Carriage Services (CSV) 10-Q 4 Aug 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CARRIAGE SERVICES INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,016,281
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,399,326

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 558	$ 413
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts of $1,127 in 2014 and $902 in 2015	16,909	19,264
Inventories	5,502	5,294
Prepaid expenses	3,451	4,590
Other current assets	2,539	7,144
Total current assets	28,959	36,705
Preneed cemetery trust investments	71,894	71,972
Preneed funeral trust investments	96,002	97,607
Preneed receivables, net of allowance for bad debts of $2,339 in 2014 and $1,915 in 2015	26,448	26,284
Receivables from preneed trusts, net of allowance for contract cancellations of $396 in 2014 and $400 in 2015	12,939	12,809
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $95,249 in 2014 and $98,730 in 2015	205,332	186,211
Cemetery property, net of accumulated amortization of $26,875 in 2014 and $28,500 in 2015	75,516	75,564
Goodwill	261,291	257,442
Deferred charges and other non-current assets	14,899	14,264
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	48,620	48,670
Total assets	841,900	827,528
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	10,705	9,838
Accounts payable	6,639	6,472
Other liabilities	3,698	1,437
Accrued liabilities	12,942	15,203
Total current liabilities	33,984	32,950
Long-term debt, net of current portion	110,571	111,887
Revolving credit facility	46,400	40,500
Convertible subordinated notes due 2021	116,220	114,542
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion	2,989	3,098
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	56,298	56,875
Deferred preneed funeral revenue	31,028	31,265
Deferred tax liability	36,353	36,414
Other long-term liabilities	3,601	2,401
Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	71,894	71,972
Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	96,002	97,607
Care trusts’ corpus	48,154	48,142
Total liabilities	$ 653,494	$ 647,653
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized and 22,434,000 and 22,449,000 shares issued at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015, respectively	$ 224	$ 224
Additional paid-in capital	213,024	212,386
Accumulated deficit	(6,493)	(17,468)
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,922,000 and 4,047,000 shares at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015, respectively	(18,349)	(15,267)
Total stockholders’ equity	188,406	179,875
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 841,900	$ 827,528

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for bad debts	$ 902	$ 1,127
Preneed receivables, allowance for bad debts	1,915	2,339
Preneed trust receivables, allowance for contract cancellations	400	396
Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment	98,730	95,249
Cemetery property, accumulated amortization	$ 28,500	$ 26,875
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	22,449,000	22,434,000
Treasury stock, shares	4,047,000	3,922,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 59,261	$ 56,504	$ 122,514	$ 112,157
Field costs and expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	2,993	2,675	5,795	5,090
Regional and unallocated funeral and cemetery costs	2,311	1,693	4,836	4,073
Total field costs and expenses	41,013	38,515	82,057	76,152
Gross profit	18,248	17,989	40,457	36,005
Corporate costs and expenses:
General and administrative costs and expenses	6,886	6,847	14,056	16,182
Home office depreciation and amortization	372	354	892	695
Total corporate costs and expenses	7,258	7,201	14,948	16,877
Operating income	10,990	10,788	25,509	19,128
Interest expense	(2,479)	(2,686)	(5,148)	(5,531)
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	(851)	(694)	(1,678)	(865)
Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt And Other Costs	0	(1,042)	0	(1,042)
Loss on redemption of convertible junior subordinated debentures	0	0	0	(3,779)
Other Income	0	0	0	1,130
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	7,660	6,366	18,683	9,041
Provision for income taxes	(3,103)	(2,483)	(7,708)	(3,526)
Net income from continuing operations	4,557	3,883	10,975	5,515
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(637)	0	(51)
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 4,557	$ 3,246	$ 10,975	$ 5,464
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per Share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.21	$ 0.59	$ 0.30
Discontinued operations (in dollars per Share)	0	(0.03)	0	0
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per Share)	0.25	0.18	0.59	0.30
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per Share)	0.24	0.21	0.57	0.30
Discontinued operations (in dollars per Share)	0	(0.04)	0	(0.01)
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per Share)	0.24	0.17	0.57	0.29
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per Share)	$ 0.025	$ 0.025	$ 0.050	$ 0.050
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic (in Shares)	18,268	18,123	18,238	18,054
Diluted (in Shares)	18,880	18,247	18,844	18,195
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 44,501	$ 42,192	$ 94,638	$ 86,157
Field costs and expenses:
Total field costs and expenses	27,263	26,093	55,678	51,976
Corporate costs and expenses:
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	13,401	13,068	31,199	27,390
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	14,760	14,312	27,876	26,000
Field costs and expenses:
Total field costs and expenses	8,446	8,054	15,748	15,013
Corporate costs and expenses:
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 4,454	$ 4,582	$ 8,501	$ 7,886

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 10,975	$ 5,464
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sale of businesses and purchase of other assets	0	(2,039)
Impairment of goodwill	0	1,180
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	1,042
Depreciation and amortization	6,687	5,801
Amortization of deferred financing costs	460	456
Accretion of discount on convertible subordinated notes	1,678	865
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	833	1,338
Stock-based compensation expense	2,376	2,782
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	1,452	(1,884)
Loss on redemption of convertible junior subordinated debentures	0	2,932
Other	0	(8)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided (required) cash:
Accounts and preneed receivables	1,358	(1,783)
Inventories and other current assets	4,062	818
Deferred charges and other	117	(174)
Preneed funeral and cemetery trust investments	1,603	(10,057)
Accounts payable	167	(871)
Accrued and other liabilities	(953)	(2,117)
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenue	(814)	345
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	(1,671)	9,229
Net cash provided by operating activities	28,330	13,319
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions and land for new construction	(4,250)	(54,850)
Purchase of Land and Buildings Previously Leased	(6,080)	(4,100)
Net proceeds from the sale of businesses and other assets	0	200
Capital expenditures	(15,285)	(5,593)
Net cash used in investing activities	(25,615)	(64,343)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings on the revolving credit facility	5,900	5,500
Net borrowings (payments) on the term loan	(4,688)	8,000
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible subordinated notes	0	143,750
Payment of debt issuance costs related to the convertible subordinated notes	0	(4,650)
Payments on other long-term debt and obligations under capital leases	(401)	(542)
Redemption of convertible junior subordinated debentures	0	(89,748)
Payments for performance-based stock awards	0	(16,150)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan contributions	410	863
Dividends on common stock	(925)	(917)
Payment of loan origination costs related to the credit facility	(13)	(797)
Purchase of treasury stock	(3,082)	0
Excess tax benefit of equity compensation	229	5,069
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,570)	50,378
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	145	$ (646)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	413
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 558

Basis of Presentation and Summa

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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. As of June 30, 2015 , we operated 166 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 sales businesses that provide interment rights (grave sites and mausoleums) and related merchandise, such as markers and memorials. Principles of Consolidation and Interim Condensed Disclosures Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments which consist of normal, recurring accruals that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations as of and for the interim periods presented. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting principles described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows. 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. 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 $10.0 million and $7.3 million of funeral receivables at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 , respectively, and $9.1 million and $9.4 million of cemetery receivables at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 , respectively. For 2014 and 2015, accounts receivable also included minor amounts of other receivables. Non-current preneed receivables represented the payments expected to be received beyond one year from the balance sheet date. Non-current preneed receivables consisted of approximately $7.4 million and $7.2 million of funeral receivables at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 , respectively, and $18.9 million and $19.3 million of cemetery receivables at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 , respectively. Bad debt expense totaled approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively, and $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 . 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. Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 : December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 (in thousands) Land $ 66,957 $ 71,256 Buildings and improvements 148,483 164,705 Furniture, equipment and automobiles 66,020 68,101 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 281,460 304,062 Less: accumulated depreciation (95,249 ) (98,730 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 186,211 $ 205,332 We recorded depreciation expense of approximately $2.3 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively, and $4.5 million and $5.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively. During the second quarter of 2015, we completed the construction of a new funeral home in College Station, Texas. This funeral home began operating in May 2015. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2015, we purchased two of our funeral homes which we had previously leased for approximately $5.5 million . Discontinued Operations Effective January 1, 2015, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB”) new guidance for reporting discontinued operations. In April 2014, the FASB amended the definition of “discontinued operations” to include 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 guidance also requires the disclosure of pre-tax income of disposals that do not qualify as 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 the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , there were no divestitures of our funeral or cemetery businesses. Subsequent Events Management evaluated events and transactions during the period subsequent to June 30, 2015 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 Stan

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs . To simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs, the amendments in this ASU require that entities that have historically presented debt issuance costs as an asset, related to a recognized debt liability, will be required to present those costs as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the related debt liability. This presentation will result in debt issuance costs being presented in the same way debt discounts have historically been handled. This ASU does not change the recognition, measurement or subsequent measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The new guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Upon transition, an entity is required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. These disclosures include the nature and reason for the change in accounting principle, the transition method, a description of the prior-period information that has been retrospectively adjusted, and the effect of the change on debt issuance costs asset and the debt liability. Our adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements. We plan to adopt the provisions of this ASU for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016. 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 may also 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 is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements. We plan to adopt these provisions for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016. 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 guidance was effective for the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Entities can still adopt the amendments as of the original effective date. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this new accounting standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill

Goodwill	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL	. GOODWILL Many of the former owners and staff of acquired funeral homes 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. The following table presents the changes in goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets during the six months ended June 30, 2015 (in thousands): Goodwill as of December 31, 2014 $ 257,442 Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions 3,849 Goodwill as of June 30, 2015 $ 261,291 The $3.8 million increase in goodwill related to acquisitions represents the goodwill recorded in connection with the funeral home acquired in February 2015.

Preneed Trust Investments

Preneed Trust Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Preneed Trust Investments [Abstract]
PRENEED TRUST INVESTMENTS	. PRENEED TRUST INVESTMENT 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, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Preneed cemetery trust investments, at fair value $ 74,198 $ 74,144 Less: allowance for contract cancellation (2,226 ) (2,250 ) Preneed cemetery trust investments, net $ 71,972 $ 71,894 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 may be 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 June 30, 2015 , 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 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, 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 three and six months ended June 30, 2015 . There are no Level 3 investments in the preneed cemetery trust investment portfolio. See Note 8 for further information of the fair value measurement and the three-level hierarchy. The cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at June 30, 2015 are detailed below (in thousands): Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Cash and money market accounts 1 $ 7,339 $ — $ — $ 7,339 Fixed income securities: Municipal bonds 2 474 — (93 ) 381 Foreign debt 2 5,609 19 (270 ) 5,358 Corporate debt 2 27,123 211 (1,746 ) 25,588 Preferred stock 2 16,771 47 (576 ) 16,242 Common stock 1 17,700 2,262 (1,436 ) 18,526 Trust securities $ 75,016 $ 2,539 $ (4,121 ) $ 73,434 Accrued investment income $ 710 $ 710 Preneed cemetery trust investments $ 74,144 Market value as a percentage of cost 97.9 % The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands): Due in one year or less $ 147 Due in one to five years 6,607 Due in five to ten years 5,725 Thereafter 35,090 Total $ 47,569 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 Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value 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 99.0 % 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. We recorded a $0.2 million impairment in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. We recorded a $0.7 million impairment in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. There is 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 June 30, 2015 , 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 as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , are shown in the following tables (in thousands): June 30, 2015 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: Municipal bonds $ 381 $ (93 ) $ — $ — $ 381 $ (93 ) Foreign debt 3,258 (270 ) — — 3,258 (270 ) Corporate debt 16,980 (948 ) 4,968 (798 ) 21,948 (1,746 ) Preferred stock 10,992 (393 ) 4,362 (183 ) 15,354 (576 ) Common stock 6,273 (1,193 ) 784 (243 ) 7,057 (1,436 ) Total temporary impaired securities $ 37,884 $ (2,897 ) $ 10,114 $ (1,224 ) $ 47,998 $ (4,121 ) December 31, 2014 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 ) Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Investment income $ 889 $ 774 $ 1,432 $ 1,291 Realized gains 1,161 1,316 1,700 1,674 Realized losses (640 ) (92 ) (828 ) (890 ) Expenses and taxes (384 ) (775 ) (942 ) (1,094 ) Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust (1,026 ) (1,223 ) (1,362 ) (981 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed cemetery trusts were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Purchases $ (13,498 ) $ (5,848 ) $ (21,658 ) $ (12,855 ) Sales $ 14,383 $ 7,441 $ 22,921 $ 10,193 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, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Preneed funeral trust investments, at market value $ 100,579 $ 98,972 Less: allowance for contract cancellation (2,972 ) (2,970 ) Preneed funeral trust investments, net $ 97,607 $ 96,002 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 may be 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 June 30, 2015 , 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, municipal bonds, 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. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 . There are no Level 3 investments in the preneed funeral trust investment portfolio. See Note 8 for further information of the fair value measurement and the three-level hierarchy. The cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at June 30, 2015 are detailed below (in thousands): Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Cash and money market accounts 1 $ 20,586 $ — $ — $ 20,586 Fixed income securities: U.S treasury debt 1 2,035 34 (14 ) 2,055 Municipal bonds 2 453 — (89 ) 364 Foreign debt 2 5,302 18 (252 ) 5,068 Corporate debt 2 26,321 263 (1,663 ) 24,921 Preferred stock 2 16,679 129 (547 ) 16,261 Mortgage backed securities 2 284 5 (2 ) 287 Common stock 1 16,479 2,198 (1,308 ) 17,369 Mutual funds: Equity 1 4,926 635 (42 ) 5,519 Fixed income 2 2,281 13 (91 ) 2,203 Other investments 2 3,654 — (31 ) 3,623 Trust securities $ 99,000 $ 3,295 $ (4,039 ) $ 98,256 Accrued investment income $ 716 $ 716 Preneed funeral trust investments $ 98,972 Market value as a percentage of cost 99.2 % The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands): Due in one year or less $ 693 Due in one to five years 7,006 Due in five to ten years 6,170 Thereafter 35,087 Total $ 48,956 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 Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value 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 % 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. We recorded a $0.1 million impairment in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. We recorded a $0.6 million impairment in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. There is 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 June 30, 2015 , 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 June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are shown in the following tables (in thousands): June 30, 2015 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 $ 1 $ — $ 836 $ (14 ) $ 837 $ (14 ) Municipal bonds 364 (89 ) — — 364 (89 ) Foreign debt 3,066 (252 ) — — 3,066 (252 ) Corporate debt 15,896 (863 ) 4,970 (801 ) 20,866 (1,664 ) Preferred stock 10,243 (365 ) 4,329 (182 ) 14,572 (547 ) Mortgage backed securities 104 (1 ) 18 (1 ) 122 (2 ) Mutual funds: Equity 5,545 (1,051 ) 809 (257 ) 6,354 (1,308 ) Equity and other 1,154 (40 ) 33 (1 ) 1,187 (41 ) Fixed income 484 (10 ) 937 (81 ) 1,421 (91 ) Other investments — — 11 (31 ) 11 (31 ) Total temporary impaired securities $ 36,857 $ (2,671 ) $ 11,943 $ (1,368 ) $ 48,800 $ (4,039 ) December 31, 2014 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 ) Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Investment income $ 846 $ 872 $ 1,491 $ 1,428 Realized gains 2,937 2,279 3,431 2,573 Realized losses (538 ) (245 ) (736 ) (870 ) Expenses and taxes (493 ) (574 ) (898 ) (834 ) Increase in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust (2,752 ) (2,332 ) (3,288 ) (2,297 ) $ — $ — $ — $ — Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed funeral trusts were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Purchases $ (22,526 ) $ (5,856 ) $ (29,517 ) $ (11,345 ) Sales $ 22,612 $ 20,435 $ 30,149 $ 22,738

Preneed Cemetery Receivables

Preneed Cemetery Receivables	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 June 30, 2015 , the balances of preneed receivables for cemetery interment rights and for merchandise and services were $24.8 million and $9.3 million , respectively, of which $10.7 million is presented in Accounts receivable and $23.4 million is presented in Preneed receivables . The unearned finance charges associated with these receivables were $4.6 million and $4.7 million at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 , 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 4.7% of the total receivables on recognized sales at June 30, 2015 . 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 six months ended June 30, 2015 , the change in the allowance for contract cancellations was as follows (in thousands): June 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ 2,140 Write-offs and cancellations (994 ) Provision 481 Ending balance $ 1,627 The aging of past due financing receivables as of June 30, 2015 was as follows (in thousands): 31-60 Past Due 61-90 Past Due 91-120 Past Due >120 Past Due Total Past Due Current Total Financing Receivables Recognized revenue $ 737 $ 312 $ 249 $ 911 $ 2,209 $ 22,299 $ 24,508 Deferred revenue 332 161 93 306 892 8,664 9,556 Total contracts $ 1,069 $ 473 $ 342 $ 1,217 $ 3,101 $ 30,963 $ 34,064

Receivables from Preneed Trusts

Receivables from Preneed Trusts	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Receivables From Preneed Trusts [Abstract]
RECEIVABLES FROM PRENEED 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, 2014 and June 30, 2015 , receivables from preneed trusts were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Preneed trust funds, at cost $ 13,205 $ 13,339 Less: allowance for contract cancellation (396 ) (400 ) Receivables from preneed trusts, net $ 12,809 $ 12,939 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 June 30, 2015 . The cost basis includes reinvested interest and dividends that have been earned on the trust assets. Fair value includes the unrealized gains and losses on trust assets. Historical Cost Basis Fair Value (in thousands) As of June 30, 2015 Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,716 $ 2,716 Fixed income investments 8,023 8,040 Mutual funds and common stocks 2,584 2,689 Annuities 16 16 Total $ 13,339 $ 13,461 Historical Cost Basis Fair Value (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

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust I

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Trust assets, at fair value $ 48,670 $ 48,620 Obligations due from trust (528 ) (466 ) Care trusts’ corpus $ 48,142 $ 48,154 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 stocks, 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 three and six months ended June 30, 2015 . There are no Level 3 investments in the cemetery perpetual care trust investment portfolio. See Note 8 for further information of the 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 June 30, 2015 (in thousands): Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Cash and money market accounts 1 $ 4,285 $ — $ — $ 4,285 Fixed income securities: Municipal bonds 2 334 — (66 ) 268 Foreign debt 2 3,756 12 (189 ) 3,579 Corporate debt 2 19,184 134 (1,301 ) 18,017 Preferred stock 2 11,597 34 (397 ) 11,234 Common stock 1 10,465 1,288 (941 ) 10,812 Trust securities $ 49,621 $ 1,468 $ (2,894 ) $ 48,195 Accrued investment income $ 425 $ 425 Cemetery perpetual care trust investments $ 48,620 Market value as a percentage of cost 97.1 % The estimated maturities of the fixed income securities included above are as follows (in thousands): Due in one year or less $ 87 Due in one to five years 4,670 Due in five to ten years 4,065 Thereafter 24,276 $ 33,098 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 Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value 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 Fair market value as a percentage of cost 99.0 % 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 . We recorded a $0.1 million impairment in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. We recorded a $0.5 million impairment in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. At June 30, 2015 , 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 investment losses were temporary in nature. Our perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are shown in the following tables (in thousands): June 30, 2015 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: Municipal bonds $ 268 $ (66 ) $ — $ — $ 268 $ (66 ) Foreign debt 2,246 (189 ) — — 2,246 (189 ) Corporate debt 12,721 (822 ) 2,967 (479 ) 15,688 (1,301 ) Preferred stock 7,948 (288 ) 2,589 (109 ) 10,537 (397 ) Common stock 3,795 (789 ) 481 (152 ) 4,276 (941 ) Total temporary impaired securities $ 26,978 $ (2,154 ) $ 6,037 $ (740 ) $ 33,015 $ (2,894 ) December 31, 2014 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 ) Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Realized gains $ 897 $ 785 $ 1,314 $ 975 Realized losses (543 ) (60 ) (692 ) (485 ) Increase in care trusts’ corpus (354 ) (725 ) (622 ) (490 ) Total $ — $ — $ — $ — Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Investment income $ 1,300 $ 1,200 $ 2,580 $ 2,368 Realized gain, net 391 375 150 284 Total $ 1,691 $ 1,575 $ 2,730 $ 2,652 Purchases and sales of investments in the perpetual care trusts were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Purchases $ (9,200 ) $ (3,471 ) $ (14,135 ) $ (8,105 ) Sales $ 9,842 $ 4,531 $ 15,022 $ 6,353

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS We evaluate our financial assets and liabilities for those financial assets and liabilities that meet 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 10) are classified within Level 2 of the Fair Value Measurement hierarchy. The fair values of our 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 was approximately $173.4 million at June 30, 2015 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 investment categories on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as having met the criteria for fair value measurement. As of June 30, 2015 , 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 the standards of financial accounting and reporting for investments in equity instruments that have readily determinable fair values and for all investments in debt securities. See Notes 4 and 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements herein for the fair value hierarchy levels of our trust investments.

Deferred Charges and Other Non-

Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS Deferred charges and other non-current assets at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Prepaid agreements not-to-compete, net of accumulated amortization of $5,105 and $5,252, respectively $ 1,159 $ 1,133 Deferred loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $2,809 and $3,027, respectively 1,870 1,664 Convertible subordinated notes issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $375 and $614, respectively 3,252 3,014 Tradenames 7,660 8,856 Other 323 232 Deferred charges and other non-current assets $ 14,264 $ 14,899 Prepaid agreements not-to-compete are amortized over the term of the respective agreements, ranging generally from one to ten years. Amortization expense was approximately $0.1 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 and $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively. Deferred loan costs are being amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs related to our convertible subordinated notes are being amortized using the effective interest method over the seven -year term of the notes. See Note 11 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 six months ended June 30, 2015 , we increased tradenames by approximately $1.2 million related to our acquisition of a funeral home business in February 2015.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT Our long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Revolving credit facility, secured, floating rate $ 40,500 $ 46,400 Term loan, secured, floating rate 120,312 115,625 Acquisition debt 1,205 5,437 Less: current portion (9,630 ) (10,491 ) Total long-term debt $ 152,387 $ 156,971 As of June 30, 2015, 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. As of June 30, 2015 , we had outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $46.4 million and approximately $115.6 million was outstanding on the term loan. No letters of credit were issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility at June 30, 2015 . The weighted average interest rate on the Credit Facility for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was 2.4% and 2.5% , respectively. On May 20, 2015, we entered into a sixth amendment (the “Sixth Amendment”) to the credit agreement. The Sixth Amendment provides that, among other things, we may repurchase our common stock so long as at the time of such repurchase there have been no defaults under the credit agreement, we have at least $15.0 million of unrestricted cash and undrawn borrowing capacity under the credit agreement and the senior secured leverage ratio is less than 3.25 to 1.00. We were in compliance with the covenants contained in the Credit Facility as of June 30, 2015 . The Credit Facility contains key ratios that we must comply with including a requirement to maintain a leverage ratio of no more than 3.50 to 1.00 and a covenant to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.20 to 1.00. As of June 30, 2015 , the leverage ratio was 2.57 to 1.00 and the fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.69 to 1.00. The decline of the leverage ratio to below 2.50 to 1.00 at March 31, 2015 automatically triggered a 50 basis point interest rate decline on our outstanding revolving credit facility in the second quarter of 2015. Acquisition debt consists of deferred purchase price and promissory notes payable to sellers. The increase in acquisition debt of $4.2 million was due primarily to the deferred payments related to the funeral home acquisition in February 2015.

Convertible Subordinated Notes

Convertible Subordinated Notes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Convertible Subordinated Notes [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 March 15, 2021 (the “Notes”). The Notes bear interest at 2.75% . Interest on the Notes began to accrue on March 19, 2014 and is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The carrying values of the liability and equity components of the Notes at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Long-term liabilities: Principal amount $ 143,750 $ 143,750 Unamortized discount of liability component (29,208 ) (27,530 ) Carrying value of the liability component $ 114,542 $ 116,220 Equity component carrying value $ 17,973 $ 17,973 The fair value of the Notes, which are Level 2 measurements, was approximately $173.4 million at June 30, 2015 . Interest expense on the Notes included contractual coupon interest expense of $1.0 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 and $1.1 million and $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively. Amortization of debt issuance costs was approximately $0.1 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively. Accretion of the discount on the convertible subordinated notes was $0.7 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively, and $0.9 million and $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively. The unamortized discount is being amortized over the remaining term. The effective interest rate on the liability component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 was 6.75% .

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	STOCKHOLDERS ’ EQUITY Stock Options As of June 30, 2015 , there were 1,846,589 stock options outstanding and 1,184,138 stock options which remain unvested. We did not grant any stock options in the three months ended June 30, 2015 . In the first quarter of 2015, we granted 628,000 options to certain employees at an option price of $22.58 and 25,000 options to a new employee at an option price of $24.74 . These options will vest in one-third increments over a three -year period and have a seven -year term. The fair value of the total options granted during the first quarter of 2015 was $3.7 million . We recorded pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for stock options totaling approximately $0.5 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively, and $0.7 million and $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively. Employee Stock Purchase Plan During the second quarter of 2015 , employees purchased a total of 11,538 shares of common stock through the employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) at a weighted average price of $17.14 per share. We recorded pre-tax stock-based compensation expense for the ESPP totaling approximately $73,000 and $55,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively, and $189,000 and $129,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively. The fair value of the option to purchase shares under the ESPP is estimated on the date of grant (January 1 of each year) associated with the four quarterly purchase dates using the following assumptions: 2015 Dividend yield 0.4 % Expected volatility 24.35 % Risk-free interest rate 0.02%, 0.11%, 0.18%, 0.25% Expected life (years) 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 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 the 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 one-quarter or one-third increments over four or three -year terms, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2015 , we did not issue any restricted stock. In the first quarter of 2015, we issued a total of 37,900 restricted stock grants that vest over a three -year period with an aggregate grant date market value of approximately $0.9 million . Related to the vesting of restricted stock awards granted to our officers and key employees, we recorded $0.5 million and $0.4 million of pre-tax compensation expense, which is included in general, administrative and other expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively, and approximately $0.8 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 . As of June 30, 2015 , we had approximately $4.3 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 2.6 years . Director Compensation Policy We compensate our directors through cash payments, including retainers and meeting attendance fees, and through stock-based awards. Refer to our definitive proxy statement related to our 2015 annual meeting for a full discussion concerning our Director Compensation Policy. On May 19, 2015, the date of our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we issued 8,859 shares of common stock for the annual equity retainer to three independent directors. We recorded $0.3 million of pre-tax compensation expense, which is included in general, administrative and other expenses, for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 and $0.6 million and $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 , respectively, related to the director fees and annual retainers. Share Repurchase Program On May 19, 2015, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to purchase up to an aggregate of $25.0 million of our common stock in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The shares may be purchased from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Purchases will be at times and in amounts as management deems appropriate based on factors such as market conditions, legal requirements and other business considerations. During the second quarter of 2015, we purchased 125,000 shares of our common stock for a total cost of $3.1 million . Accumulated other comprehensive income Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance at December 31, 2014 $ — Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts (3,752 ) Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus 3,752 Balance at June 30, 2015 $ —

Major Segments of Business

Major Segments of Business	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 revenue from continuing operations, pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations and total assets by segment (in thousands): Funeral Cemetery Corporate Consolidated Revenues from continuing operations: Three months ended June 30, 2015 $ 44,501 $ 14,760 $ — $ 59,261 Three months ended June 30, 2014 $ 42,192 $ 14,312 $ — $ 56,504 Six months ended June 30, 2015 $ 94,638 $ 27,876 $ — $ 122,514 Six months ended June 30, 2014 $ 86,157 $ 26,000 $ — $ 112,157 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes: Three months ended June 30, 2015 $ 13,401 $ 4,454 $ (10,195 ) $ 7,660 Three months ended June 30, 2014 $ 13,068 $ 4,582 $ (11,284 ) $ 6,366 Six months ended June 30, 2015 $ 31,199 $ 8,501 $ (21,017 ) $ 18,683 Six months ended June 30, 2014 $ 27,390 $ 7,886 $ (26,235 ) $ 9,041 Total assets: June 30, 2015 $ 587,537 $ 241,316 $ 13,047 $ 841,900 December 31, 2014 $ 568,842 $ 240,009 $ 18,677 $ 827,528

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 : For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share: Numerator from continuing operations Income from continuing operations $ 3,883 $ 4,557 $ 5,515 $ 10,975 Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock (76 ) (53 ) (115 ) (146 ) Income attributable to continuing operations $ 3,807 $ 4,504 $ 5,400 $ 10,829 Numerator from discontinued operations Loss from discontinued operations $ (637 ) $ — $ (51 ) $ — Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock 13 — 1 — Loss attributable to discontinued operations $ (624 ) $ — $ (50 ) $ — Denominator Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding 18,123 18,268 18,054 18,238 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options 124 261 141 255 Convertible subordinated notes — 351 — 351 Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding 18,247 18,880 18,195 18,844 Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Continuing operations $ 0.21 $ 0.25 $ 0.30 $ 0.59 Discontinued operations (0.03 ) — — — Basic earnings per common share $ 0.18 $ 0.25 $ 0.30 $ 0.59 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Continuing operations $ 0.21 $ 0.24 $ 0.30 $ 0.57 Discontinued operations (0.04 ) — (0.01 ) — Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.17 $ 0.24 $ 0.29 $ 0.57 The fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , and the corresponding calculation of fully diluted earnings per share, include approximately 351,000 shares that would have been issued upon the conversion of our convertible subordinated notes as a result of the application of the if-converted method prescribed by the FASB ASC 260. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , 25,000 stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion of such stock options would result in an antidilutive effect. There were no options excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 .

Basis Of Presentation And Sum20

Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation, Policy	Principles of Consolidation and Interim Condensed Disclosures Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments which consist of normal, recurring accruals that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations as of and for the interim periods presented. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting principles described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith.
Funeral and Cemetery Operations, 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. 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.
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.
Discontinued Operations, Policy	Discontinued Operations Effective January 1, 2015, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB”) new guidance for reporting discontinued operations. In April 2014, the FASB amended the definition of “discontinued operations” to include 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 guidance also requires the disclosure of pre-tax income of disposals that do not qualify as 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 the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 , there were no divestitures of our funeral or cemetery businesses.
Subsequent Events, Policy	Subsequent Events Management evaluated events and transactions during the period subsequent to June 30, 2015 through the date the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements covered by this report.

Basis of Presentation and Sum21

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment was comprised of the following at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 : December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 (in thousands) Land $ 66,957 $ 71,256 Buildings and improvements 148,483 164,705 Furniture, equipment and automobiles 66,020 68,101 Property, plant and equipment, at cost 281,460 304,062 Less: accumulated depreciation (95,249 ) (98,730 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 186,211 $ 205,332

Goodwill (Tables)

Goodwill (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Goodwill	The following table presents the changes in goodwill on our Consolidated Balance Sheets during the six months ended June 30, 2015 (in thousands): Goodwill as of December 31, 2014 $ 257,442 Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions 3,849 Goodwill as of June 30, 2015 $ 261,291

Preneed Trust Investments (Tabl

Preneed Trust Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Preneed Trust Investments [Abstract]
Components of preneed cemetery trust investments	The components of Preneed cemetery trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Preneed cemetery trust investments, at fair value $ 74,198 $ 74,144 Less: allowance for contract cancellation (2,226 ) (2,250 ) Preneed cemetery trust investments, net $ 71,972 $ 71,894
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 Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value 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 99.0 % The cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments at June 30, 2015 are detailed below (in thousands): Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Cash and money market accounts 1 $ 7,339 $ — $ — $ 7,339 Fixed income securities: Municipal bonds 2 474 — (93 ) 381 Foreign debt 2 5,609 19 (270 ) 5,358 Corporate debt 2 27,123 211 (1,746 ) 25,588 Preferred stock 2 16,771 47 (576 ) 16,242 Common stock 1 17,700 2,262 (1,436 ) 18,526 Trust securities $ 75,016 $ 2,539 $ (4,121 ) $ 73,434 Accrued investment income $ 710 $ 710 Preneed cemetery trust investments $ 74,144 Market value as a percentage of cost 97.9 %
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 $ 147 Due in one to five years 6,607 Due in five to ten years 5,725 Thereafter 35,090 Total $ 47,569
Schedule of fair market value and unrealized loss on cemetery merchandise and service trust investments	Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , are shown in the following tables (in thousands): June 30, 2015 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: Municipal bonds $ 381 $ (93 ) $ — $ — $ 381 $ (93 ) Foreign debt 3,258 (270 ) — — 3,258 (270 ) Corporate debt 16,980 (948 ) 4,968 (798 ) 21,948 (1,746 ) Preferred stock 10,992 (393 ) 4,362 (183 ) 15,354 (576 ) Common stock 6,273 (1,193 ) 784 (243 ) 7,057 (1,436 ) Total temporary impaired securities $ 37,884 $ (2,897 ) $ 10,114 $ (1,224 ) $ 47,998 $ (4,121 ) December 31, 2014 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 )
Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions	Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Investment income $ 889 $ 774 $ 1,432 $ 1,291 Realized gains 1,161 1,316 1,700 1,674 Realized losses (640 ) (92 ) (828 ) (890 ) Expenses and taxes (384 ) (775 ) (942 ) (1,094 ) Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust (1,026 ) (1,223 ) (1,362 ) (981 ) $ — $ — $ — $ —
Purchases and sales of investments in preneed cemetary trusts	Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed cemetery trusts were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Purchases $ (13,498 ) $ (5,848 ) $ (21,658 ) $ (12,855 ) Sales $ 14,383 $ 7,441 $ 22,921 $ 10,193
Components of preneed funeral trust investments	The components of Preneed funeral trust investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Preneed funeral trust investments, at market value $ 100,579 $ 98,972 Less: allowance for contract cancellation (2,972 ) (2,970 ) Preneed funeral trust investments, net $ 97,607 $ 96,002
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 $ 693 Due in one to five years 7,006 Due in five to ten years 6,170 Thereafter 35,087 Total $ 48,956
Cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments	The cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments at June 30, 2015 are detailed below (in thousands): Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Cash and money market accounts 1 $ 20,586 $ — $ — $ 20,586 Fixed income securities: U.S treasury debt 1 2,035 34 (14 ) 2,055 Municipal bonds 2 453 — (89 ) 364 Foreign debt 2 5,302 18 (252 ) 5,068 Corporate debt 2 26,321 263 (1,663 ) 24,921 Preferred stock 2 16,679 129 (547 ) 16,261 Mortgage backed securities 2 284 5 (2 ) 287 Common stock 1 16,479 2,198 (1,308 ) 17,369 Mutual funds: Equity 1 4,926 635 (42 ) 5,519 Fixed income 2 2,281 13 (91 ) 2,203 Other investments 2 3,654 — (31 ) 3,623 Trust securities $ 99,000 $ 3,295 $ (4,039 ) $ 98,256 Accrued investment income $ 716 $ 716 Preneed funeral trust investments $ 98,972 Market value as a percentage of cost 99.2 % 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 Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value 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 %
Schedule of fair market value and unrealized loss on preneed funeral trust investments	Our preneed funeral trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are shown in the following tables (in thousands): June 30, 2015 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 $ 1 $ — $ 836 $ (14 ) $ 837 $ (14 ) Municipal bonds 364 (89 ) — — 364 (89 ) Foreign debt 3,066 (252 ) — — 3,066 (252 ) Corporate debt 15,896 (863 ) 4,970 (801 ) 20,866 (1,664 ) Preferred stock 10,243 (365 ) 4,329 (182 ) 14,572 (547 ) Mortgage backed securities 104 (1 ) 18 (1 ) 122 (2 ) Mutual funds: Equity 5,545 (1,051 ) 809 (257 ) 6,354 (1,308 ) Equity and other 1,154 (40 ) 33 (1 ) 1,187 (41 ) Fixed income 484 (10 ) 937 (81 ) 1,421 (91 ) Other investments — — 11 (31 ) 11 (31 ) Total temporary impaired securities $ 36,857 $ (2,671 ) $ 11,943 $ (1,368 ) $ 48,800 $ (4,039 ) December 31, 2014 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 )
Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions	Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions recorded in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Investment income $ 846 $ 872 $ 1,491 $ 1,428 Realized gains 2,937 2,279 3,431 2,573 Realized losses (538 ) (245 ) (736 ) (870 ) Expenses and taxes (493 ) (574 ) (898 ) (834 ) Increase in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust (2,752 ) (2,332 ) (3,288 ) (2,297 ) $ — $ — $ — $ —
Purchases and sales of investments in preneed funeral trusts	Purchases and sales of investments in the preneed funeral trusts were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Purchases $ (22,526 ) $ (5,856 ) $ (29,517 ) $ (11,345 ) Sales $ 22,612 $ 20,435 $ 30,149 $ 22,738

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (T

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Preneed Cemetery Receivables [Abstract]
Preneed Cemetery Receivables	, the change in the allowance for contract cancellations was as follows (in thousands): June 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ 2,140 Write-offs and cancellations (994 ) Provision 481 Ending balance $ 1,627
Aging of Past Due Financing Receivables	The aging of past due financing receivables as of June 30, 2015 was as follows (in thousands): 31-60 Past Due 61-90 Past Due 91-120 Past Due >120 Past Due Total Past Due Current Total Financing Receivables Recognized revenue $ 737 $ 312 $ 249 $ 911 $ 2,209 $ 22,299 $ 24,508 Deferred revenue 332 161 93 306 892 8,664 9,556 Total contracts $ 1,069 $ 473 $ 342 $ 1,217 $ 3,101 $ 30,963 $ 34,064

Receivables from Preneed Trus25

Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Receivables From Preneed Trusts [Abstract]
Receivables from Preneed Trusts	As of December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 , receivables from preneed trusts were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Preneed trust funds, at cost $ 13,205 $ 13,339 Less: allowance for contract cancellation (396 ) (400 ) Receivables from preneed trusts, net $ 12,809 $ 12,939
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 June 30, 2015 . The cost basis includes reinvested interest and dividends that have been earned on the trust assets. Fair value includes the unrealized gains and losses on trust assets. Historical Cost Basis Fair Value (in thousands) As of June 30, 2015 Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,716 $ 2,716 Fixed income investments 8,023 8,040 Mutual funds and common stocks 2,584 2,689 Annuities 16 16 Total $ 13,339 $ 13,461 Historical Cost Basis Fair Value (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

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust26

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Abstract]
Components of care trusts' corpus	The components of Care trusts’ corpus as of December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Trust assets, at fair value $ 48,670 $ 48,620 Obligations due from trust (528 ) (466 ) Care trusts’ corpus $ 48,142 $ 48,154
Cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds	The following table reflects the cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds at June 30, 2015 (in thousands): Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value Cash and money market accounts 1 $ 4,285 $ — $ — $ 4,285 Fixed income securities: Municipal bonds 2 334 — (66 ) 268 Foreign debt 2 3,756 12 (189 ) 3,579 Corporate debt 2 19,184 134 (1,301 ) 18,017 Preferred stock 2 11,597 34 (397 ) 11,234 Common stock 1 10,465 1,288 (941 ) 10,812 Trust securities $ 49,621 $ 1,468 $ (2,894 ) $ 48,195 Accrued investment income $ 425 $ 425 Cemetery perpetual care trust investments $ 48,620 Market value as a percentage of cost 97.1 %
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 $ 87 Due in one to five years 4,670 Due in five to ten years 4,065 Thereafter 24,276 $ 33,098
Cost and fair Market Values Associated with Trust Investments Held in Perpetual Care Trust Funds [Table Text Block]	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 Gains Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value 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 Fair market value as a percentage of cost 99.0 %
Schedule of fair market value and unrealized loss on perteptual care trust investments	Our perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are shown in the following tables (in thousands): June 30, 2015 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: Municipal bonds $ 268 $ (66 ) $ — $ — $ 268 $ (66 ) Foreign debt 2,246 (189 ) — — 2,246 (189 ) Corporate debt 12,721 (822 ) 2,967 (479 ) 15,688 (1,301 ) Preferred stock 7,948 (288 ) 2,589 (109 ) 10,537 (397 ) Common stock 3,795 (789 ) 481 (152 ) 4,276 (941 ) Total temporary impaired securities $ 26,978 $ (2,154 ) $ 6,037 $ (740 ) $ 33,015 $ (2,894 ) December 31, 2014 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 )
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 three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Realized gains $ 897 $ 785 $ 1,314 $ 975 Realized losses (543 ) (60 ) (692 ) (485 ) Increase in care trusts’ corpus (354 ) (725 ) (622 ) (490 ) Total $ — $ — $ — $ —
Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in cemetery revenue	Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Investment income $ 1,300 $ 1,200 $ 2,580 $ 2,368 Realized gain, net 391 375 150 284 Total $ 1,691 $ 1,575 $ 2,730 $ 2,652
Purchases and sales of investments in perpetual care trusts	Purchases and sales of investments in the perpetual care trusts were as follows (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Purchases $ (9,200 ) $ (3,471 ) $ (14,135 ) $ (8,105 ) Sales $ 9,842 $ 4,531 $ 15,022 $ 6,353

Deferred Charges and Other No27

Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block]	Deferred charges and other non-current assets at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Prepaid agreements not-to-compete, net of accumulated amortization of $5,105 and $5,252, respectively $ 1,159 $ 1,133 Deferred loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $2,809 and $3,027, respectively 1,870 1,664 Convertible subordinated notes issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $375 and $614, respectively 3,252 3,014 Tradenames 7,660 8,856 Other 323 232 Deferred charges and other non-current assets $ 14,264 $ 14,899

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt	long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Revolving credit facility, secured, floating rate $ 40,500 $ 46,400 Term loan, secured, floating rate 120,312 115,625 Acquisition debt 1,205 5,437 Less: current portion (9,630 ) (10,491 ) Total long-term debt $ 152,387 $ 156,971

Convertible Subordinated Notes

Convertible Subordinated Notes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Convertible Subordinated Notes [Abstract]
Schedule of Liability and Equity Components of Convertible Subordinated Notes	The carrying values of the liability and equity components of the Notes at December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2015 are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands): December 31, 2014 June 30, 2015 Long-term liabilities: Principal amount $ 143,750 $ 143,750 Unamortized discount of liability component (29,208 ) (27,530 ) Carrying value of the liability component $ 114,542 $ 116,220 Equity component carrying value $ 17,973 $ 17,973

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Assumptions for the fair value of the right (option) to purchase shares under ESPP	The fair value of the option to purchase shares under the ESPP is estimated on the date of grant (January 1 of each year) associated with the four quarterly purchase dates using the following assumptions: 2015 Dividend yield 0.4 % Expected volatility 24.35 % Risk-free interest rate 0.02%, 0.11%, 0.18%, 0.25% Expected life (years) 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance at December 31, 2014 $ — Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts (3,752 ) Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus 3,752 Balance at June 30, 2015 $ —

Major Segments of Business (Tab

Major Segments of Business (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenue, pre-tax income and total and total assets by segments	The following table presents revenue from continuing operations, pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations and total assets by segment (in thousands): Funeral Cemetery Corporate Consolidated Revenues from continuing operations: Three months ended June 30, 2015 $ 44,501 $ 14,760 $ — $ 59,261 Three months ended June 30, 2014 $ 42,192 $ 14,312 $ — $ 56,504 Six months ended June 30, 2015 $ 94,638 $ 27,876 $ — $ 122,514 Six months ended June 30, 2014 $ 86,157 $ 26,000 $ — $ 112,157 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes: Three months ended June 30, 2015 $ 13,401 $ 4,454 $ (10,195 ) $ 7,660 Three months ended June 30, 2014 $ 13,068 $ 4,582 $ (11,284 ) $ 6,366 Six months ended June 30, 2015 $ 31,199 $ 8,501 $ (21,017 ) $ 18,683 Six months ended June 30, 2014 $ 27,390 $ 7,886 $ (26,235 ) $ 9,041 Total assets: June 30, 2015 $ 587,537 $ 241,316 $ 13,047 $ 841,900 December 31, 2014 $ 568,842 $ 240,009 $ 18,677 $ 827,528

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
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 three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2015 : For the Three Months Ended June 30, For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 2015 2014 2015 Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share: Numerator from continuing operations Income from continuing operations $ 3,883 $ 4,557 $ 5,515 $ 10,975 Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock (76 ) (53 ) (115 ) (146 ) Income attributable to continuing operations $ 3,807 $ 4,504 $ 5,400 $ 10,829 Numerator from discontinued operations Loss from discontinued operations $ (637 ) $ — $ (51 ) $ — Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock 13 — 1 — Loss attributable to discontinued operations $ (624 ) $ — $ (50 ) $ — Denominator Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding 18,123 18,268 18,054 18,238 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options 124 261 141 255 Convertible subordinated notes — 351 — 351 Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding 18,247 18,880 18,195 18,844 Basic earnings (loss) per common share: Continuing operations $ 0.21 $ 0.25 $ 0.30 $ 0.59 Discontinued operations (0.03 ) — — — Basic earnings per common share $ 0.18 $ 0.25 $ 0.30 $ 0.59 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: Continuing operations $ 0.21 $ 0.24 $ 0.30 $ 0.57 Discontinued operations (0.04 ) — (0.01 ) — Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.17 $ 0.24 $ 0.29 $ 0.57

Basis of Presentation and Sum33

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Operations) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)funeral_homescemeteriesstates	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)funeral_homescemeteriesstatessegment	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Organization Description and Operations [Line Items]
Number of business segments | segment			2
Period after which commissions are no longer subject to refund			1 year
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	$ 16,909		$ 16,909		$ 19,264
Preneed receivables	26,448		26,448		26,284
Bad debt expense			833	$ 1,338
Funeral And Cemetery [Member]
Organization Description and Operations [Line Items]
Bad debt expense	409	$ 300	800	$ 800
Funeral [Member]
Organization Description and Operations [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	7,300		7,300		10,000
Preneed receivables	7,200		7,200		7,400
Cemetery [Member]
Organization Description and Operations [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	9,400		9,400		9,100
Preneed receivables	$ 19,300		$ 19,300		$ 18,900
Funeral homes [Member]
Organization Description and Operations [Line Items]
Number of owned and operated funeral homes (in Funeral Homes) | funeral_homes	166		166
Number of states in which Company operates | states	27		27
Cemeteries [Member]
Organization Description and Operations [Line Items]
Number of states in which Company operates | states	11		11
Number of owned and operated cemeteries (in Cemetaries) | cemeteries	32		32

Basis of Presentation and Sum34

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (PPE) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 304,062,000		$ 304,062,000		$ 281,460,000
Less: accumulated depreciation	(98,730,000)		(98,730,000)		(95,249,000)
Property, plant and equipment, net	205,332,000		205,332,000		186,211,000
Depreciation expense	2,500,000	$ 2,300,000	5,100,000	$ 4,500,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions	5,500,000
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	71,256,000		71,256,000		66,957,000
Buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	164,705,000		164,705,000		148,483,000
Furniture, equipment and automobiles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 68,101,000		$ 68,101,000		$ 66,020,000

Goodwill (Changes in Goodwill)

Goodwill (Changes in Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill at beginning of period	$ 257,442
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	3,849
Goodwill at end of period	$ 261,291

Preneed Trust Investments (Comp

Preneed Trust Investments (Components of preneed cemetery trust investments) (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Fair value measurements, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2	$ 0
Preneed cemetery trust investments	71,894,000	$ 71,972,000
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Preneed cemetary trust investments, at fair value	74,144,000	74,198,000
Less: allowance for contract cancellation	(2,250,000)	(2,226,000)
Preneed cemetery trust investments	$ 71,894,000	$ 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 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 75,016		$ 75,016		$ 74,203
Unrealized Gains	2,539		2,539		2,927
Unrealized Losses	(4,121)		(4,121)		(3,695)
Fair Market Value	73,434		73,434		73,435
Preneed cemetery trust investments	$ 74,144		$ 74,144		$ 74,198
Fair market value as a percentage of cost	97.90%		97.90%		99.00%
Impairment charge, other than temporary decline in fair value of investments	$ 700	$ 200	$ 700	$ 200
Cash and money market accounts [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	7,339		7,339		$ 5,591
Unrealized Gains	0		0		0
Unrealized Losses	0		0		0
Fair Market Value	7,339		7,339		5,591
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	474		474			$ 347
Unrealized Gains	0		0			9
Unrealized Losses	(93)		(93)			0
Fair Market Value	381		381			$ 356
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	5,609		5,609		5,874
Unrealized Gains	19		19		0
Unrealized Losses	(270)		(270)		(237)
Fair Market Value	5,358		5,358		5,637
Corporate Debt [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	27,123		27,123		30,108
Unrealized Gains	211		211		362
Unrealized Losses	(1,746)		(1,746)		(2,167)
Fair Market Value	25,588		25,588		28,303
Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	16,771		16,771		19,154
Unrealized Gains	47		47		199
Unrealized Losses	(576)		(576)		(325)
Fair Market Value	16,242		16,242		19,028
Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost					1
Unrealized Gains					0
Unrealized Losses					0
Fair Market Value					1
Common Stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	17,700		17,700		13,128
Unrealized Gains	2,262		2,262		2,357
Unrealized Losses	(1,436)		(1,436)		(966)
Fair Market Value	18,526		18,526		14,519
Accrued Investment Income [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	710		710		763
Fair Market Value	$ 710		$ 710		$ 763

Preneed Trust Investments (Esti

Preneed Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed preneed cemetery trust income securities) (Details) - Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$ 147
Due in one to five years	6,607
Due in five to ten years	5,725
Thereafter	35,090
Total	$ 47,569

Preneed Trust Investments (Unre

Preneed Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on cemetery merchandise and service trust investments) (Details) - Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Impairment charge, other than temporary decline in fair value of investments	$ 700	$ 200	$ 700	$ 200
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	37,884		37,884		$ 40,926
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	2,897		2,897		2,215
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	10,114		10,114		5,317
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	1,224		1,224		1,480
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	47,998		47,998		46,243
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	4,121		4,121		3,695
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	381		381
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	93		93
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	381		381
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	93		93
Foreign Debt [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,258		3,258		5,629
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	270		270		237
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0		0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0		0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,258		3,258		5,629
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	270		270		237
Corporate Debt [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	16,980		16,980		18,051
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	948		948		778
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,968		4,968		2,016
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	798		798		1,389
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	21,948		21,948		20,067
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	1,746		1,746		2,167
Preferred Stock [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	10,992		10,992		10,342
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	393		393		289
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,362		4,362		3,236
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	183		183		36
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	15,354		15,354		13,578
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	576		576		325
Common Stock [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	6,273		6,273		6,904
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	1,193		1,193		911
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	784		784		65
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	243		243		55
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,057		7,057		6,969
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ 1,436		$ 1,436		$ 966

Preneed Trust Investments (Pren

Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Fair value measurements, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2			$ 0
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] | Interest Income and Other, Net [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Investment income	$ 774,000	$ 889,000	1,291,000	$ 1,432,000
Realized gain, net	1,316,000	1,161,000	1,674,000	1,700,000
Realized losses	(92,000)	(640,000)	(890,000)	(828,000)
Expenses and taxes	(775,000)	(384,000)	(1,094,000)	(942,000)
Increase (decrease) in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	$ (1,223,000)	$ (1,026,000)	$ (981,000)	$ (1,362,000)

Preneed Trust Investments (Purc

Preneed Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in preneed cemetery trusts) (Details) - Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Purchases	$ (5,848)	$ (13,498)	$ (12,855)	$ (21,658)
Sales	$ 7,441	$ 14,383	$ 10,193	$ 22,921

Preneed Trust Investments (Co42

Preneed Trust Investments (Components of preneed funeral trust investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Preneed funeral trust investments	$ 96,002		$ 96,002		$ 97,607
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge, other than temporary decline in fair value of investments	600	$ 100	600	$ 100
Preneed funeral trust investments, at fair value	98,972		98,972		100,579
Less: allowance for contract cancellation	(2,970)		(2,970)		(2,972)
Preneed funeral trust investments	$ 96,002		$ 96,002		$ 97,607

Preneed Trust Investments (Co43

Preneed Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 75,016		$ 75,016		$ 74,203
Unrealized Gains	2,539		2,539		2,927
Unrealized Losses	(4,121)		(4,121)		(3,695)
Fair Market Value	73,434		73,434		73,435
Preneed cemetery trust investments	$ 74,144		$ 74,144		$ 74,198
Fair market value as a percentage of cost	97.90%		97.90%		99.00%
Impairment charge, other than temporary decline in fair value of investments	$ 700	$ 200	$ 700	$ 200
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] | Cash and Money Market Accounts [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	7,339		7,339		$ 5,591
Unrealized Gains	0		0		0
Unrealized Losses	0		0		0
Fair Market Value	7,339		7,339		5,591
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	474		474			$ 347
Unrealized Gains	0		0			9
Unrealized Losses	(93)		(93)			0
Fair Market Value	381		381			$ 356
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	5,609		5,609		5,874
Unrealized Gains	19		19		0
Unrealized Losses	(270)		(270)		(237)
Fair Market Value	5,358		5,358		5,637
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	27,123		27,123		30,108
Unrealized Gains	211		211		362
Unrealized Losses	(1,746)		(1,746)		(2,167)
Fair Market Value	25,588		25,588		28,303
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	16,771		16,771		19,154
Unrealized Gains	47		47		199
Unrealized Losses	(576)		(576)		(325)
Fair Market Value	16,242		16,242		19,028
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] | Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost					1
Unrealized Gains					0
Unrealized Losses					0
Fair Market Value					1
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] | Common Stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	17,700		17,700		13,128
Unrealized Gains	2,262		2,262		2,357
Unrealized Losses	(1,436)		(1,436)		(966)
Fair Market Value	18,526		18,526		14,519
Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments [Member] | Accrued Investment Income [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	710		710		763
Fair Market Value	710		710		763
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	99,000		99,000		99,038
Unrealized Gains	3,295		3,295		4,176
Unrealized Losses	(4,039)		(4,039)		(3,250)
Fair Market Value	98,256		98,256		99,964
Preneed cemetery trust investments	$ 98,972		$ 98,972		$ 100,579
Fair market value as a percentage of cost	99.20%		99.20%		100.90%
Impairment charge, other than temporary decline in fair value of investments	$ 600	$ 100	$ 600	$ 100
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Cash and Money Market Accounts [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	20,586		20,586		$ 17,501
Unrealized Gains	0		0		0
Unrealized Losses	0		0		0
Fair Market Value	20,586		20,586		17,501
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	453		453
Unrealized Gains	0		0
Unrealized Losses	(89)		(89)
Fair Market Value	364		364
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | U.S. Treasury Debt [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,035		2,035		2,037
Unrealized Gains	34		34		32
Unrealized Losses	(14)		(14)		(15)
Fair Market Value	2,055		2,055		2,054
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | U.S. Agency Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost					30
Unrealized Gains					0
Unrealized Losses					0
Fair Market Value					30
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	5,302		5,302		4,653
Unrealized Gains	18		18		0
Unrealized Losses	(252)		(252)		(188)
Fair Market Value	5,068		5,068		4,465
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Corporate Debt [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	26,321		26,321		24,761
Unrealized Gains	263		263		469
Unrealized Losses	(1,663)		(1,663)		(1,718)
Fair Market Value	24,921		24,921		23,512
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	16,679		16,679		16,166
Unrealized Gains	129		129		256
Unrealized Losses	(547)		(547)		(261)
Fair Market Value	16,261		16,261		16,161
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	284		284		309
Unrealized Gains	5		5		8
Unrealized Losses	(2)		(2)		(3)
Fair Market Value	287		287		314
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Common Stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	16,479		16,479		10,544
Unrealized Gains	2,198		2,198		1,926
Unrealized Losses	(1,308)		(1,308)		(783)
Fair Market Value	17,369		17,369		11,687
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Equity [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	4,926		4,926		14,126
Unrealized Gains	635		635		1,370
Unrealized Losses	(42)		(42)		(181)
Fair Market Value	5,519		5,519		15,315
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,281		2,281		5,351
Unrealized Gains	13		13		115
Unrealized Losses	(91)		(91)		(72)
Fair Market Value	2,203		2,203		5,394
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	3,654		3,654		3,560
Unrealized Gains	0		0		0
Unrealized Losses	(31)		(31)		(29)
Fair Market Value	3,623		3,623		3,531
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] | Accrued Investment Income [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	716		716		615
Fair Market Value	$ 716		$ 716		$ 615

Preneed Trust Investments (Es44

Preneed Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed preneed funeral trust income securities) (Details) - Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$ 693
Due in one to five years	7,006
Due in five to ten years	6,170
Thereafter	35,087
Total	$ 48,956

Preneed Trust Investments (Pr45

Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions) (Details) - Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] - Interest Income and Other, Net [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Investment income	$ 872	$ 846	$ 1,428	$ 1,491
Realized gain, net	2,279	2,937	2,573	3,431
Realized losses	(245)	(538)	(870)	(736)
Expenses and taxes	(574)	(493)	(834)	(898)
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	$ (2,332)	$ (2,752)	$ (2,297)	$ (3,288)

Preneed Trust Investments (Pu46

Preneed Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in preneed funeral trusts) (Details) - Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Purchases	$ (5,856)	$ (22,526)	$ (11,345)	$ (29,517)
Sales	$ 20,435	$ 22,612	$ 22,738	$ 30,149

Preneed Trust Investments (Un47

Preneed Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on preneed funeral trust investments) (Details) - Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Impairment charge, other than temporary decline in fair value of investments	$ 600	$ 100	$ 600	$ 100
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	36,857		36,857		$ 38,267
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	2,671		2,671		1,975
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	11,943		11,943		6,209
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	1,368		1,368		1,275
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	48,800		48,800		44,476
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	4,039		4,039		3,250
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1		1		500
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0		0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	836		836		836
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	14		14		15
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	837		837		1,336
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	14		14		15
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	364		364
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	89		89
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	364		364
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	89		89
Foreign Debt [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,066		3,066		4,471
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	252		252		188
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0		0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0		0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,066		3,066		4,471
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	252		252		188
Corporate Debt [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	15,896		15,896		14,310
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	863		863		617
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,970		4,970		1,598
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	801		801		1,101
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	20,866		20,866		15,908
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	1,664		1,664		1,718
Preferred Stock [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	10,243		10,243		8,300
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	365		365		232
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,329		4,329		2,597
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	182		182		29
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	14,572		14,572		10,897
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	547		547		261
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	104		104		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	1		1		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	18		18		51
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	1		1		3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	122		122		51
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	2		2		3
Equity [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	5,545		5,545		5,594
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	1,051		1,051		739
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	809		809		53
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	257		257		44
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	6,354		6,354		5,647
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	1,308		1,308		783
Equity and Other [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,154		1,154		4,204
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	40		40		180
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	33		33		6
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	1		1		1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,187		1,187		4,210
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	41		41		181
Fixed Income [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	484		484		888
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	10		10		19
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	937		937		1,026
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	81		81		53
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,421		1,421		1,914
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	91		91		72
Other Investments [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0		0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0		0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	11		11		42
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	31		31		29
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	11		11		42
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ 31		$ 31		$ 29

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (N

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Preneed Cemetery Receivables [Abstract]
Term of sales contract for cemetery interment rights, maximum (in Duration)	5 years
Balance of receivables for preneed cemetery interment rights	$ 24.8
Balance of receivables for preneed cemetery interment related products and services	9.3
Amount of receivables for preneed cemetery interment rights and related products and services presented in accounts receivables	10.7
Amount of receivables for preneed cemetery interment rights and related products and services presented in preneed receivables	23.4
Unearned finance charges associated with receivables	$ 4.7	$ 4.6
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)	4.70%

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (P

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Preneed cemetery receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Allowance for Contract Cancellations [Roll Forward]
Provision	$ (833)	$ (1,338)
Preneed Cemetery Receivables [Member]
Allowance for Contract Cancellations [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,140
Write-offs and cancellations	(994)
Provision	(481)
Ending balance	$ 1,627

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (A

Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Aging of past due financing receivables) (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days Past Due	$ 1,069
61-90 days Past Due	473
91-120 days Past Due	342
More than 120 days Past Due	1,217
Total Past Due	3,101
Current	30,963
Total Financing Receivables	34,064
Recognized Revenue [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days Past Due	737
61-90 days Past Due	312
91-120 days Past Due	249
More than 120 days Past Due	911
Total Past Due	2,209
Current	22,299
Total Financing Receivables	24,508
Deferred Revenue [Member]
Financing Receivable Recorded Investment Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 days Past Due	332
61-90 days Past Due	161
91-120 days Past Due	93
More than 120 days Past Due	306
Total Past Due	892
Current	8,664
Total Financing Receivables	$ 9,556

Receivables from Preneed Trus51

Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Receivables From Preneed Trusts [Abstract]
Amount at which there is no controlling interest in trust assets (Description)	less than 50%

Receivables from Preneed Trus52

Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Receivables from preneed funeral trust funds) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables From Preneed Trusts [Abstract]
Preneed trust funds, at cost	$ 13,339	$ 13,205
Less: Allowance for contract cancellation	(400)	(396)
Receivables from preneed trusts, net	$ 12,939	$ 12,809

Receivables from Preneed Trus53

Receivables from Preneed Trusts Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Composition of Assets Held in Trusts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Historical Cost Basis [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	$ 13,339	$ 13,205
Historical Cost Basis [Member] | Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	2,716	2,834
Historical Cost Basis [Member] | Fixed income investments [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	8,023	7,880
Historical Cost Basis [Member] | Mutual funds and common stocks [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	2,584	2,467
Historical Cost Basis [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	16	24
Fair Value [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	13,461	13,337
Fair Value [Member] | Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	2,716	2,834
Fair Value [Member] | Fixed income investments [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	8,040	7,893
Fair Value [Member] | Mutual funds and common stocks [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	2,689	2,586
Fair Value [Member] | Annuities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Assets held-in-trust	$ 16	$ 24

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust54

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (The Components of Care trusts' corpus) (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Care trusts’ corpus	$ 48,154,000	$ 48,142,000
Fair value measurements, transfers between Level 1 and Level 2	0
Perpetual Care Trust Invesments [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trust assets, at fair value	48,620,000	48,670,000
Obligations due from trust	(466,000)	(528,000)
Care trusts’ corpus	$ 48,154,000	$ 48,142,000

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust55

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds) (Details) - Perpetual Care Trust Invesments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cemetary perpetual care trust investments	$ 48,620		$ 48,670
Fair market value as a percentage of cost	97.10%		99.00%
Impairment charge, other than temporary decline in fair value of investments	$ 500	$ 100
Cash and Money Market Accounts [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	4,285		$ 3,206
Unrealized Gains	0		0
Unrealized Losses	0		0
Fair Market Value	4,285		3,206
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	334		229
Unrealized Gains	0		5
Unrealized Losses	(66)		0
Fair Market Value	268		234
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	3,756		3,871
Unrealized Gains	12		0
Unrealized Losses	(189)		(156)
Fair Market Value	3,579		3,715
Corporate Debt [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	19,184		19,911
Unrealized Gains	134		248
Unrealized Losses	(1,301)		(1,428)
Fair Market Value	18,017		18,731
Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	11,597		12,694
Unrealized Gains	34		137
Unrealized Losses	(397)		(214)
Fair Market Value	11,234		12,617
Common Stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	10,465		8,747
Unrealized Gains	1,288		1,568
Unrealized Losses	(941)		(653)
Fair Market Value	10,812		9,662
Trust Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	49,621		48,658
Unrealized Gains	1,468		1,958
Unrealized Losses	(2,894)		(2,451)
Fair Market Value	48,195		48,165
Accrued Investment Income [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	425		505
Fair Market Value	$ 425		$ 505

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust56

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed perpetual care trust income securities) (Details) - Perpetual Care Trust Invesments [Member] $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$ 87
Due in one to five years	4,670
Due in five to ten years	4,065
Thereafter	24,276
Total	$ 33,098

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust57

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on perpetual care trust investments) (Details) - Perpetual Care Trust Invesments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Impairment charge, other than temporary decline in fair value of investments	$ 500	$ 100
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	26,978		$ 27,093
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	2,154		1,476
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,037		3,505
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	740		975
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	33,015		30,598
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	2,894		2,451
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	268
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	66
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	268
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	66
Foreign Debt [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,246		3,716
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	189		156
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,246		3,716
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	189		156
Corporate Debt [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	12,721		11,893
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	822		513
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,967		1,328
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	479		915
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	15,688		13,221
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	1,301		1,428
Common Stock [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,795		4,663
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	789		616
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	481		44
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	152		37
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,276		4,707
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	941		653
Preferred Stock [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	7,948		6,821
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	288		191
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,589		2,133
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	109		23
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	10,537		8,954
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ 397		$ 214

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust58

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in interest income and other, net) (Details) - Perpetual Care Trust Invesments [Member] - Interest Income and Other, Net [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Realized gains	$ 785	$ 897	$ 975	$ 1,314
Realized losses	(60)	(543)	(485)	(692)
Increase in care trusts’ corpus	$ (725)	$ (354)	$ (490)	$ (622)

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust59

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue) (Details) - Perpetual Care Trust Invesments [Member] - Cemetery Revenue [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Investment income	$ 1,200	$ 1,300	$ 2,368	$ 2,580
Realized gain, net	375	391	284	150
Total	$ 1,575	$ 1,691	$ 2,652	$ 2,730

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust60

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in perpetual care trusts) (Details) - Perpetual Care Trust Invesments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Purchases	$ (3,471)	$ (9,200)	$ (8,105)	$ (14,135)
Sales	$ 4,531	$ 9,842	$ 6,353	$ 15,022

Fair Value Measurements (Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities measured at fair value	$ 0
Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term debt measured at fair value	$ 173,400,000

Deferred Charges and Other No62

Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other Assets, Noncurrent	$ 232,000		$ 232,000		$ 323,000
Deferred Costs and Other Assets	14,899,000		14,899,000		14,264,000
Tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other Assets, Noncurrent	8,856,000		8,856,000		7,660,000
Increase to tradenames			1,200,000
Debt, Excluding Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	1,664,000		1,664,000		1,870,000
Accumulated Amortization of Noncurrent Deferred Finance Costs	3,027,000		3,027,000		2,809,000
Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	3,014,000		3,014,000		3,252,000
Accumulated Amortization of Noncurrent Deferred Finance Costs	614,000		$ 614,000		375,000
Notes payable, term			7 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	1,133,000		$ 1,133,000		1,159,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	5,252,000		5,252,000		$ 5,105,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 100,000	$ 69,000	$ 147,000	$ 209,000
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			1 year
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			10 years

Long-Term Debt (Long-term Debt

Long-Term Debt (Long-term Debt Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current maturities on long-term debt	$ (10,491)	$ (9,630)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	156,971	152,387
Credit Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of the liability component		40,500
Credit Agreement [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of the liability component	115,625	120,312
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] | Acquisition Debt, Deferred Purchase Price [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of the liability component	$ 5,437	$ 1,205

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Det

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	May. 20, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 325,000,000
Revolving credit facility present accordion provisions		$ 50,000,000
Funeral homes [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred	$ 4,200,000
Term Number Two [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital (in Ratio) (below at March 31, 2015)		3.5
Ratio Minimum Per Covenant [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Ratio of earnings to fixed cost obligations (in Ratio)		1.2
Ratio Actual [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Ratio of indebtedness to net capital (in Ratio) (below at March 31, 2015)		2.57		2.50
Ratio of earnings to fixed cost obligations (in Ratio)		2.69
Decline in outstanding revolving credit facility				0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 200,000,000
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		125,000,000
Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Debt covenant, unrestricted cash and undrawn borrowing capacity (at least)			$ 15,000,000
Senior secured leverage ratio (less than)			3.25
Credit Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Amount drawn under term loan facility		$ 46,400,000
Credit Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | QTD [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate		2.40%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | YTD [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate		2.50%
Credit Agreement [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Covenant To Actual Ratios [Line Items]
Amount drawn under term loan facility		$ 115,600,000

Convertible Subordinated Note65

Convertible Subordinated Notes (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 19, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities, Convertible junior subordinated debentures (in shares)	351	0	351	0
Carrying Values of Liability and Equity Components, Convertible Subordinated Notes
Amortization of debt issuance costs			$ 460	$ 456
Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage						2.75%
Carrying Values of Liability and Equity Components, Convertible Subordinated Notes
Convertible subordinated notes, principal amount	$ 143,750		143,750			$ 143,750
Unamortized discount of liability component	(27,530)		(27,530)		$ (29,208)
Carrying value of the liability component	116,220		116,220		114,542
Equity component carrying value	17,973		17,973		$ 17,973
Convertible subordinated notes, fair value	173,400		173,400
Contractual coupon interest expense	1,000	$ 1,000	2,000	1,100
Amortization of debt issuance costs	100	100	238	138
Accretion of discount, convertible subordinated notes	$ 900	$ 700	$ 1,700	$ 900
Effective interest rate percentage	6.75%	6.75%	6.75%	6.75%

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 25, 2015	Feb. 24, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized share based compensation, expected term (in Duration)						2 years 7 months 6 days
Director Compensation, Annual Equity Retainer			$ 8,859
Directors compensation expense			$ 314,000		$ 326,000	$ 406,000	$ 648,000
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared			$ 0.025		$ 0.025	$ 0.050	$ 0.050
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased			25,000,000			25,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares			125,000
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			$ 3,100,000			$ 3,082,000	$ 0
ESPP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares purchased through Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in Shares)			11,538
Weighted average purchase price of ESPP shares purchased during the period (in Dollars per share)			$ 17.14
Share-based compensation expense			$ 55,000		$ 73,000	129,000	189,000
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense			400,000		500,000	800,000	800,000
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures				$ 900,000
Unrecognized share based compensation			$ 4,300,000			$ 4,300,000
Restricted Stock | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation awards, annual vesting percentage						25000.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years		3 years
Restricted Stock | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation awards, annual vesting percentage						33330.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period						4 years
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation awards, options outstanding at period end (in Shares)			1,846,589			1,846,589
Share based compensation awards, options outstanding and unvested at period end (in Shares)			1,184,138			1,184,138
Share-based compensation awards, annual vesting percentage	33330.00%	33330.00%
Share-based compensation expense			$ 600,000		$ 500,000	$ 1,206,000	$ 700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years

Stockholders' Equity (Options)

Stockholders' Equity (Options) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Mar. 25, 2015	Feb. 24, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	25,000	628,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 24.74			$ 22.58
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period				7 years
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			$ 600		$ 500	$ 1,206	$ 700
ESPP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			55		73	$ 129	189
Expected dividend yield assumption (in Percent)						0.40%
Expected volatility assumption (in Percent)						24.35%
Risk-free interest rate assumption (in Percent)				0.02%		0.11%
Expected life assumption (in Years)				3 months		6 months
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period				37,900
Stock Granted, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures				$ 900
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense			$ 400		$ 500	$ 800	$ 800
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years		3 years

Stockholders' Equity (ESPP) (De

Stockholders' Equity (ESPP) (Details) - ESPP - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 55		$ 73	$ 129	$ 189
Expected dividend yield assumption (in Percent)				0.40%
Expected volatility assumption (in Percent)				24.35%
Risk-free interest rate assumption (in Percent)		0.02%		0.11%
Expected life assumption (in Years)		3 months		6 months
Forecast
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate assumption (in Percent)						0.18%	0.25%
Expected life assumption (in Years)						9 months	1 year

Stockholders' Equity (AOCI) (De

Stockholders' Equity (AOCI) (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)
Equity [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 0
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts	(3,752)
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus	3,752
Ending balance	$ 0

Major Segments of Business (Rev

Major Segments of Business (Revenue, pre-tax income and total and total assets by segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	$ 59,261	$ 56,504	$ 122,514	$ 112,157
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	7,660	6,366	18,683	9,041
Total assets	841,900		841,900		$ 827,528
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	44,501	42,192	94,638	86,157
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	13,401	13,068	31,199	27,390
Total assets	587,537		587,537		568,842
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	14,760	14,312	27,876	26,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	4,454	4,582	8,501	7,886
Total assets	241,316		241,316		240,009
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from continuing operations	0		0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(10,195)	$ (11,284)	(21,017)	$ (26,235)
Total assets	$ 13,047		$ 13,047		$ 18,677

Earnings Per Share (EPS Computa

Earnings Per Share (EPS Computations) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 4,557		$ 3,883	$ 10,975	$ 5,515
Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock	(53)		(76)	(146)	(115)
Income attributable to continuing operations	4,504		3,807	10,829	5,400
Income from discontinued operations	0		(637)	0	(51)
Less: Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock	0		13	0	1
Income attributable to discontinued operations	$ 0		$ (624)	$ 0	$ (50)
Denominator [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	18,268		18,123	18,238	18,054
Effect of dilutive securities, Stock options (in shares)	261		124	255	141
Effect of dilutive securities, Convertible junior subordinated debentures (in shares)	351		0	351	0
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding for diluted EPS computation	18,880		18,247	18,844	18,195
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per Share)	$ 0.25		$ 0.21	$ 0.59	$ 0.30
Discontinued operations (in dollars per Share)	0		(0.03)	0	0
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per Share)	0.25		0.18	0.59	0.30
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per Share)	0.24		0.21	0.57	0.30
Discontinued operations (in dollars per Share)	0		(0.04)	0	(0.01)
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per Share)	$ 0.24		$ 0.17	$ 0.57	$ 0.29
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted EPS		25