,960
Operating income	39,715	36,906	36,267
Interest expense	-10,308	-12,622	-17,088
Accretion of discount on convertible subordinated notes	-2,452	0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and other costs	-1,042	0	-3,031
Loss on redemption of convertible junior subordinated debentures	-3,779	0	0
Other, net	567	81	963
Total interest and other, net	-17,014	-12,541	-19,156
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	22,701	24,365	17,111
Provision for income taxes	-8,995	-9,245	-6,794
Income tax benefit related to uncertain tax positions	1,740	0	0
Net provision for income taxes	-7,255	-9,245	-6,794
Net income from continuing operations	15,446	15,120	10,317
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	392	4,176	1,086
Net income	15,838	19,296	11,403
Preferred stock dividend	0	4	14
Net income	15,838	19,292	11,389
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.84	$0.83	$0.57
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0.02	$0.23	$0.06
Basic earnings per common share	$0.86	$1.06	$0.63
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.83	$0.82	$0.57
Discontinued operations	$0.02	$0.18	$0.06
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.85	$1	$0.63
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	18,108	17,826	18,126
Diluted (in shares)	18,257	22,393	18,226
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	173,735	163,082	150,803
Total field costs and expenses	104,913	99,657	91,055
Corporate costs and expenses:
Interest expense	-316	-323	-308
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	53,385	48,206	46,073
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	52,389	49,992	47,388
Total field costs and expenses	30,852	28,940	28,507
Corporate costs and expenses:
Interest expense	-17	-36	-49
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$15,180	$14,679	$12,895

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Performance-based stock awards	Common stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified					Performance-based stock awards
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$126,778		$217	$201,284		($63,987)	($10,736)
Beginning balance, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2011			18,427,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	11,389					11,389
Isuuance of common stock, shares			151,000
Issuance of common stock	844		1	843
Exercise of stock options, shares	81,000		81,000
Exercise of stock options	437		1	436
Issuance of restricted common stock, shares			379,000
Issuance of restricted common stock	22		4	18
Cancellation and retirement of restricted common stock, shares			-196,000
Cancellation and retirement of restricted common stock	-434		-2	-432
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock and options	281			281
Amortization of restricted common stock	1,370			1,370
Stock-based compensation expense	466			466
Treasury stock acquired, shares			-686,000
Treasury stock acquired	-4,531						-4,531
Dividends on common stock	-1,804			-1,804
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	134,818		221	202,462		-52,598	-15,267
Ending balance, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2012			18,156,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	19,292					19,292
Isuuance of common stock, shares			114,000
Issuance of common stock	1,394		1	1,393
Exercise of stock options, shares	45,000		45,000
Exercise of stock options	0		0	0
Issuance of restricted common stock, shares			63,000
Issuance of restricted common stock	1		1	0
Cancellation and retirement of restricted common stock, shares			-117,000
Cancellation and retirement of restricted common stock	-1,631		-1	-1,630
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock and options	667			667
Amortization of restricted common stock	1,340			1,340
Stock-based compensation expense	1,296			1,296
Dividends on common stock	-1,817			-1,817
Excess tax benefits on equity compensation	613			613
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	155,973		222	204,324		-33,306	-15,267
Ending balance, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2013			18,261,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	15,838					15,838
Isuuance of common stock, shares			70,000
Issuance of common stock	1,110		0	1,110
Exercise of stock options, shares	68,000		68,000
Exercise of stock options	363		0	363
Issuance of restricted common stock, shares			200,000
Issuance of restricted common stock	0		2	-2
Cancellation and retirement of restricted common stock, shares			-87,000
Cancellation and retirement of restricted common stock	-1,357		0	-1,357
Accelerated vesting of restricted common stock and options	27			27
Amortization of restricted common stock	1,806			1,806
Stock-based compensation expense	2,616	-16,624		2,616	-16,624
Convertible subordinated notes due 2021	17,973			17,973
Treasury stock acquired, shares	0
Dividends on common stock	-1,840			-1,840
Excess tax benefits on equity compensation	3,990			3,990
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$179,875		$224	$212,386		($17,468)	($15,267)
Ending balance, shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2014			18,512,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$15,838	$19,296	$11,403
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,945	11,748	10,076
Gain on sale of businesses and purchase of assets	-2,150	-6,091	-610
Impairment of goodwill	1,180	100	1,100
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and other costs	1,042	0	1,323
Amortization of deferred financing costs	908	362	685
Accretion of discount on convertible subordinated notes	2,452	0	0
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	2,877	2,005	2,589
Stock-based compensation expense	4,622	3,583	2,174
Deferred income tax expense	5,295	12,572	3,930
Loss on redemption of convertible junior subordinated debentures	2,932	0	0
Other	0	85	88
Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided (required) cash:
Accounts and preneed receivables	-4,146	-3,329	-4,623
Inventories and other current assets	-2,590	-337	5,332
Deferred charges and other	-165	-35	-38
Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments	-203	-1,415	6,659
Accounts payable	-562	1,142	-1,002
Accrued and other liabilities	-1,529	-3,294	-6,195
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenue	303	1,187	3,720
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	-1,484	2,266	-10,850
Net cash provided by operating activities	36,565	39,845	25,761
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions and land for new construction	-57,874	-19,701	-45,141
Net proceeds from sale of businesses and other assets	2,192	10,184	603
Capital expenditures	-23,675	-10,695	-10,436
Net cash used in investing activities	-79,357	-20,212	-54,974
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings (payments) on the revolving credit facility	3,600	-7,800	43,307
Net borrowings on the term loan	3,313	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible subordinated notes	143,750	0	0
Payment of debt issuance costs related to the convertible subordinated notes	-4,650	0	0
Payments on long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	-840	-11,219	-3,174
Redemption of convertible junior subordinated debentures	-89,748	0	0
Payments for performance-based stock awards	-16,150	0	0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan contributions	1,228	894	896
Dividends on common stock	-1,840	-1,817	-1,804
Dividends on redeemable preferred stock	0	-4	-14
Payment of loan origination costs	-825	-621	-3,235
Excess tax benefit of equity compensation	3,990	613	36
Payment of call premium associated with the senior note redemption	0	0	-1,707
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	-4,531
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	41,828	-19,954	29,774
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-964	-321	561
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,377	1,698	1,137
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$413	$1,377	$1,698

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The Company
	Carriage Services, Inc. (“Carriage,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a leading provider of deathcare services and merchandise in the United States. At December 31, 2014, we operated 164 funeral homes in 27 states and 32 cemeteries in 11 states.
	Our operations are reported in two business segments: Funeral Home Operations and Cemetery Operations. Funeral homes are principally service businesses that provide funeral services (traditional burial and cremation) and sell related merchandise, such as caskets and urns. Cemeteries are primarily a sales business providing interment rights (grave sites and mausoleums) and related merchandise, such as markers and memorials.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
	Funeral and Cemetery Operations
	We record the revenue from sales of funeral and cemetery merchandise and services when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Sales of cemetery interment rights are recorded as revenue in accordance with the retail land sales provisions for accounting for sales of real estate. This method provides for the recognition of revenue in the period in which the customer’s cumulative payments exceed 10% of the contract price related to the interment right. Costs related to the sales of interment rights, which include real property and other costs related to cemetery development activities, are charged to operations using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue. Revenues to be recognized from the delivery of merchandise and performance of services related to contracts that were acquired in acquisitions are typically lower than those originated by us. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Allowances for bad debts and customer cancellations are provided at the date that the sale is recognized as revenue and are based on our historical experience and the current economic environment. We also monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted. When preneed sales of funeral services and merchandise are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission on the sale of the policies. Insurance commissions are recognized as revenues at the point at which the commission is no longer subject to refund, which is typically one year after the policy is issued.
	Accounts receivable included approximately $8.4 million and $10.0 million of funeral receivables at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and $8.3 million and $9.1 million of cemetery receivables at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. For 2013 and 2014, accounts receivable also include minor amounts of other receivables. Non-current preneed receivables represent the payments expected to be received beyond one year from the balance sheet date. Non-current preneed receivables consisted of approximately $8.1 million and $7.4 million of funeral receivables and $16.5 million and $18.9 million of cemetery receivables at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Bad debt expense totaled approximately $2.6 million, $2.0 million and $2.9 million for 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	Preneed Contracts
	We sell interment rights, merchandise and services prior to the time of need, which is referred to as preneed. In many instances the customer pays for the preneed contract over a period of time. Cash proceeds from preneed sales less amounts that we may retain under state regulations are deposited to a trust or used to purchase a third-party insurance policy. The principal and accumulated earnings of the trusts are generally withdrawn at maturity (death) or cancellation. The cumulative trust income earned and the increases in insurance benefits on the insurance products are deferred until the service is performed. The customer receivables and amounts deposited in trusts that we control are primarily included in the non-current asset section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The preneed funeral contracts secured by third party insurance policies are not recorded as assets or liabilities of the Company.
	In the opinion of management, the proceeds from the trust funds and the insurance policies at the time the preneed contracts mature will exceed the estimated future costs to perform services and provide products under such arrangements. The types of securities in which the trusts may invest are regulated by state agencies.
	Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Trust Funds
	Our preneed and perpetual care trust funds are reported in accordance with the principles of consolidating Variable Interest Entities (“VIE’s”). In the case of preneed trusts, the customers are the legal beneficiaries. In the case of perpetual care trusts, we do not have a right to access the corpus in the perpetual care trusts. For these reasons, we have recognized financial interests of third parties in the trust funds in our financial statements as Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus. The investments of such trust funds are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair market value; therefore, the unrealized gains and losses, as well as accumulated and undistributed income and realized gains and losses are recorded to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our future obligations to deliver merchandise and services are reported at estimated settlement amounts. Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings, along with preneed contract collections not required to be placed in trust, are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenue and Deferred preneed cemetery revenue until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.
	In accordance with respective state laws, we are required to deposit a specified amount into perpetual and memorial care trust funds for each interment/entombment right and certain memorials sold. Income from the trust funds is distributed to us and used to provide for the care and maintenance of the cemeteries and mausoleums. Such trust fund income is recognized as revenue when realized by the trust and distributable to us. We are restricted from withdrawing any of the principal balances of these funds.
	An enterprise is required to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest(s) give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our analysis continues to support our position as the primary beneficiary in the majority of our funeral and cemetery trust funds.
	Trust management fees are earned by us for investment management and advisory services that are provided by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor (“CSV RIA”). As of December 31, 2014, CSV RIA provided these services to two institutions, which have custody of 76% of our trust assets, for a fee based on the market value of trust assets. Under state trust laws, we are allowed to charge the trust a fee for advising on the investment of the trust assets and these fees are recognized as income in the period in which services are provided.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	Inventory
	Inventory consists primarily of caskets, outer burial containers and cemetery monuments and markers and is recorded at the lower of its cost basis (determined by the specific identification method) or net realizable value.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment (including equipment under capital leases) are stated at cost. The costs of ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, while renewals and betterments are capitalized. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including equipment under capital leases) is computed based on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
		Years
	Buildings and improvements	15 to 40
	Furniture and fixtures	5 to 10
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 15
	Automobiles	5 to 7
	Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2014:
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
		(in thousands)
	Land	$	55,639		$	66,957
	Buildings and improvements	132,172			148,483
	Furniture, equipment and automobiles	61,506			66,020
	Property, plant and equipment, at cost	249,317			281,460
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(88,627		)	(95,249		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	160,690		$	186,211
	During 2012, 2013 and 2014, we recorded approximately $7.6 million, $8.8 million and $9.2 million, respectively, of depreciation expense against operating income.
	Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment subject to depreciation and amortization, are reviewed for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360. This guidance requires that long-lived assets to be held and used are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value. We assess long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than the fair value. We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment when a funeral home business has negative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for four consecutive years and if there has been a decline in EBITDA for four consecutive years. For our cemetery business, we analyze the long-lived assets for impairment if the business has a negative operating margin and a decline in operating margin over a four year period. We review our long-lived assets deemed held-for-sale to the point of recoverability. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell. If we determine that the carrying value is not recoverable from the proceeds of the sale, we record an impairment at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2014, no impairment was identified on our long-lived assets.
	Income Taxes
	We and our subsidiaries file a consolidated United States Federal income tax return, separate income tax returns in 17 states in which we operate and combined or unitary income tax returns in 11 states in which we operate. We record deferred taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. We record a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized.
	We analyze tax benefits for uncertain tax positions and how they are to be recognized, measured and derecognized in financial statements; provide certain disclosures of uncertain tax matters; and specify how reserves for uncertain tax positions should be classified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have reviewed our income tax positions and identified certain tax deductions, primarily related to business acquisitions that are not certain. Our policy with respect to potential penalties and interest is to record them as “Other” expense and “Interest” expense, respectively. The entire balance of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate.
	On August 1, 2014, we received notification that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its examination of our tax year ended December 31, 2011. As a result, we recognized a tax benefit of $1.7 million which reduced our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014. Additionally, we recognized a credit to interest expense of $0.6 million related to the settled portion of the uncertain tax position.
	We do not anticipate a material change in our unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.
	In September 2013, the United States Department of the Treasury and the IRS released final regulations relating to guidance on applying tax rules to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible personal property as well as rules for materials and supplies. We adopted the new guidance for our current tax year, which began on January 1, 2014. These regulations have not had a material impact on our financial statements.
	See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information concerning our income taxes.
	Stock Plans and Stock-Based Compensation
	We have stock-based employee and director compensation plans under which we may grant restricted stock, stock options, performance awards and stock from our employee stock purchase plan. We recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based awards expected to vest over the requisite service period. Fair value is determined on the date of the grant. The fair value of options or awards containing options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of the performance awards is determined using a Monte-Carlo simulation pricing model.
	See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on our stock-based compensation plans.
	Computation of Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of stock options, convertible junior subordinated debentures and convertible subordinated notes.
	Share-based awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are recognized as participating securities and included in the computation of both basic and diluted earnings per share. Our grants of restricted stock awards to our employees and directors are considered participating securities, and we have prepared our earnings per share calculations attributable to common stockholders to exclude outstanding unvested restricted stock awards, using the two-class method, in both the basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation.
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, the fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding and the corresponding calculation of fully diluted earnings per share include approximately 4.4 million shares that would be issued upon conversion of our convertible junior subordinated debentures as a result of the application of the if-converted method prescribed by ASC 260. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the conversion of our convertible junior subordinated debentures is excluded from our fully diluted earnings per share calculation and the fully diluted weighted average share count because the inclusion of such converted shares would result in an antidilutive impact. The convertible junior subordinated debentures were redeemed in March and April 2014. As a result, there was no impact on our calculation of fully diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for the computation of per share earnings for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
	Fair Value Measurements
	We define fair value as the price that would be received on the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date. We currently do not have any assets that have fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value. We have not elected to measure any additional financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.
	To determine the fair value of assets and liabilities in an environment where the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased, the exit price is used as the fair value measurement. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we did not incur significant decreases in the volume or level of activity of any asset or liability. We consider an impairment of debt and equity securities other-than-temporary unless (a) we have the ability and intent to hold an investment and (b) evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable before we are more likely than not required to sell the investment. If an impairment is indicated, then an adjustment is made to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $0.4 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. As of December 31, 2014, no other impairments have been identified.
	In the ordinary course of business, we are typically exposed to a variety of market risks. Currently, these are primarily related to changes in fair market values related to outstanding debts and changes in the values of securities associated with the preneed and perpetual care trusts. Management is actively involved in monitoring exposure to market risk and developing and utilizing risk management techniques when appropriate and when available for a reasonable price.
	Additional required disclosures are provided in Notes 6, 10 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein.
	Business Combinations
	Tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and goodwill is recognized for any difference between the price of the acquisition and fair value. We customarily estimate related transaction costs known at closing. To the extent that information not available to us at the closing date subsequently becomes available during the allocation period, we may adjust goodwill, assets, or liabilities associated with such acquisition. Acquisition related costs are recognized separately from acquisitions and are expensed as incurred.
	During the second quarter of 2014, we acquired six businesses from certain subsidiaries of Service Corporation International (“SCI”). See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for further information concerning this acquisition.
	Discontinued Operations
We continually review locations to optimize the sustainable earning power and return on our invested capital. These reviews could entail selling certain non-strategic businesses. When we receive a letter of intent and financing commitment from a buyer and the sale is expected to occur within one year, the location is no longer reported within our continuing operations. The assets and liabilities associated with the location are reclassified as held-for-sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the operating results are presented on a comparative basis in discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. In 2012, we ended a management contract with a cemetery in Ohio and sold two funeral homes in Kentucky. In 2013, we sold seven funeral homes, one in California, one in Ohio, one in Kentucky and four in Kansas and sold one cemetery in Virginia. In 2014, we sold a cemetery in Florida and two funeral homes, one in Ohio and one in Kentucky. At December 31, 2014, we had no businesses classified as held-for-sale. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for more information. Refer to Note 2 herein for further discussion concerning the accounting for discontinued operations beginning January 1, 2015.
Goodwill
The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of funeral home businesses acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has primarily been recorded in connection with the acquisition of funeral home businesses. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment by assessing the fair value of each of our reporting units. The funeral segment reporting units consist of our East, Central and West regions in the United States and we performed our annual impairment test of goodwill using information as of August 31, 2014.
Under current guidance, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. We conducted qualitative assessments in 2012 and 2014; however, for our 2013 annual impairment test, we performed the two-step goodwill impairment test. Our intent is to perform the two-step test at least once every three years unless certain indicators or events suggest otherwise.
The two-step goodwill impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. In the first step of our goodwill testing, we compared the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We determined fair value for each reporting unit using both a market approach, weighted 70%, and an income approach, weighted 30%. Our methodology for determining a market approach fair value utilized recent sales transactions in the industry. Our methodology for determining an income-based fair value was based on discounting projected future cash flows. The projected future cash flows include assumptions concerning future operating performance that may differ from actual future cash flows using a weighted average cost of capital for the Company and other public deathcare companies. Goodwill impairment is not recorded where the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the implied fair value of goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill, and if the carrying amount exceeds the implied value, an impairment charge would be recorded in an amount equal to that excess.
In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may be greater than fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant adverse changes in the business climate which may be indicated by a decline in our market capitalization or decline in operating results. No impairments were recorded in relation to our goodwill annual assessment in 2012, 2013 or 2014. No such events or changes occurred between the testing date and year end to trigger a subsequent impairment review.
For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we recognized impairments of approximately $1.1 million, $0.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, for discontinued locations as the carrying value exceeded fair value. Upon receipt of a letter of intent to sell a location, we perform an analysis to determine if the net assets of the location exceed the sales price. If the net assets exceed the sales price, we record an impairment at the location level.
Intangible Assets
Our intangible assets include tradenames primarily resulting from acquisitions. Our tradenames are included in Deferred costs and other non-current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our tradenames are considered to have an indefinite life and are not subject to amortization. We test for impairment of intangible assets annually at year end in accordance with the ASC Intangibles Topic 350.
Under current guidance, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step impairment test. We conducted qualitative assessments in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than the fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under performance relative to historical results and significant negative industry or economic trends. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, no impairments were identified.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, goodwill, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, as there can be no assurance that our results of operations will be consistent from year to year.
Subsequent Events
Management evaluated events and transactions during the period beginning subsequent to December 31, 2014 through the date the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements covered by this report. For more information regarding subsequent events, see Note 25 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	Extraordinary and Unusual Items
	In January 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to ASC Subtopic 225-20, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items. This amendment eliminates the concept of reporting extraordinary items. Extraordinary items are events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence. Preparers will not have to assess whether a particular event or transaction is extraordinary and likewise, auditors and regulators no longer need to evaluate whether a preparer treated an unusual and/or infrequent item appropriately. The presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently will be retained and will be expanded to include such items. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendment prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendment retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Our adoption of this amendment to Subtopic 225-20 is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements. We plan to adopt the provisions of ASC Subtopic 225-20 for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016.
	Going Concern
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASC Subtopic 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASC Subtopic 205-40 provides guidance as to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in United States auditing standards. The new guidance requires an entity to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The new guidance allows the entity to consider the mitigating effects of management’s plans that will alleviate the substantial doubt and requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt that is not alleviated, an entity should disclose that there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued), along with the principal conditions or events that raise substantial doubt, management’s evaluation of the significance of those conditions or events in relation to the entity’s ability to meet its obligations and management’s plans that are intended to mitigate those conditions. The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt the provisions of ASC Subtopic 205-40 for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and the interim periods beginning in 2017.
	Revenue from Contracts with Customers
	In May 2014, the FASB created ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASC Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements under ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the ASC. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Under the new guidance, an entity is required to perform the following five steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The new guidance will significantly enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. Additionally, the guidance requires improved disclosures as to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The new guidance is effective for the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this new accounting standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Discontinued Operations and Disclosure of Disposals of Components of an Entity
	In April 2014, the FASB modified the requirements for reporting a discontinued operation. The amended definition of “discontinued operations” includes only disposals or held-for-sale classifications for components or groups of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that either has or will have a major effect on the entity’s operations or financial results. Examples of a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results include a disposal of a major geographical area, line of business, equity method of investment or other parts of an entity. The new definition of discontinued operations will significantly reduce the volume of transactions requiring discontinued operation presentation and disclosure. However, the new guidance also expands the disclosures required when an entity reports a discontinued operation or when it disposes of or classifies as held-for-sale an individually significant component that does not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The new guidance is effective for all disposals or classifications as held-for-sale that occur in annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2015. The impact on our future operating results will vary depending on the number of locations we divest in future periods. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we recognized income from discontinued operations of $1.1 million, $4.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Any businesses that we sell in the future will be reported within continuing operations.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS
	Our growth strategy includes the execution of our Strategic Acquisition Model. We assess the strategic positioning of acquisition candidates based on the demographics, strength of brand, competitive standing, market size, market share, barriers to entry and volume and price trends. The value of the acquisition candidates is based on local market competitive dynamic which allows for appropriate and differentiating enterprise valuations and flexibility to customize the transactions.
	During 2014, we acquired six businesses from SCI which included four businesses in New Orleans, Louisiana, consisting of four funeral homes, one of which was a combination funeral home and cemetery, and two funeral businesses in Alexandria, Virginia for $54.9 million (collectively the “SCI Acquisition”).
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our SCI Acquisition and the subsequent adjustments made based on the final valuations and additional information which became available prior to December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Initial Purchase Price Allocation			Adjustments			Final Purchase Price Allocation
	Current assets	$	1,998		$	128		$	2,126
	Property, plant & equipment	16,457			2			16,459
	Preneed cemetery trust investments	3,632			—			3,632
	Preneed funeral trust investments	45			—			45
	Goodwill	33,826			3,827			37,653
	Deferred charges and other non-current assets	6,208			(3,918		)	2,290
	Cemetery perpetual care investments	7,491			—			7,491
	Obligations under capital leases	(1,960		)	—			(1,960		)
	Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	(1,679		)	(39		)	(1,718		)
	Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(3,632		)	—			(3,632		)
	Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(45		)	—			(45		)
	Care trusts' corpus	(7,491		)	—			(7,491		)
	Cash paid	$	54,850		$	—		$	54,850
	The adjustments consisted primarily of a $3.9 million reclass between tradenames and goodwill based on our final valuations. We adjusted current assets by $0.1 million related to minor adjustments to our acquired accounts receivable and inventory. As of December 31, 2014, our accounting for the SCI Acquisition is complete. Additionally, during 2014 we acquired real estate for approximately $3.0 million for funeral home expansion projects.
	We completed one acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2013 consisting of two funeral homes, one in Tennessee and one in Georgia. The consideration paid for this business was approximately $13.7 million. Additionally, we purchased land for $6.0 million in 2013 for funeral home expansion projects.
	For the acquisitions, we acquired substantially all the assets and assumed certain operating liabilities including obligations associated with existing preneed contracts. The pro forma impact of this acquisition on prior periods is not presented as the impact is not material to our reported results. The results of the acquired businesses are included in our results of operations from the date of acquisition.

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL	GOODWILL
	Many of the former owners and staff of acquired funeral homes and certain cemeteries have provided high quality service to families for generations. The resulting loyalty often represents a substantial portion of the value of a business. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as determined by management in business acquisition transactions accounted for as purchases, is recorded as goodwill.
	We performed our 2014 annual impairment test of goodwill using information as of August 31, 2014. Under current guidance, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. For our 2014 impairment test we conducted a qualitative assessment. For our 2013 annual impairment test, we performed the two-step goodwill impairment test. Our intent is to perform the two-step test at least once every three years unless certain indicators or events suggest otherwise. Also see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for a discussion of the methodology used for our annual goodwill impairment test. Based on our 2014 impairment test, we concluded that there was no impairment to goodwill.
	The following table presents changes in goodwill in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
	Goodwill at the beginning of year	$	218,442		$	221,087
	Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	3,843			37,653
	Changes in previous estimates	—			(101		)
	Net impairment and write-off related to divestitures	(1,198		)	(1,197		)
	Goodwill at the end of the year	$	221,087		$	257,442
	The $37.7 million increase to goodwill related to acquisitions represents the goodwill recorded in connection with the SCI Acquisition completed in May 2014. The changes in previous estimates relate to a $0.1 million reduction in goodwill relating to adjustments in inventory for the November 2013 funeral home business acquisition. In the second quarter of 2014, we recorded an impairment of $1.2 million related to a business held for sale as the carrying value exceeded fair value. As such, this amount is recorded within discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Our purchase price allocations for these acquisitions have been completed as of December 31, 2014.

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	ASSETS HELD FOR SALE AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	We continually review locations to optimize the sustainable earning power and return on our invested capital. These reviews could entail selling certain non-strategic businesses.
	During 2014, we sold a cemetery in Florida and two funeral homes, one in Ohio and one in Kentucky. In 2013, we sold seven funeral homes, one in California, one in Ohio, one in Kentucky and four in Kansas and sold one cemetery in Virginia. At December 31, 2014, we had no assets classified as held-for-sale.
	The assets and liabilities associated with the cemetery business held for sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
	Assets:
	Current assets	$	30
	Preneed cemetery trust investments	2,477
	Preneed receivables	31
	Property, plant and equipment, net	311
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	695
	Total	$	3,544
	Liabilities:
	Current liabilities	$	10
	Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	1,185
	Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	2,477
	Care trusts' corpus	685
	Total	$	4,357
	The operating results of the discontinued businesses during the periods presented, as well as any impairments and net gains on the disposals, is presented within discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, along with the income tax effect, as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Revenues	$	7,727		$	4,164		$	817
	Operating income	2,293			729			235
	Impairment	(1,100		)	(100		)	(1,180		)
	Net gain on disposal	610			6,091			1,594
	Income tax provision	(717		)	(2,544		)	(257		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	1,086		$	4,176		$	392

Preneed_Trust_Investments

Preneed Trust Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Preneed Trust Investments [Abstract]
PRENEED TRUST INVESTMENTS	PRENEED TRUST INVESTMENTS
	Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments
	Preneed cemetery trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are generally permitted to withdraw when the merchandise or services are provided. The components of Preneed cemetery trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13				31-Dec-14
	Preneed cemetery trust investments, at market value	$	70,386			$	74,198
	Less: allowance for contract cancellation	(2,045		)		(2,226		)
	Preneed cemetery trust investments, net	$	68,341			$	71,972
	Upon cancellation of a preneed cemetery contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus, and in some cases, some or all of the earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, we are obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust, including some or all investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being under-funded, we assess whether we are responsible for replenishing the corpus of the trust, in which case a loss provision is recorded. At December 31, 2014, our preneed cemetery trust investments were not under-funded.
	Earnings from our preneed cemetery trust investments are recognized in revenue when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are included as revenue in the period in which they are earned.
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, investments held by the trusts are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy. Our Level 1 investments include cash and common stock. Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of similar securities in active markets or other inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are fixed income securities including municipal bonds, foreign debt, corporate debt, preferred stocks and mortgage backed securities, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. We review and update our fair value hierarchy classifications quarterly. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 in the year ended December 31, 2014. There are no Level 3 investments in the preneed cemetery trust investment portfolio. See Note 11 for further information of the fair value measurement and the three-level valuation hierarchy.
	The cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at December 31, 2014 are detailed below (in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	5,591			$	—			$	—			$	5,591
	Fixed income securities:
	Municipal bonds	2		347				9				—				356
	Foreign debt	2		5,874				—				(237		)		5,637
	Corporate debt	2		30,108				362				(2,167		)		28,303
	Preferred stock	2		19,154				199				(325		)		19,028
	Mortgage backed securities	2		1				—				—				1
	Common stock	1		13,128				2,357				(966		)		14,519
	Trust securities			$	74,203			$	2,927			$	(3,695	)		$	73,435
	Accrued investment income			$	763											$	763
	Preneed cemetery trust investments															$	74,198
	Market value as a percentage of cost															99		%
	The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):
	Due in one year or less	$	—
	Due in one to five years	5,740
	Due in five to ten years	7,563
	Thereafter	40,022
	Total fixed income securities	$	53,325
	The cost and market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at December 31, 2013 are detailed below(in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	1,541			$	—			$	—			$	1,541
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	2		3,460				146				(3		)		3,603
	Corporate debt	2		32,958				386				(1,150		)		32,194
	Preferred stock	2		17,754				178				(273		)		17,659
	Mortgage backed securities	2		1				—				—				1
	Common stock	1		12,431				2,362				(267		)		14,526
	Trust securities			$	68,145			$	3,072			$	(1,693	)		$	69,524
	Accrued investment income			$	862											$	862
	Preneed cemetery trust investments															$	70,386
	Market value as a percentage of cost															102		%
	We determine whether or not the assets in the preneed cemetery trust investments have an other-than-temporary impairment on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis of the investment due to an other-than-temporary impairment is likewise recorded as a reduction in Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $0.2 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. We did not record any other impairments in 2014. No impairments were recorded in the year ended December 31, 2013. There will be no impact on earnings until such time that the loss is realized in the trusts, allocated to the preneed contracts and the services are performed or the merchandise is delivered causing the contract to be withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations.
	At December 31, 2014, we had certain investments within our preneed cemetery trust investments that had tax lots in loss positions for more than one year. Based on our analyses of these securities, the companies’ businesses and current market conditions, we determined that these investment losses were temporary in nature.
	Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following tables (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	$	5,629			$	(237	)		$	—			$	—			$	5,629	$	(237	)
	Corporate debt	18,051				(778		)		2,016				(1,389		)		20,067		(2,167		)
	Preferred stock	10,342				(289		)		3,236				(36		)		13,578		(325		)
	Common stock	6,904				(911		)		65				(55		)		6,969		(966		)
	Total temporary impaired securities	$	40,926			$	(2,215	)		$	5,317			$	(1,480	)		$	46,243	$	(3,695	)
		31-Dec-13
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	$	802			$	(3	)		$	—			$	—			$	802	$	(3	)
	Corporate debt	11,561				(553		)		769				(597		)		12,330		(1,150		)
	Preferred stock	9,601				(273		)		—				—				9,601		(273		)
Common stock	1,077				(171		)		705				(96		)		1,782		(267		)
Total temporary impaired securities	$	23,041			$	(1,000	)		$	1,474			$	(693	)		$	24,515	$	(1,693	)
Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2012				2013				2014
Investment income	$	4,038			$	3,349			$	2,840
Realized gains	10,497				3,018				5,712
Realized losses	(3,574		)		(763		)		(2,789		)
Expenses and taxes	(2,769		)		(2,934		)		(1,716		)
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(8,192		)		(2,670		)		(4,047		)
	$	—			$	—			$	—
Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed cemetery trusts were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2012				2013				2014
Purchases	$	(126,043	)		$	(46,558	)		$	(53,443	)
Sales	125,897				47,318				58,022
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments
Preneed funeral trust investments represent trust fund assets that we are permitted to withdraw as services and merchandise are provided to customers. Preneed funeral contracts are secured by funds paid by the customer to us. Preneed funeral trust investments are reduced by the trust earnings we have been allowed to withdraw prior to our performance and amounts received from customers that are not required to be deposited into trust, pursuant to various state laws. The components of Preneed funeral trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	31-Dec-13				31-Dec-14
Preneed funeral trust investments, at market value	$	100,005			$	100,579
Less: allowance for contract cancellation	(2,861		)		(2,972		)
Preneed funeral trust investments, net	$	97,144			$	97,607
Upon cancellation of a preneed funeral contract, a customer is generally entitled to receive a refund of the corpus and some or all of the earnings held in trust. In certain jurisdictions, we are obligated to fund any shortfall if the amounts deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust, including some or all investment income. As a result, when realized or unrealized losses of a trust result in the trust being under-funded, we assess whether we are responsible for replenishing the corpus of the trust, in which case a loss provision is recorded. At December 31, 2014, our preneed funeral trust investments were not under-funded.
Earnings from our preneed funeral trust investments are recognized in revenue when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are included in revenue in the period in which they are earned.
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, investments held by the trusts are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy. Our Level 1 investments include cash, U. S. treasury debt, common stock and equity mutual funds. Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, then fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of similar securities in active markets or other inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are fixed income securities including U.S. agency obligations,foreign debt, corporate debt, preferred stocks, mortgage backed securities and fixed income mutual funds and other investments, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. We review and update our fair value hierarchy classifications quarterly. In 2014, we reclassified U.S. agency obligations from Level 1 investments to Level 2 investments due to reduced trading activity of these securities which caused the fair market price to be determined by inputs other than quoted prices. There were no other transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the year ended December 31, 2014. There are no Level 3 investments in the preneed funeral trust investment portfolio. See Note 11 for further information of the fair value measurement and the three-level valuation hierarchy.
The cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at December 31, 2014 are detailed below (in thousands):
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
							Gains				Losses
Cash and money market accounts	1		$	17,501			$	—			$	—			$	17,501
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury debt	1		2,037				32				(15		)		2,054
U.S. agency obligations	2		30				—				—				30
Foreign debt	2		4,653				—				(188		)		4,465
Corporate debt	2		24,761				469				(1,718		)		23,512
Preferred stock	2		16,166				256				(261		)		16,161
Mortgage backed securities	2		309				8				(3		)		314
Common stock	1		10,544				1,926				(783		)		11,687
Mutual funds:
Equity	1		14,126				1,370				(181		)		15,315
Fixed income	2		5,351				115				(72		)		5,394
Other investments	2		3,560				—				(29		)		3,531
Trust securities			$	99,038			$	4,176			$	(3,250	)		$	99,964
Accrued investment income			$	615											$	615
Preneed funeral trust investments															$	100,579
Market value as a percentage of cost															100.9		%
The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):
Due in one year or less	$	549
Due in one to five years	5,389
Due in five to ten years	6,864
Thereafter	33,734
Total fixed income securities	$	46,536
The cost and market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at December 31, 2013 are detailed below (in thousands):
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
							Gains				Losses
Cash and money market accounts	1		$	14,631			$	—			$	—			$	14,631
Fixed income securities:
U.S. treasury debt	1		2,212				47				(54		)		2,205
U.S. agency obligations	1		401				8				(7		)		402
Foreign debt	2		2,726				115				(2		)		2,839
Corporate debt	2		27,993				375				(957		)		27,411
Preferred stock	2		15,949				292				(282		)		15,959
Mortgage backed securities	2		1				—				—				1
Common stock	1		10,681				2,092				(237		)		12,536
Mutual funds:
Equity	1		11,632				2,708				(22		)		14,318
Fixed income	2		5,455				88				(179		)		5,364
Other investments	2		3,686				—				(26		)		3,660
Trust securities			$	95,367			$	5,725			$	(1,766	)		$	99,326
Accrued investment income			$	679											$	679
Preneed funeral trust investments															$	100,005
Market value as a percentage of cost															104.2		%
We determine whether or not the assets in the preneed funeral trust investments have other-than-temporary impairments on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis of the investment due to an other-than-temporary impairment is likewise recorded as a reduction to Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $0.1 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. We did not record any other impairments in 2014. No impairments were recorded in the year ended December 31, 2013. There will be no impact on earnings until such time that the loss is realized in the trusts, allocated to preneed contracts and the services are performed or the merchandise is delivered causing the contract to be withdrawn from the trust in accordance with state regulations.
At December 31, 2014, we had certain investments within our preneed funeral trust investments that had tax lots in loss positions for more than one year. Based on our analyses of these securities, the companies’ businesses and current market conditions, we determined that these investment losses were temporary in nature.
Our preneed funeral trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are shown the the following tables (in thousands):
	31-Dec-14
	In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
	Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. debt	$	500			$	—			$	836			$	(15	)		$	1,336	$	(15	)
Foreign debt	4,471				(188		)		—				—				4,471		(188		)
Corporate debt	14,310				(617		)		1,598				(1,101		)		15,908		(1,718		)
Preferred stock	8,300				(232		)		2,597				(29		)		10,897		(261		)
Mortgage backed securities	—				—				51				(3		)		51		(3		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	5,594				(739		)		53				(44		)		5,647		(783		)
Equity and other	4,204				(180		)		6				(1		)		4,210		(181		)
Fixed income	888				(19		)		1,026				(53		)		1,914		(72		)
Other investments	—				—				42				(29		)		42		(29		)
Total temporary impaired securities	$	38,267			$	(1,975	)		$	6,209			$	(1,275	)		$	44,476	$	(3,250	)
	31-Dec-13
	In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
	Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
Fixed income securities:
U.S. debt	$	—			$	—			$	816			$	(54	)		$	816	$	(54	)
U.S. agency obligations	—				—				211				(7		)		211		(7		)
Foreign debt	632				(2		)		—				—				632		(2		)
Corporate debt	9,620				(460		)		640				(497		)		10,260		(957		)
Preferred stock	9,918				(282		)		—				—				9,918		(282		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	954				(152		)		626				(85		)		1,580		(237		)
Equity and other	314				(13		)		195				(9		)		509		(22		)
Fixed income	865				(43		)		1,420				(136		)		2,285		(179		)
Other investments	—				—				44				(26		)		44		(26		)
Total temporary impaired securities	$	22,303			$	(952	)		$	3,952			$	(814	)		$	26,255	$	(1,766	)
Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2012				2013				2014
Investment income	$	3,952			$	3,190			$	3,065
Realized gains	4,406				7,957				7,184
Realized losses	(2,536		)		(5,743		)		(2,313		)
Expenses and taxes	(1,550		)		(1,669		)		(1,470		)
Increase in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(4,272		)		(3,735		)		(6,466		)
	$	—			$	—			$	—
Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed funeral trusts were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2012				2013				2014
Purchases	$	(72,424	)		$	(38,592	)		$	(57,297	)
Sales	72,639				39,853				60,352

Preneed_Cemetery_Receivables

Preneed Cemetery Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Preneed Cemetery Receivables [Abstract]
PRENEED CEMETERY RECEIVABLES	PRENEED CEMETERY RECEIVABLES
	Preneed sales of cemetery interment rights and related products and services are usually financed through interest-bearing installment sales contracts, generally with terms of up to five years with such interest income reflected as Preneed cemetery finance charges. In substantially all cases, we receive an initial down payment at the time the contract is signed. At December 31, 2013, the balance of preneed receivables for cemetery interment rights and for merchandise and services was $21.3 million and $8.3 million, respectively, of which $9.9 million is presented in Accounts receivable and $19.7 million is presented in Preneed receivables. At December 31, 2014, the balance of preneed receivables for cemetery interment rights and for merchandise and services was $24.5 million and $9.4 million, respectively, of which $10.6 million is presented in Accounts receivable and $23.3 million is presented in Preneed receivables. The unearned finance charges associated with these receivables was $3.8 million and $4.6 million at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	We determine an allowance for customer cancellations and refunds on contracts in which revenue has been recognized on sales of cemetery interment rights. We have a collections policy where past due notifications are sent to the customer beginning at 15 days past due and periodically thereafter until the contract is cancelled or payment is received. We reserve 100% of the receivables on contracts in which the revenue has been recognized and payments are 90 days past due or more, which was approximately 7.0% of the total receivables on recognized sales at December 31, 2014. An allowance is recorded at the date that the contract is executed and periodically adjusted thereafter based upon actual collection experience at the business level. For the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2014, the changes to the allowance for contract cancellations were as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013			2014
	Beginning balance	$	1,903		$	1,347
	Write-offs and cancellations	(1,727		)	(1,172		)
	Provision	1,228			1,965
	Assets held-for-sale reclassification	(57		)	—
	Ending balance	$	1,347		$	2,140
	The aging of past due financing receivables as of December 31, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
		31-60			61-90			91-120		>120		Total Past		Current		Total Financing
		Past Due			Past Due			Past Due		Past Due		Due				Receivables
	Recognized revenue	$	756		$	407		$	250	$	1,439	$	2,852	$	21,394	$	24,246
	Deferred revenue	296			204			116		720		1,336		8,333		9,669
	Total contracts	$	1,052		$	611		$	366	$	2,159	$	4,188	$	29,727	$	33,915
	The aging of past due financing receivables as of December 31, 2013 was as follows (in thousands):
		31-60			61-90			91-120		>120		Total Past		Current		Total Financing
		Past Due			Past Due			Past Due		Past Due		Due				Receivables
	Recognized revenue	$	895		$	372		$	266	$	683	$	2,216	$	18,628	$	20,844
	Deferred revenue	355			191			85		271		902		7,890		8,792
	Total contracts	$	1,250		$	563		$	351	$	954	$	3,118	$	26,518	$	29,636

Receivables_from_Preneed_Trust

Receivables from Preneed Trusts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables From Preneed Trusts [Abstract]
RECEIVABLES FROM PRENEED FUNERAL TRUSTS	RECEIVABLES FROM PRENEED TRUSTS
	The receivables from preneed trusts represent assets in trusts which are controlled and operated by third parties in which we do not have a controlling financial interest (less than 50%) in the trust assets. We account for these investments at cost. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, receivables from preneed trusts were as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
		(in thousands)
	Preneed trust funds, at cost	$	11,511		$	13,205
	Less: allowance for contract cancellation	(345		)	(396		)
	Receivables from preneed trusts, net	$	11,166		$	12,809
	The following summary reflects the composition of the assets held in trust and controlled by third parties to satisfy our future obligations under preneed arrangements related to the preceding contracts at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The cost basis includes reinvested interest and dividends that have been earned on the trust assets. Fair value includes unrealized gains and losses on trust assets.
		Historical			Fair Value
		Cost Basis
		(in thousands)
	As of December 31, 2014
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,834		$	2,834
	Fixed income investments	7,880			7,893
	Mutual funds and common stocks	2,467			2,586
	Annuities	24			24
	Total	$	13,205		$	13,337
		Historical			Fair Value
		Cost Basis
		(in thousands)
	As of December 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,657		$	2,657
	Fixed income investments	6,344			6,355
	Mutual funds and common stocks	2,484			2,561
	Annuities	26			26
	Total	$	11,511		$	11,599

Contracts_Secured_by_Insurance

Contracts Secured by Insurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Contracts Secured by Insurance [Abstract]
CONTRACTS SECURED BY INSURANCE	CONTRACTS SECURED BY INSURANCE
	Certain preneed funeral contracts are secured by life insurance contracts. Generally, the proceeds of the life insurance policies have been assigned to us and will be paid upon the death of the insured. The proceeds will be used to satisfy the beneficiary’s obligations under the preneed contract for services and merchandise. Preneed funeral contracts secured by insurance policies totaled $289.9 million and $313.0 million at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and are not included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trust_

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Abstract]
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE TRUST INVESTMENTS	CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE TRUST INVESTMENTS
	Care trusts’ corpus on our Consolidated Balance Sheets represent the corpus of those trusts plus undistributed income. The components of Care trusts’ corpus as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13				31-Dec-14
	Trust assets, at market value	$	42,342			$	48,670
	Obligations due from trust	(449		)		(528		)
	Care trusts’ corpus	$	41,893			$	48,142
	We are required by various state laws to pay a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights into perpetual care trust funds. The income earned from these perpetual care trusts offsets maintenance expenses for cemetery property and memorials. This trust fund income is recognized, as earned, in Cemetery revenues. Trust management fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor, CSV RIA, are included in revenue in the period in which they are earned.
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, investments held by the trusts are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy. Our Level 1 investments include cash and common stock. Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, then fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of similar securities in active markets or other inputs other than quoted prices that can corroborate observable market data. These investments are municipal bonds, foreign debt, corporate debt and preferred stock, all of which are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the year ended December 31, 2014. There are no Level 3 investments in the cemetery perpetual care trust investment portfolio. See Note 11 for further information of fair value measurement and the three-level valuation hierarchy.
	The following table reflects the cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	3,206			$	—			$	—			$	3,206
	Fixed income securities:
	Municipal bonds	2		229				5				—				234
	Foreign debt	2		3,871				—				(156		)		3,715
	Corporate debt	2		19,911				248				(1,428		)		18,731
	Preferred stock	2		12,694				137				(214		)		12,617
	Common stock	1		8,747				1,568				(653		)		9,662
	Trust securities			$	48,658			$	1,958			$	(2,451	)		$	48,165
	Accrued investment income			$	505											$	505
	Cemetery perpetual care investments															$	48,670
	Market value as a percentage of cost															99		%
	The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):
	Due in one year or less	$	—
	Due in one to five years	3,801
	Due in five to ten years	4,980
	Thereafter	26,516
	Total fixed income securities	$	35,297
	The cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2013 are detailed below (in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	973			$	—			$	—			$	973
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	2		2,062				87				(2		)		2,147
	Corporate debt	2		19,773				236				(691		)		19,318
	Preferred stock	2		10,668				110				(165		)		10,613
	Common stock	1		7,539				1,417				(178		)		8,778
	Trust securities			$	41,015			$	1,850			$	(1,036	)		$	41,829
	Accrued investment income			$	513											$	513
	Cemetery perpetual care investments															$	42,342
	Market value as a percentage of cost															102		%
	We determine whether or not the assets in the cemetery perpetual care trusts have an other-than-temporary impairment on a security-by-security basis. This assessment is made based upon a number of criteria including the length of time a security has been in a loss position, changes in market conditions and concerns related to the specific issuer. If a loss is considered to be other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted downward to its fair market value. Any reduction in the cost basis due to an other-than-temporary impairment is also recorded as a reduction to Care trusts’ corpus. In the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $0.1 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. We did not record any other impairments in 2014. No impairments were recorded in the year ended December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2014, we had certain investments within our perpetual care trust investments that had tax lots in loss positions for more than one year. Based on our analyses of these securities, the companies’ businesses and current market conditions, we determined that these investments losses are temporary in nature.
	Our perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following tables (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	$	3,716			$	(156	)		$	—			$	—			$	3,716	$	(156	)
	Corporate debt	11,893				(513		)		1,328				(915		)		13,221		(1,428		)
	Preferred stock	6,821				(191		)		2,133				(23		)		8,954		(214		)
	Common stock	4,663				(616		)		44				(37		)		4,707		(653		)
	Total temporary impaired securities	$	27,093			$	(1,476	)		$	3,505			$	(975	)		$	30,598	$	(2,451	)
		31-Dec-13
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	$	478			$	(2	)		$	—			$	—			$	478	$	(2	)
	Corporate debt	6,948				(332		)		462				(359		)		7,410		(691		)
	Preferred stock	5,811				(165		)		—				—				5,811		(165		)
	Common stock	716				(114		)		470				(64		)		1,186		(178		)
	Total temporary impaired securities	$	13,953			$	(613	)		$	932			$	(423	)		$	14,885	$	(1,036	)
	Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Year ended December 31,
		2012				2013				2014
Realized gains	$	5,664			$	2,172			$	3,468
Realized losses	(1,707		)		(542		)		(1,748		)
Increase in Care trusts’ corpus	(3,957		)		(1,630		)		(1,720		)
Total	$	—			$	—			$	—
Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2012				2013				2014
Investment income	$	5,612			$	4,063			$	4,713
Realized gains, net	1,200				1,511				1,112
Total	$	6,812			$	5,574			$	5,825
Purchases and sales of investments in the perpetual care trusts were as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2012				2013				2014
Purchases	$	(82,793	)		$	(27,719	)		$	(38,413	)
Sales	83,060				28,261				35,402

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date applicable for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. We disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date.
	We evaluated our financial assets and liabilities for those financial assets and liabilities that met the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The fair values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms. Our long-term debt and Credit Facility (as defined in Note 13) are classified within Level 2 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of the long-term debt and Credit Facility approximate the carrying values of these instruments based on the index yields of similar securities compared to U.S. Treasury yield curves. The fair value of the convertible subordinated notes due 2021, issued in March 2014, was approximately $156.0 million at December 31, 2014 based on the last traded or broker quoted price. We identified investments in fixed income securities, common stock and mutual funds presented within the preneed and perpetual care trust investments categories on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as having met the criteria for fair value measurement. See Notes 6 and 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements herein for the fair value hierarchy levels of our trust investments.
	The following three-level valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs is utilized in the measurement and valuation of financial assets or liabilities as of the measurement date:
	•	Level 1—Fair value of securities based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Our investments classified as Level 1 securities include cash, common stock, U.S. treasury debt and equity mutual funds;
	•	Level 2—Fair value of securities estimated based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation. These inputs include interest rates, yield curves, credit risk, prepayment speeds, rating and tax-exempt status. Our investments classified as Level 2 securities include U.S. agency obligations, municipal bonds, corporate debt, preferred stocks, foreign debt, mortgage backed securities, fixed income mutual funds and other investments.
	•	Level 3—Unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions, which market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we did not have any assets that had fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value.
	We account for our investments as available-for-sale and measure them at fair value under standards of financial accounting and reporting for investments in equity instruments that have readily determinable fair values and for all investments in debt securities.

Deferred_Charges_and_Other_Non

Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Assets Disclosure	DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
	Deferred charges and other non-current assets at December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-14
	Prepaid agreements not to compete, net of accumulated amortization of $4,807 and $5,105, respectively	$	1,299	$	1,159
	Deferred loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,252 and $2,809, respectively	2,602		1,870
	Convertible junior subordinated debentures origination costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,095	2,949		—
	Convertible subordinated notes issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $375	—		3,252
	Tradenames	5,430		7,660
	Other	—		323
	Deferred charges and other non-current assets	$	12,280	$	14,264
	Prepaid agreements not-to-compete are amortized over the term of the respective agreements, ranging generally from one to ten years. Amortization expense was $98,849, $79,207 and $348,602 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Deferred loan costs are being amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. In connection with redemption of our convertible junior subordinated debentures, we wrote-off the related unamortized origination costs of approximately $2.9 million in March 2014. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for further discussion related to the convertible junior subordinated debentures. Debt issuance costs related to our convertible subordinated notes issued in March 2014 are being amortized using the effective interest method over the seven year term of the notes. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein for further discussion related to our convertible subordinated notes. Our tradenames have indefinite lives and therefore are not amortized. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we increased tradenames by approximately $2.2 million related to the SCI Acquisition.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	LONG-TERM DEBT
	Our senior long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
	Revolving credit facility, secured, floating rate	$	36,900		$	40,500
	Term loan, secured, floating rate	117,000			120,312
	Acquisition debt	1,866			1,205
	Less: current portion	(13,224		)	(9,630		)
	Total long-term debt	$	142,542		$	152,387
	At December 31, 2014, we had a $325 million secured bank credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent comprised of a $200 million revolving credit facility and a $125 million term loan. The Credit Facility also contains an accordion provision to borrow up to an additional $50 million in revolving loans, subject to certain conditions. The Credit Facility matures on March 31, 2019 and is collateralized by all personal property and funeral home real property in certain states. At December 31, 2014, we had outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $40.5 million and $120.3 million was outstanding on the term loan. No letters of credit were issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility at December 31, 2014. Under the Credit Facility, outstanding borrowings bear interest at either a prime rate or a LIBOR rate, plus an applicable margin based upon the Company’s leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2014, the prime rate margin was equivalent to 1.50% and the LIBOR margin was 2.50%. The weighted average interest rate on the Credit Facility for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 2.80%.
	On February 27, 2014, we entered into a fourth amendment to the Credit Facility which (a) allows us to issue senior unsecured debt in an amount not to exceed $150 million when aggregated with any subordinated debt or convertible subordinated debt issued by us and (b) allows us to refinance our existing convertible junior subordinated debentures with the proceeds of certain of senior unsecured debt, subordinated debt or convertible subordinated debt.
	On April 14, 2014, we entered into a fifth amendment to our Credit Facility (the “Fifth Amendment”), which provided for an increase in our revolving credit facility from $125 million to $200 million and new funding under our term loan whereby $125 million became outstanding upon the effectiveness of the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Amendment became effective upon the closing of the SCI Acquisition on May 15, 2014. Borrowings under the term loan facility are subject to installment payments of 7.5% of the principal amount in the first two years following the effective date, 10.0% for the third and fourth years following the effective date and 12.5% per year thereafter, with the remaining balance payable upon maturity on March 31, 2019. Installment payments are made quarterly beginning September 30, 2014. The Fifth Amendment also modified our financial covenants so that we must maintain a leverage ratio of no more than 3.75 to 1.00 through March 30, 2015 and no more than 3.50 to 1.00 thereafter. In connection with the Fifth Amendment, we recognized a loss of $1.0 million to write-off the related unamortized deferred loan costs.
	We have no material assets or operations independent of our subsidiaries. All assets and operations are held and conducted by subsidiaries, each of which have fully and unconditionally guaranteed our obligations under the Credit Facility. Additionally, we do not currently have any significant restrictions on our ability to receive dividends or loans from any subsidiary guarantor under the Credit Facility.
	We were in compliance with the covenants contained in our Credit Facility as of December 31, 2013 and 2014. The Credit Facility calls for key ratios that we must comply with including a requirement to maintain a leverage ratio of no more than 3.75 to 1.00 through March 30, 2015 and no more than 3.50 to 1.00 thereafter, and a covenant to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.20 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2014, the leverage ratio was 2.70 to 1.00 and the fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.74 to 1.00.
	Acquisition debt consists of deferred purchase price notes payable to sellers. A majority of the notes bear interest at rates ranging from 7.0% to 11.0%. A few notes bear interest at 0% and are discounted at imputed interest rates ranging from 9.5% to 11.0%. Original maturities range from five to twenty years.
	The aggregate maturities of our long-term debt for the next five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	9,630
	2016	11,137
	2017	12,632
	2018	14,240
	2019	114,041
	2020 and thereafter	337
		$	162,017

Convertible_Subordinated_Notes

Convertible Subordinated Notes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Convertible Subordinated Notes	CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES
	On March 19, 2014, we issued $143.75 million aggregate principal amount of 2.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”). The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and were offered only to “qualified institutional buyers” in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Notes are governed by an indenture dated as of March 19, 2014 between Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, and us (the “Indenture”). The Notes bear interest at 2.75%. Interest on the Notes accrues from March 19, 2014 and is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning September 15, 2014.
	The Notes are general unsecured obligations and are subordinated in the right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness and equal in right of payment with our other existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The initial conversion rate of the Notes is 44.3169 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $22.56 per share of common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, as described in the Indenture.
	The Notes mature on March 15, 2021, unless earlier converted or purchased by us. The conversion option of the Notes is not an embedded derivative. Holders of the Notes may convert their Notes at their option at any time prior to December 15, 2020, if certain conditions are met. We may not redeem the Notes prior to maturity. However, in the event of a fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture), subject to certain conditions, a holder of the Notes will have the option to require us to purchase all or a portion of its Notes for cash. The fundamental change purchase price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the fundamental change purchase date.
	We have recorded the issuance of the Notes per the guidance provided under ASC 470, Topic 20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options, which requires that we separate the Notes into a liability component and an equity component. The carrying amount of the liability is calculated by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component. The carrying amount of the liability component was determined based on a bond discount rate of 6.75% per year. The carrying amount of the equity component representing the embedded conversion option was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the initial proceeds of the Notes and is recorded in Additional Paid in Capital (“APIC”) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The excess of the principal amount of the liability over its carrying amount is amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. The expected life of the liability component will not be reassessed in subsequent periods unless the terms are modified.
	We received gross proceeds of $143.75 million and paid transaction costs of approximately $4.7 million. We used a portion of the proceeds to repay our outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility and to redeem our existing convertible junior subordinated debentures. Refer to Note 15 herein for further discussion of the redemption of the convertible junior subordinated debentures.
	Total transaction costs of $4.7 million were allocated to the liability and equity components in proportion to the allocation of the initial proceeds and accounted for as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, respectively. Debt issuance costs are included in Deferred charges and other non-current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are being amortized using the effective interest method over the seven year term of the Notes. Equity issuance costs are included in APIC on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not amortized. Additionally, the recognition of the Notes as two separate components results in a basis difference associated with the liability component which represents a temporary tax difference. As a result, we recognized a deferred tax liability of $12.7 million related to this temporary difference which was recorded as a reduction to APIC and an increase to our deferred tax liability. The deferred tax liability is being amortized over the seven year term of the Notes.
	The carrying values of the liability and equity components of the Notes at December 31, 2014 are reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
	Long-term liabilities:
	Principal amount	$	143,750
	Unamortized discount of liability component	(29,208		)
	Carrying value of the liability component	$	114,542
	Equity component carrying value	$	17,973
	The fair value of the Notes, which are Level 2 measurements, was approximately $156.0 million at December 31, 2014.
	Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 included contractual coupon interest expense of $3.1 million and amortization of debt issuance costs of $0.4 million. Accretion of the discount on the convertible subordinated notes was approximately $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The unamortized discount is being amortized over the remaining term of 74 months. The effective interest rate on the liability component the year ended December 31, 2014 was 6.75% per year.
	The aggregate maturities of our convertible subordinated notes for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
			Principal Maturity		Discount Amortization			Present
								Value
	Years ending December 31,
	2015		$	—	$	(3,455	)	$	(3,455	)
	2016		—		(3,867		)	(3,867		)
	2017		—		(4,328		)	(4,328		)
	2018		—		(4,844		)	(4,844		)
	2019		—		(5,422		)	(5,422		)
	2020 and thereafter		143,750		(7,292		)	136,458
			$	143,750	$	(29,208	)	$	114,542

Convertible_Junior_Subordinate

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures Payable to Affiliate and Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible preferred Securities of Carriage Services Capital Trust	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Convertible Junior Subordinated Debenture Payable to Affiliate and Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities of Carriage Services Capital Trust	CONVERTIBLE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES PAYABLE TO AFFILIATE AND COMPANY OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SECURITIES OF CARRIAGE SERVICES CAPITAL TRUST
	Carriage’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Carriage Services Capital Trust, issued 1,875,000 units of 7% convertible preferred securities (TIDES) in June 1999, resulting in approximately $90.0 million in net proceeds, and the Company issued a 7% convertible junior subordinated debenture to the Trust in the amount of $93.75 million. The convertible preferred securities had a liquidation amount of $50 per unit and were convertible into Carriage’s common stock at the equivalent conversion price of $20.4375 per share of common stock. The convertible junior subordinated debentures and the TIDES were due to mature in 2029, and the TIDES were guaranteed on a subordinated basis by the Company. At December 31, 2013, the amount outstanding under the convertible junior subordinated debentures totaled $89.8 million.
	On March 17, 2014, we called for the redemption of all our outstanding convertible junior subordinated debentures and the corresponding TIDES at a price $50 per $50 principal amount of the convertible junior subordinated debentures being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. In the first quarter of 2014, we used a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes to redeem the convertible junior subordinated debentures for approximately $61.9 million in principal amount of our existing convertible junior subordinated debentures and approximately $0.9 million associated with the call premium. The remaining TIDES principal balance of $27.9 million was redeemed in April 2014.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Leases
	We lease certain office facilities, certain funeral homes, vehicles and equipment under operating leases with original terms ranging from one to fifteen years. Certain of these leases provide for an annual adjustment and contain options for renewal. Rent expense totaled $5.9 million, $6.6 million and $6.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Assets acquired under capital leases are included in property, plant and equipment in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets in the amount of $1.1 million in 2013 and $3.1 million in 2014, net of accumulated depreciation. Capital lease obligations are included in current and long-term debt as indicated below. At December 31, 2014, future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable lease agreements were as follows:
		Future Minimum  Lease
		Payments
		Operating		Capital
		Leases		Leases
		(in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	4,447	$	476
	2016	3,076		477
	2017	2,801		483
	2018	1,904		421
	2019	1,676		388
	Thereafter	2,589		3,663
	Total future minimum lease payments	$	16,493	$	5,908
	Less: amount representing interest (rates ranging from 7% to 11.5%)			(2,605		)
	Less: current portion of obligations under capital leases			(205		)
	Long-term obligations under capital leases			$	3,098
	Non-Compete, Consulting and Employment Agreements
	We have various non-compete agreements with former owners and employees. These agreements are generally for one to ten years and provide for periodic payments over the term of the agreements.
	We have various consulting agreements with former owners of businesses we have acquired. Payments for such agreements are generally not made in advance. These agreements are generally for one to ten years and provide for bi-weekly or monthly payments.
	We have employment agreements with our executive officers and certain senior leadership. These agreements are generally for three years and provide for participation in various incentive compensation arrangements. These agreements automatically renew on an annual basis after their initial term has expired.
	At December 31, 2014, the maximum estimated future cash commitments under these agreements with remaining commitment terms, and with original terms of more than one year, are as follows:
		Non-Compete		Consulting			Employment		Total
		(in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	1,534	$	1,173		$	2,505	$	5,212
	2016	1,199		835			1,715		3,749
	2017	825		765			1,715		3,305
	2018	552		474			291		1,317
	2019	356		303			—		659
	Thereafter	625		455			—		1,080
		$	5,091	$	4,005		$	6,226	$	15,322
	401(K) Plan
	We sponsor a defined contribution plan (401K) for the benefit of our employees. Matching contributions and plan administrative expenses totaled $1.2 million, $1.4 million and $1.6 million for 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. We do not offer any post-retirement or post-employment benefits.
	Other Commitments
	We have an agreement to outsource the processing of transactions for the cemetery business and certain accounting activities. This agreement can be terminated for various reasons upon written notification from either us or the contractor. Payments vary based on the level of resources provided. We incurred costs of approximately $1.6 million, $1.9 million and $1.9 million for services rendered under this agreement in the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, of which we paid $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively, with the remainder paid by the trust.
	Litigation
	We are a party to various litigation matters and proceedings. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein. If we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters.
	Leathermon, et al. v. Grandview Memorial Gardens, Inc., et al., United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Case No. 4:07-cv-137. On August 17, 2007, five plaintiffs filed a putative class action against the current and past owners of Grandview Cemetery in Madison, Indiana, including our subsidiaries that owned the cemetery from January 1997 until February 2001, on behalf of all individuals who purchased cemetery and burial goods and services at Grandview Cemetery. Plaintiffs sought monetary damages and claim that the cemetery owners performed burials negligently, breached Plaintiffs’ contracts and made misrepresentations regarding the cemetery. The Plaintiffs also allege that the claims occurred prior, during and after we owned the cemetery. On October 15, 2007, the case was removed from Jefferson County Circuit Court, Indiana to the Southern District of Indiana. On April 24, 2009, shortly before the Defendants had been scheduled to file their briefs in opposition to Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, Plaintiffs moved to amend their complaint to add new class representatives and claims, while also seeking to abandon other claims. We, as well as several other Defendants, opposed Plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint and add parties. In April 2009, two Defendants moved to disqualify Plaintiffs’ counsel from further representing Plaintiffs in this action. On June 30, 2010, the court granted Defendants’ motion to disqualify Plaintiffs’ counsel. On May 6, 2010, Plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of mandamus with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals seeking relief from the trial court’s order of disqualification of counsel. On May 19, 2010, the Defendants responded to the petition of mandamus. On July 8, 2010, the Seventh Circuit denied Plaintiffs’ petition for writ of mandamus. Thus, pursuant to the trial court’s order, Plaintiffs were given 60 days from July 8, 2010 in which to retain new counsel to prosecute this action on their behalf. Plaintiffs retained new counsel and Plaintiffs’ counsel moved for leave to amend both the class representatives and the allegations stated within the complaint. Defendants filed oppositions to such amendments. The court issued an order permitting the Plaintiffs to proceed with amending the class representatives and a portion of their claims; however, certain of Plaintiffs’ claims have been dismissed. The parties reached a proposed class settlement, and the court granted its preliminary approval of such settlement by order dated March 19, 2014. Notice of the class settlement was provided pursuant to the Preliminary Order Approving Class Action Settlement, and no settlement class members opted out of the class nor objected to the terms of the settlement. The court issued its final approval of the settlement on June 23, 2014. On or about November 20, 2014, Group 1 claimants have been identified by the Court and all relief to which they are eligible will be administered in the Spring of 2015. Additionally, the parties are administering the settlement in accordance with its terms.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure	INCOME TAXES
	The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 consisted of (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013				2014
	Current:
	U. S. federal provision (benefit)	$	3,340		$	(672	)		$	1,188
	State provision (benefit)	(40		)	(522		)		772
	Total current provision (benefit)	$	3,300		$	(1,194	)		$	1,960
	Deferred:
	U. S. federal provision	$	3,885		$	8,708			$	5,117
	State provision (benefit)	(391		)	1,731				178
	Total deferred provision	$	3,494		$	10,439			$	5,295
	Total income tax provision	$	6,794		$	9,245			$	7,255
	A reconciliation of taxes from continuing operations calculated at the U.S. federal statutory rate to those reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012						2013							2014
		Amount			Percent			Amount				Percent			Amount			Percent
	Federal statutory rate	$	5,818		34		%	$	8,284			34		%	$	7,719		34		%
	Effect of state income taxes, net of federal benefit	616			3.6			1,462				6			831			3.7
	Effect of non-deductible expenses and other, net	1,266			7.4			(633		)		(2.6	)		583			2.6
	Change in valuation allowance	(906		)	(5.3	)		132				0.5			(138		)	(0.6	)
	Reduction for tax year 2011 federal audit	—			—			—				—			(1,740		)	(7.7	)
	Total	$	6,794		39.7		%	$	9,245			37.9		%	$	7,255		32		%
	On August 1, 2014, we received notification that the IRS completed its examination of our tax year ended December 31, 2011. As a result, we have re-measured our tax liability for unrecognized tax benefits reflecting a reduction to our liability by $7.3 million. This change resulted in a tax benefit recognized in the amount of $1.7 million which reduced our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014. The remainder of the re-measurement resulted in an increase to Deferred tax liability in the amount of $5.6 million. Additionally, we recognized a credit to interest expense of $0.6 million related to the settled portion of the uncertain tax position.
	The following table summarizes our unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
			31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
	Unrecognized tax benefit		$	7,832		$	515
	Interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits		$	506		$	—
	In September 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS released final regulations relating to guidance on applying tax rules to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible personal property as well as rules for materials and supplies. We adopted the new guidance for our current tax year, which began on January 1, 2014. These regulations have not had a material impact on our financial statements.
	The tax effects of temporary differences from total operations that give rise to significant deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2014
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	6,404		$	2,735
	Tax credit carryforwards	788			127
	State bonus depreciation	1,254			1,513
	Accrued liabilities and other	6,892			9,115
	Amortization of non-compete agreements	674			815
	Preneed liabilities, net	11,654			9,935
	Total deferred income tax assets	27,666			24,240
	Less valuation allowance	(468		)	(330		)
	Total deferred income tax assets	$	27,198		$	23,910
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Amortization and depreciation	$	(34,887	)	$	(43,441	)
	Convertible subordinated notes due 2021	—			(11,685		)
	Prepaids and other	(1,447		)	(1,448		)
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	(36,334		)	(56,574		)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(9,136	)	$	(32,664	)
	Current deferred tax asset	$	2,779		$	3,750
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(11,915		)	(36,414		)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(9,136	)	$	(32,664	)
	The current deferred tax asset is included in Other current assets at December 31, 2013 and 2014. The non-current deferred tax liability is disclosed on a separate line item on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	We record a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized. We recognized a net decrease of $0.1 million in our valuation allowance during 2014.
	For federal income tax reporting purposes, we have no net operating loss carryforwards. For state reporting purposes, we have approximately $57.1 million of net operating loss carryforwards that will expire between 2015 and 2033, if not utilized. Based on management’s assessment of the various state net operating losses, it was determined that it is more likely than not that the we will be able to realize tax benefits on some portion of the amount of the state losses. The valuation allowance at December 31, 2014 was attributable to the deferred tax asset related to a portion of the state operating losses.
	We analyze tax benefits for uncertain tax positions and how they are to be recognized, measured, and derecognized in financial statements; provide certain disclosures of uncertain tax matters; and specify how reserves for uncertain tax positions should be classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have reviewed our income tax positions and identified certain tax deductions, primarily related to business acquisitions that are not certain. Our policy with respect to potential penalties and interest is to record them as “Other” expense and “Interest” expense, respectively. The entire balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014, if recognized, would not materially affect our effective tax rate. We do not anticipate a significant increase or decrease in our unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.
	We have unrecognized tax benefits for federal and state income tax purposes totaling $0.5 million as of December 31, 2014, resulting from deductions totaling $1.6 million on federal and state returns. We have state net operating loss carryforwards exceeding these deductions, and have accounted for these unrecognized tax benefits by reducing the deferred income tax asset related to the net operating loss carryforwards by the amount of these unrecognized deductions.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013				2014
	Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of year	$	7,617		$	7,747			$	7,832
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the prior year	(259		)	(93		)		—
	Reductions for tax year 2011 federal audit	—			—				(7,310		)
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	389			209				—
	Reductions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	—			(31		)		(7		)
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of year	$	7,747		$	7,832			$	515
The entire balance of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. The effects of recognizing the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions for the year ended December 31, 2014 were material to our operations. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we did not recognize any penalties or interest in our Consolidated Balance Sheets or our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Our federal income tax returns for 2012 through 2013 are open tax years that may be examined by the Internal Revenue Service. Our unrecognized state tax benefits are related to state returns open from 2003 through 2014.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Stock Based Compensation Plans
	During the three year period ended December 31, 2014, we had three stock benefit plans in effect under which stock option grants or restricted stock have been issued or remain outstanding: the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the “1996 Plan”), the 1996 Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”) and the Second Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Amended and Restated 2006 Plan”). All of the options granted under the plans have either five or ten-year terms. The 1996 Plan and the Director’s Plan were terminated during 2006. At December 31, 2014, no options were outstanding under the 1996 Plan or the Directors' Plan. The Amended and Restated 2006 Plan expires on May 24, 2022. The expiration and termination of these plans does not affect the options previously issued and outstanding.
	All stock-based plans are administered by the Compensation Committee appointed by our Board. On May 23, 2012, our Stockholders approved the Carriage Services, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan which, among other things, increased the reserve balance from 2,850,000 shares to 5,000,000 shares. The Amended and Restated 2006 Plan provides for grants of options as non-qualified options or incentive stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and performance awards. Option grants are required by the Amended and Restated 2006 Plan to be issued with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of Carriage’s common stock as determined by the average of the high and low closing price on the date of the option grant.
	The status of the Amended and Restated 2006 Plan at December 31, 2014 is as follows (shares in thousands):
		Shares			Shares			Options
		Reserved			Available to			Outstanding
					Issue
	Amended and Restated 2006 Plan	5,000			1,498			1,381
	Employee Stock Options
	Employee stock options have historically been granted annually, or upon hire, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The options are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock on the date of grant. We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. This model allows the use of a range of assumptions related to volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected holding period and dividend yield. The expected volatility utilized in the valuation model is based on the historical volatility of our stock price. The dividend yield and expected holding period are based on historical experience and management's estimate of future events. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve based on the expected life of the option in effect at the time of grant. The fair values of our stock options were calculated using the following weighted average of assumptions, based on the methods described above for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014:
		2012			2013			2014
	Dividend yield	1.7	%		0.59	%		0.5	%
	Expected volatility	60.09	%		33.63	%		33.34	%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.25	%		0.41	%		0.99	%
	Expected holding period (years)	3			3.6			3.7
	During the first quarter of 2014, we granted 457,700 options to certain employees at a grant price of $20.26 and 300,000 options to three executives at a grant price of $20.49. These options will vest in 33.33% increments over a three year period and have a five year term. The value of these stock options is approximately $3.9 million. During the second quarter of 2014, we granted 6,000 options to an employee at an option price of $17.00 and 25,000 options to a new employee at an option price of $17.21. These options will vest in 25% increments over a four year period and have a six year term. The value of these stock options is approximately $0.1 million. During the third quarter of 2014, we granted 15,000 options to a new employee at an option price of $18.86. These options will vest in 25% increments over a four year period and have a six year term. The value of these stock options is approximately $0.1 million. In 2013, a total of 562,500 stock options were awarded, the value of which is approximately $2.3 million. In 2012, a total of 96,283 stock options were awarded, the value of which is approximately $0.2 million.
	A summary of the stock options at December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and changes during the three years ended         December 31, 2014 is presented in the table and narrative below (shares in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012							2013							2014
		Shares			Wtd. Avg.				Shares			Wtd. Avg.				Shares		Wtd. Avg.
					Ex. Price							Ex. Price						Ex. Price
	Outstanding at beginning of period	321			$	5.17			312			$	5.41			766		$	13.03
	Granted	96			$	5.94			563			$	16.73			804		$	20.2
	Exercised	(81	)		$	4.9			(45	)		$	5.33			(68	)	$	5.47
	Canceled or expired	(24	)		$	5.94			(64	)		$	13.82			(121	)	$	18.8
	Outstanding at end of year	312			$	5.41			766			$	13.03			1,381		$	17.07
	Exercisable at end of year	145			$	5.13			192			$	5.36			329		$	10.97
	The aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding and exercisable stock options at December 31, 2014 was $5.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2012, 2013 and 2014 totaled $0.3 million, $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
	The total fair value of stock options vested during 2012, 2013 and 2014 totaled approximately $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively. We recorded compensation expense related to stock options totaling approximately $0.2 million, $0.8 million and $1.6 million in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The significant increase in expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to 2013 was due to a large number of stock option grants in 2014 at a significantly higher option price compared to the 2013 grants.
	As of December 31, 2014, there was $3.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to nonvested stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years.
	The following table further describes our outstanding stock options at December 31, 2014:
		Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Actual Ranges of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding at 12/31/14			Weighted-Average		Weighted-Average				Number Exercisable at 12/31/14			Weighted-Average
					Remaining		Exercise Price							Exercise Price
					Contractual Life
	$4.78 - $5.94	184,221			6.19		$	5.47			167,900			$	5.43
	$16.73 - $17.21	495,500			8.05		$	16.76			161,499			$	16.73
	$18.86 - $20.49	701,700			4.2		$	20.33			—			$	—
	$4.78 - $20.49	1,381,421			5.84		$	17.07			329,399			$	10.97
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	We provide all employees the opportunity to purchase common stock through payroll deductions in our employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). Purchases are made quarterly; the price being 85% of the lower of the price on the first day of the plan entry date (beginning of a quarter) or the actual date of purchase (end of quarter). In 2012, employees purchased a total of 100,620 shares at a weighted average price of $4.92 per share. In 2013, employees purchased a total of 76,272 shares at a weighted average price of $11.89 per share. In 2014, employees purchased a total of 55,877 shares at a weighted average price of $15.50 per share. Compensation expense for the ESPP totaling approximately $135,000, $277,000, and $260,000 was expensed in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
	The fair values of the right (option) to purchase shares under the ESPP are estimated at the date of purchase with the four quarterly purchase dates using the following assumptions:
		2012			2013			2014
	Dividend yield	1.7	%		0.6	%		0.6	%
	Expected volatility	32	%		41	%		33	%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.02%, 0.06%, 0.09%, 0.12%			0.08%, 0.12%,0.135%, 0.15%			0.07%, 0.09%,0.11%, 0.13%
	Expected life (years)	.25, .50, .75, 1.00			.25, .50, .75, 1.00			.25, .50, .75, 1.00
	Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility during the previous twelve months of the underlying common stock. The risk-free rate for the quarterly purchase periods is based on the U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of purchase. The expected life of the ESPP grants represents the calendar quarters from the beginning of the year to the purchase date (end of each quarter).
	Restricted Stock Grants
	From time to time, we issue shares of restricted common stock to certain officers and key employees of the Company from our stock benefit plans. The restricted stock shares issued to officers and key employees vest in either 25% or 33.33% increments over four or three year terms, respectively. During the first quarter of 2014, we awarded restricted stock grants totaling 200,000 shares that vest over a four year period and had an aggregate grant date market value of approximately $4.1 million. A summary of the status of unvested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2014, and changes during 2014, is presented below (shares in thousands):
	Unvested stock awards	Shares			Weighted Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2013	323			$	8.64
	Awards	200			20.42
	Vestings	(172	)		7.46
	Cancellations	(21	)		11.81
	Unvested at December 31, 2014	330			$	16.2
	Related to the vesting of restricted stock awards previously awarded to our officers and key employees, we recorded compensation expense, which is included in general, administrative and other expenses, totaling $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 and $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	As of December 31, 2014, we had $5.3 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards, which are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.2 years.
	Performance-Based Stock Awards
	During the third quarter of 2012, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (our “Board”) granted performance-based awards (the “PBS Awards”) with both market and service vesting conditions to certain officers, employees and outside directors. No PBS Awards were granted during fiscal year 2013 or 2014. To the extent vested, each PBS Award represented the right to receive a specified number of shares of our common stock, subject to the grantee’s payment, with respect to each share of common stock subject to such PBS Award, of an amount equal to the greater of (a) the then-current market price per share of our common stock on the date such PBS Award was granted plus $0.50 or (b) $9.00. Each PBS Award would have vested if on or before the fifth anniversary of the applicable grant date, the closing price of our common stock was greater than or equal to $21.50 on any three days, whether or not consecutive, within a period of 30 consecutive calendar days, subject to the applicable grantee’s continuous employment or service relationship with us through such date (the “Price Vesting Date”). However, if the Price Vesting Date occurred prior to the first anniversary of the grant date, then each PBS Award would not vest until the first anniversary of such grant date, subject to the applicable grantee's continued employment or service relationship with us through the first anniversary of the grant date.
	On January 3, 2014, we offered all grantees who held outstanding PBS Awards an opportunity to surrender their PBS Awards to us in exchange for cash payments equal to the product of (i) the difference between (x) $19.00 and (y) the applicable purchase price under their respective PBS Awards and (ii) the number of shares of our common stock subject to their PBS Awards (the “Cash Out Payments”). All outstanding PBS Awards were surrendered to us and canceled in exchange for Cash Out Payments of approximately $16.2 million. Of this amount, $3.2 million was paid to the Board of Directors.
Director Compensation Plans
On March 5, 2012, our Board approved a new Director Compensation Policy, which provides for the following: (i) the chairman of our Audit Committee receives an annual cash retainer of $17,500, the chairman of our Compensation and our Corporate Governance Committees receives an annual cash retainer of $15,000 and the Lead Director of our Board receives an annual cash retainer of $115,000, payable in quarterly installments; and (ii) each independent director of our Board receives an annual cash retainer of $40,000 paid on a quarterly basis and an annual equity retainer of $75,000 in shares of our common stock issued at our annual meeting of stockholders. Additionally, each independent director receives $2,000 for each regular or special meeting of the full Board, our Audit Committee and our Executive Committee attended in person or by phone. Members of the other committees and their chairmen receive $1,600 for each committee meeting held in person or by phone that such director attends. Under our Director Compensation Policy, the annual cash retainers for each committee chairman and the annual equity retainer are paid on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders, which for this year was held on May 21, 2014.
On May 21, 2014, we issued 13,233 shares of common stock to each of the three independent directors for such retainer. We recorded $0.8 million in pre-tax compensation expense, which is included in general, administrative and other expenses, for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 related to the director fees, annual retainers and deferred compensation amortization.
Cash Dividends
Our Board declared four quarterly dividends of $0.025 per share, totaling approximately $1.8 million, which were paid on March 3, 2014, June 2, 2014, September 2, 2014 and December 1, 2014, respectively, to record holders of our common stock as of February 13, 2014, May 15, 2014, August 15, 2014 and November 13, 2014, respectively. We have a dividend reinvestment program so that stockholders may elect to reinvest their dividends into additional shares of our common stock.
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	—
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts	(335		)
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’	335
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	—

Share_Repurchase_Program

Share Repurchase Program	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]
Share Repurchase Program	SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
	In May 2012, our Board approved an increase to the share repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase an additional $3.0 million of our common stock for a total of $8.0 million Since the inception of this program, we have repurchased 812,800 shares at a total cost of $5.3 million. No repurchases were made in 2013 or 2014. The repurchased shares are held as treasury stock.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Share-based awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are participating securities and included in the computation of both basic and diluted earnings per share. Our grants of restricted stock awards to our employees and directors are considered participating securities and we have prepared our earnings per share calculations to exclude outstanding unvested restricted stock awards, using the two-class method, in the basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation.
	The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator for basic earnings per share:
	Numerator from continuing operations
	Income from continuing operations	$	10,317		$	15,120		$	15,446
	Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock	(361		)	(314		)	(295		)
	Income attributable to continuing operations	$	9,956		$	14,806		$	15,151
	Numerator from discontinued operations
	Income from discontinued operations	$	1,086		$	4,176		$	392
	Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock	—			(85		)	(8		)
	Income attributable to discontinued operations	$	1,086		$	4,091		$	384
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
	Adjustment for diluted earnings per share:
	Interest on convertible junior subordinated debentures, net of tax	$	—		$	3,454		$	—
		$	—		$	3,454		$	—
	Income attributable to continuing operations	$	9,956		$	18,260		$	15,151
	Income attributable to discontinuing operations	$	1,086		$	4,091		$	384
	Denominator
	Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	18,126			17,826			18,108
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	100			175			149
	Convertible junior subordinated debentures	—			4,392			—
	Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	18,226			22,393			18,257
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.57		$	0.83		$	0.84
	Discontinued operations	0.06			0.23			0.02
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.63		$	1.06		$	0.86
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.57		$	0.82		$	0.83
	Discontinued operations	0.06			0.18			0.02
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.63		$	1		$	0.85
	The fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the corresponding calculation of fully diluted earnings per share, include approximately 4.4 million shares that would be issued upon conversion of our convertible junior subordinated debentures as a result of the application of the if-converted method prescribed by ASC 260. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the conversion of our convertible junior subordinated debentures is excluded from the fully diluted earnings per share calculation and the fully diluted weighted average share count because the inclusion of such converted shares would result in an antidilutive impact. The convertible junior subordinated debentures were redeemed in March and April 2014. As a result, there was no impact on our calculation of fully diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Options to purchase 0.5 million shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2012, because the effect would be anti-dilutive as the exercise prices exceeded the average market price of the common shares. There were no options excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014.

Major_Segments_of_Business

Major Segments of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
MAJOR SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS	MAJOR SEGMENTS OF BUSINESS
	We conduct funeral and cemetery operations only in the United States. The following table presents external revenues from continuing operations, net income (loss) from continuing operations, total assets, long-lived assets, depreciation and amortization from continuing operations, capital expenditures, number of operating locations, interest expense from continuing operations, and income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations by segment:
		Funeral		Cemetery		Corporate			Consolidated
		(in thousands, except number of operating locations)
	External revenues from continuing operations:
	2014	$	173,735	$	52,389	$	—		$	226,124
	2013	163,082		49,992		—			213,074
	2012	150,803		47,388		—			198,191
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
	2014	$	53,385	$	15,180	$	(45,864	)	$	22,701
	2013	48,206		14,679		(38,520		)	24,365
	2012	46,073		12,895		(41,857		)	17,111
	Total assets:
	2014	$	568,842	$	240,009	$	18,677		$	827,528
	2013	502,525		227,520		16,554			746,599
	2012	481,356		237,897		18,832			738,085
	Long-lived assets:
	2014	$	437,735	$	88,467	$	1,835		$	528,037
	2013	373,173		85,901		2,654			461,728
	2012	355,807		87,687		5,056			448,550
	Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations:
	2014	$	6,841	$	3,704	$	1,378		$	11,923
	2013	6,440		3,739		1,456			11,635
	2012	5,884		3,058		974			9,916
	Capital expenditures:
	2014	$	16,804	$	5,606	$	1,265		$	23,675
	2013	6,436		2,936		1,323			10,695
	2012	5,804		3,401		1,231			10,436
	Number of operating locations at year end:
	2014	164		32		—			196
	2013	161		32		—			193
	2012	167		33		—			200
	Interest expense from continuing operations:
	2014	$	316	$	17	$	9,975		$	10,308
	2013	323		36		12,263			12,622
	2012	308		49		16,731			17,088
	Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations:
	2014	$	17,061	$	4,851	$	(14,657	)	$	7,255
	2013	18,270		5,563		(14,588		)	9,245
	2012	18,291		5,119		(16,616		)	6,794

Supplementary_Information

Supplementary Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Income Statement Elements [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION	SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
	Balance Sheet
	The detail of certain balance sheet accounts as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 is as follows:
		December 31,
		2013		2014
		(in thousands)
	Other Current Assets:
	Deferred taxes	$	2,779	$	3,750
	Income tax receivables	593		3,293
	Other current assets	153		101
	Total other current assets	$	3,525	$	7,144
	Other Liabilities:
	Liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions	$	7,832	$	—
	Other liabilities	2,107		1,437
	Total other liabilities	$	9,939	$	1,437
	Accrued Liabilities:
	Accrued salaries and wages	$	1,882	$	2,073
	Accrued incentive compensation	4,654		5,660
	Accrued vacation	1,979		1,978
	Accrued insurance	2,778		2,171
	Accrued interest	—		1,232
	Accrued ad valorem and franchise taxes	383		537
	Other accrued liabilities	1,178		1,552
	Total accrued liabilities	$	12,854	$	15,203
	Revenues and Costs and Expenses
	The detail of certain income statement accounts for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 is as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012		2013		2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenues:
	Goods
	Funeral	$	59,581	$	64,409	$	66,877
	Cemetery	28,826		30,392		32,300
	Total goods	$	88,407	$	94,801	$	99,177
	Services
	Funeral	$	83,627	$	89,442	$	97,375
	Cemetery	9,453		10,087		10,556
	Total services	$	93,080	$	99,529	$	107,931
	Financial revenue
	Preneed funeral commission income	$	1,711	$	1,853	$	2,036
	Preneed funeral trust earnings	5,884		7,378		7,447
	Cemetery trust earnings	7,647		8,095		8,123
	Cemetery finance charges	1,462		1,418		1,410
	Total financial revenue	$	16,704	$	18,744	$	19,016
	Total revenues	$	198,191	$	213,074	$	226,124
	Cost of revenues:
	Goods
	Funeral	$	48,105	$	52,362	$	54,421
	Cemetery	22,118		22,222		23,800
	Total goods	$	70,223	$	74,584	$	78,221
	Services
	Funeral	$	41,550	$	46,030	$	49,357
	Cemetery	6,340		6,543		6,860
	Total services	$	47,890	$	52,573	$	56,217
	Financial expenses
	Preneed funeral commissions	$	1,385	$	1,213	$	1,078
	Trust administration fees	64		227		249
	Total financial expenses	$	1,449	$	1,440	$	1,327
	Total cost of revenues	$	119,562	$	128,597	$	135,765
	The costs of revenues, for purposes of this supplemental disclosure, include only field costs and expenses that are directly allocable between the goods, services and financial categories in the funeral and cemetery segments. Depreciation and amortization and regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs are not included in this disclosure.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
	The tables below set forth consolidated operating results by fiscal quarter for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, in thousands, except earnings per share.
		First			Second			Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter		Quarter
	2014
	Revenues	$	55,652		$	56,504		$	54,549	$	59,419
	Gross profit	18,015			17,989			15,077		18,927
	Net income from continuing operations	$	1,631		$	3,883		$	4,565	$	5,367
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	587			(637		)	431		11
	Net income	$	2,218		$	3,246		$	4,996	$	5,378
	Basic earnings per common share:	$	0.12		$	0.18		$	0.27	$	0.29
	Diluted earnings per common share: (a)	$	0.12		$	0.17		$	0.26	$	0.29
	2013
	Revenues	$	57,123		$	53,811		$	49,501	$	52,639
	Gross profit	18,905			16,880			14,100		14,400
	Net income from continuing operations	$	5,404		$	3,576		$	1,908	$	4,232
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(145		)	568			3,986		(233		)
	Preferred stock dividend	(4		)	—			—		—
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	5,255		$	4,144		$	5,894	$	3,999
	Basic earnings per common share:	$	0.29		$	0.23		$	0.32	$	0.22
	Diluted earnings per common share: (a)	$	0.25		$	0.23		$	0.32	$	0.22
	(a) Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly per share amounts does not equal the total computed for 2013 due to the application of the if-converted method on our convertible subordinated debentures (TIDES) and for 2014 due to rounding.

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION	SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
	The following information is supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Cash paid for interest and financing costs	$	21,518		$	12,248		$	8,894
	Cash paid for taxes	416			655			2,674
	Fair value of stock, stock options and performance awards issued to directors, officers, and certain other employees	4,631			3,822			8,219
	Restricted common stock withheld for payroll taxes	421			1,610			1,305
	Net withdrawals (deposits) from / into preneed funeral trusts	4,341			(3,891		)	(418		)
	Net withdrawals (deposits) from / into preneed cemetery trusts	2,482			(1,324		)	1
	Net withdrawals from perpetual care trusts	3,513			3,091			1,857
	Net increase in preneed receivables	(422		)	(1,331		)	(1,731		)
	Net (deposits) withdrawals of receivables into / from preneed trusts	(3,677		)	709			(1,643		)
	Net change in preneed funeral receivables (decreasing) increasing deferred revenue	(874		)	860			677
	Net change in preneed cemetery receivables increasing (decreasing) deferred revenue	4,594			327			(374		)
	Net (withdrawals) deposits from / into preneed funeral trust accounts (decreasing) increasing deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(4,341		)	3,891			418
	Net (withdrawals) deposits from / into preneed cemetery trust accounts (decreasing) increasing deferred cemetery receipts held in trust	(2,482		)	1,324			(1		)
	Net withdrawals from perpetual care trust accounts decreasing care trusts’ corpus	(4,028		)	(2,949		)	(1,901		)

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On February 25, 2015, we acquired a funeral home in Clarksville, Tennessee for approximately $9.8 million, of which $4.3 million was paid at closing with the remainder being paid in 20 quarterly installments of approximately $0.3 million which represents a net present value of approximately $4.4 million.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure	CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
	SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	(in thousands)
	Description	Balance at		Charged to		Deduction		Balance at end
		beginning		costs and				of year
		of year		expenses
	Year ended December 31, 2012:
	Allowance for bad debts, current portion	$	928	$	1,614	$	1,365	$	1,177
	Allowance for preneed bad debts, contract cancellations and receivables from preneed trusts, non-current portion	$	1,728	$	903	$	572	$	2,059
	Employee severance accruals	$	157	$	486	$	485	$	158
	Litigation reserves	$	1,026	$	—	$	918	$	108
	Valuation allowance of the deferred tax asset	$	1,335	$	—	$	1,018	$	317
	Year ended December 31, 2013:
	Allowance for bad debts, current portion	$	1,177	$	1,225	$	1,555	$	847
	Allowance for receivables from preneed funeral and cemetery trusts and contract cancellations, non-current portion	$	2,059	$	768	$	1,002	$	1,825
	Employee severance accruals	$	158	$	755	$	664	$	249
	Litigation reserves	$	108	$	—	$	91	$	17
	Valuation allowance of the deferred tax asset	$	317	$	227	$	76	$	468
	Year ended December 31, 2014:
	Allowance for bad debts, current portion	$	847	$	1,705	$	1,425	$	1,127
	Allowance for receivables from preneed funeral and cemetery trusts and contract cancellations, non-current portion	$	1,825	$	1,284	$	770	$	2,339
	Employee severance accruals	$	249	$	681	$	714	$	216
	Litigation reserves	$	17	$	—	$	14	$	3
	Valuation allowance of the deferred tax asset	$	468	$	—	$	138	$	330

Recovered_Sheet1

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation, Policy	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Revenue Recognition, Sales of Services, Policy	Funeral and Cemetery Operations
	We record the revenue from sales of funeral and cemetery merchandise and services when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Sales of cemetery interment rights are recorded as revenue in accordance with the retail land sales provisions for accounting for sales of real estate. This method provides for the recognition of revenue in the period in which the customer’s cumulative payments exceed 10% of the contract price related to the interment right. Costs related to the sales of interment rights, which include real property and other costs related to cemetery development activities, are charged to operations using the specific identification method in the period in which the sale of the interment right is recognized as revenue. Revenues to be recognized from the delivery of merchandise and performance of services related to contracts that were acquired in acquisitions are typically lower than those originated by us. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Allowances for bad debts and customer cancellations are provided at the date that the sale is recognized as revenue and are based on our historical experience and the current economic environment. We also monitor changes in delinquency rates and provide additional bad debt and cancellation reserves when warranted. When preneed sales of funeral services and merchandise are funded through third-party insurance policies, we earn a commission on the sale of the policies. Insurance commissions are recognized as revenues at the point at which the commission is no longer subject to refund, which is typically one year after the policy is issued.
Preneed Contracts, Policy	Preneed Contracts
	We sell interment rights, merchandise and services prior to the time of need, which is referred to as preneed. In many instances the customer pays for the preneed contract over a period of time. Cash proceeds from preneed sales less amounts that we may retain under state regulations are deposited to a trust or used to purchase a third-party insurance policy. The principal and accumulated earnings of the trusts are generally withdrawn at maturity (death) or cancellation. The cumulative trust income earned and the increases in insurance benefits on the insurance products are deferred until the service is performed. The customer receivables and amounts deposited in trusts that we control are primarily included in the non-current asset section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The preneed funeral contracts secured by third party insurance policies are not recorded as assets or liabilities of the Company.
	In the opinion of management, the proceeds from the trust funds and the insurance policies at the time the preneed contracts mature will exceed the estimated future costs to perform services and provide products under such arrangements. The types of securities in which the trusts may invest are regulated by state agencies.
Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Trust Funds	Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Trust Funds
	Our preneed and perpetual care trust funds are reported in accordance with the principles of consolidating Variable Interest Entities (“VIE’s”). In the case of preneed trusts, the customers are the legal beneficiaries. In the case of perpetual care trusts, we do not have a right to access the corpus in the perpetual care trusts. For these reasons, we have recognized financial interests of third parties in the trust funds in our financial statements as Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus. The investments of such trust funds are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair market value; therefore, the unrealized gains and losses, as well as accumulated and undistributed income and realized gains and losses are recorded to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our future obligations to deliver merchandise and services are reported at estimated settlement amounts. Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings, along with preneed contract collections not required to be placed in trust, are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenue and Deferred preneed cemetery revenue until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.
	In accordance with respective state laws, we are required to deposit a specified amount into perpetual and memorial care trust funds for each interment/entombment right and certain memorials sold. Income from the trust funds is distributed to us and used to provide for the care and maintenance of the cemeteries and mausoleums. Such trust fund income is recognized as revenue when realized by the trust and distributable to us. We are restricted from withdrawing any of the principal balances of these funds.
	An enterprise is required to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest(s) give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our analysis continues to support our position as the primary beneficiary in the majority of our funeral and cemetery trust funds.
	Trust management fees are earned by us for investment management and advisory services that are provided by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor (“CSV RIA”). As of December 31, 2014, CSV RIA provided these services to two institutions, which have custody of 76% of our trust assets, for a fee based on the market value of trust assets. Under state trust laws, we are allowed to charge the trust a fee for advising on the investment of the trust assets and these fees are recognized as income in the period in which services are provided.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventory, Policy	Inventory
	Inventory consists primarily of caskets, outer burial containers and cemetery monuments and markers and is recorded at the lower of its cost basis (determined by the specific identification method) or net realizable value.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment (including equipment under capital leases) are stated at cost. The costs of ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, while renewals and betterments are capitalized. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including equipment under capital leases) is computed based on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
		Years
	Buildings and improvements	15 to 40
	Furniture and fixtures	5 to 10
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 15
	Automobiles	5 to 7
	Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2014:
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
		(in thousands)
	Land	$	55,639		$	66,957
	Buildings and improvements	132,172			148,483
	Furniture, equipment and automobiles	61,506			66,020
	Property, plant and equipment, at cost	249,317			281,460
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(88,627		)	(95,249		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	160,690		$	186,211
	During 2012, 2013 and 2014, we recorded approximately $7.6 million, $8.8 million and $9.2 million, respectively, of depreciation expense against operating income.
	Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment subject to depreciation and amortization, are reviewed for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360. This guidance requires that long-lived assets to be held and used are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value. We assess long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than the fair value. We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment when a funeral home business has negative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for four consecutive years and if there has been a decline in EBITDA for four consecutive years. For our cemetery business, we analyze the long-lived assets for impairment if the business has a negative operating margin and a decline in operating margin over a four year period. We review our long-lived assets deemed held-for-sale to the point of recoverability. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell. If we determine that the carrying value is not recoverable from the proceeds of the sale, we record an impairment at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2014, no impairment was identified on our long-lived assets.
Income Taxes, Policy	Income Taxes
	We and our subsidiaries file a consolidated United States Federal income tax return, separate income tax returns in 17 states in which we operate and combined or unitary income tax returns in 11 states in which we operate. We record deferred taxes for temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. We record a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized.
	We analyze tax benefits for uncertain tax positions and how they are to be recognized, measured and derecognized in financial statements; provide certain disclosures of uncertain tax matters; and specify how reserves for uncertain tax positions should be classified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have reviewed our income tax positions and identified certain tax deductions, primarily related to business acquisitions that are not certain. Our policy with respect to potential penalties and interest is to record them as “Other” expense and “Interest” expense, respectively. The entire balance of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate.
	On August 1, 2014, we received notification that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its examination of our tax year ended December 31, 2011. As a result, we recognized a tax benefit of $1.7 million which reduced our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014. Additionally, we recognized a credit to interest expense of $0.6 million related to the settled portion of the uncertain tax position.
	We do not anticipate a material change in our unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.
	In September 2013, the United States Department of the Treasury and the IRS released final regulations relating to guidance on applying tax rules to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible personal property as well as rules for materials and supplies. We adopted the new guidance for our current tax year, which began on January 1, 2014. These regulations have not had a material impact on our financial statements.
Stock Plans and Stock-Based Compensation, Policy	Stock Plans and Stock-Based Compensation
	We have stock-based employee and director compensation plans under which we may grant restricted stock, stock options, performance awards and stock from our employee stock purchase plan. We recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based awards expected to vest over the requisite service period. Fair value is determined on the date of the grant. The fair value of options or awards containing options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of the performance awards is determined using a Monte-Carlo simulation pricing model.
	See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on our stock-based compensation plans.
Computation of Earnings Per Common Share, Policy	Computation of Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of stock options, convertible junior subordinated debentures and convertible subordinated notes.
	Share-based awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are recognized as participating securities and included in the computation of both basic and diluted earnings per share. Our grants of restricted stock awards to our employees and directors are considered participating securities, and we have prepared our earnings per share calculations attributable to common stockholders to exclude outstanding unvested restricted stock awards, using the two-class method, in both the basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding calculation.
Fair Value Measurements, Policy	Fair Value Measurements
	We define fair value as the price that would be received on the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date. We currently do not have any assets that have fair values determined by Level 3 inputs and no liabilities measured at fair value. We have not elected to measure any additional financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.
	To determine the fair value of assets and liabilities in an environment where the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased, the exit price is used as the fair value measurement. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we did not incur significant decreases in the volume or level of activity of any asset or liability. We consider an impairment of debt and equity securities other-than-temporary unless (a) we have the ability and intent to hold an investment and (b) evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable before we are more likely than not required to sell the investment. If an impairment is indicated, then an adjustment is made to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $0.4 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. As of December 31, 2014, no other impairments have been identified.
	In the ordinary course of business, we are typically exposed to a variety of market risks. Currently, these are primarily related to changes in fair market values related to outstanding debts and changes in the values of securities associated with the preneed and perpetual care trusts. Management is actively involved in monitoring exposure to market risk and developing and utilizing risk management techniques when appropriate and when available for a reasonable price.
	Additional required disclosures are provided in Notes 6, 10 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements herein.
Business Combinations, Policy	Business Combinations
	Tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and goodwill is recognized for any difference between the price of the acquisition and fair value. We customarily estimate related transaction costs known at closing. To the extent that information not available to us at the closing date subsequently becomes available during the allocation period, we may adjust goodwill, assets, or liabilities associated with such acquisition. Acquisition related costs are recognized separately from acquisitions and are expensed as incurred.
Discontinued Operations, Policy	Discontinued Operations
	We continually review locations to optimize the sustainable earning power and return on our invested capital. These reviews could entail selling certain non-strategic businesses. When we receive a letter of intent and financing commitment from a buyer and the sale is expected to occur within one year, the location is no longer reported within our continuing operations. The assets and liabilities associated with the location are reclassified as held-for-sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the operating results are presented on a comparative basis in discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. In 2012, we ended a management contract with a cemetery in Ohio and sold two funeral homes in Kentucky. In 2013, we sold seven funeral homes, one in California, one in Ohio, one in Kentucky and four in Kansas and sold one cemetery in Virginia. In 2014, we sold a cemetery in Florida and two funeral homes, one in Ohio and one in Kentucky. At December 31, 2014, we had no businesses classified as held-for-sale. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for more information.
Goodwill, Policy	Goodwill
	The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of funeral home businesses acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill has primarily been recorded in connection with the acquisition of funeral home businesses. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment by assessing the fair value of each of our reporting units. The funeral segment reporting units consist of our East, Central and West regions in the United States and we performed our annual impairment test of goodwill using information as of August 31, 2014.
	Under current guidance, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. We conducted qualitative assessments in 2012 and 2014; however, for our 2013 annual impairment test, we performed the two-step goodwill impairment test. Our intent is to perform the two-step test at least once every three years unless certain indicators or events suggest otherwise.
	The two-step goodwill impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. In the first step of our goodwill testing, we compared the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We determined fair value for each reporting unit using both a market approach, weighted 70%, and an income approach, weighted 30%. Our methodology for determining a market approach fair value utilized recent sales transactions in the industry. Our methodology for determining an income-based fair value was based on discounting projected future cash flows. The projected future cash flows include assumptions concerning future operating performance that may differ from actual future cash flows using a weighted average cost of capital for the Company and other public deathcare companies. Goodwill impairment is not recorded where the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the implied fair value of goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill, and if the carrying amount exceeds the implied value, an impairment charge would be recorded in an amount equal to that excess.
	In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may be greater than fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant adverse changes in the business climate which may be indicated by a decline in our market capitalization or decline in operating results.
Intangible Assets, Policy	Intangible Assets
	Our intangible assets include tradenames primarily resulting from acquisitions. Our tradenames are included in Deferred costs and other non-current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our tradenames are considered to have an indefinite life and are not subject to amortization. We test for impairment of intangible assets annually at year end in accordance with the ASC Intangibles Topic 350.
	Under current guidance, we are permitted to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step impairment test. We conducted qualitative assessments in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
	In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than the fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under performance relative to historical results and significant negative industry or economic trends.
Use of Estimates, Policy	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, realization of accounts receivable, goodwill, intangible assets, property and equipment and deferred tax assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience, third party data and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgments about the amount and timing of revenues and expenses, the carrying value of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. Historical performance should not be viewed as indicative of future performance, as there can be no assurance that our results of operations will be consistent from year to year.
Subsequent Events, Policy	Subsequent Events
	Management evaluated events and transactions during the period beginning subsequent to December 31, 2014 through the date the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements covered by this report.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Policy	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	Extraordinary and Unusual Items
	In January 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to ASC Subtopic 225-20, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items. This amendment eliminates the concept of reporting extraordinary items. Extraordinary items are events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence. Preparers will not have to assess whether a particular event or transaction is extraordinary and likewise, auditors and regulators no longer need to evaluate whether a preparer treated an unusual and/or infrequent item appropriately. The presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently will be retained and will be expanded to include such items. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendment prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendment retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Our adoption of this amendment to Subtopic 225-20 is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements. We plan to adopt the provisions of ASC Subtopic 225-20 for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016.
	Going Concern
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASC Subtopic 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASC Subtopic 205-40 provides guidance as to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in United States auditing standards. The new guidance requires an entity to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The new guidance allows the entity to consider the mitigating effects of management’s plans that will alleviate the substantial doubt and requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management’s plans. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt that is not alleviated, an entity should disclose that there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued), along with the principal conditions or events that raise substantial doubt, management’s evaluation of the significance of those conditions or events in relation to the entity’s ability to meet its obligations and management’s plans that are intended to mitigate those conditions. The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt the provisions of ASC Subtopic 205-40 for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and the interim periods beginning in 2017.
	Revenue from Contracts with Customers
	In May 2014, the FASB created ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASC Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements under ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the ASC. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Under the new guidance, an entity is required to perform the following five steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The new guidance will significantly enhance comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets. Additionally, the guidance requires improved disclosures as to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The new guidance is effective for the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this new accounting standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Discontinued Operations and Disclosure of Disposals of Components of an Entity
	In April 2014, the FASB modified the requirements for reporting a discontinued operation. The amended definition of “discontinued operations” includes only disposals or held-for-sale classifications for components or groups of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that either has or will have a major effect on the entity’s operations or financial results. Examples of a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results include a disposal of a major geographical area, line of business, equity method of investment or other parts of an entity. The new definition of discontinued operations will significantly reduce the volume of transactions requiring discontinued operation presentation and disclosure. However, the new guidance also expands the disclosures required when an entity reports a discontinued operation or when it disposes of or classifies as held-for-sale an individually significant component that does not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The new guidance is effective for all disposals or classifications as held-for-sale that occur in annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2015. The impact on our future operating results will vary depending on the number of locations we divest in future periods. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we recognized income from discontinued operations of $1.1 million, $4.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Any businesses that we sell in the future will be reported within continuing operations.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including equipment under capital leases) is computed based on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
		Years
	Buildings and improvements	15 to 40
	Furniture and fixtures	5 to 10
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 15
	Automobiles	5 to 7
	Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2014:
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
		(in thousands)
	Land	$	55,639		$	66,957
	Buildings and improvements	132,172			148,483
	Furniture, equipment and automobiles	61,506			66,020
	Property, plant and equipment, at cost	249,317			281,460
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(88,627		)	(95,249		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	160,690		$	186,211

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Effect of acquisitions on Consolidated Balance Sheets	The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our SCI Acquisition and the subsequent adjustments made based on the final valuations and additional information which became available prior to December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Initial Purchase Price Allocation			Adjustments			Final Purchase Price Allocation
	Current assets	$	1,998		$	128		$	2,126
	Property, plant & equipment	16,457			2			16,459
	Preneed cemetery trust investments	3,632			—			3,632
	Preneed funeral trust investments	45			—			45
	Goodwill	33,826			3,827			37,653
	Deferred charges and other non-current assets	6,208			(3,918		)	2,290
	Cemetery perpetual care investments	7,491			—			7,491
	Obligations under capital leases	(1,960		)	—			(1,960		)
	Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	(1,679		)	(39		)	(1,718		)
	Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(3,632		)	—			(3,632		)
	Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(45		)	—			(45		)
	Care trusts' corpus	(7,491		)	—			(7,491		)
	Cash paid	$	54,850		$	—		$	54,850

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Goodwill	The following table presents changes in goodwill in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
	Goodwill at the beginning of year	$	218,442		$	221,087
	Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	3,843			37,653
	Changes in previous estimates	—			(101		)
	Net impairment and write-off related to divestitures	(1,198		)	(1,197		)
	Goodwill at the end of the year	$	221,087		$	257,442

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco1

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale	ssets and liabilities associated with the cemetery business held for sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
	Assets:
	Current assets	$	30
	Preneed cemetery trust investments	2,477
	Preneed receivables	31
	Property, plant and equipment, net	311
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	695
	Total	$	3,544
	Liabilities:
	Current liabilities	$	10
	Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	1,185
	Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	2,477
	Care trusts' corpus	685
	Total	$	4,357
Operating Results and Gain on Discontinued Operations	The operating results of the discontinued businesses during the periods presented, as well as any impairments and net gains on the disposals, is presented within discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations, along with the income tax effect, as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Revenues	$	7,727		$	4,164		$	817
	Operating income	2,293			729			235
	Impairment	(1,100		)	(100		)	(1,180		)
	Net gain on disposal	610			6,091			1,594
	Income tax provision	(717		)	(2,544		)	(257		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	1,086		$	4,176		$	392

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Tabl

Preneed Trust Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Components of Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments	The components of Preneed cemetery trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13				31-Dec-14
	Preneed cemetery trust investments, at market value	$	70,386			$	74,198
	Less: allowance for contract cancellation	(2,045		)		(2,226		)
	Preneed cemetery trust investments, net	$	68,341			$	71,972
Cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments	The cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at December 31, 2014 are detailed below (in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	5,591			$	—			$	—			$	5,591
	Fixed income securities:
	Municipal bonds	2		347				9				—				356
	Foreign debt	2		5,874				—				(237		)		5,637
	Corporate debt	2		30,108				362				(2,167		)		28,303
	Preferred stock	2		19,154				199				(325		)		19,028
	Mortgage backed securities	2		1				—				—				1
	Common stock	1		13,128				2,357				(966		)		14,519
	Trust securities			$	74,203			$	2,927			$	(3,695	)		$	73,435
	Accrued investment income			$	763											$	763
	Preneed cemetery trust investments															$	74,198
	Market value as a percentage of cost															99		%
	The cost and market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at December 31, 2013 are detailed below(in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	1,541			$	—			$	—			$	1,541
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	2		3,460				146				(3		)		3,603
	Corporate debt	2		32,958				386				(1,150		)		32,194
	Preferred stock	2		17,754				178				(273		)		17,659
	Mortgage backed securities	2		1				—				—				1
	Common stock	1		12,431				2,362				(267		)		14,526
	Trust securities			$	68,145			$	3,072			$	(1,693	)		$	69,524
	Accrued investment income			$	862											$	862
	Preneed cemetery trust investments															$	70,386
	Market value as a percentage of cost															102		%
Estimated maturities of fixed preneed cemetery trust income securities	The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):
	Due in one year or less	$	—
	Due in one to five years	5,740
	Due in five to ten years	7,563
	Thereafter	40,022
	Total fixed income securities	$	53,325
Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions	Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Year ended December 31,
		2012				2013				2014
	Investment income	$	4,038			$	3,349			$	2,840
	Realized gains	10,497				3,018				5,712
	Realized losses	(3,574		)		(763		)		(2,789		)
	Expenses and taxes	(2,769		)		(2,934		)		(1,716		)
	Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(8,192		)		(2,670		)		(4,047		)
		$	—			$	—			$	—
Purchases and sales of investments in preneed cemetary trusts	Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed cemetery trusts were as follows (in thousands):
		Year ended December 31,
		2012				2013				2014
	Purchases	$	(126,043	)		$	(46,558	)		$	(53,443	)
	Sales	125,897				47,318				58,022
Components of preneed funeral trust investments	The components of Preneed funeral trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13				31-Dec-14
	Preneed funeral trust investments, at market value	$	100,005			$	100,579
	Less: allowance for contract cancellation	(2,861		)		(2,972		)
	Preneed funeral trust investments, net	$	97,144			$	97,607
Cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments	The cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at December 31, 2014 are detailed below (in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	17,501			$	—			$	—			$	17,501
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. treasury debt	1		2,037				32				(15		)		2,054
	U.S. agency obligations	2		30				—				—				30
	Foreign debt	2		4,653				—				(188		)		4,465
	Corporate debt	2		24,761				469				(1,718		)		23,512
	Preferred stock	2		16,166				256				(261		)		16,161
	Mortgage backed securities	2		309				8				(3		)		314
	Common stock	1		10,544				1,926				(783		)		11,687
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1		14,126				1,370				(181		)		15,315
	Fixed income	2		5,351				115				(72		)		5,394
	Other investments	2		3,560				—				(29		)		3,531
	Trust securities			$	99,038			$	4,176			$	(3,250	)		$	99,964
	Accrued investment income			$	615											$	615
	Preneed funeral trust investments															$	100,579
	Market value as a percentage of cost															100.9		%
	The cost and market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at December 31, 2013 are detailed below (in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	14,631			$	—			$	—			$	14,631
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. treasury debt	1		2,212				47				(54		)		2,205
	U.S. agency obligations	1		401				8				(7		)		402
	Foreign debt	2		2,726				115				(2		)		2,839
	Corporate debt	2		27,993				375				(957		)		27,411
	Preferred stock	2		15,949				292				(282		)		15,959
	Mortgage backed securities	2		1				—				—				1
	Common stock	1		10,681				2,092				(237		)		12,536
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1		11,632				2,708				(22		)		14,318
	Fixed income	2		5,455				88				(179		)		5,364
	Other investments	2		3,686				—				(26		)		3,660
	Trust securities			$	95,367			$	5,725			$	(1,766	)		$	99,326
	Accrued investment income			$	679											$	679
	Preneed funeral trust investments															$	100,005
	Market value as a percentage of cost															104.2		%
Estimated maturities of fixed preneed funeral trust income securities	The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):
	Due in one year or less	$	549
	Due in one to five years	5,389
	Due in five to ten years	6,864
	Thereafter	33,734
	Total fixed income securities	$	46,536
Preneed funereal trust investment security transactions	Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Year ended December 31,
		2012				2013				2014
	Investment income	$	3,952			$	3,190			$	3,065
	Realized gains	4,406				7,957				7,184
	Realized losses	(2,536		)		(5,743		)		(2,313		)
	Expenses and taxes	(1,550		)		(1,669		)		(1,470		)
	Increase in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(4,272		)		(3,735		)		(6,466		)
		$	—			$	—			$	—
Purchases and sales of investments in preneed funeral trusts	Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed funeral trusts were as follows (in thousands):
		Year ended December 31,
		2012				2013				2014
	Purchases	$	(72,424	)		$	(38,592	)		$	(57,297	)
	Sales	72,639				39,853				60,352
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Schedule of unrealized loss position, fair value	Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following tables (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	$	5,629			$	(237	)		$	—			$	—			$	5,629	$	(237	)
	Corporate debt	18,051				(778		)		2,016				(1,389		)		20,067		(2,167		)
	Preferred stock	10,342				(289		)		3,236				(36		)		13,578		(325		)
	Common stock	6,904				(911		)		65				(55		)		6,969		(966		)
	Total temporary impaired securities	$	40,926			$	(2,215	)		$	5,317			$	(1,480	)		$	46,243	$	(3,695	)
		31-Dec-13
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	$	802			$	(3	)		$	—			$	—			$	802	$	(3	)
	Corporate debt	11,561				(553		)		769				(597		)		12,330		(1,150		)
	Preferred stock	9,601				(273		)		—				—				9,601		(273		)
	Common stock	1,077				(171		)		705				(96		)		1,782		(267		)
	Total temporary impaired securities	$	23,041			$	(1,000	)		$	1,474			$	(693	)		$	24,515	$	(1,693	)
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Schedule of unrealized loss position, fair value
		31-Dec-14
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. debt	$	500			$	—			$	836			$	(15	)		$	1,336	$	(15	)
	Foreign debt	4,471				(188		)		—				—				4,471		(188		)
	Corporate debt	14,310				(617		)		1,598				(1,101		)		15,908		(1,718		)
	Preferred stock	8,300				(232		)		2,597				(29		)		10,897		(261		)
	Mortgage backed securities	—				—				51				(3		)		51		(3		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	5,594				(739		)		53				(44		)		5,647		(783		)
	Equity and other	4,204				(180		)		6				(1		)		4,210		(181		)
	Fixed income	888				(19		)		1,026				(53		)		1,914		(72		)
	Other investments	—				—				42				(29		)		42		(29		)
	Total temporary impaired securities	$	38,267			$	(1,975	)		$	6,209			$	(1,275	)		$	44,476	$	(3,250	)
		31-Dec-13
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. debt	$	—			$	—			$	816			$	(54	)		$	816	$	(54	)
	U.S. agency obligations	—				—				211				(7		)		211		(7		)
	Foreign debt	632				(2		)		—				—				632		(2		)
	Corporate debt	9,620				(460		)		640				(497		)		10,260		(957		)
	Preferred stock	9,918				(282		)		—				—				9,918		(282		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	954				(152		)		626				(85		)		1,580		(237		)
	Equity and other	314				(13		)		195				(9		)		509		(22		)
	Fixed income	865				(43		)		1,420				(136		)		2,285		(179		)
	Other investments	—				—				44				(26		)		44		(26		)
	Total temporary impaired securities	$	22,303			$	(952	)		$	3,952			$	(814	)		$	26,255	$	(1,766	)

Preneed_Cemetery_Receivables_T

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Preneed Cemetery Receivables [Abstract]
Preneed Cemetery Receivables	For the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2014, the changes to the allowance for contract cancellations were as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013			2014
	Beginning balance	$	1,903		$	1,347
	Write-offs and cancellations	(1,727		)	(1,172		)
	Provision	1,228			1,965
	Assets held-for-sale reclassification	(57		)	—
	Ending balance	$	1,347		$	2,140
Aging of Past Due Financing Receivables	The aging of past due financing receivables as of December 31, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
		31-60			61-90			91-120		>120		Total Past		Current		Total Financing
		Past Due			Past Due			Past Due		Past Due		Due				Receivables
	Recognized revenue	$	756		$	407		$	250	$	1,439	$	2,852	$	21,394	$	24,246
	Deferred revenue	296			204			116		720		1,336		8,333		9,669
	Total contracts	$	1,052		$	611		$	366	$	2,159	$	4,188	$	29,727	$	33,915
	The aging of past due financing receivables as of December 31, 2013 was as follows (in thousands):
		31-60			61-90			91-120		>120		Total Past		Current		Total Financing
		Past Due			Past Due			Past Due		Past Due		Due				Receivables
	Recognized revenue	$	895		$	372		$	266	$	683	$	2,216	$	18,628	$	20,844
	Deferred revenue	355			191			85		271		902		7,890		8,792
	Total contracts	$	1,250		$	563		$	351	$	954	$	3,118	$	26,518	$	29,636

Receivables_from_Preneed_Trust1

Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables From Preneed Trusts [Abstract]
Receivables from Preneed Funeral Trust Funds	As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, receivables from preneed trusts were as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
		(in thousands)
	Preneed trust funds, at cost	$	11,511		$	13,205
	Less: allowance for contract cancellation	(345		)	(396		)
	Receivables from preneed trusts, net	$	11,166		$	12,809
Composition of Assets Held in Trust	The following summary reflects the composition of the assets held in trust and controlled by third parties to satisfy our future obligations under preneed arrangements related to the preceding contracts at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The cost basis includes reinvested interest and dividends that have been earned on the trust assets. Fair value includes unrealized gains and losses on trust assets.
		Historical			Fair Value
		Cost Basis
		(in thousands)
	As of December 31, 2014
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,834		$	2,834
	Fixed income investments	7,880			7,893
	Mutual funds and common stocks	2,467			2,586
	Annuities	24			24
	Total	$	13,205		$	13,337
		Historical			Fair Value
		Cost Basis
		(in thousands)
	As of December 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,657		$	2,657
	Fixed income investments	6,344			6,355
	Mutual funds and common stocks	2,484			2,561
	Annuities	26			26
	Total	$	11,511		$	11,599

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trust_1

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Components of Care Trusts' Corpus	The components of Care trusts’ corpus as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13				31-Dec-14
	Trust assets, at market value	$	42,342			$	48,670
	Obligations due from trust	(449		)		(528		)
	Care trusts’ corpus	$	41,893			$	48,142
Cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds	The cost and market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2013 are detailed below (in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	973			$	—			$	—			$	973
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	2		2,062				87				(2		)		2,147
	Corporate debt	2		19,773				236				(691		)		19,318
	Preferred stock	2		10,668				110				(165		)		10,613
	Common stock	1		7,539				1,417				(178		)		8,778
	Trust securities			$	41,015			$	1,850			$	(1,036	)		$	41,829
	Accrued investment income			$	513											$	513
	Cemetery perpetual care investments															$	42,342
	Market value as a percentage of cost															102		%
	The following table reflects the cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market Value
								Gains				Losses
	Cash and money market accounts	1		$	3,206			$	—			$	—			$	3,206
	Fixed income securities:
	Municipal bonds	2		229				5				—				234
	Foreign debt	2		3,871				—				(156		)		3,715
	Corporate debt	2		19,911				248				(1,428		)		18,731
	Preferred stock	2		12,694				137				(214		)		12,617
	Common stock	1		8,747				1,568				(653		)		9,662
	Trust securities			$	48,658			$	1,958			$	(2,451	)		$	48,165
	Accrued investment income			$	505											$	505
	Cemetery perpetual care investments															$	48,670
	Market value as a percentage of cost															99		%
Estimated maturities of fixed perpetual care trust income securities	The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands):
	Due in one year or less	$	—
	Due in one to five years	3,801
	Due in five to ten years	4,980
	Thereafter	26,516
	Total fixed income securities	$	35,297
Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in interest income and other, net	Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Year ended December 31,
		2012				2013				2014
	Realized gains	$	5,664			$	2,172			$	3,468
	Realized losses	(1,707		)		(542		)		(1,748		)
	Increase in Care trusts’ corpus	(3,957		)		(1,630		)		(1,720		)
	Total	$	—			$	—			$	—
Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in cemetery revenue	Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Year ended December 31,
		2012				2013				2014
	Investment income	$	5,612			$	4,063			$	4,713
	Realized gains, net	1,200				1,511				1,112
	Total	$	6,812			$	5,574			$	5,825
Purchases and sales of investments in perpetual care trusts	Purchases and sales of investments in the perpetual care trusts were as follows (in thousands):
		Year ended December 31,
		2012				2013				2014
	Purchases	$	(82,793	)		$	(27,719	)		$	(38,413	)
	Sales	83,060				28,261				35,402
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Schedule of unrealized loss position, fair value	Our perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following tables (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	$	3,716			$	(156	)		$	—			$	—			$	3,716	$	(156	)
	Corporate debt	11,893				(513		)		1,328				(915		)		13,221		(1,428		)
	Preferred stock	6,821				(191		)		2,133				(23		)		8,954		(214		)
	Common stock	4,663				(616		)		44				(37		)		4,707		(653		)
	Total temporary impaired securities	$	27,093			$	(1,476	)		$	3,505			$	(975	)		$	30,598	$	(2,451	)
		31-Dec-13
		In Loss Position Less than 12 months								In Loss Position Greater than 12 months								Total
		Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value				Unrealized Losses				Fair market value		Unrealized Losses
	Fixed income securities:
	Foreign debt	$	478			$	(2	)		$	—			$	—			$	478	$	(2	)
	Corporate debt	6,948				(332		)		462				(359		)		7,410		(691		)
	Preferred stock	5,811				(165		)		—				—				5,811		(165		)
	Common stock	716				(114		)		470				(64		)		1,186		(178		)
	Total temporary impaired securities	$	13,953			$	(613	)		$	932			$	(423	)		$	14,885	$	(1,036	)

Deferred_Charges_and_Other_Non1

Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure	Deferred charges and other non-current assets at December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13		31-Dec-14
	Prepaid agreements not to compete, net of accumulated amortization of $4,807 and $5,105, respectively	$	1,299	$	1,159
	Deferred loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,252 and $2,809, respectively	2,602		1,870
	Convertible junior subordinated debentures origination costs, net of accumulated amortization of $1,095	2,949		—
	Convertible subordinated notes issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $375	—		3,252
	Tradenames	5,430		7,660
	Other	—		323
	Deferred charges and other non-current assets	$	12,280	$	14,264

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ta

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	The aggregate maturities of our long-term debt for the next five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	9,630
	2016	11,137
	2017	12,632
	2018	14,240
	2019	114,041
	2020 and thereafter	337
		$	162,017
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Our senior long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2014 (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13			31-Dec-14
	Revolving credit facility, secured, floating rate	$	36,900		$	40,500
	Term loan, secured, floating rate	117,000			120,312
	Acquisition debt	1,866			1,205
	Less: current portion	(13,224		)	(9,630		)
	Total long-term debt	$	142,542		$	152,387

Convertible_Subordinated_Notes1

Convertible Subordinated Notes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible Subordinated Notes, Carrying Values of Liability and Equity Components	The carrying values of the liability and equity components of the Notes at December 31, 2014 are reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands):
		31-Dec-14
	Long-term liabilities:
	Principal amount	$	143,750
	Unamortized discount of liability component	(29,208		)
	Carrying value of the liability component	$	114,542
	Equity component carrying value	$	17,973
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	The aggregate maturities of our long-term debt for the next five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	9,630
	2016	11,137
	2017	12,632
	2018	14,240
	2019	114,041
	2020 and thereafter	337
		$	162,017
Convertible subordinated notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	The aggregate maturities of our convertible subordinated notes for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 and thereafter are as follows (in thousands):
			Principal Maturity		Discount Amortization			Present
								Value
	Years ending December 31,
	2015		$	—	$	(3,455	)	$	(3,455	)
	2016		—		(3,867		)	(3,867		)
	2017		—		(4,328		)	(4,328		)
	2018		—		(4,844		)	(4,844		)
	2019		—		(5,422		)	(5,422		)
	2020 and thereafter		143,750		(7,292		)	136,458
			$	143,750	$	(29,208	)	$	114,542

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments For Operating and Capital Leases	At December 31, 2014, future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable lease agreements were as follows:
		Future Minimum  Lease
		Payments
		Operating		Capital
		Leases		Leases
		(in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	4,447	$	476
	2016	3,076		477
	2017	2,801		483
	2018	1,904		421
	2019	1,676		388
	Thereafter	2,589		3,663
	Total future minimum lease payments	$	16,493	$	5,908
	Less: amount representing interest (rates ranging from 7% to 11.5%)			(2,605		)
	Less: current portion of obligations under capital leases			(205		)
	Long-term obligations under capital leases			$	3,098
Other Commitments [Table Text Block]	At December 31, 2014, the maximum estimated future cash commitments under these agreements with remaining commitment terms, and with original terms of more than one year, are as follows:
		Non-Compete		Consulting			Employment		Total
		(in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	1,534	$	1,173		$	2,505	$	5,212
	2016	1,199		835			1,715		3,749
	2017	825		765			1,715		3,305
	2018	552		474			291		1,317
	2019	356		303			—		659
	Thereafter	625		455			—		1,080
		$	5,091	$	4,005		$	6,226	$	15,322

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Tabl

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 consisted of (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013				2014
	Current:
	U. S. federal provision (benefit)	$	3,340		$	(672	)		$	1,188
	State provision (benefit)	(40		)	(522		)		772
	Total current provision (benefit)	$	3,300		$	(1,194	)		$	1,960
	Deferred:
	U. S. federal provision	$	3,885		$	8,708			$	5,117
	State provision (benefit)	(391		)	1,731				178
	Total deferred provision	$	3,494		$	10,439			$	5,295
	Total income tax provision	$	6,794		$	9,245			$	7,255
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	A reconciliation of taxes from continuing operations calculated at the U.S. federal statutory rate to those reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012						2013							2014
		Amount			Percent			Amount				Percent			Amount			Percent
	Federal statutory rate	$	5,818		34		%	$	8,284			34		%	$	7,719		34		%
	Effect of state income taxes, net of federal benefit	616			3.6			1,462				6			831			3.7
	Effect of non-deductible expenses and other, net	1,266			7.4			(633		)		(2.6	)		583			2.6
	Change in valuation allowance	(906		)	(5.3	)		132				0.5			(138		)	(0.6	)
	Reduction for tax year 2011 federal audit	—			—			—				—			(1,740		)	(7.7	)
	Total	$	6,794		39.7		%	$	9,245			37.9		%	$	7,255		32		%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The tax effects of temporary differences from total operations that give rise to significant deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2014
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	6,404		$	2,735
	Tax credit carryforwards	788			127
	State bonus depreciation	1,254			1,513
	Accrued liabilities and other	6,892			9,115
	Amortization of non-compete agreements	674			815
	Preneed liabilities, net	11,654			9,935
	Total deferred income tax assets	27,666			24,240
	Less valuation allowance	(468		)	(330		)
	Total deferred income tax assets	$	27,198		$	23,910
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Amortization and depreciation	$	(34,887	)	$	(43,441	)
	Convertible subordinated notes due 2021	—			(11,685		)
	Prepaids and other	(1,447		)	(1,448		)
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	(36,334		)	(56,574		)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(9,136	)	$	(32,664	)
	Current deferred tax asset	$	2,779		$	3,750
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(11,915		)	(36,414		)
	Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(9,136	)	$	(32,664	)
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013				2014
	Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of year	$	7,617		$	7,747			$	7,832
	Reductions based on tax positions related to the prior year	(259		)	(93		)		—
	Reductions for tax year 2011 federal audit	—			—				(7,310		)
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	389			209				—
	Reductions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	—			(31		)		(7		)
	Unrecognized tax benefit at end of year	$	7,747		$	7,832			$	515

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Status of Stock Based Compensation Plans	The status of the Amended and Restated 2006 Plan at December 31, 2014 is as follows (shares in thousands):
		Shares			Shares			Options
		Reserved			Available to			Outstanding
					Issue
	Amended and Restated 2006 Plan	5,000			1,498			1,381
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	A summary of the stock options at December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and changes during the three years ended         December 31, 2014 is presented in the table and narrative below (shares in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012							2013							2014
		Shares			Wtd. Avg.				Shares			Wtd. Avg.				Shares		Wtd. Avg.
					Ex. Price							Ex. Price						Ex. Price
	Outstanding at beginning of period	321			$	5.17			312			$	5.41			766		$	13.03
	Granted	96			$	5.94			563			$	16.73			804		$	20.2
	Exercised	(81	)		$	4.9			(45	)		$	5.33			(68	)	$	5.47
	Canceled or expired	(24	)		$	5.94			(64	)		$	13.82			(121	)	$	18.8
	Outstanding at end of year	312			$	5.41			766			$	13.03			1,381		$	17.07
	Exercisable at end of year	145			$	5.13			192			$	5.36			329		$	10.97
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range	The following table further describes our outstanding stock options at December 31, 2014:
		Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Actual Ranges of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding at 12/31/14			Weighted-Average		Weighted-Average				Number Exercisable at 12/31/14			Weighted-Average
					Remaining		Exercise Price							Exercise Price
					Contractual Life
	$4.78 - $5.94	184,221			6.19		$	5.47			167,900			$	5.43
	$16.73 - $17.21	495,500			8.05		$	16.76			161,499			$	16.73
	$18.86 - $20.49	701,700			4.2		$	20.33			—			$	—
	$4.78 - $20.49	1,381,421			5.84		$	17.07			329,399			$	10.97
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	A summary of the status of unvested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2014, and changes during 2014, is presented below (shares in thousands):
	Unvested stock awards	Shares			Weighted Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested at January 1, 2013	323			$	8.64
	Awards	200			20.42
	Vestings	(172	)		7.46
	Cancellations	(21	)		11.81
	Unvested at December 31, 2014	330			$	16.2
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	—
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts	(335		)
	Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’	335
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	—
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair values of our stock options were calculated using the following weighted average of assumptions, based on the methods described above for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014:
		2012			2013			2014
	Dividend yield	1.7	%		0.59	%		0.5	%
	Expected volatility	60.09	%		33.63	%		33.34	%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.25	%		0.41	%		0.99	%
	Expected holding period (years)	3			3.6			3.7
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair values of the right (option) to purchase shares under the ESPP are estimated at the date of purchase with the four quarterly purchase dates using the following assumptions:
		2012			2013			2014
	Dividend yield	1.7	%		0.6	%		0.6	%
	Expected volatility	32	%		41	%		33	%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.02%, 0.06%, 0.09%, 0.12%			0.08%, 0.12%,0.135%, 0.15%			0.07%, 0.09%,0.11%, 0.13%
	Expected life (years)	.25, .50, .75, 1.00			.25, .50, .75, 1.00			.25, .50, .75, 1.00

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator for basic earnings per share:
	Numerator from continuing operations
	Income from continuing operations	$	10,317		$	15,120		$	15,446
	Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock	(361		)	(314		)	(295		)
	Income attributable to continuing operations	$	9,956		$	14,806		$	15,151
	Numerator from discontinued operations
	Income from discontinued operations	$	1,086		$	4,176		$	392
	Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock	—			(85		)	(8		)
	Income attributable to discontinued operations	$	1,086		$	4,091		$	384
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
	Adjustment for diluted earnings per share:
	Interest on convertible junior subordinated debentures, net of tax	$	—		$	3,454		$	—
		$	—		$	3,454		$	—
	Income attributable to continuing operations	$	9,956		$	18,260		$	15,151
	Income attributable to discontinuing operations	$	1,086		$	4,091		$	384
	Denominator
	Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	18,126			17,826			18,108
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	100			175			149
	Convertible junior subordinated debentures	—			4,392			—
	Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	18,226			22,393			18,257
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.57		$	0.83		$	0.84
	Discontinued operations	0.06			0.23			0.02
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.63		$	1.06		$	0.86
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.57		$	0.82		$	0.83
	Discontinued operations	0.06			0.18			0.02
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.63		$	1		$	0.85

Major_Segments_of_Business_Tab

Major Segments of Business (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenue, pre-tax income and total assets by segments	The following table presents external revenues from continuing operations, net income (loss) from continuing operations, total assets, long-lived assets, depreciation and amortization from continuing operations, capital expenditures, number of operating locations, interest expense from continuing operations, and income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations by segment:
		Funeral		Cemetery		Corporate			Consolidated
		(in thousands, except number of operating locations)
	External revenues from continuing operations:
	2014	$	173,735	$	52,389	$	—		$	226,124
	2013	163,082		49,992		—			213,074
	2012	150,803		47,388		—			198,191
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
	2014	$	53,385	$	15,180	$	(45,864	)	$	22,701
	2013	48,206		14,679		(38,520		)	24,365
	2012	46,073		12,895		(41,857		)	17,111
	Total assets:
	2014	$	568,842	$	240,009	$	18,677		$	827,528
	2013	502,525		227,520		16,554			746,599
	2012	481,356		237,897		18,832			738,085
	Long-lived assets:
	2014	$	437,735	$	88,467	$	1,835		$	528,037
	2013	373,173		85,901		2,654			461,728
	2012	355,807		87,687		5,056			448,550
	Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations:
	2014	$	6,841	$	3,704	$	1,378		$	11,923
	2013	6,440		3,739		1,456			11,635
	2012	5,884		3,058		974			9,916
	Capital expenditures:
	2014	$	16,804	$	5,606	$	1,265		$	23,675
	2013	6,436		2,936		1,323			10,695
	2012	5,804		3,401		1,231			10,436
	Number of operating locations at year end:
	2014	164		32		—			196
	2013	161		32		—			193
	2012	167		33		—			200
	Interest expense from continuing operations:
	2014	$	316	$	17	$	9,975		$	10,308
	2013	323		36		12,263			12,622
	2012	308		49		16,731			17,088
	Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations:
	2014	$	17,061	$	4,851	$	(14,657	)	$	7,255
	2013	18,270		5,563		(14,588		)	9,245
	2012	18,291		5,119		(16,616		)	6,794

Supplementary_Information_Tabl

Supplementary Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Income Statement Elements [Abstract]
Supplementary Balance Sheet Disclosures	The detail of certain balance sheet accounts as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 is as follows:
		December 31,
		2013		2014
		(in thousands)
	Other Current Assets:
	Deferred taxes	$	2,779	$	3,750
	Income tax receivables	593		3,293
	Other current assets	153		101
	Total other current assets	$	3,525	$	7,144
	Other Liabilities:
	Liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions	$	7,832	$	—
	Other liabilities	2,107		1,437
	Total other liabilities	$	9,939	$	1,437
	Accrued Liabilities:
	Accrued salaries and wages	$	1,882	$	2,073
	Accrued incentive compensation	4,654		5,660
	Accrued vacation	1,979		1,978
	Accrued insurance	2,778		2,171
	Accrued interest	—		1,232
	Accrued ad valorem and franchise taxes	383		537
	Other accrued liabilities	1,178		1,552
	Total accrued liabilities	$	12,854	$	15,203
Supplemental Disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Operations
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012		2013		2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenues:
	Goods
	Funeral	$	59,581	$	64,409	$	66,877
	Cemetery	28,826		30,392		32,300
	Total goods	$	88,407	$	94,801	$	99,177
	Services
	Funeral	$	83,627	$	89,442	$	97,375
	Cemetery	9,453		10,087		10,556
	Total services	$	93,080	$	99,529	$	107,931
	Financial revenue
	Preneed funeral commission income	$	1,711	$	1,853	$	2,036
	Preneed funeral trust earnings	5,884		7,378		7,447
	Cemetery trust earnings	7,647		8,095		8,123
	Cemetery finance charges	1,462		1,418		1,410
	Total financial revenue	$	16,704	$	18,744	$	19,016
	Total revenues	$	198,191	$	213,074	$	226,124
	Cost of revenues:
	Goods
	Funeral	$	48,105	$	52,362	$	54,421
	Cemetery	22,118		22,222		23,800
	Total goods	$	70,223	$	74,584	$	78,221
	Services
	Funeral	$	41,550	$	46,030	$	49,357
	Cemetery	6,340		6,543		6,860
	Total services	$	47,890	$	52,573	$	56,217
	Financial expenses
	Preneed funeral commissions	$	1,385	$	1,213	$	1,078
	Trust administration fees	64		227		249
	Total financial expenses	$	1,449	$	1,440	$	1,327
	Total cost of revenues	$	119,562	$	128,597	$	135,765

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	The tables below set forth consolidated operating results by fiscal quarter for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, in thousands, except earnings per share.
		First			Second			Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter		Quarter
	2014
	Revenues	$	55,652		$	56,504		$	54,549	$	59,419
	Gross profit	18,015			17,989			15,077		18,927
	Net income from continuing operations	$	1,631		$	3,883		$	4,565	$	5,367
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	587			(637		)	431		11
	Net income	$	2,218		$	3,246		$	4,996	$	5,378
	Basic earnings per common share:	$	0.12		$	0.18		$	0.27	$	0.29
	Diluted earnings per common share: (a)	$	0.12		$	0.17		$	0.26	$	0.29
	2013
	Revenues	$	57,123		$	53,811		$	49,501	$	52,639
	Gross profit	18,905			16,880			14,100		14,400
	Net income from continuing operations	$	5,404		$	3,576		$	1,908	$	4,232
	Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	(145		)	568			3,986		(233		)
	Preferred stock dividend	(4		)	—			—		—
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	5,255		$	4,144		$	5,894	$	3,999
	Basic earnings per common share:	$	0.29		$	0.23		$	0.32	$	0.22
	Diluted earnings per common share: (a)	$	0.25		$	0.23		$	0.32	$	0.22
	(a) Earnings per share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly per share amounts does not equal the total computed for 2013 due to the application of the if-converted method on our convertible subordinated debentures (TIDES) and for 2014 due to rounding.

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas1

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	The following information is supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012			2013			2014
	Cash paid for interest and financing costs	$	21,518		$	12,248		$	8,894
	Cash paid for taxes	416			655			2,674
	Fair value of stock, stock options and performance awards issued to directors, officers, and certain other employees	4,631			3,822			8,219
	Restricted common stock withheld for payroll taxes	421			1,610			1,305
	Net withdrawals (deposits) from / into preneed funeral trusts	4,341			(3,891		)	(418		)
	Net withdrawals (deposits) from / into preneed cemetery trusts	2,482			(1,324		)	1
	Net withdrawals from perpetual care trusts	3,513			3,091			1,857
	Net increase in preneed receivables	(422		)	(1,331		)	(1,731		)
	Net (deposits) withdrawals of receivables into / from preneed trusts	(3,677		)	709			(1,643		)
	Net change in preneed funeral receivables (decreasing) increasing deferred revenue	(874		)	860			677
	Net change in preneed cemetery receivables increasing (decreasing) deferred revenue	4,594			327			(374		)
	Net (withdrawals) deposits from / into preneed funeral trust accounts (decreasing) increasing deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(4,341		)	3,891			418
	Net (withdrawals) deposits from / into preneed cemetery trust accounts (decreasing) increasing deferred cemetery receipts held in trust	(2,482		)	1,324			(1		)
	Net withdrawals from perpetual care trust accounts decreasing care trusts’ corpus	(4,028		)	(2,949		)	(1,901		)

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	business	acquisitions		segment	funeral_homes
		funeral_homes		states
				cemeteries
				funeral_homes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	$400,000
Number of owned and operated funeral homes (in Funeral Homes)				164
Number of states in which the entity operated funeral homes (in States)				27
Number of owned and operated cemeteries (in Cemetaries)				32
Number of states in which the entity operated cemeteries (in States)				11
Number of business segments				2
Cumulative payments to trigger recognition, percent of contract price				10.00%
Accounts receivable, current		17,950,000		19,264,000	17,950,000
Bad debt				2,877,000	2,005,000	2,589,000
Number Of Institutions To Which Management Services Are Provided				2
The percentage of trust assets in custody of institution receiving trust management services				76.40%
Depreciation				9,200,000	8,800,000	7,600,000
Impairment of long lived assets				0
Deferred tax liability		11,915,000		36,414,000	11,915,000
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive effect of conversion of debt securities				4.4	4.4
Impairments Indentified				0
Convertible junior subordinated debentures due in 2029 to an affiliate		89,770,000		0	89,770,000
Number of businesses acquired	6	1
Number of funeral homes acquired		2
Period during which sale is expected to occur after receipt of buyer letter of intent and commitment for reclassfication from continuing to discontinued operations.				1 year
Number of funeral homes sold					7
Goodwill Impairment, Two Step Test, Market Approach, Percentage				70.00%
Goodwill Impairment, Two Step Test, Income Approach, Percentage				30.00%
Long-term debt, net of current portion		105,642,000		111,887,000	105,642,000
Change to income tax expense (benefit)				1,700,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, decrease to interest on income tax expense				600,000
Impairment of goodwill	1,200,000		1,100,000	1,180,000	100,000	1,100,000
Separate Income Tax Return [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of States in Which Entity Files Separate State Income Tax Returns				17
Combined or unitary income tax return
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of States in Which Entity Files Unitary Tax Returns				11
Funeral
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, current		8,400,000		10,000,000	8,400,000
Accounts receivable, noncurrent		8,100,000		7,400,000	8,100,000
Cemetery
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, current		8,300,000		9,100,000	8,300,000
Accounts receivable, noncurrent		$16,500,000		$18,900,000	$16,500,000
Kentucky
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold				1	1	2
California
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold					1
Ohio
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold				1	1
Kansas
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold					4
Virginia
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of cemeteries sold					1
Florida
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold				2

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ3

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	281,460	$249,317
Less: accumulated depreciation	-95,249	-88,627
Property, plant and equipment, net	186,211	160,690
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	66,957	55,639
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	148,483	132,172
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	15
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	40
Furniture and fixtures | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	5
Furniture and fixtures | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	10
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	3
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	15
Automobiles | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	5
Automobiles | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	7
Furniture, equipment and automobiles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	66,020	$61,506

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta1

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Income from discontinued operations	$392	$4,176	$1,086

Acquisitions_Narrative_Details

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	business	funeral_homes
		acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired	6	1
Number of funeral homes acquired		2
Real estate acquisition			$3,000,000
Business acquisitions, aggregate purchase price		13,700,000		13,700,000
Land acquisition				6,000,000
Tennessee
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes acquired		1
Georgia
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes acquired		1
Service Corporation International (SCI)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired			6
Number of combination funeral homes/cemeteries acquired			1
Number of funeral homes acquired			4
Business combination, purchase price			54,850,000
Increases to tradenames following acquisition			-2,290,000
Current assets			2,126,000
Service Corporation International (SCI) | New Orleans, Louisiana
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of combination funeral homes/cemeteries acquired			4
Service Corporation International (SCI) | Alexandria, Virginia
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes acquired			2
Initial Purchase Price Allocation | Service Corporation International (SCI)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business combination, purchase price			54,850,000
Increases to tradenames following acquisition			-6,208,000
Current assets			$1,998,000

Acquisitions_Fair_Value_of_Ass

Acquisitions (Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Effect of acquisition on current assets [Abstract]
Goodwill	$257,442	$221,087	$218,442
Adjustments
Effect of acquisition on current assets [Abstract]
Current assets	128
Deferred charges and other non-current assets	3,918
Service Corporation International (SCI)
Effect of acquisition on current assets [Abstract]
Current assets	2,126
Property, plant & equipment	16,459
Preneed cemetery trust investments	3,632
Preneed funeral trust investments	45
Goodwill	37,653
Deferred charges and other non-current assets	-2,290
Cemetery perpetual care investments	7,491
Obligations under capital leases	-1,960
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	-1,718
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	-3,632
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	-45
Care trusts' corpus	-7,491
Cash paid	54,850
Service Corporation International (SCI) | Initial Purchase Price Allocation
Effect of acquisition on current assets [Abstract]
Current assets	1,998
Property, plant & equipment	16,457
Preneed cemetery trust investments	3,632
Preneed funeral trust investments	45
Goodwill	33,826
Deferred charges and other non-current assets	-6,208
Cemetery perpetual care investments	7,491
Obligations under capital leases	-1,960
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	-1,679
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	-3,632
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	-45
Care trusts' corpus	-7,491
Cash paid	54,850
Service Corporation International (SCI) | Adjustments
Effect of acquisition on current assets [Abstract]
Current assets	128
Property, plant & equipment	2
Preneed cemetery trust investments	0
Preneed funeral trust investments	0
Goodwill	3,827
Deferred charges and other non-current assets	3,918
Cemetery perpetual care investments	0
Obligations under capital leases	0
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	-39
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	0
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	0
Care trusts' corpus	0
Cash paid	$0

Goodwill_Changes_in_Goodwill_D

Goodwill (Changes in Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, maximum period between step one and step two impairment tests			3 years
Impairment of goodwill	$1,200,000	$1,100,000	$1,180,000	$100,000	$1,100,000
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill at the beginning of year			221,087,000	218,442,000
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions			37,653,000	3,843,000
Changes in previous estimates			101,000	0
Net impairment and write-off related to divestitures			1,197,000	1,198,000
Goodwill at the end of the year			257,442,000	221,087,000	218,442,000
November 2013 acquisition
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, increase (decrease) to previous estimates			($100,000)

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco2

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	funeral_homes	funeral_homes	funeral_homes
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold		7
Florida
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold	2
Ohio
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold	1	1
Kentucky
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold	1	1	2
California
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold		1
Kansas
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of funeral homes sold		4
Virginia
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of cemeteries sold		1

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco3

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations (Assets and Liabilities Associated with the Cemetery and Funeral Home Businesses Held for Sale) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets [Abstract]
Current assets		$30
Preneed cemetery trust investments		2,477
Preneed receivables		31
Property, plant and equipment, net		311
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		695
Total	0	3,544
Liabilities [Abstract]
Current liabilities		10
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue		1,185
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust		2,477
Care trusts corpus		685
Total	$0	$4,357

Assets_Held_for_Sale_and_Disco4

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Assets held for sale and discontinued operations) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Revenues	$817	$4,164	$7,727
Operating income	235	729	2,293
Impairment	-1,180	-100	-1,100
Net gain on disposal	1,594	6,091	610
Income tax provision	-257	-2,544	-717
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$392	$4,176	$1,086

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Comp

Preneed Trust Investments (Components of preneed cemetery trust investments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	$400,000
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	200,000	0
Preneed cemetery trust investments, at market value		70,386,000	74,198,000
Less: allowance for contract cancellation		-2,045,000	-2,226,000
Available-for-sale securities, current		$68,341,000	$71,972,000

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Cost

Preneed Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments) (Details) (Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Preneed cemetery trust investments	$74,198	$70,386
Market value as a percentage of cost	99.00%	102.00%
Cash and money market accounts
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	5,591	1,541
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Market Value	5,591	1,541
Foreign Debt
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	5,874	3,460
Unrealized Gains	0	146
Unrealized Losses	237	3
Fair Market Value	5,637	3,603
Corporate debt
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	30,108	32,958
Unrealized Gains	362	386
Unrealized Losses	2,167	1,150
Fair Market Value	28,303	32,194
Preferred stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	19,154	17,754
Unrealized Gains	199	178
Unrealized Losses	325	273
Fair Market Value	19,028	17,659
Mortgage backed securities
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	1	1
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Market Value	1	1
Common stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	13,128	12,431
Unrealized Gains	2,357	2,362
Unrealized Losses	966	267
Fair Market Value	14,519	14,526
Trust securities
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	74,203	68,145
Unrealized Gains	2,927	3,072
Unrealized Losses	3,695	1,693
Fair Market Value	73,435	69,524
Accrued investment income
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	763	862
Fair Market Value	763	862
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Municipal bonds
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	347
Unrealized Gains	9
Unrealized Losses	0
Fair Market Value	$356

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Pren

Preneed Trust Investments Preneed Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on cemetery merchandise and service trust investments) (Details) (Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	$40,926	$23,041
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-2,215	-1,000
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	5,317	1,474
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	-1,480	-693
Fair market value, Total	46,243	24,515
Unrealized Losses, Total	3,695	1,693
Foreign debt
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	5,629	802
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-237	-3
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	0	0
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	0	0
Fair market value, Total	5,629	802
Unrealized Losses, Total	237	3
Corporate debt
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	18,051	11,561
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-778	-553
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	2,016	769
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	-1,389	-597
Fair market value, Total	20,067	12,330
Unrealized Losses, Total	2,167	1,150
Preferred stock
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	10,342	9,601
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-289	-273
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	3,236	0
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	-36	0
Fair market value, Total	13,578	9,601
Unrealized Losses, Total	325	273
Common stock
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	6,904	1,077
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-911	-171
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	65	705
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	-55	-96
Fair market value, Total	6,969	1,782
Unrealized Losses, Total	$966	$267

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Esti

Preneed Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed preneed cemetery trust income securities) (Details) (Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$0
Due in one to five years	5,740
Due in five to ten years	7,563
Thereafter	40,022
Total	$53,325

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Pren1

Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	$400,000
Investment income		4,713,000	4,063,000	5,612,000
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust		-5,825,000	-5,574,000	-6,812,000
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	200,000		0
Investment income		2,840,000	3,349,000	4,038,000
Realized gains		5,712,000	3,018,000	10,497,000
Realized losses		-2,789,000	-763,000	-3,574,000
Expenses and taxes		-1,716,000	-2,934,000	-2,769,000
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust		($4,047,000)	($2,670,000)	($8,192,000)

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Purc

Preneed Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in preneed cemetery trusts) (Details) (Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Purchases	($53,443)	($46,558)	($126,043)
Sales	$58,022	$47,318	$125,897

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Comp1

Preneed Trust Investments (Components of preneed funeral trust investments) (Details) (Preneed Funeral Trust Investments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Preneed cemetery trust investments, at market value	$100,579	$100,005
Less: allowance for contract cancellation	-2,972	-2,861
Available-for-sale securities, current	$97,607	$97,144

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Pren2

Preneed Trust Investments Preneed Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed preneed funeral trust income securities) (Details) (Preneed Funeral Trust Investments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$549
Due in one to five years	5,389
Due in five to ten years	6,864
Thereafter	33,734
Total	$46,536

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Cost1

Preneed Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments) (Details) (Preneed Funeral Trust Investments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$99,038	$95,367
Unrealized Gains	4,176	5,725
Unrealized Losses	-3,250	-1,766
Fair Market Value	99,964	99,326
Preneed cemetery trust investments, at market value	100,579	100,005
Market value as a percentage of cost	100.90%	104.20%
Cash and money market accounts
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	17,501	14,631
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Market Value	17,501	14,631
U.S. debt
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,037	2,212
Unrealized Gains	32	47
Unrealized Losses	-15	-54
Fair Market Value	2,054	2,205
U.S. agency obligations
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	30	401
Unrealized Gains	0	8
Unrealized Losses	0	-7
Fair Market Value	30	402
Foreign Debt
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	4,653	2,726
Unrealized Gains	0	115
Unrealized Losses	-188	-2
Fair Market Value	4,465	2,839
Corporate debt
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	24,761	27,993
Unrealized Gains	469	375
Unrealized Losses	-1,718	-957
Fair Market Value	23,512	27,411
Preferred stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	16,166	15,949
Unrealized Gains	256	292
Unrealized Losses	-261	-282
Fair Market Value	16,161	15,959
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	309	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains1		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss1		0
Unrealized Gains	8
Unrealized Losses	-3
Fair Market Value	314	1
Common stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	10,544	10,681
Unrealized Gains	1,926	2,092
Unrealized Losses	-783	-237
Fair Market Value	11,687	12,536
Equity Securities
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	14,126	11,632
Unrealized Gains	1,370	2,708
Unrealized Losses	-181	-22
Fair Market Value	15,315	14,318
Fixed Income Securities
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	5,351	5,455
Unrealized Gains	115	88
Unrealized Losses	-72	-179
Fair Market Value	5,394	5,364
Other investments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	3,560	3,686
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Losses	-29	-26
Fair Market Value	3,531	3,660
Accrued investment income
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	615	679
Fair Market Value	$615	$679

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Pren3

Preneed Trust Investments Preneed Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on preneed funeral trust investments) (Details) (Preneed Funeral Trust Investments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	$38,267	$22,303
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	-1,975	-952
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	6,209	3,952
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-1,275	-814
Fair market value, Total	44,476	26,255
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	-3,250	-1,766
U.S. debt
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	500	0
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	836	816
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-15	-54
Fair market value, Total	1,336	816
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	-15	-54
U.S. agency obligations
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months		0
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses		0
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months		211
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses		-7
Fair market value, Total		211
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses		-7
Foreign debt
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	4,471	632
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	-188	-2
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair market value, Total	4,471	632
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	-188	-2
Corporate debt
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	14,310	9,620
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	-617	-460
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	1,598	640
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-1,101	-497
Fair market value, Total	15,908	10,260
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	-1,718	-957
Preferred stock
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	8,300	9,918
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	-232	-282
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	2,597	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-29	0
Fair market value, Total	10,897	9,918
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	-261	-282
Mortgage backed securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	0
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	0
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	51
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-3
Fair market value, Total	51
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	-3
Equity
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	5,594	954
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	-739	-152
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	53	626
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-44	-85
Fair market value, Total	5,647	1,580
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	-783	-237
Equity and other
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	4,204	314
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	-180	-13
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	6	195
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-1	-9
Fair market value, Total	4,210	509
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	-181	-22
Fixed income
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	888	865
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	-19	-43
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	1,026	1,420
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-53	-136
Fair market value, Total	1,914	2,285
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	-72	-179
Other investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	0	0
Available-for-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	42	44
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-29	-26
Fair market value, Total	42	44
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Losses	($29)	($26)

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Pren4

Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	$400,000
Investment income		4,713,000	4,063,000	5,612,000
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust		-5,825,000	-5,574,000	-6,812,000
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value			0		100,000
Investment income		3,065,000	3,190,000	3,952,000
Realized gains		7,184,000	7,957,000	4,406,000
Realized losses		-2,313,000	-5,743,000	-2,536,000
Expenses and taxes		-1,470,000	-1,669,000	-1,550,000
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust		($6,466,000)	($3,735,000)	($4,272,000)

Preneed_Trust_Investments_Purc1

Preneed Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in preneed funeral trusts) (Details) (Preneed Funeral Trust Investments, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Purchases	($57,297)	($38,592)	($72,424)
Sales	$60,352	$39,853	$72,639

Preneed_Cemetery_Receivables_N

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preneed Cemetery Receivables [Abstract]
Term of sales contract for cemetery interment rights, maximum (in years)	5 years
Balance of receivables for preneed cemetery interment rights	$24.50	$21.30
Balance of receivables for preneed cemetery interment related products and services	9.4	8.3
Amount of receivables for preneed cemetery interment rights and related products and services presented in accounts receivables	10.6	9.9
Amount of receivables for preneed cemetery interment rights and related products and services presented in preneed receivables	23.3	19.7
Unearned Finance Charges Included In Receivables	$4.60	$3.80
Past due notifications starting date (in days)	15 days
Accounts receivable allowance percentage on contracts past due 120 days or more (in percent)	100.00%
Number of days past due contractual payments are when they are provided for with a one hundred percent allowance (in Days)	90 days
Percent of total receivables which are 120 days or more past due (in percent)	7.00%

Preneed_Cemetery_Receivables_P

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Preneed cemetery receivables) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	$2,877	$2,005	$2,589
Assets Held for Sale Reclassification	0	-57
Preneed Cemetery Receivables
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,347	1,903
Write-offs and cancellations	-1,172	-1,727
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	1,965	1,228
Ending balance	$2,140	$1,347

Preneed_Cemetery_Receivables_A

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Aging of past due financing receivables) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days Past Due	$1,052	$1,250
61-90 days Past Due	611	563
91-120 days Past Due	366	351
More than 120 days Past Due	2,159	954
Total Past Due	4,188	3,118
Current	29,727	26,518
Total Financing Receivables	33,915	29,636
Recognized Revenue
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days Past Due	756	895
61-90 days Past Due	407	372
91-120 days Past Due	250	266
More than 120 days Past Due	1,439	683
Total Past Due	2,852	2,216
Current	21,394	18,628
Total Financing Receivables	24,246	20,844
Deferred Revenue
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days Past Due	296	355
61-90 days Past Due	204	191
91-120 days Past Due	116	85
More than 120 days Past Due	720	271
Total Past Due	1,336	902
Current	8,333	7,890
Total Financing Receivables	$9,669	$8,792

Receivables_from_Preneed_Trust2

Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Receivables from preneed funeral trust funds) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables From Preneed Trusts [Abstract]
Preneed trust funds, at cost	$13,205	$11,511
Less: allowance for contract cancellation	-396	-345
Receivables from preneed funeral trusts	$12,809	$11,166

Receivables_from_Preneed_Trust3

Receivables from Preneed Trusts Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Composition of Asset Held in Trusts) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Historical Cost Basis
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	$13,205	$11,511
Historical Cost Basis | Cash and Cash Equivalents
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	2,834	2,657
Historical Cost Basis | Fixed Income Investments
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	7,880	6,344
Historical Cost Basis | Mutual Funds And Common Stocks
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	2,467	2,484
Historical Cost Basis | Annuities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	24	26
Fair Value
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	13,337	11,599
Fair Value | Cash and Cash Equivalents
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	2,834	2,657
Fair Value | Fixed Income Investments
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	7,893	6,355
Fair Value | Mutual Funds And Common Stocks
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	2,586	2,561
Fair Value | Annuities
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	$24	$26

Contracts_Secured_by_Insurance1

Contracts Secured by Insurance (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Contracts Secured by Insurance [Abstract]
Preneed funeral contracts secured by insurance	$313	$289.90

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trust_2

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (The Components of Care trusts' corpus) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	$400,000
Care trusts’ corpus		41,893,000	48,142,000
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	100,000	0
Trust assets, at market value		42,342,000	48,670,000
Obligations due from trust		-449,000	-528,000
Care trusts’ corpus		$41,893,000	$48,142,000

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trust_3

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	$400,000
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cemetery perpetual care investments		-42,342,000	-48,670,000
Market value as a percentage of cost		102.00%	99.00%
Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value	100,000	0
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments | Cash and money market accounts | Fair Value, Level 1
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost		973,000	3,206,000
Unrealized Gains		0	0
Unrealized Losses		0	0
Fair Market Value		973,000	3,206,000
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments | Municipal bonds | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost			229,000
Unrealized Gains			5,000
Unrealized Losses			0
Fair Market Value			234,000
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments | Foreign debt | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost		2,062,000	3,871,000
Unrealized Gains		87,000	0
Unrealized Losses		-2,000	-156,000
Fair Market Value		2,147,000	3,715,000
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments | Corporate debt | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost		19,773,000	19,911,000
Unrealized Gains		236,000	248,000
Unrealized Losses		-691,000	-1,428,000
Fair Market Value		19,318,000	18,731,000
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments | Preferred stock | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost		10,668,000	12,694,000
Unrealized Gains		110,000	137,000
Unrealized Losses		-165,000	-214,000
Fair Market Value		10,613,000	12,617,000
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments | Common stock | Fair Value, Level 1
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost		7,539,000	8,747,000
Unrealized Gains		1,417,000	1,568,000
Unrealized Losses		-178,000	-653,000
Fair Market Value		8,778,000	9,662,000
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments | Trust securities
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost		41,015,000	48,658,000
Unrealized Gains		1,850,000	1,958,000
Unrealized Losses		-1,036,000	-2,451,000
Fair Market Value		41,829,000	48,165,000
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments | Accrued investment income
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost		513,000	505,000
Fair Market Value		$513,000	$505,000

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trust_4

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on perpetual care trust investments) (Details) (Perpetual Care Trust Invesments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	$27,093	$13,953
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-1,476	-613
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	3,505	932
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	-975	-423
Fair market value, Total	30,598	14,885
Unrealized Losses, Total	2,451	1,036
Foreign debt
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	3,716	478
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-156	-2
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	0	0
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	0	0
Fair market value, Total	3,716	478
Unrealized Losses, Total	156	2
Corporate debt
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	11,893	6,948
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-513	-332
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	1,328	462
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	-915	-359
Fair market value, Total	13,221	7,410
Unrealized Losses, Total	1,428	691
Preferred stock
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months		5,811
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months		-165
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months		0
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months		0
Fair market value, Total		5,811
Unrealized Losses, Total		165
Preferred stock
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	6,821
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-191
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	2,133
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	-23
Fair market value, Total	8,954
Unrealized Losses, Total	214
Common stock
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fair market value, In Loss Position Less than12 months	4,663	716
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Less than12 months	-616	-114
Fair market value, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	44	470
Unrealized Losses, In Loss Position Greater than12 months	-37	-64
Fair market value, Total	4,707	1,186
Unrealized Losses, Total	$653	$178

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trust_5

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed perpetual care trust income securities) (Details) (Perpetual Care Trust Invesments, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$0
Due in one to five years	3,801
Due in five to ten years	4,980
Thereafter	26,516
Total	$35,297

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trust_6

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in interest income and other, net) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	($5,825)	($5,574)	($6,812)
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments | Other Interest Income
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Realized gains	-3,468	-2,172	-5,664
Realized losses	-1,748	-542	-1,707
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	($1,720)	($1,630)	($3,957)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trust_7

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Abstract]
Investment income	$4,713	$4,063	$5,612
Realized gains, net	1,112	1,511	1,200
Increase in Care trusts’ corpus	$5,825	$5,574	$6,812

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trust_8

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in perpetual care trusts) (Details) (Perpetual Care Trust Invesments, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Purchases	($38,413)	($27,719)	($82,793)
Sales	$35,402	$28,261	$83,060

Deferred_Charges_and_Other_Non2

Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 19, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Costs and Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]
Loan issuance and origination costs, net of accumulated amortization			$1,870,000	$2,602,000
Accumulated amortization of loan issuance and origination costs			2,809,000	1,252,000
Tradenames			7,660,000	5,430,000
Other			323,000	0
Deferred charges and other non-current assets			14,264,000	12,280,000
Adjustments
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Increases to tradenames following acquisition			-3,918,000
Convertible junior subordinated debenture
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Write off of deferred loan costs	2,900,000
Deferred Costs and Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]
Loan issuance and origination costs, net of accumulated amortization			0	2,949,000
Accumulated amortization of loan issuance and origination costs			0	1,095,000
Convertible subordinated notes
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term		7 years	7 years
Deferred Costs and Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]
Loan issuance and origination costs, net of accumulated amortization			3,252,000	0
Accumulated amortization of loan issuance and origination costs			375,000	0
Noncompete Agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets			348,602	79,207	98,849
Deferred Costs and Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]
Prepaid agreements not to compete, net of accumulated amortization of $4,807 and $5,105, respectively			1,159,000	1,299,000
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets			5,105,000	4,807,000
Noncompete Agreements | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Term of agreements not to compete			1 year
Noncompete Agreements | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Term of agreements not to compete			10 years
Trade Names [Member]
Deferred Costs and Other Noncurrent Assets [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Charges			$2,200,000

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Se

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (Senior long-term debt) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$162,017
Less: current portion	-9,630	-13,224
Total long-term debt	152,387	142,542
Notes payable, other | Acquisition Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	1,205	1,866
Revolving Credit Facility | Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility, Secured, Floating Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	40,500	36,900
Credit Facility, Term Note | Notes payable, other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$120,312	$117,000

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Na

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 14, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 13, 2014	Feb. 27, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity			$325,000,000
Principal amount			162,017,000
Revolving credit facility			40,500,000	36,900,000
Periodic principal payments, term	2 years
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital (in ratio)			2.7
Gain (loss) on write-off of unamortized loan costs		1,000,000
Debt compliance, required minimum fixed charge ratio			1.2
Ratio of earnings to fixed cost obligations (in ratio)			2.74
Before June 29, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt compliance, required maximum leverage ratio			3.75
After June 29, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt compliance, required maximum leverage ratio			3.5
Term Number One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Periodic principal repayment (percent)	7.50%
Term Number Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Periodic principal repayment (percent)	10.00%
Term Number Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Periodic principal repayment (percent)	12.50%
Line of Credit | Prime Rate Option
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate (in percent)			1.50%
Line of Credit | LIBOR Margin Option
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate (in percent)			2.50%
Deferred Purchase Price Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate (in percent)			0.00%
Deferred Purchase Price Notes [Member] | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate (in percent)			7.00%
Deferred purchase price notes payable to sellers of acquired entities, discounted imputed interest rate (in Percent)			9.50%
Debt instrument, term			5 years
Deferred Purchase Price Notes [Member] | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate (in percent)			11.00%
Deferred purchase price notes payable to sellers of acquired entities, discounted imputed interest rate (in Percent)			11.00%
Debt instrument, term			20 years
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity			200,000,000
Line of credit facility, potential increase to borrowing capacity			50,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity					125,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity						150,000,000
Credit Facility, Term Note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity			$125,000,000
Line of credit facility, weighted average interest rate			2.80%

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_Ag

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt (Aggregate Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$9,630
2016	11,137
2017	12,632
2018	14,240
2019	114,041
2020 and thereafter	337
Carrying value of the liability component	$162,017

Convertible_Subordinated_Notes2

Convertible Subordinated Notes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 19, 2014
					component
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount		$162,017,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	15-Mar-21
Payment of debt issuance costs		4,650,000	0	0
Deferred tax liability		1,448,000	1,447,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs		908,000	362,000	685,000
Convertible subordinated notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount		143,750,000
Principal amount					143,750,000
Debt instrument interest rate (in percent)					2.75%
Debt conversion (shares per $1,000)					44.3169
Debt conversion, base amount					1,000
Debt conversion (in dollars per share)					$22.56
Debt redemption price (percent)					100.00%
Payment of debt issuance costs					4,700,000
Debt instrument, term		7 years			7 years
Number of recognition components, convertible debt					2
Deferred tax liability		12,700,000
Long-term debt, fair value		156,000,000
Interest expense		3,100,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs		375,000
Accretion of discount		$2,500,000
Remaining discount amortization period		74 months
Effective interest rate (percent)		6.75%

Convertible_Subordinated_Notes3

Convertible Subordinated Notes Convertible Subordinated Notes (Liability and Equity Components) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$162,017
Unamortized discount of liability component	-29,208
Convertible subordinated notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	143,750
Unamortized discount of liability component	-29,208
Carrying value of the liability component	114,542
Equity component carrying value	$17,973

Convertible_Subordinated_Notes4

Convertible Subordinated Notes (5 Year Maturity For Convertible Subordinated Notes) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Maturity, 2015	$9,630
Principal Maturity, 2016	11,137
Principal Maturity, 2017	12,632
Principal Maturity, 2018	14,240
Principal Maturity, 2019	114,041
Principal Maturity, 2020 and thereafter	337
Carrying value of the liability component	162,017
Discount Amortization, 2015	-3,455
Discount Amortization, 2016	-3,867
Discount Amortization, 2017	-4,328
Discount Amortization, 2018	-4,844
Discount Amortization, 2019	-5,422
Discount Amortization, 2020 and thereafter	-7,292
Discount Amortization, Total	-29,208
Convertible subordinated notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Maturity, 2015	0
Principal Maturity, 2016	0
Principal Maturity, 2017	0
Principal Maturity, 2018	0
Principal Maturity, 2019	0
Principal Maturity, 2020 and thereafter	143,750
Carrying value of the liability component	143,750
Discount Amortization, Total	-29,208
Present Value, 2015	-3,455
Present Value, 2016	-3,867
Present Value, 2017	-4,328
Present Value, 2018	-4,844
Present Value, 2019	-5,422
Present Value, 2020 and thereafter	136,458
Carrying value of the liability component	$114,542

Convertible_Junior_Subordinate1

Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures Payable to Affiliate and Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible preferred Securities of Carriage Services Capital Trust (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 1999	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 17, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible subordinated notes	$143,750,000	$0	$0
Convertible junior subordinated debentures due in 2029 to an affiliate	0	89,770,000
Convertible preferred securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Rate of accumulation of deferred distributions				7.00%
Carriage Services Capital Trust | Convertible junior subordinated debenture
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate (in percent)				7.00%
Debt instrument, face amount				93,750,000
Convertible junior subordinated debentures due in 2029 to an affiliate	27,900,000	89,770,000
Redemption price (dollars per principal base)						50
Redemption price, principal base						50
Repayments of long-term debt					61,900,000
Repayment of long-term debt, call premium					900,000
Carriage Services Capital Trust | Convertible preferred securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Shares issued (in shares)				1,875,000
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible subordinated notes				90,000,000
Liquidation value per share (in dollars per share)	$50
Equivalent conversion price	$20.44

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 17, 2007	Apr. 30, 2009	Dec. 31, 2010
				plaintiffs	defendants
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Rent expense	$6,441,000	$6,609,000	$5,897,000
Assets aquired under capital leases	3,100,000	1,100,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	5,212,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	3,749,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	3,305,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	1,317,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	659,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due Thereafter	1,080,000
Matching contributions and plan administrative expenses	1,600,000	1,400,000	1,200,000
Cemetery business and accounting services expense	1,900,000	1,900,000	1,100,000
Cemetery Business And Accounting Services Expense Paid	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,600,000
Punative class action | Leatherman versus Grandview Memorial Gardens Inc
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs				5
Number of defendants					2
Number of days to retain new counsel (in days)						60 days
Noncompete Agreements
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	1,534,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	1,199,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	825,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	552,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	356,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due Thereafter	625,000
Consulting Agreement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	1,173,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	835,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	765,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	474,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	303,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due Thereafter	455,000
Employment Agreement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	2,505,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	1,715,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	1,715,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	291,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	0
Agreements, Future Payments, Due Thereafter	$0
Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Term of Contract	1 year
Minimum | Noncompete Agreements
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Term of Contract	1 year
Minimum | Consulting Agreement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Term of Contract	1 year
Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Term of Contract	15 years
Maximum | Noncompete Agreements
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Term of Contract	10 years
Maximum | Consulting Agreement
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Term of Contract	10 years

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2013	$4,447
2014	3,076
2015	2,801
2016	1,904
2017	1,676
Thereafter	2,589
Total future minimum lease payments	16,493
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2013	476
2014	477
2015	483
2016	421
2017	388
Thereafter	3,663
Total future minimum lease payments	5,908
Less: amount representing interest (rates ranging from 7% to 11.5%)	-2,605
Less: current portion of obligations under capital leases	-205
Long-term obligations under capital leases	$3,098	$3,786
Capital Lease Obligations | Minimum
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Future Minimum Lease Payments Interest Rate	7.00%
Capital Lease Obligations | Maximum
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Future Minimum Lease Payments Interest Rate	11.50%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Non-Compete, Consulting and Employment Agreements) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Other Commitment, Due in Next Twelve Months	$5,212
Other Commitment, Due in Second Year	3,749
Other Commitment, Due in Third Year	3,305
Other Commitment, Due in Fourth Year	1,317
Other Commitment, Due in Fifth Year	659
Other Commitment, Due after Fifth Year	1,080
Other Commitment	15,322
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Other Commitment, Due in Next Twelve Months	1,534
Other Commitment, Due in Second Year	1,199
Other Commitment, Due in Third Year	825
Other Commitment, Due in Fourth Year	552
Other Commitment, Due in Fifth Year	356
Other Commitment, Due after Fifth Year	625
Other Commitment	5,091
Consulting Agreement [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Other Commitment, Due in Next Twelve Months	1,173
Other Commitment, Due in Second Year	835
Other Commitment, Due in Third Year	765
Other Commitment, Due in Fourth Year	474
Other Commitment, Due in Fifth Year	303
Other Commitment, Due after Fifth Year	455
Other Commitment	4,005
Employment Agreement [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Other Commitment, Due in Next Twelve Months	2,505
Other Commitment, Due in Second Year	1,715
Other Commitment, Due in Third Year	1,715
Other Commitment, Due in Fourth Year	291
Other Commitment, Due in Fifth Year	0
Other Commitment, Due after Fifth Year	0
Other Commitment	$6,226

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Prov

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Provision of Income Taxes from Continuing Operations) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
U. S. federal provision (benefit)	$1,188	($672)	$3,340
State provision (benefit)	772	-522	-40
Total current provision (benefit)	1,960	-1,194	3,300
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
U. S. federal provision	5,117	8,708	3,885
State provision (benefit)	178	1,731	-391
Total deferred provision	5,295	10,439	3,494
Total income tax provision	$7,255	$9,245	$6,794

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Sche

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory rate	$7,719	$8,284	$5,818
Federal statutory rate (as a percent)	34.00%	34.00%	34.00%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal benefit	831	1,462	616
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal benefit (as a percent)	3.70%	6.00%	3.60%
Effect of non-deductible expenses and other, net	583	-633	1,266
Effectof non-deductible expenses and other, net (as a percent)	2.60%	-2.60%	7.40%
Change in valuation allowance	-138	132	-906
Change in valuation allowance (as a percent)	-0.60%	0.50%	-5.30%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount	-1,740	0	0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Percent	-7.70%	0.00%	0.00%
Income tax expense (benefit) (as a percent)	32.00%	37.90%	39.70%
Total income tax provision	$7,255	$9,245	$6,794

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Defer

Income Taxes (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$2,735	$6,404
Tax credit carryforwards	127	788
State bonus depreciation	1,513	1,254
Accrued liabilities and other	9,115	6,892
Amortization of non-compete agreements	815	674
Preneed liabilities, net	9,935	11,654
Total deferred income tax assets	24,240	27,666
Less valuation allowance	-330	-468
Total deferred income tax assets	23,910	27,198
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Amortization and depreciation	-43,441	-34,887
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Convertible Subordinated Notes	-11,685	0
Prepaids and other	-1,448	-1,447
Total deferred income tax liabilities	-56,574	-36,334
Total net deferred tax liabilities	-32,664	-9,136
Current deferred tax asset	3,750	2,779
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	($36,414)	($11,915)

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Unrec

Income Taxes (Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits	$0	$506
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of year	7,832	7,747	7,617
Reductions based on tax positions related to the prior year	0	-93	-259
Unrecognized tax benefit, reductions for tax year 2011 federal audit	-7,310	0	0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	0	209	389
Reductions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	-7	-31	0
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of year	$515	$7,832	$7,747

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Unrecognized tax benefits, decrease resulting from settlements with taxing authorities	$7,300,000
Increase in income tax benefit	-1,700,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, increase resulting from settlements with taxing authorities	5,600,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, decrease to interest on income tax expense	600,000
Change in valuation allowance	138,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	515,000	7,832,000	7,747,000	7,617,000
State
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	57,100,000
Federal
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income tax deductions	$1,600,000

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde1

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2014	Sep. 30, 2012	21-May-14	Mar. 05, 2012	23-May-12	22-May-12
					dividend						D	director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized under stock based compensation plans														5,000,000	2,850,000
Stock options awarded (in shares)					804,000	563,000	96,000
Grants, weighted average exercise price					$20.20	$16.73	$5.94
Shares purchased through Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)					55,877	76,272	100,620
Weighted average purchase price of ESPP shares purchased during the period (in dollars per share)					$15.50	$11.89	$4.92
Payments for buy back of common stock					$0	$0	$4,531,000
Directors fees approved under new Directors Compensation Policy, other committee members and chairs													2,000
Directors fees approved under new Directors Compensation Policy													1,600
Number of quarterly dividend declarations					4
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.03	$0.03	$0.03	$0.10	$0.10	$0.10
Dividends declared, common stock, amount					1,800,000
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options awarded (in shares)		15,000	6,000	457,700		562,500	96,283
Grants, weighted average exercise price		$18.86	$17	$20.26
Incremental award vesting percentage		25.00%	25.00%	33.33%
Award vesting period (in years)		4 years	4 years	3 years
Stock option, contracted term		6 years	6 years	5 years
Value of stock options granted		100,000	100,000	3,900,000		2,300,000	200,000
Intrinsic value of outstanding stock options	5,365,000				5,365,000
Intrinsic value of exercisable stock options	3,287,000				3,287,000
Total intrinsic value of options exercised					1,000,000	500,000	260,000
Total fair value of stock options vested					752,000	224,000	142,000
Share based compensation expense					1,594,000	797,000	218,000
Unrecognized share based compensation cost	3,400,000				3,400,000
Unrecognized share based compensation, expected term (in years)					2 years
Employee Stock Option | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Contractual term of all options granted					10 years
Employee Stock Option | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Contractual term of all options granted					5 years
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense					260,000	277,000	135,000
Purchase price percentage of grant date price per share (as a percent)					85.00%
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation expense					1,800,000	1,700,000	1,400,000
Unrecognized share based compensation cost	5,300,000				5,300,000
Unrecognized share based compensation, expected term (in years)					2 years 2 months 12 days
Restricted Stock | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)					4 years
Vesting percentage per period					33.33%
Restricted Stock | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)					3 years
Vesting percentage per period					25.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)									4 years
Awards granted					200,000			200,000
Awards granted, aggregate grant date market value									4,100,000
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance-based stock awards, purchase price, variable option, basis spread over common stock market price (in dollars per share)											$0.50
Performance-based stock awards, purchase price, fixed option (in dollars per share)											$9
Performance-based stock awards, vesting requirement, common stock market price (in dollars per share)											$21.50
Performance-based stock awards, vesting requirement, common stock market price, days achieved											3
Performance-based stock awards, vesting requirement, period to achieve common stock market price											30 days
Performance-based stock awards, surrender of awards, base repurchase price (in dollars per share)										$19
Payments for buy back of common stock					16,200,000
Executives | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options awarded (in shares)				300,000
Grants, weighted average exercise price				$20.49
Number of executives				3
New Employee | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options awarded (in shares)			25,000
Grants, weighted average exercise price			$17.21
Board of Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares of common stock issued (in shares)												13,233
Number of directors												3
Directors compensation expense					800,000
Board of Directors | Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payments for buy back of common stock					3,200,000
Audit Committee Chairman
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Director compensation, annual cash retainer													17,500
Compensation And Corporate Governance Committee Chairman
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Director compensation, annual cash retainer													15,000
Board of Directors Chairman
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Director compensation, annual cash retainer													115,000
Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Director compensation, annual cash retainer													40,000
Director compensation, annual equity retainer													$75,000

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde2

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Status of stock based compensation plans) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,381	766	312	321
2006 Amended and Restated Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares Reserved (in shares)	5,000
Shares Available to Issue (in shares)	1,498
Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,381

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde3

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Assumptions using the Black-Scholes option pricing model) (Details) (Employee Stock Option)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield	0.50%	0.60%	1.70%
Expected volatility	33.34%	33.63%	60.09%
Risk-free interest rate	0.99%	0.41%	1.25%
Expected life (years)	3 years 8 months 12 days	3 years 7 months 6 days	3 years

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde4

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Summary of Options) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	766	312	321
Granted (in shares)	804	563	96
Exercised (in shares)	-68	-45	-81
Canceled or expired (in shares)	-121	-64	-24
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)	1,381	766	312
Exercisable at end of year (in shares)	329	192	145
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period	$13.03	$5.41	$5.17
Granted	$20.20	$16.73	$5.94
Exercised	$5.47	$5.33	$4.90
Canceled or expired	$18.80	$13.82	$5.94
Outstanding at end of year	$17.07	$13.03	$5.41
Exercisable at end of year	$10.97	$5.36	$5.13

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde5

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Outstanding stock options) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Range Of Exercise Prices, $4.78-5.94
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$4.78
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$5.94
Number of outstanding options at end of year	184,221
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, options outstanding	6 years 2 months 8 days
Weighted average exercise price, options outstanding	$5.47
Number of exercisable options at end of year	167,900
Weighted average exercise price, options exercisable	$5.43
Range Of Exercise Prices, $16.73-17.21
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$16.73
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$17.21
Number of outstanding options at end of year	495,500
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, options outstanding	8 years 18 days
Weighted average exercise price, options outstanding	$16.76
Number of exercisable options at end of year	161,499
Weighted average exercise price, options exercisable	$16.73
Range of Exercise Prices, $18.86-20.49
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$18.86
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$20.49
Number of outstanding options at end of year	701,700
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, options outstanding	4 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted average exercise price, options outstanding	$20.33
Number of exercisable options at end of year	0
Weighted average exercise price, options exercisable	$0
Range of Exercise Prices, $4.78-20.49
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$4.78
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$20.49
Number of outstanding options at end of year	1,381,421
Weighted-average remaining contractual life, options outstanding	5 years 10 months 2 days
Weighted average exercise price, options outstanding	$17.07
Number of exercisable options at end of year	329,399
Weighted average exercise price, options exercisable	$10.97

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde6

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Four quarterly assumptions for fair value of the right (option) to purchase shares under ESPP) (Details) (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Dividend yield

0.60%

0.60%

1.70%

Expected volatility

33.00%

41.00%

32.00%

Risk-free interest rate

0.13%

0.11%

0.09%

0.07%

0.15%

0.14%

0.12%

0.08%

0.12%

0.09%

0.06%

0.02%

Expected life (years)

1 year

9 months

6 months

3 months

1 year

9 months

6 months

3 months

1 year

9 months

6 months

3 months

Stockholders_Equity_Stockholde7

Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (Summary of unvested restricted stock awards) (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Unvested at beginning of year (in shares)		323,000
Awards (in shares)	200,000	200,000
Vestings (in shares)		-172,000
Cancellations (in shares)		-21,000
Unvested at end of year (in shares)		330,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Unvested at beginning of year		$8.64
Awards		$20.42
Vestings		$7.46
Cancellations		$11.81
Unvested at beginning of year		$16.20

Stockholders_Equity_Accumulate

Stockholders' Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Balance at December 31, 2013	$0
Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts	-335
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’	335
Balance at December 31, 2014	$0

Share_Repurchase_Program_Narra

Share Repurchase Program (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	31-May-12	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]
Stock repurchase program, increase to authorized amount	$3
Stock repurchase program total authorized amount	8
Number of shares of common stock repurchased by the company (in shares)	812,800	0
Aggregate cost of common stock repurchased by the company	$5.30

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe1

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	$5,367,000	$4,232,000	$4,565,000	$3,883,000	$1,631,000	$1,908,000	$3,576,000	$5,404,000	$15,446,000	$15,120,000	$10,317,000
Earnings Allocated to Unvested Restricted Stock									-295,000	-314,000	-361,000
Income from Continuing Operations Less Earnings Allocated to Unvested Restricted Stock									15,151,000	14,806,000	9,956,000
Income from discontinued operations									392,000	4,176,000	1,086,000
Income attributable to discontinued operations									-8,000	-85,000	0
Income From Discontinued Operations Less Earnings Allocated to Unvested Restricted Stock									384,000	4,091,000	1,086,000
Discontinued operations									$0	$3,454,000	$0
Adjustment for diluted earnings per share:									0	3,454,000	0
Income Attributable to Continuing Operations Diluted									15,151,000	18,260,000	9,956,000
Income Attributable to Discontinuing Operations Diluted									384,000	4,091,000	1,086,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									18,108	17,826	18,126
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units									$149,000	$175,000	$100,000
Effect of Dilutive Securities, Convertible Junior Subordinating Debentures									0	4,392	0
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding for diluted EPS computation									18,257	22,393	18,226
Basic earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations									$0.84	$0.83	$0.57
Discontinued operations									$0.02	$0.23	$0.06
Basic earnings per common share	$0.29	$0.22	$0.27	$0.18	$0.12	$0.32	$0.23	$0.29	$0.86	$1.06	$0.63
Diluted earnings per common share:
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations									$0.83	$0.82	$0.57
Discontinued operations									$0.02	$0.18	$0.06
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.29	$0.22	$0.26	$0.17	$0.12	$0.32	$0.23	$0.25	$0.85	$1	$0.63

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe2

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive effect of conversion of debt securities	4,400,000	4,400,000
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0	500,000

Major_Segments_of_Business_Rev

Major Segments of Business (Revenue, pre-tax income and total assets by segments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
									locations	locations	locations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$59,419	$52,639	$54,549	$56,504	$55,652	$49,501	$53,811	$57,123	$226,124	$213,074	$198,191
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									22,701	24,365	17,111
Total assets	746,599	738,085							827,528	746,599	738,085
Long-lived assets	461,728	448,550							528,037	461,728	448,550
Depreciation and amortization									11,923	11,635	9,916
Capital expenditures									23,675	10,695	10,436
Number of operating locations at year end									196	193	200
Interest expense									10,308	12,622	17,088
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations									7,255	9,245	6,794
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									173,735	163,082	150,803
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									53,385	48,206	46,073
Total assets	502,525	481,356							568,842	502,525	481,356
Long-lived assets	373,173	355,807							437,735	373,173	355,807
Depreciation and amortization									6,841	6,440	5,884
Capital expenditures									16,804	6,436	5,804
Number of operating locations at year end									164	161	167
Interest expense									316	323	308
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations									17,061	18,270	18,291
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									52,389	49,992	47,388
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									15,180	14,679	12,895
Total assets	227,520	237,897							240,009	227,520	237,897
Long-lived assets	85,901	87,687							88,467	85,901	87,687
Depreciation and amortization									3,704	3,739	3,058
Capital expenditures									5,606	2,936	3,401
Number of operating locations at year end									32	32	33
Interest expense									17	36	49
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations									4,851	5,563	5,119
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									-45,864	-38,520	-41,857
Total assets	16,554	18,832							18,677	16,554	18,832
Long-lived assets	2,654	5,056							1,835	2,654	5,056
Depreciation and amortization									1,378	1,456	974
Capital expenditures									1,265	1,323	1,231
Number of operating locations at year end									0	0	0
Interest expense									9,975	12,263	16,731
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations									($14,657)	($14,588)	($16,616)

Supplementary_Information_Supp

Supplementary Information Supplementary Information (Balance Sheet Disclosures) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Assets:
Deferred taxes	$3,750	$2,779
Income Taxes Receivable, Current	3,293	593
Other current assets	101	153
Total other current assets	7,144	3,525
Other Liabilities:
Liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions	0	7,832
Other liabilities	1,437	2,107
Total other liabilities	1,437	9,939
Accrued Liabilities:
Accrued salaries and wages	2,073	1,882
Accrued incentive compensation	5,660	4,654
Accrued vacation	1,978	1,979
Accrued insurance	2,171	2,778
Accrued interest	1,232	0
Accrued ad valorem and franchise taxes	537	383
Other accrued liabilities	1,552	1,178
Total accrued liabilities	$15,203	$12,854

Supplementary_Information_Supp1

Supplementary Information (Supplemental Disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$59,419	$52,639	$54,549	$56,504	$55,652	$49,501	$53,811	$57,123	$226,124	$213,074	$198,191
Cost of Revenue									156,116	148,789	136,964
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									173,735	163,082	150,803
Cost of Revenue									104,913	99,657	91,055
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									52,389	49,992	47,388
Cost of Revenue									30,852	28,940	28,507
Funeral And Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost of Revenue									135,765	128,597	119,562
Goods Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									99,177	94,801	88,407
Cost of Revenue									78,221	74,584	70,223
Goods Revenue | Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									66,877	64,409	59,581
Cost of Revenue									54,421	52,362	48,105
Goods Revenue | Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									32,300	30,392	28,826
Cost of Revenue									23,800	22,222	22,118
Service Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									107,931	99,529	93,080
Cost of Revenue									56,217	52,573	47,890
Service Revenue | Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									97,375	89,442	83,627
Cost of Revenue									49,357	46,030	41,550
Service Revenue | Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									10,556	10,087	9,453
Cost of Revenue									6,860	6,543	6,340
Financial Revenue
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									19,016	18,744	16,704
Cost of Revenue									1,327	1,440	1,449
Financial Revenue | Trust
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Cost of Revenue									249	227	64
Financial Revenue | Funeral | Preneed Commission
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									2,036	1,853	1,711
Cost of Revenue									1,078	1,213	1,385
Financial Revenue | Funeral | Preneed Trust
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									7,447	7,378	5,884
Financial Revenue | Cemetery | Trust
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									8,123	8,095	7,647
Financial Revenue | Cemetery | Finance Charges
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									$1,410	$1,418	$1,462

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$59,419	$52,639	$54,549	$56,504	$55,652	$49,501	$53,811	$57,123	$226,124	$213,074	$198,191
Gross profit	18,927	14,400	15,077	17,989	18,015	14,100	16,880	18,905	70,008	64,285	61,227
Net income from continuing operations	5,367	4,232	4,565	3,883	1,631	1,908	3,576	5,404	15,446	15,120	10,317
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	11	-233	431	-637	587	3,986	568	-145	392	4,176	1,086
Preferred stock dividend		0				0	0	-4	0	-4	-14
Net income	$5,378	$3,999	$4,996	$3,246	$2,218	$5,894	$4,144	$5,255	$15,838	$19,292	$11,389
Basic earnings per common share:	$0.29	$0.22	$0.27	$0.18	$0.12	$0.32	$0.23	$0.29	$0.86	$1.06	$0.63
Diluted earnings per common share: (a)	$0.29	$0.22	$0.26	$0.17	$0.12	$0.32	$0.23	$0.25	$0.85	$1	$0.63

Supplemental_Disclosure_of_Cas2

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Segment [Line Items]
Cash paid for interest and financing costs	$8,894	$12,248	$21,518
Cash paid for taxes	2,674	655	416
Fair value of stock, stock options and performance awards issued to directors, officers, and certain other employees	8,219	3,822	4,631
Restricted common stock withheld for payroll taxes	1,305	1,610	421
Preneed Funeral Trust
Business Segment [Line Items]
Net deposits or withdrawals into or from preneed trust accounts	-418	-3,891	4,341
Net (deposits) withdrawals of receivables into / from preneed trusts	-1,643	709	-3,677
Net deposits or withdrawals into or from preneed trust accounts, increasing or decreasing deferred preneed receipts	418	3,891	-4,341
Preneed Cemetery Trust
Business Segment [Line Items]
Net deposits or withdrawals into or from preneed trust accounts	1	-1,324	2,482
Net deposits or withdrawals into or from preneed trust accounts, increasing or decreasing deferred preneed receipts	-1	1,324	-2,482
Perpetual Care Trust
Business Segment [Line Items]
Net deposits or withdrawals into or from preneed trust accounts	1,857	3,091	3,513
Net withdrawals from perpetual care trust accounts decreasing care trusts’ corpus	-1,901	-2,949	-4,028
Preneed Funeral Receivables
Business Segment [Line Items]
Net increase or decrease in preneed receivables	-1,731	-1,331	-422
Net change in preneed receivables increasing or decreasing deferred revenue	677	860	-874
Preneed Cemetery Receivables
Business Segment [Line Items]
Net change in preneed receivables increasing or decreasing deferred revenue	($374)	$327	$4,594

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E1

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) (Clarksville, Tennessee, Subsequent Event, USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 24, 2015	Feb. 24, 2015
		installment
Clarksville, Tennessee | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business combination, purchase price	$9,800,000	$9,800,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	4,300,000
Number of quarterly installments	20	20
Business Acquisition, Installment Payments, Amount	300,000
Business Acquisition, Installment Payments, Present Value	$4,400,000	$4,400,000

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for bad debts, current portion
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$847	$1,177	$928
Charged to costs and expenses	1,705	1,225	1,614
Deduction	1,425	1,555	1,365
Balance at end of year	1,127	847	1,177
Allowance for preneed bad debts, contract cancellations and receivables from preneed trusts, non-current portion
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	1,825	2,059	1,728
Charged to costs and expenses	1,284	768	903
Deduction	770	1,002	572
Balance at end of year	2,339	1,825	2,059
Employee severance accruals
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	249	158	157
Charged to costs and expenses	681	755	486
Deduction	714	664	485
Balance at end of year	216	249	158
Litigation reserves
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	17	108	1,026
Charged to costs and expenses	0	0	0
Deduction	14	91	918
Balance at end of year	3	17	108
Valuation allowance of the deferred tax asset
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	468	317	1,335
Charged to costs and expenses	0	227	0
Deduction	138	76	1,018
Balance at end of year	$330	$468	$317