Service Corporation International (SCI) 10-K 14 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 11, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Service Corporation International	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000089089	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	212,382,816	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$3,696,368,271

Consolidated_Statement_of_Oper

Consolidated Statement of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended																	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	'	$668,574		$609,951		$625,505		$652,352		$629,421		$581,182		$597,372		$602,506		$2,556,382	$2,410,481	$2,316,040
Costs and expenses	'	-520,755		-493,896		-499,467		-492,695		-481,610		-460,429		-469,741		-475,488		-2,006,813	-1,887,268	-1,839,538
Gross profits	'	147,819		116,055		126,038		159,657		147,811		120,753		127,631		127,018		549,569	523,213	476,502
General and administrative expenses	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		-155,136	-121,891	-101,826
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		-6,263	-1,533	-10,977
Operating income	'	87,995		83,296		89,114		127,765		103,806		95,176		99,689		101,118		388,170	399,789	363,699
Interest expense	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		-142,360	-135,068	-133,782
Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		468	-22,706	-3,509
Other (expense) income, net	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		-559	3,668	-772
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	49,682	[1]	45,882	[1]	56,143	[1]	94,012	[1]	46,749	[1]	63,925	[1]	63,574	[1]	71,435	[1]	245,719	245,683	225,636
Provision for income taxes	'	21,130		18,488		21,708		35,290		20,365		22,128		25,935		23,120		-96,615	-91,548	-79,404
Net income	'	28,552		27,394		34,435		58,722		26,384		41,797		37,639		48,315		149,104	154,135	146,232
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	-2,719		-615		-820		-1,102		-1		-735		-563		-290		-5,256	-1,589	-1,329
Net income attributable to common stockholders	'	$25,833		$26,779		$33,615		$57,620		$26,383		$41,062		$37,076		$48,025		$143,848	$152,546	$144,903
Basic earnings per share:	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'	'	'
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	'	$0.12	[2]	$0.13	[2]	$0.16	[2]	$0.27	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.19	[2]	$0.17	[2]	$0.22	[2]	$0.68	$0.71	$0.62
Basic weighted average number of shares	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		211,811	215,712	234,242
Diluted earnings per share:	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'	'	'
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	'	$0.12	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.16	[2]	$0.27	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.19	[2]	$0.17	[2]	$0.22	[2]	$0.67	$0.70	$0.61
Diluted weighted average number of shares	'	'		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		216,014	219,066	236,669
Dividends declared per share	$0.08	$0.07		'		'		'		'		'		'		'		$0	$0	$0
[1]	Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.
[2]	Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net income	$149,104	$154,135	$146,232
Foreign currency translation	-23,292	5,892	-6,925
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	125,812	160,027	139,307
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-5,240	-1,616	-1,320
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$120,572	$158,411	$137,987

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$144,873	$92,708
Receivables, net	105,899	101,817
Deferred tax assets	39,074	42,864
Inventories, net	34,565	24,560
Current assets held for sale	4,569	0
Other	64,767	20,546
Total current assets	393,747	282,495
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,870,874	1,535,932
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	2,300,911	1,826,835
Cemetery property, at cost	1,749,067	1,489,948
Property and equipment, net	1,922,961	1,641,101
Non-current assets held for sale	737,552	0
Goodwill, net	1,922,102	1,382,410
Deferred charges and other assets	661,234	425,267
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,347,622	1,099,580
Total assets	12,906,070	9,683,568
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	486,648	373,783
Current maturities of long-term debt	123,738	32,072
Current maturities of long-term debt	146,362	31,429
Current liabilities held for sale	3,183	0
Income taxes	6,391	6,892
Total current liabilities	642,584	412,104
Long-term debt	3,155,548	1,916,621
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	686,299	536,647
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	923,155	861,148
Deferred tax liability	619,200	471,198
Non-current liabilities held for sale	428,053	0
Other liabilities	430,393	399,950
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	3,250,586	2,624,321
Care trusts’ corpus	1,345,874	1,098,752
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Common stock	212,317	211,047
Capital in excess of par value	1,259,348	1,307,058
Accumulated deficit	-145,876	-286,795
Accumulated other comprehensive income	88,441	111,717
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,414,230	1,343,027
Noncontrolling interests	10,148	19,800
Total equity	1,424,378	1,362,827
Total liabilities and equity	$12,906,070	$9,683,568

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$1	$1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	212,326,642	211,056,501
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	212,316,642	211,046,501

Consolidated_Statement_of_Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$149,104	$154,135	$146,232
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Losses (gains) on early extinguishment of debt, net	-468	22,706	3,509
Depreciation and amortization	122,602	120,227	118,047
Amortization of intangible assets	21,859	23,853	25,591
Amortization of cemetery property	48,344	44,976	40,046
Amortization of loan costs	15,943	4,905	4,436
Provision for doubtful accounts	7,874	9,705	9,251
Provision for deferred income taxes	74,100	72,984	66,512
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	6,263	1,533	10,977
Share-based compensation	11,925	10,983	9,144
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:	'	'	'
Decrease (increase) in receivables	10,952	-16,890	-7,840
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-14,697	-6,714	6,815
(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities	-284	25,240	14,610
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:	'	'	'
Decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	47,685	46,055	74,206
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue	-9,874	-41,813	-32,158
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	-50,990	-22,357	-50,591
Effect of cemetery production and deliveries:	'	'	'
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	-73,626	-96,837	-65,581
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue	30,785	20,817	23,636
Decrease in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	-12,761	-587	-9,419
Other	-27	-3,675	689
Net cash provided by operating activities	384,709	369,246	388,112
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-113,084	-115,628	-118,375
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	1,057,122	65,463	99,570
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	13,072	9,953	24,529
Other	-341	3,816	-3,159
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,156,793	-174,954	-190,257
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,055,000	227,507	85,000
Debt issuance costs	-36,064	-4,500	0
Repayments of Long-term Debt	-91,836	-1,145	-22,774
Early Repayment of Subordinated Debt	-80	-202,140	-43,194
Principal payments on capital leases	-26,280	-25,760	-23,030
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,309	18,389	8,227
Purchase of Company common stock	-1,708	-186,766	-197,302
Payments of Dividends, Common Stock	57,229	60,296	44,795
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	-23,333	-3,000	0
Bank overdrafts and other	336	6,199	-798
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	825,115	-231,512	-238,666
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	-866	1,359	-1,466
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	52,165	-35,861	-42,277
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	92,708	128,569	170,846
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$144,873	$92,708	$128,569

Consolidated_Statement_of_Equi

Consolidated Statement of Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010	$1,479,948	$242,020	($985)	$1,603,112	($477,459)	$112,768	$492
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total comprehensive income	139,307	'	'	'	144,903	-6,916	1,320
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Dividends in Excess of Retained Earnings	-46,171	'	'	-46,171	'	'	'
Stock option exercises	8,227	1,208	'	7,019	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	-539	'	-539	'	'	'
Employee share-based compensation earned	9,144	'	'	9,144	'	'	'
Purchase of Company common stock	-197,302	'	-19,899	-142,915	-34,488	'	'
Acquisition	18,857	'	'	'	'	'	18,857
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	-568	'	'	'	'	'	-568
Retirement of treasury shares	0	-19,174	-19,174	'	'	'	'
Other	753	73	'	680	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2011	1,412,195	224,666	-1,710	1,430,330	-367,044	105,852	20,101
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total comprehensive income	160,027	'	'	'	152,546	5,865	1,616
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Dividends in Excess of Retained Earnings	-49,253	'	'	-49,253	'	'	'
Stock option exercises	18,389	2,993	'	15,396	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	-483	'	-483	'	'	'
Employee share-based compensation earned	10,983	'	'	10,983	'	'	'
Purchase of Company common stock	-186,766	'	-15,467	-99,002	-72,297	'	'
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	-3,000	'	'	-1,762	'	'	-1,238
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	-679	'	'	'	'	'	-679
Retirement of treasury shares	0	-17,167	-17,167	'	'	'	'
Other	931	82	'	849	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2012	1,362,827	211,057	-10	1,307,058	-286,795	111,717	19,800
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total comprehensive income	125,812	'	'	'	143,848	-23,276	5,240
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Dividends in Excess of Retained Earnings	-57,229	'	'	-57,229	'	'	'
Stock option exercises	9,313	1,087	'	8,226	'	'	'
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	-378	-3	-375	'	'	'
Employee share-based compensation earned	11,925	'	'	11,925	'	'	'
Purchase of Company common stock	-4,712	'	-275	-1,508	-2,929	'	'
Acquisition	118	'	'	'	'	'	118
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	-23,333	'	'	-10,023	'	'	-13,310
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	-1,700	'	'	'	'	'	-1,700
Retirement of treasury shares	0	-278	-278	'	'	'	'
Other	1,357	83	'	1,274	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,424,378	$212,327	($10)	$1,259,348	($145,876)	$88,441	$10,148

Consolidated_Statement_of_Equi1

Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Dividends declared per share	$0.08	$0.07	$0	$0	$0

Supplementary_Information_Pare

Supplementary Information (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$2,140	$1,690
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Noncurrent	10,986	1,316
Funeral [Member]	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$8,895	$7,194

Nature_of_Operations_Level_1_N

Nature of Operations Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Nature of Operations [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	'
	Nature of Operations
	We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral service locations and cemeteries primarily operating in the United States and Canada. Our operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses.
	Funeral service locations provide all professional services relating to funerals and cremations, including the use of funeral facilities and motor vehicles and preparation and embalming services. Funeral-related merchandise, including caskets, casket memorialization products, burial vaults, cremation receptacles, cremation memorial products, flowers, and other ancillary products and services, is sold at funeral service locations. Cemeteries provide cemetery property interment rights, including developed lots, lawn crypts, and mausoleum spaces and sell cemetery-related merchandise and services, including stone and bronze memorials, markers, merchandise installations, and burial openings and closings. We also sell preneed funeral and cemetery merchandise and services whereby a customer contractually agrees to the terms of certain merchandise and services to be provided in the future.
	On December 23, 2013, pursuant to a tender offer, we acquired Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Stewart) for $13.25 per share in cash, resulting in a purchase price of $1.5 billion, which includes the assumption of $331.5 million of Stewart’s debt. For further information related to this acquisition, see Note 19.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Business Combinations
	We apply the principles provided in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805 to all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009, and to certain future income tax effects related to business combinations, prior to such date, should they arise. In these acquisitions, tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and goodwill is recognized for any difference between the price of the acquisition and our fair value determination.
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years to conform to current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Our trade receivables primarily consist of amounts due for funeral services already performed. We provide various allowances and cancellation reserves for our funeral and cemetery preneed and atneed receivables as well as for our preneed funeral and preneed cemetery deferred revenues. These allowances are based on an analysis of historical trends of collection and cancellation activity. Atneed funeral and cemetery receivables are considered past due after 30 days. Collections are generally managed by the locations or third party agencies acting on behalf of the locations, until a receivable is 180 days delinquent at which time it is fully reserved and sent to a collection agency. These estimates are impacted by a number of factors, including changes in the economy, relocation, and demographic or competitive changes in our areas of operation.
	Inventories and Cemetery Property
	Funeral and cemetery merchandise are stated at the lower of average cost or market. Cemetery property is recorded at cost. Inventory costs and cemetery property are relieved using specific identification in performance of a contract. Amortization expense for cemetery property was $48.3 million, $45.0 million, and $40.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 respectively.
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense whereas renewals and major replacements that extend the assets useful lives are capitalized. Depreciation is recognized ratably over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. Buildings are depreciated over a period ranging from seven to forty years, equipment is depreciated over a period from three to eight years, and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or ten years. Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $122.6 million, $120.2 million, and $118.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. When property is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet; resulting gains and losses are included in the consolidated statement of operations in the period of sale or disposal.
	Leases
	We have lease arrangements primarily related to funeral service locations and transportation equipment that were primarily classified as capital leases at December 31, 2013. Lease terms related to funeral home properties generally range from one to 40 years with options to renew at varying terms. Lease terms related to transportation equipment generally range from one to five years with options to renew at varying terms. We calculate operating lease expense ratably over the lease term. We consider reasonably assured renewal options and fixed escalation provisions in our calculation. For more information related to leases, see Note 12.
	Goodwill
	The excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment by assessing the fair value of each of our reporting units. We performed our annual impairment test of goodwill in accordance with the Intangibles Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) during the fourth quarter.
	Our goodwill impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. In assessing our goodwill for impairment, we elected not to perform a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. Therefore, in the first step of our goodwill impairment test, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. We determine fair value of each reporting unit using both a market and income approach. Our methodology considers discounted cash flows and multiples of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) for both SCI, its competitors, and the Peer Group. The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows. We do not record an impairment of goodwill in instances where the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount. If the aggregate step one fair value is less than the related carrying amount for a reporting unit, we compare the implied fair value of goodwill (as defined in the Intangibles Topic of the ASC) to the carrying amount of goodwill. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
	For our most recent annual impairment test performed in the fourth quarter, we used growth rates ranging from 1.2% to 7.1% over a five-year period, plus a terminal value determined using the constant growth method in projecting our future cash flows and we used an 8.5% discount rate. Fair value was calculated as the sum of the projected discounted cash flows of our reporting units over the next five years plus terminal value at the end of those five years. Our terminal value was calculated using a long-term growth rate of 2.5% and 2.9% for our funeral and cemetery reporting units, respectively.
	In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends. No interim goodwill impairment reviews were required in 2013.
	Other Intangible Assets
	Our intangible assets include customer relationships, trademarks and tradenames, and other assets primarily resulting from acquisitions. Our trademark and tradenames and water rights assets are considered to have an indefinite life and are not subject to amortization. We test for impairment of intangible assets in accordance with the Intangibles Topic of the ASC annually during the fourth quarter.
	Our intangible assets impairment tests involve estimates and management judgment. For trademark and tradenames, our test uses the relief from royalty method whereby we determine the fair value of the assets by discounting the cash flows that represent a savings over having to pay a royalty fee for use of the trademark and tradenames. The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows. For our most recent annual impairment test performed in the fourth quarter, we estimated that the pre-tax savings would be 4.0% of the revenues associated with the trademark and tradenames, based primarily on our research of intellectual property valuation and licensing databases. We also assumed a terminal growth rate of 2.5% and 2.9% for our funeral and cemetery segments, respectively, and discounted the cash flows at an 8.7% discount rate based on the relative risk of these assets to our overall business.
	In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than the fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends. No interim intangible impairment reviews were required in 2013.
	Certain of our intangible assets associated with prior acquisitions are relieved using specific identification in performance of a contract. We amortize all other finite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of two to forty years.
	Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
	We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, in accordance with the Intangibles and Property, Plant, and Equipment Topic of the ASC. Under this guidance, long-lived assets to be held and used are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value. Fair value is based on an income approach that utilizes projections of undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by our long-lived assets. No long-lived asset impairment reviews were required in 2013.
	Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell. We determined the fair value of assets to be disposed of using a market approach. See Note 20 for additional information related to assets to be disposed.
	Treasury Stock
	We make treasury stock purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions and normal trading restrictions. We account for the repurchase of our common stock under the par value method. We use the average cost method upon the subsequent reissuance of treasury shares. On December 13, 2013, we canceled 0.3 million shares of common stock held in our treasury. We canceled 17.2 million and 19.2 million shares of common stock held in our treasury in 2012 and 2011, respectively. These retired treasury shares were changed to authorized but unissued status.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	All assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect as of the end of the reporting period. Revenue and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the reporting period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in Equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of equity and consolidated balance sheet.
	The functional currency of SCI and its subsidiaries is the respective local currency. The transactional currency gains and losses that arise from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of our operations are recorded in Other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations. We do not have an investment in foreign operations considered to be in highly inflationary economies.
	Fair Value Measurements
	We measure the available-for-sale securities held by our funeral merchandise and service, cemetery merchandise and service, and cemetery perpetual care trusts at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (FVM&D) Topic of the ASC. This guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about instruments measured at fair value. The guidance establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
	•	Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
	•	Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and
	•	Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
	An asset’s or liability’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Certain available-for-sale securities held by our funeral merchandise and service, cemetery merchandise and service, and cemetery perpetual care trusts have been classified in Level 3 of the hierarchy due to significant management judgment required as a result of the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, or the long-term nature of the securities. For additional disclosures required by FASB guidance for all of our available-for-sale securities, see Notes 4, 5, and 6.
	Funeral Operations
	Revenue is recognized when funeral services are performed or funeral merchandise is delivered. We sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts through various programs providing for future funeral services at prices prevailing when the agreements are signed. Revenue associated with sales of preneed funeral contracts is deferred until the funeral services are performed or funeral merchandise is delivered, generally at the time of need. Travel protection insurance and some memorialization merchandise sold on a preneed basis is delivered to the customer at the time of sale and is recognized at the time delivery has occurred. While these items are sold as part of preneed funeral arrangements they are also offered on a stand-alone basis. The total consideration for these arrangements is allocated to each item based on relative selling price determined using either vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price or third-party evidence of selling price. Vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price is determined based on the price we sell the items for on a stand-alone basis. Third-party evidence of selling price is based on the price of our largely interchangeable products that are sold in stand-alone sales to similarly situated customers. There is no general right of return for delivered items.
	Pursuant to state or provincial law, all or a portion of the proceeds from funeral merchandise or services sold on a preneed basis may be required to be paid into trust funds. We defer investment earnings related to these merchandise and service trusts until the associated merchandise is delivered or services are performed. Costs related to sales of merchandise and services are charged to expense when merchandise is delivered or services are performed. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 4 for more information regarding preneed funeral activities.
	Cemetery Operations
	Revenue associated with sales of cemetery merchandise and services is recognized when the service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Revenue associated with sales of preneed cemetery interment rights is recognized in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the ASC. Under this guidance, revenue related to the preneed sale of unconstructed cemetery property is deferred until it is constructed and 10% of the sales price is collected. For services and non-personalized merchandise (such as vaults), we defer the revenues until the services are performed or the merchandise is delivered. For personalized marker merchandise, with the customer’s direction generally obtained at the time of sale, we can choose to order, store, and transfer title to the customer. In situations in which we have no further obligation or involvement related to the merchandise, we recognize revenues and record the cost of sales in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the ASC upon the earlier of vendor storage of these items or delivery in our cemetery. The total consideration for these arrangements is allocated to each item based on relative selling price determined using vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price. Vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price is determined based on the price we sell the items for on a stand-alone basis. There is no general right of return for delivered items.
	Pursuant to state or provincial law, all or a portion of the proceeds from cemetery merchandise or services sold on a preneed basis may be required to be paid into trust funds. We defer investment earnings related to these merchandise and services trusts until the associated merchandise is delivered or services are performed.
	A portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights is required by state or provincial law to be paid into perpetual care trust funds. Investment earnings from these trusts are distributed to us regularly, are recognized in current cemetery revenues, and are intended to defray cemetery maintenance costs, which are expensed as incurred. The principal of such perpetual care trust funds generally cannot be withdrawn.
	Costs related to the sale of property interment rights include the property and construction costs specifically identified by project. At the completion of the project, construction costs are charged to expense in the same period revenue is recognized. Costs related to sales of merchandise and services are charged to expense when merchandise is delivered or when services are performed. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our consolidated financial statements. See Notes 5 and 6 for more information regarding preneed cemetery activities.
	Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables
	We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amount, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.
	If a preneed contract is canceled prior to delivery, state or provincial law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.
	Income Taxes
	We compute income taxes using the liability method. Our ability to realize the benefit of our federal and state deferred tax assets requires us to achieve certain future earnings levels. We have established a valuation allowance against a portion of our deferred tax assets and we could be required to further adjust that valuation allowance if market conditions change materially and future earnings are, or are projected to be, significantly different than our current estimates.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lev

Preneed Funeral Activities Level 1 (Notes) (Funeral [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Funeral [Member]	'
Preneed Funeral Activities Text Block	'
	Preneed Funeral Activities
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, related to unperformed, price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts. Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed funeral revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts after the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2013			2012			2011
					(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	82,168		$	81,601		$	72,750
	Withdrawals	125,914			100,635			109,013
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	393,169			563,628			527,681
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	435,267			555,709			610,917
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	65,011			60,833			61,272
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(9,732		)	(21,454		)	(41,162		)
	The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,422,942		$	977,973
	Cash and cash equivalents	128,216			85,943
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(163,436		)	—
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	280,969			273,098
	Trust investments	1,668,691			1,337,014
	Receivables from customers	254,294			241,897
	Unearned finance charge	(6,772		)	(8,645		)
		1,916,213			1,570,266
	Allowance for cancellation	(45,339		)	(34,334		)
	Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,870,874		$	1,535,932
	The activity in Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
					(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,535,932		$	1,486,018		$	1,427,192
	Net preneed contract sales	192,712			124,962			116,167
	Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(170,921		)	(125,625		)	(106,489		)
	Deposits to trust	82,168			81,601			72,750
	Acquisitions of businesses, net	272,403			6,021			143,252
	Net undistributed investment earnings (losses)(1)	125,986			84,611			(11,348		)
	Maturities and distributed earnings	(153,446		)	(126,130		)	(148,820		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	(3,245		)	934			(232		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(10,715		)	3,540			(6,454		)
	Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,870,874		$	1,535,932		$	1,486,018
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).
	The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair Market
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	110,511		$	1,299		$	(5,599	)		$	106,211
	Canadian government	2	100,263			81			(1,113		)		99,231
	Corporate	2	64,042			3,515			(691		)		66,866
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	2,408			23			(33		)		2,398
	Asset-backed	2	3,366			—			(10		)		3,356
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	30,107			754			(235		)		30,626
	Common stock:
	United States	1	364,721			77,963			(2,928		)		439,756
	Canada	1	27,634			4,346			(1,216		)		30,764
	Other international	1	35,519			4,986			(199		)		40,306
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	257,256			22,530			(2,303		)		277,483
	Fixed income	1	313,606			3,228			(19,577		)		297,257
	Private equity	3	32,909			2,702			(8,726		)		26,885
	Other	3	1,545			291			(33		)		1,803
	Trust investments		$	1,343,887		$	121,718		$	(42,663	)		$	1,422,942
		December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair Market
					Gains			Losses				Value
					(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	105,594		$	5,072		$	(880	)		$	109,786
Canadian government	2	110,399			861			(113		)		111,147
Corporate	2	51,611			2,531			(623		)		53,519
Residential mortgage-backed	2	3,123			57			(8		)		3,172
Asset-backed	2	129			3			—				132
Equity securities:
Preferred stock:	2	3,603			211			(103		)		3,711
Common stock:
United States	1	230,971			38,514			(6,903		)		262,582
Canada	1	23,284			2,598			(1,271		)		24,611
Other international	1	18,089			1,874			(658		)		19,305
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	145,589			10,097			(6,728		)		148,958
Fixed income	1	225,365			7,314			(10,252		)		222,427
Private equity	3	36,626			221			(18,968		)		17,879
Other	3	542			202			—				744
Trust investments		$	954,925		$	69,555		$	(46,507	)		$	977,973
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of December 31, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
As of December 31, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $8.1 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 (in thousands):
	2013						2012							2011
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	17,879		$	744		$	15,986			$	912		$	12,369		$	8,990
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	13,429			1,442			(403		)		(159		)	2,923			(8,063		)
Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(43		)	(3		)	(58		)		(2		)	(88		)	(4		)
Purchases	1,188			—			—				—			18			—
Sales	—			—			(9		)		—			(8,156		)	—
Contributions	3,229			—			4,664				—			10,392			—
Distributions and other	(9,245		)	(393		)	(2,301		)		(7		)	(1,472		)	(11		)
Acquisitions	448			13			—				—			—			—
Fair market value, ending balance at December 31,	$	26,885		$	1,803		$	17,879			$	744		$	15,986		$	912
_______________________________________
-1	All unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2014 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities at December 31, 2013 are estimated as follows:
	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	150,154
Due in one to five years	50,518
Due in five to ten years	47,631
Thereafter	29,759
	$	278,062
Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to our funeral merchandise and service trust investments were $48.5 million, $38.7 million, and $37.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income (expense), net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, we recorded a $0.8 million, a $0.8 million, and a $24.7 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, are shown in the following tables.
	December 31, 2013
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
	Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
	Value						Value							Value
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	28,693		$	(3,595	)	$	19,351			$	(2,004	)	$	48,044		$	(5,599	)
Canadian government	9,546			(120		)	18,981				(993		)	28,527			(1,113		)
Corporate	21,357			(346		)	5,654				(345		)	27,011			(691		)
Residential mortgage-backed	1,381			(25		)	172				(8		)	1,553			(33		)
Asset-backed	3,275			(10		)	—				—			3,275			(10		)
Equity securities:
Preferred Stock	14,028			(235		)	—				—			14,028			(235		)
Common stock:
United States	46,544			(2,153		)	3,327				(775		)	49,871			(2,928		)
Canada	2,433			(576		)	1,992				(641		)	4,425			(1,217		)
Other international	3,396			(138		)	369				(60		)	3,765			(198		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	16,206			(337		)	12,456				(1,966		)	28,662			(2,303		)
Fixed income	143,846			(4,984		)	38,217				(14,593		)	182,063			(19,577		)
Private equity	—			—			13,002				(8,726		)	13,002			(8,726		)
Other	—			—			527				(33		)	527			(33		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	290,705		$	(12,519	)	$	114,048			$	(30,144	)	$	404,753		$	(42,663	)
	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
	Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
	Value						Value							Value
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	22,357		$	(803	)	$	6,741			$	(77	)	$	29,098		$	(880	)
Canadian government	7,912			(113		)	—				—			7,912			(113		)
Corporate	7,809			(347		)	4,283				(276		)	12,092			(623		)
Residential mortgage-backed	956			(8		)	—				—			956			(8		)
Equity securities:
Preferred Stock	1,220			(93		)	52				(10		)	1,272			(103		)
Common stock:
United States	70,752			(4,694		)	9,089				(2,209		)	79,841			(6,903		)
Canada	6,592			(652		)	2,516				(619		)	9,108			(1,271		)
Other international	7,606			(521		)	608				(137		)	8,214			(658		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	6,779			(126		)	26,340				(6,602		)	33,119			(6,728		)
Fixed income	38,686			(1,021		)	24,131				(9,231		)	62,817			(10,252		)
Private equity	—			—			17,389				(18,968		)	17,389			(18,968		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	170,669		$	(8,378	)	$	91,149			$	(38,129	)	$	261,818		$	(46,507	)
Deferred Preneed Funeral Revenues
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of allowance for cancellation, represent future funeral revenues, including distributed trust investment earnings associated with unperformed trust-funded preneed funeral contracts that are not held in trust accounts. Deferred preneed funeral revenues are recognized in current funeral revenues when the service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Future funeral service revenues and net trust investment earnings that are held in trust accounts are included in Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust.
The following table summarizes the activity in Deferred preneed funeral revenues for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$	536,647		$	575,546		$	580,223
Net preneed contract sales	144,202			103,341			105,866
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	431,460			(4,491		)	142,026
Net investment earnings (losses)(1)	126,428			83,788			(12,164		)
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(200,680		)	(164,037		)	(182,408		)
Change in cancellation allowance	(5,670		)	1,304			(1,526		)
Change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(343,878		)	(61,068		)	(57,936		)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(2,210		)	2,264			1,465
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$	686,299		$	536,647		$	575,546
_________________________________
-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).
Insurance-Funded Preneed Funeral Contracts
Not included in our consolidated balance sheet are insurance-funded preneed funeral contracts that will be funded by life insurance or annuity contracts issued by third party insurers. Where permitted by state or provincial law, customers may arrange their preneed funeral contract by purchasing a life insurance or annuity policy from third-party insurance companies, for which we earn a commission as general sales agent for the insurance company. These general agency commissions (GA revenues) are based on a percentage per contract sold and are recognized as funeral revenues when the insurance purchase transaction between the customer and third-party insurance provider is completed. GA revenues recognized in 2013, 2012, and 2011 were $106.5 million, $94.0 million, and $86.8 million, respectively. Direct selling costs incurred pursuant to the sale of insurance-funded preneed funeral contracts are expensed as incurred. The policy amount of the insurance contract between the customer and the third-party insurance company generally equals the amount of the preneed funeral contract. We do not reflect the unfulfilled insurance-funded preneed funeral contract amounts in our consolidated balance sheet. The proceeds of the life insurance policies or annuity contracts will be reflected in funeral revenues as these funerals are performed by the Company.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Changes
	Income Taxes
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the Income Taxes Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to eliminate a diversity in practice for the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendment requires that the unrecognized tax benefit be presented as a reduction of the deferred tax assets associated with the carryforwards except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. This amendment is effective for us starting with our first quarter of 2014 and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated financial condition.
	Foreign Currency
	In March 2013, the FASB amended the Foreign Currency Matters Topic of the ASC to clarify the appropriate accounting when a parent ceases to have a controlling interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity. This clarification provides that the cumulative translation adjustment should only be released into net income if the loss of controlling interest represents complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or asset group had resided. This amendment is effective for us starting with our first quarter of 2014 and adoption would impact our consolidated financial condition and results of operations if we dispose of a foreign entity.
	Comprehensive Income
	In February 2013, the FASB amended the Comprehensive Income Topic of the ASC to require reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated comprehensive income by component. We are required to present significant amounts reclassified to net income in their entirety by income statement line item and to cross reference any disclosure elsewhere in the notes for amounts reclassified in less than their entirety. We adopted this amendment effective January 1, 2013 and the appropriate disclosures are contained in Note 13.

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Le

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 1 (Notes) (Cemetery [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Cemetery [Member]	'
Preneed Cemetery Activities Text Block	'
	Preneed Cemetery Activities
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, for contracts sold in advance of when the property interment rights, merchandise, or services are needed. Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed cemetery revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts when the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2013			2012			2011
					(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	106,185		$	98,130		$	98,121
	Withdrawals	119,576			98,738			109,382
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	477,772			746,761			595,683
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	498,852			700,091			525,534
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	101,337			87,665			67,167
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(14,593		)	(29,397		)	(46,889		)
	The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,553,719		$	1,204,084
	Cash and cash equivalents	138,459			86,923
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(107,481		)	—
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	4			9
	Trust investments	1,584,701			1,291,016
	Receivables from customers	800,005			614,599
	Unearned finance charges	(27,873		)	(29,471		)
		2,356,833			1,876,144
	Allowance for cancellation	(55,922		)	(49,309		)
	Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,300,911		$	1,826,835
	The activity in Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
					(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	1,826,835		$	1,595,940		$	1,563,893
	Net preneed contract sales	562,433			501,654			468,850
	Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	199,433			1,124			(5,500		)
	Net undistributed investment earnings (losses)(1)	203,499			133,351			(24,407		)
	Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(471,710		)	(417,965		)	(403,524		)
	Deposits to trust	106,185			98,130			98,121
	Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings	(119,576		)	(98,738		)	(109,382		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	3,002			(3,481		)	(759		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(9,190		)	16,820			8,648
	Ending balance — Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,300,911		$	1,826,835		$	1,595,940
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).
	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair Market
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	113,621		$	1,714		$	(8,876	)		$	106,459
	Canadian government	2	17,073			170			(261		)		16,982
	Corporate	2	48,970			5,262			(646		)		53,586
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	408			2			(2		)		408
	Asset-backed	2	3,346			—			(13		)		3,333
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	16,708			1,106			(123		)		17,691
	Common stock:
	United States	1	425,246			147,258			(3,231		)		569,273
	Canada	1	15,368			4,063			(935		)		18,496
	Other international	1	44,184			10,079			(200		)		54,063
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	327,084			49,428			(1,704		)		374,808
	Fixed income	1	338,944			5,236			(33,649		)		310,531
	Private equity	3	28,625			3,372			(5,153		)		26,844
	Other	3	1,078			200			(33		)		1,245
Trust investments		$	1,380,655		$	227,890		$	(54,826	)		$	1,553,719
		December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair Market
					Gains			Losses				Value
					(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	99,630		$	7,925		$	(841	)		$	106,714
Canadian government	2	17,562			402			(83		)		17,881
Corporate	2	43,515			2,456			(775		)		45,196
Residential mortgage-backed	2	150			4			—				154
Equity securities:
Preferred stock:	2	5,840			334			(196		)		5,978
Common stock:
United States	1	363,190			71,613			(7,716		)		427,087
Canada	1	16,026			2,862			(846		)		18,042
Other international	1	29,889			3,687			(857		)		32,719
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	279,265			19,520			(9,921		)		288,864
Fixed income	1	251,687			10,975			(19,350		)		243,312
Private equity	3	32,785			77			(15,175		)		17,687
Other	3	407			44			(1		)		450
Trust investments		$	1,139,946		$	119,899		$	(55,761	)		$	1,204,084
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of December 31, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
As of December 31, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $8.5 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
	2013						2012							2011
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	17,687		$	450		$	15,219			$	436		$	5,719		$	532
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	15,420			1,218			100				28			517			(71		)
Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(48		)	(5		)	(64		)		(2		)	(95		)	(6		)
Contributions	3,430			—			4,932				—			10,795			—
Distributions and other	(9,645		)	(418		)	(2,500		)		(12		)	(1,717		)	(19		)
Fair market value, ending balance at December 31,	$	26,844		$	1,245		$	17,687			$	450		$	15,219		$	436
_________________________________
-1	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2014 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) at December 31, 2013 are estimated as follows:
	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	27,088
Due in one to five years	63,870
Due in five to ten years	44,942
Thereafter	44,868
	$	180,768
Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in cemetery revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments were $39.0 million, $27.7 million, and $20.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income (expense), net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, we recorded a $1.6 million, a $0.8 million, and a $28.7 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, are shown in the following tables:
	December 31, 2013
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair Market			Unrealized			Fair Market				Unrealized			Fair Market			Unrealized
	Value			Losses			Value				Losses			Value			Losses
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	45,120		$	(6,040	)	$	25,043			$	(2,836	)	$	70,163		$	(8,876	)
Canadian government	9,424			(120		)	3,066				(141		)	12,490			(261		)
Corporate	15,050			(424		)	3,073				(222		)	18,123			(646		)
Residential mortgage-backed	145			(2		)	2				—			147			(2		)
Asset-backed	3,257			(13		)	—				—			3,257			(13		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock:	5,604			(123		)	—				—			5,604			(123		)
Common stock:
United States	46,317			(2,648		)	3,489				(583		)	49,806			(3,231		)
Canada	1,569			(502		)	1,935				(433		)	3,504			(935		)
Other international	4,344			(124		)	702				(76		)	5,046			(200		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	3,858			(54		)	14,477				(1,650		)	18,335			(1,704		)
Fixed income	134,669			(5,527		)	64,009				(28,122		)	198,678			(33,649		)
Private equity	—			—			6,589				(5,153		)	6,589			(5,153		)
Other	—			—			282				(33		)	282			(33		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	269,357		$	(15,577	)	$	122,667			$	(39,249	)	$	392,024		$	(54,826	)
	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair Market			Unrealized			Fair Market				Unrealized			Fair Market			Unrealized
	Value			Losses			Value				Losses			Value			Losses
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	28,626		$	(841	)	$	—			$	—		$	28,626		$	(841	)
Canadian government	5,319			(83		)	—				—			5,319			(83		)
Corporate	14,060			(571		)	2,137				(204		)	16,197			(775		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock:	1,497			(143		)	126				(53		)	1,623			(196		)
Common stock:
United States	82,989			(5,624		)	11,131				(2,092		)	94,120			(7,716		)
Canada	3,114			(461		)	1,115				(385		)	4,229			(846		)
Other international	9,056			(655		)	741				(202		)	9,797			(857		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	28,132			(1,427		)	43,172				(8,494		)	71,304			(9,921		)
Fixed income	54,533			(2,205		)	29,104				(17,145		)	83,637			(19,350		)
Private equity	46			(17		)	17,136				(15,158		)	17,182			(15,175		)
Other	8			—			378				(1		)	386			(1		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	227,380		$	(12,027	)	$	105,040			$	(43,734	)	$	332,420		$	(55,761	)
Deferred Preneed Cemetery Revenues
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, Deferred preneed cemetery revenues, net of allowance for cancellation, represent future cemetery revenues, including distributed trust investment earnings associated with unperformed trust-funded preneed cemetery contracts that are not held in trust accounts. Deferred preneed cemetery revenues are recognized in current cemetery revenues when the service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Future cemetery revenues and net trust investment earnings that are held in trust accounts are included in Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust.
The following table summarizes the activity in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues for the years ended December 31:
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	861,148		$	833,303		$	813,493
Net preneed and atneed deferred sales	396,264			380,887			363,523
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	119,504			1,089			(10,861		)
Net investment earnings (losses)(1)	201,941			130,012			(26,431		)
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(386,632		)	(363,072		)	(350,356		)
Change in cancellation allowance	18,358			3,968			802
Change in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(298,337		)	(133,612		)	37,173
Effect of foreign currency and other	10,909			8,573			5,960
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	923,155		$	861,148		$	833,303
_________________________________
-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 1 (Notes) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Text Block	'
	Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts
	We are required by state and provincial law to pay into cemetery perpetual care trusts a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights. Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. We consolidate our cemetery perpetual care trust investments with a corresponding amount recorded as Care trusts’ corpus. Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2013				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	26,501			$	24,869			$	23,785
	Withdrawals	33,557				33,177				34,737
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	139,439				252,021				444,616
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	99,701				136,391				410,175
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	17,916				11,463				34,275
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(2,738		)		(6,595		)		(16,310		)
	The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,352,539			$	1,045,568
	Cash and cash equivalents	78,509				54,012
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(83,426		)		—
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,347,622			$	1,099,580
	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair market value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market
							Gains				Losses				Value
							(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	1,588			$	9			$	(14	)		$	1,583
	Canadian government	2	28,487				301				(459		)		28,329
	Corporate	2	43,196				312				(263		)		43,245
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	4,258				14				(19		)		4,253
	Asset-backed	2	3,006				5				(11		)		3,000
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	25,952				192				(252		)		25,892
	Common stock:
	United States	1	231,156				53,782				(2,087		)		282,851
	Canada	1	8,846				2,222				(623		)		10,445
	Other international	1	20,676				1,319				(167		)		21,828
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	41,282				5,693				(35		)		46,940
	Fixed income	1	819,439				35,963				(2,598		)		852,804
	Private equity	3	28,309				472				(9,002		)		19,779
	Other	3	10,521				1,153				(84		)		11,590
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	1,266,716			$	101,437			$	(15,614	)		$	1,352,539
			December 31, 2012
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market
							Gains				Losses				Value
							(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	820			$	45			$	(1	)		$	864
	Canadian government	2	30,159				709				(140		)		30,728
	Corporate	2	22,877				537				(51		)		23,363
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,498				41				(2		)		1,537
	Asset-backed	2	161				10				—				171
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	5,637				61				(938		)		4,760
	Common stock:
	United States	1	163,173				19,609				(3,389		)		179,393
	Canada	1	8,954				1,568				(731		)		9,791
	Other international	1	14,693				1,392				(447		)		15,638
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	16,999				2,102				(211		)		18,890
	Fixed income	1	680,921				61,172				(441		)		741,652
	Private equity	3	24,727				338				(13,943		)		11,122
	Other	3	9,653				1,110				(3,104		)		7,659
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	980,272			$	88,694			$	(23,398	)		$	1,045,568
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the market value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. As of December 31, 2013, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. As of December 31, 2012, private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 60% for risk and 0% to 25% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, valuations are reviewed by our investment committee quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
As of December 31, 2013, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $1.4 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
	2013								2012								2011
	Private Equity				Other				Private Equity				Other				Private Equity			Other
Fair market value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	11,122			$	7,659			$	10,849			$	6,890			$	10,435		$	6,654
Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	6,897				4,081				1,648				1,035				9,799			703
Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(142		)		(76		)		(162		)		(43		)		(213		)	(97		)
Sales	—				—				(26		)		—				(44		)	—
Contributions	3,706				—				4,171				—				118			—
Distributions and other	(1,841		)		(508		)		(5,358		)		(223		)		(9,246		)	(370		)
Acquisitions	37				434				—				—				—			—
Fair market value, ending balance at December 31,	$	19,779			$	11,590			$	11,122			$	7,659			$	10,849		$	6,890
-1	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2014 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities at December 31, 2013 are estimated as follows:
	Fair Market Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	14,364
Due in one to five years	37,656
Due in five to ten years	23,615
Thereafter	4,775
	$	80,410
Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. Recognized earnings related to these cemetery perpetual care trust investments were $44.1 million, $44.7 million, and $43.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other (expense) income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, we recorded a $0.2 million, a $0.8 million, and a $0.7 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings, and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, are shown in the following table:
	December 31, 2013
	In Loss Position									In Loss Position								Total
	Less Than 12 Months									Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair					Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized				Fair			Unrealized
	Market					Losses				Market				Losses				Market			Losses
	Value									Value								Value
										(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,339				$	(14	)		$	20			$	—			$	1,359		$	(14	)
Canadian government	15,777					(214		)		5,131				(245		)		20,908			(459		)
Corporate	22,534					(129		)		3,299				(134		)		25,833			(263		)
Residential mortgage-backed	2,960					(18		)		10				(1		)		2,970			(19		)
Asset-backed	2,835					(10		)		15				(1		)		2,850			(11		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	14,650					(245		)		44				(7		)		14,694			(252		)
Common stock:
United States	23,825					(1,561		)		3,254				(526		)		27,079			(2,087		)
Canada	667					(129		)		1,794				(494		)		2,461			(623		)
Other international	1,540					(54		)		525				(113		)		2,065			(167		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	391					(14		)		163				(21		)		554			(35		)
Fixed income	181,701					(2,090		)		28,507				(508		)		210,208			(2,598		)
Private equity	—					—				19,242				(9,002		)		19,242			(9,002		)
Other	—					—				9,738				(84		)		9,738			(84		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	268,219		—		$	(4,478	)		$	71,742			$	(11,136	)		$	339,961		$	(15,614	)
	December 31, 2012
	In Loss Position								In Loss Position								Total
	Less Than 12 Months								Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair				Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized				Fair			Unrealized
	Market				Losses				Market				Losses				Market			Losses
	Value								Value								Value
									(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	373			$	(1	)		$	—			$	—			$	373		$	(1	)
Canadian government	9,145				(140		)		—				—				9,145			(140		)
Corporate	5,439				(33		)		1,886				(18		)		7,325			(51		)
Residential mortgage-backed	183				(2		)		—				—				183			(2		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,115				(639		)		973				(299		)		4,088			(938		)
Common stock:
United States	38,323				(2,403		)		7,495				(986		)		45,818			(3,389		)
Canada	1,246				(281		)		1,055				(450		)		2,301			(731		)
Other international	4,712				(389		)		696				(58		)		5,408			(447		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,654				(127		)		404				(84		)		3,058			(211		)
Fixed income	10,552				(37		)		31,837				(404		)		42,389			(441		)
Private equity	—				—				10,752				(13,943		)		10,752			(13,943		)
Other	—				—				6,308				(3,104		)		6,308			(3,104		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	75,742			$	(4,052	)		$	61,406			$	(19,346	)		$	137,148		$	(23,398	)

Deferred_Preneed_Funeral_and_C

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus [Abstract]	'
Deferred Preneed Funeral And Cemetery Receipts Held In Trust And Care Trusts Corpus Text Block	'
	Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts’ Corpus
	Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust
	We consolidate the merchandise and service trusts associated with our preneed funeral and cemetery activities in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. Although the guidance requires the consolidation of the merchandise and service trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, us, or our customers. The customers are the legal beneficiaries of these merchandise and service trusts; therefore, their interests in these trusts represent a liability to us.
	The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below.
		December 31, 2013										December 31, 2012
		Preneed				Preneed			Total			Preneed				Preneed			Total
		Funeral				Cemetery						Funeral				Cemetery
					(In thousands)										(In thousands)
	Trust investments	$	1,668,691			$	1,584,701		$	3,253,392		$	1,337,014			$	1,291,016		$	2,628,030
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,108		)		(1,698		)	(2,806		)	(1,827		)		(1,882		)	(3,709		)
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,667,583			$	1,583,003		$	3,250,586		$	1,335,187			$	1,289,134		$	2,624,321
	Care Trusts’ Corpus
	The Care trusts’ corpus reflected in our consolidated balance sheet represents the cemetery perpetual care trusts, including the related accrued expenses.
	The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below.
		December 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,347,622			$	1,099,580
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,748		)		(828		)
	Care trusts’ corpus	$	1,345,874			$	1,098,752
	Other Income (Expense), Net
	The components of Other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to our funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
									(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	65,011			$	101,337		$	17,916		$	—			$	184,264
	Realized losses	(9,732		)		(14,593		)	(2,738		)	—				(27,063		)
	Impairment charges	(829		)		(1,575		)	(192		)	—				(2,596		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	24,912				20,527			27,452			—				72,891
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(11,371		)		(14,633		)	(2,628		)	—				(28,632		)
	Net trust investment income	67,991				91,063			39,810			—				198,864
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(67,991		)		(91,063		)	(39,810		)	—				(198,864		)
	Other income (expense), net	—				—			—			(559		)		(559		)
	Total other income (expense), net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	(559	)		$	(559	)
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
		(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	60,833			$	87,665		$	11,463		$	—			$	159,961
	Realized losses	(21,454		)		(29,397		)	(6,595		)	—				(57,446		)
	Impairment charges	(781		)		(824		)	(760		)	—				(2,365		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	17,017				17,244			34,032			—				68,293
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(10,685		)		(13,389		)	(1,355		)	—				(25,429		)
	Net trust investment (loss) income	44,930				61,299			36,785			—				143,014
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(44,930		)		(61,299		)	(36,785		)	—				(143,014		)
	Other income (expense), net	—				—			—			3,668				3,668
	Total other income (expense), net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	3,668			$	3,668
		December 31, 2011
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
									(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	61,272			$	67,167		$	34,275		$	—			$	162,714
	Realized losses	(41,162		)		(46,889		)	(16,310		)	—				(104,361		)
	Impairment charges	(24,705		)		(28,705		)	(741		)	—				(54,151		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	22,283				26,902			35,467			—				84,652
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(7,303		)		(10,579		)	(2,774		)	—				(20,656		)
	Net trust investment (loss) income	10,385				7,896			49,917			—				68,198
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(10,385		)		(7,896		)	(49,917		)	—				(68,198		)
	Other (expense) income, net	—				—			—			(772		)		(772		)
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	(772	)		$	(772	)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for our funeral and cemetery reporting units are as follows (in thousands):
		2013									2012
		Funeral			Cemetery			Total			Funeral			Cemetery			Total
	Balance as of January 1:	$	1,319,308		$	63,102		$	1,382,410		$	1,298,350		$	63,143		$	1,361,493
	Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	322,118			260,108			582,226			20,289			—			20,289
	Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(2,774		)	—			(2,774		)	(2,210		)	(41		)	(2,251		)
	Held for Sale	(29,070		)	(2,027		)	(31,097		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(8,663		)	—			(8,663		)	2,879			—			2,879
	Activity in 2013	281,611			258,081			539,692			20,958			(41		)	20,917
	Balance as of December 31	$	1,600,919		$	321,183		$	1,922,102		$	1,319,308		$	63,102		$	1,382,410
	The components of intangible assets at December 31 were as follows:
		Useful life
		Minimum		Maximum	2013			2012
		(Years)			(In thousands)
	Amortizing intangibles:
	Covenants-not-to-compete	2	-	20	$	218,771		$	208,594
	Customer relationships	10	-	20	174,282			102,481
	Tradenames	5	-	5	12,750			3,600
	Other	5	-	40	17,027			6,050
					422,830			320,725
	Less: Accumulated amortization				227,119			207,985
	Amortizing intangibles, net				195,711			112,740
	Non-amortizing intangibles:
	Tradenames			Indefinite	215,135			134,823
	Other			Indefinite	11,640			10,140
	Non-amortizing intangibles				226,775			144,963
	Intangible assets, net				$	422,486		$	257,703
	Amortization expense for intangible assets was $21.9 million, $23.9 million, and $25.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The following is estimated amortization expense, excluding certain intangibles for which we are unable to provide an estimate because they are amortized based on specific identification in the performance of a preneed contract, for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	2014	$	17,572
	2015	14,884
	2016	14,065
	2017	11,525
	2018	10,722

Income_Taxes_Level_1_Notes

Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	The provision or benefit for income taxes includes U.S. federal income taxes (determined on a consolidated return basis), foreign income taxes, and state income taxes.
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes for the years ended December 31 was composed of the following components:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	199,374		$	210,830		$	196,788
	Foreign	46,345			34,853			28,848
		$	245,719		$	245,683		$	225,636
	Income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31 consisted of the following:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	United States	$	2,206		$	3,752		$	1,267
	Foreign	12,445			8,776			5,844
	State	7,864			6,036			5,781
	Total current income taxes	22,515			18,564			12,892
	Deferred:
	United States	$	65,591		$	62,227		$	57,845
	Foreign	21			(102		)	279
	State	8,488			10,859			8,388
	Total deferred income taxes	74,100			72,984			66,512
	Total income taxes	$	96,615		$	91,548		$	79,404
	We made income tax payments of $26.0 million, $23.1 million, and $13.1 million in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and received refunds of $0.5 million, $1.5 million, and $8.5 million. The Internal Revenue Service approved our application for a change in accounting method in December 2010. As a result, we overpaid our estimated 2010 Federal and state income taxes. The overpayment of our estimated Federal income tax is included in our 2011 refunds; however, we elected to apply the overpayment of our 2010 state income tax to our 2011 estimated income tax payments which lowered our 2011 cash tax payments.
	The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Computed tax provision at the applicable federal statutory income tax rate	$	86,002		$	85,988		$	78,973
	State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefits	10,614			10,998			9,895
	Dividends received deduction and tax exempt interest	(592		)	(525		)	(644		)
	Foreign jurisdiction differences	(3,722		)	(3,491		)	(4,789		)
	Permanent differences associated with dispositions	268			602			(6,329		)
	Changes in uncertain tax positions	3,710			(479		)	1,584
	Other	335			(1,545		)	714
	Provision for income taxes	$	96,615		$	91,548		$	79,404
	Total effective tax rate	39.3		%	37.3		%	35.2		%
	The 2013 consolidated effective tax rate was 39.3%, compared to 37.3% and 35.2% in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The 2013 effective tax rate increased over prior year primarily due to non-deductible transaction cost associated with the Stewart acquisition and the change in our FIN 48 liability.
	During 2012, we reached a partial settlement with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in connection with its audit of our affiliate's, SCI Funeral and Cemetery Purchasing Cooperative, 2003 - 2005 federal income tax returns. In connection with this settlement we reduced our 2012 tax expense by $3.1 million for adjustments to our "unrecognized tax benefits" - that is, the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the benefits recognized in our financial statements. The lower effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes the benefit associated with the closure of that tax audit.
	We sold our Puerto Rican subsidiary in the third quarter of 2011. Our outside tax basis in the business was significantly higher than our book basis. Consequently, we recognized a tax loss that was significantly higher than the book loss on the sale which is permanent in nature. The lower effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 is primarily due to that sale.
	Deferred taxes are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates. The tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 consisted of the following:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Inventories and cemetery property, principally due to purchase accounting adjustments	$	(385,714	)	$	(346,364	)
	Property and equipment	(163,770		)	(97,469		)
	Intangibles	(372,105		)	(182,864		)
	Other	(22,083		)	—
	Deferred tax liabilities	(943,672		)	(626,697		)
	Loss and tax credit carry-forwards	170,900			141,739
	Deferred revenue on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts	180,283			38,823
	Accrued liabilities	109,838			84,016
	Other	—			2,007
	Deferred tax assets	461,021			266,585
	Less: Valuation allowance	(74,918		)	(67,732		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(557,569	)	$	(427,844	)
	As a result of our acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc., our net deferred tax liability decreased by $49.9 million primarily as a result of deferred taxes being recorded as part of the purchase accounting entries recording assets and liabilities at fair market value.
	Deferred tax assets and Deferred income tax liabilities are recognized in our consolidated balance sheet as the following (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets	$	39,074		$	42,864
	Non-current deferred tax assets	22,557			490
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(619,200		)	(471,198		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(557,569	)	$	(427,844	)
	In addition to the loss and tax credit carry-forward amounts reflected as deferred tax assets in the table above, we have taken certain tax deductions related to the exercised employee stock options and vested restricted shares that are in excess of the stock-based compensation amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements (“windfall tax benefits”). Pursuant to the Stock Compensation Topic under the ASC, such windfall tax benefits are not recognized in our consolidated financial statements unless they reduce income taxes payable. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 we have windfall tax benefits of $36.3 million and $29.1 million, respectively, which when realized will be recorded as a reduction to current taxes payable and a credit to Capital in excess of par value in our consolidated financial statements.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, U.S. income taxes had not been provided on $241.5 million and $263.1 million, respectively, of the remaining undistributed earnings of our Canadian subsidiaries. We intend to permanently reinvest these undistributed foreign earnings in those businesses outside the United States. It is not practicable to determine the amount of federal income taxes, if any, that might become due if such earnings are repatriated.
	The following table summarizes the activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Federal, State and Foreign Tax
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2010	$	152,765
Additions to tax positions related to the current year	4,971
Additions to tax positions related to prior years	60
Statute expirations	(1,484		)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	156,312
Reductions to tax positions related to the current year	(2,100		)
Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(10,224		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	143,988
Additions to tax positions related to the current year	3,019
Additions to tax positions related to the acquisition of Stewart, offset to goodwill	1,556
Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(8,800		)
Statute expirations	(2,844		)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	136,919
Our total unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rates were $37.1 million, $34.9 million, and $37.8 million as of December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
During 2013, in accordance with the Income Tax Topic under the ASC, we recorded a decrease of $7.1 million in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits, of which $3.0 million was an increase to U.S. tax positions taken in the current year and $1.6 million was an increase related to U.S. tax positions related to acquired entities taken in prior fiscal years which was offset to goodwill. In addition we recorded a $8.8 million decrease to U.S. tax positions taken in prior years and a $2.8 million decrease related to the expiration of statute of limitations on positions taken in previous fiscal years.
Consistent with our historical financial reporting, we include potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within our income tax provision account. We have accrued $44.5 million, $41.6 million, and $41.8 million for the payment of interest, net of tax benefits, and penalties as of December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. We recognized an increase of interest and penalties of $3.0 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2011, and a decrease of interest and penalties of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions or the uncertainty of deductions in the future, amounts accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.
We file income tax returns, including tax returns for our subsidiaries, with federal, state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. Our tax returns are subject to routine compliance review by the taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which we file tax returns in the ordinary course of business. We consider the United States to be our most significant tax jurisdiction; however, the taxing authority in Canada is auditing various tax returns. While we have effectively concluded our 2003 - 2005 tax years with respect to our affiliate the COOP, SCI and Subsidiaries' tax years 1999 through 2005 remain under review at the IRS Appeals level. SCI and Subsidiaries received a letter of no change to its tax liability for the years 2008 through 2010. Furthermore, SCI and its affiliates are under audit by various state and foreign jurisdiction for years through 2010. It is reasonably possible that changes to our global unrecognized tax benefits could be significant; however, due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of completion of audits and possible outcomes, a current estimate of the range of increases or decreases that may occur within the next twelve months cannot be made.
Various subsidiaries have foreign, federal, and state carry-forwards in the aggregate of $3.2 billion with expiration dates through 2031. Such loss carry-forwards will expire as follows:
	Federal			State			Foreign			Total
				(In thousands)
2014	$	115		$	17,052		$	—		$	17,167
2015	58			156,981			—			157,039
2016	121			35,886			—			36,007
2017	—			14,755			—			14,755
Thereafter	77,703			2,924,985			5			3,002,693
Total	$	77,997		$	3,149,659		$	5		$	3,227,661
In addition to the above loss carry-forwards, we have $67.5 million of foreign losses that have an indefinite expiration.
A valuation allowance has been established because more-likely-than-not uncertainties exist with respect to our future realization of certain loss carry-forwards. The valuation allowance is primarily attributable to state net operating losses and reflects our expectation that the net operating losses in certain jurisdictions will expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the losses. In 2013, we recorded a net $9.9 million increase in state valuation allowances, which is comprised of adjustments of $2.7 million to goodwill related to the Stewart acquisition and a $7.2 million increase in estimated net operating losses expected to expire unutilized. We recorded a $3.7 million decrease in federal valuation allowances related to net operating losses that we expect to utilize resulting in a decrease in federal valuation allowances which had been booked against deferred tax assets.
At December 31, 2013, our loss and tax credit carry-forward deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances by jurisdiction are as follows:
	Federal			State (1)			Foreign			Total
				(In thousands)
Loss and tax credit carry-forwards	$	36,799		$	110,941		$	23,160		$	170,900
Valuation allowance	$	—		$	55,574		$	19,344		$	74,918
_________________________________
-1	Presented net of Federal benefit
Our federal loss and tax credit carryforwards exclude windfall tax benefits, suspended net operating losses and credit carryforwards which, when realized, will reduce current income taxes payable by an additional $25.1 million.

Supplementary_Information_Leve

Supplementary Information Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplementary Information [Abstract]	'
Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Supplementary Information
	The detail of certain balance sheet accounts is as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	105,241		$	52,431
	Commercial paper and temporary investments	39,632			40,277
		$	144,873		$	92,708
	Receivables, net:
	Notes receivable	$	1,140		$	976
	Atneed funeral receivables, net of allowances of $8,895 and $7,194, respectively	68,565			70,208
	Atneed cemetery receivables, net of allowances of $2,140 and $1,690, respectively	16,399			14,408
	Other	19,795			16,225
		$	105,899		$	101,817
	Other current assets:
	Income tax receivable	$	2,841		$	4,805
	Prepaid insurance	8,583			4,258
	Restricted cash	6,550			1,484
	Bond conversion asset	21,682			—
	Deferred debt issuance costs	9,082			4,393
	Other	16,029			5,606
		$	64,767		$	20,546
	Cemetery property:
	Undeveloped land	$	1,209,143		$	1,077,930
	Developed lots, lawn crypts, and mausoleum spaces	539,924			412,018
		$	1,749,067		$	1,489,948
	Property and equipment:
	Land	$	610,348		$	524,381
	Buildings and improvements	1,786,952			1,596,888
	Operating equipment	502,313			482,476
	Leasehold improvements	28,558			27,532
	Capital leases	185,875			181,386
		3,114,046			2,812,663
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,084,589		)	(1,070,385		)
	Less: Accumulated amortization of capital leases	(106,496		)	(101,177		)
		$	1,922,961		$	1,641,101
	Deferred charges and other assets:
	Intangible assets, net	422,486			257,703
	Restricted cash	2,409			4,457
	Non-current deferred tax assets	22,557			490
	Notes receivable, net of allowances of $10,986 and $1,316, respectively	11,651			10,334
	Cash surrender value of insurance policies	90,177			84,875
	Other	111,954			67,408
		$	661,234		$	425,267
		December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	143,385		$	104,025
	Accrued compensation	104,466			97,750
	Accrued interest	36,583			20,709
	Accrued property taxes	13,756			14,246
	Self insurance reserves	77,962			57,543
	Bank overdraft	5,152			22,240
	Bond conversion liability	18,744			—
	Other accrued liabilities	86,600			57,270
		$	486,648		$	373,783
	Other liabilities:
	Accrued pension	$	35,629		$	27,374
	Deferred compensation	65,605			59,897
	Customer refund obligation reserve	59,826			70,656
	Tax liability	181,455			185,568
Indemnification liability	442			1,681
Payable to perpetual care fund	56,501			41,806
Other	30,935			12,968
	$	430,393		$	399,950
Revenues and Costs and Expenses
The detail of certain income statement accounts is as follows for the years ended December 31:
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Merchandise revenues:
Funeral	$	586,631		$	554,518		$	524,695
Cemetery	609,143			554,504			516,683
Total merchandise revenues	1,195,774			1,109,022			1,041,378
Services revenues:
Funeral	993,296			969,088			958,602
Cemetery	212,962			203,104			195,369
Total services revenues	1,206,258			1,172,192			1,153,971
Other revenues	154,350			129,267			120,691
Total revenues	$	2,556,382		$	2,410,481		$	2,316,040
Merchandise costs and expenses:
Funeral	$	268,310		$	260,699		$	259,462
Cemetery	254,091			234,034			222,634
Total cost of merchandise	522,401			494,733			482,096
Services costs and expenses:
Funeral	551,812			523,811			495,268
Cemetery	101,067			98,914			97,474
Total cost of services	652,879			622,725			592,742
Overhead and other expenses	831,533			769,810			764,700
Total cost and expenses	$	2,006,813		$	1,887,268		$	1,839,538
Certain Non-Cash Financing Transactions
	Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Dividends accrued but not paid	$	—		$	—		$	11,027
Options exercised by attestation	$	3,004		$	—		$	—
Shares repurchased	$	(3,004	)	$	—		$	—

Debt_Level_1_Notes

Debt Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Debt
	Debt as of December 31 was as follows:
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—			$	4,757
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014	85,256				—
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	136,465				136,465
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377				197,377
	3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016	46,279				—
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000				295,000
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000				250,000
	6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019	200,000				—
	7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	250,000				250,000
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	200,000				200,000
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000				150,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	425,000				—
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000				200,000
	Term Loan due July 2018	600,000				—
	Bank credit facility due March 2016	—				86,600
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	30,000				—
	Obligations under capital leases	189,697				176,445
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050	4,752				5,698
	Unamortized premiums (discounts) and other, net	42,084				(4,292		)
	Total debt	3,301,910				1,948,050
	Less:
	Current maturities of debt, capital lease obligations, and mortgage notes	(123,738		)		(32,072		)
	Current maturities of unamortized (premiums) discounts and other, net	(22,624		)		643
	Total current maturities	(146,362		)		(31,429		)
	Total long-term debt	$	3,155,548			$	1,916,621
	Current maturities of debt at December 31, 2013 primarily comprises the 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014, including the related unamortized premium; our capital lease obligations; and mortgage notes. As of February 10, 2014, we have funded an additional $110.0 million from the credit facility to partially fund an aggregate $167.0 million in debt extinguishments comprised of $107.9 million in principal and premiums for our 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014 and $59.1 million in principal and premiums for our 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016. We did not incur any gains or losses as a result of these transactions.
	Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 5.25% and 6.28% at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Approximately 76% and 87% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The aggregate maturities of our debt for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 and thereafter (in thousands) are as follows:
		Debt Maturities			Premium (Discount) Maturities			Aggregate Maturities of Debt
	2014	$	123,738		$	22,624		$	146,362
	2015	180,742			10,522			191,264
	2016	260,387			5,947			266,334
	2017	335,221			1,499			336,720
	2018	915,708			1,749			917,457
	2019 and thereafter	1,444,030			(257		)	1,443,773
		$	3,259,826		$	42,084		$	3,301,910
	As mentioned above, we have paid down a total of $167.0 million of debt subsequent to year end including $107.9 million in principal and premiums associated with our 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014 and $59.1 million in principal and premiums associated with our 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016. We did not incur any gains or losses as a result of these transactions.
	Stewart Acquisition Financing
	When we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Stewart on May 28, 2013, the Company also entered into an agreement with a leading bank to provide $1.825 billion of committed financing. This committed financing consisted of a $500 million replacement revolving facility (to be provided in the event amendments to SCI's existing bank credit facility could not be obtained), a $600 million term loan, and a $725 million senior unsecured bridge facility. The unsecured bridge facility was terminated upon consummation of the new $1.1 billion credit agreement and $425 million Senior Notes issuance noted below.
	In July 2013, we entered into a new credit agreement with a syndicate of banks. The new $1.1 billion credit agreement replaced the existing $500 million bank credit facility providing for a new $500 million bank credit facility and a $600 million term loan, both maturing in July 2018. On December 23, 2013, we funded $30 million on our revolving credit facility and the entire $600 million term loan in connection with closing the Stewart acquisition. As of February 10, 2014, we have funded an additional $110.0 million to partially fund $167.0 million in debt extinguishments of principal and premiums for our 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due 2014 and our 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due 2016 in the amounts of $107.9 million and $59.1 million, respectively. After the acquisition, the credit agreement requires us to use the first $200 million of divestiture proceeds to prepay our term loan while our leverage ratio exceeds 3.75X (net debt to EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement). The new $500 million bank credit facility was used partially to fund the Stewart acquisition, but will primarily exist to provide the Company with flexibility for general corporate purposes.
	In June 2013, Stewart launched a consent solicitation from the holders of Stewart's $200 million 6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019, which notes are expected to remain outstanding after our acquisition of Stewart. The consent solicitation requested, among other things, the waiver of the holders' change of control rights as they relate to the Stewart acquisition. Consenting holders received a 0.25% fee based on the aggregate principal amount of notes for which consents were delivered (half of which was immediately payable and half of which was paid upon the closing of the Stewart acquisition), and upon the closing of the Stewart acquisition, SCI provided a guarantee of the notes. This consent solicitation was successful and the applicable waivers were effective upon closing of the Stewart acquisition.
	Finally, in July 2013, the Company issued $425 million in 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022, which were held in escrow. On December 23, 2013 the net proceeds of these notes were released from escrow and used in connection with the closing of the Stewart acquisition. The notes are subject to the provisions of the Company's Senior Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993, as amended, which includes certain covenants limiting, among other things, the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale-leaseback transactions.
	Bank Credit Facility
	As of December 31, 2012 we had a $500.0 million bank credit facility due March 2016 with a syndicate of financial institutions, including a sublimit of $175 million for letters of credit. As noted, in July 2013, the company entered into a new $500 million bank credit facility maturing July 2018.
	In conjunction with entering into the new bank credit facility, all outstanding cash advances of $86.6 million were repaid. Our new bank credit facility includes a $175 million sublimit for letters of credit and provides us with flexibility for working capital, if needed, and is guaranteed by a majority of our domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guaranty is a guaranty of payment of the outstanding amount of the total lending commitment, including letters of credit. The bank credit facility contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. At December 31, 2013, we had $30 million outstanding cash advances under our bank credit facility and use it to support $32.3 million of letters of credit. As of February 10, 2014, we have $140.0 million outstanding under our credit facility. We pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.25%. Additionally, with the acquisition of Stewart, we have agreed to maintain $18.8 million in availability under the credit facility until March 23, 2014 to satisfy bonding requirements with the state of Florida. As of December 31, 2013, we have $418.9 million in borrowing capacity under the facility. As of February 10, 2014, we have $308.9 million in borrowing capacity under the facility.
	Debt Issuances and Additions
	In July 2013, the Company issued $425 million in 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022. As noted in the Stewart Acquisition Financing above, these funds were held in escrow until we closed on the Stewart acquisition on December 23, 2013. In conjunction with the Stewart acquisition, we assumed $200.0 million, $85.3 million, and $46.3 million in aggregate principle amount of 6.5% senior notes due 2019, 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due 2014, and 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due 2016, respectively. These notes had fair value premiums of $10.0 million, $21.7 million, and $14.2 million, respectively, which are included in unamortized premiums (discounts) and other, net above as of December 31, 2013. As of February 10, 2014, we have paid off $35.8 million in premiums associated with the 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due 2014 and 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due 2016. We did not incur any gains or losses as a result of these transactions.
	In November 2012, we issued $200.0 million of unsecured 4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020. The notes are subject to the provisions of the Company’s Senior Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993, as amended, which includes covenants limiting, among other things, the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale-leaseback transactions. We used the net proceeds from the offering to repay our 7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014.
	Debt Extinguishments and Reductions
	In addition to repaying $86.6 million of outstanding cash advances on our previous credit facility during 2013, we paid an aggregate of $31.8 million to repay our remaining $4.8 million 7.875% Debenture due February 2013, to retire $26.4 million in capital lease obligations and to extinguish $0.6 million in other debt. Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a gain $0.5 million recorded in gains on early extinguishment of debt, net in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. As mentioned above, we have paid down a total of $167.0 million in debt including $107.9 million in principal and premiums associated with our 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014 and $59.1 million in principal and premiums associated with our 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016. We did not incur any gains or losses as a result of these transactions.
	During 2012, we paid an aggregate of $206.6 million, to redeem our 7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014 with a principal amount of $180.7 million and to retire $25.8 million in capital lease obligations. Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a loss of $22.7 million recorded in (Losses) gains on early extinguishment of debt, net in our Consolidated Statement of Operations, which represents the write-off of unamortized deferred loan costs of $1.3 million and $21.4 million in a make-whole provision paid in cash upon retiring our 7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014. This refinancing allowed the Company to replace 7.375% debt due in 2014 with 4.5% debt due in 2020.
	Capital Leases
	In 2013, 2012, and 2011 we acquired $40.1 million, $78.9 million, and $31.3 million, respectively, of transportation equipment using capital leases. See additional information regarding these leases in Note 12.
	Additional Debt Disclosures
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we have deposits of $7.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively, in restricted, interest-bearing accounts that were pledged as collateral for various credit instruments and commercial commitments and is included in Deferred charges and other assets in our consolidated balance sheet. Unamortized premium (discounts) and other, net, totaling $42.1 million and $(4.3) million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, primarily consist of premiums for our 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014, 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016, and 6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019, partially offset by discounts on our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015, 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016, 7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017, and our 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021. As of February 10, 2014, we have extinguished $35.8 million in premiums associated with our 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due 2014 and 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due 2016. We did not incur any gains or losses as a result of these transactions.
	We had assets of approximately $2.1 million and $3.1 million pledged as collateral for the mortgage notes and other debt at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Cash interest payments for the three years ended December 31 (in thousands) were as follows:
	Payments in 2013	$	125,022
	Payments in 2012	131,723
Payments in 2011	129,105
Cash interest payments forecasted as of December 31, 2013 for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 and thereafter (in thousands) are as follows:
Payments in 2014	$	164,871
Payments in 2015	156,580
Payments in 2016	143,296
Payments in 2017	127,496
Payments in 2018	112,415
Payments in 2019 and thereafter	255,429

ShareBased_Compensation_Level_

Share-Based Compensation Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	Stock Benefit Plans
	We maintain benefit plans whereby shares of our common stock may be issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options or restricted stock granted to officers and key employees. Our Amended and Restated Incentive Plan reserves 44,000,000 shares of common stock for outstanding and future awards of stock options, restricted stock, and other stock based awards to officers and key employees.
	Our benefit plans allow for options to be granted as either non-qualified or incentive stock options. The options historically have been granted annually, or upon hire, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The options are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock on the date the grant, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The options are generally exercisable at a rate of 331/3% each year unless alternative vesting methods are approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Restricted stock awards are generally expensed to income ratably over the period during which the restrictions lapse. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, 6,744,936 and 9,218,551 shares, respectively, were reserved for future option and restricted stock grants under our stock benefit plans.
	We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. This model allows the use of a range of assumptions related to volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected holding period, and dividend yield. The expected volatility utilized in the valuation model is based on the historical volatility of our stock price. The dividend yield and expected holding period are based on historical experience and management’s estimate of future events. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve based on the expected life of the option in effect at the time of grant. The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions, based on the methods described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011:
			Years Ended December 31,
	Assumptions		2013			2012			2011
	Dividend yield		1.9	%		1.8	%		2.4	%
	Expected volatility		35.2	%		40.8	%		38.4	%
	Risk-free interest rate		0.7	%		0.8	%		2.4	%
	Expected holding period (years)		4			5			5
	The following table summarizes certain information with respect to stock option and restricted share compensation for 2013, 2012, and 2011, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for those respective periods:
		December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	$	11,925			$	10,983			$	9,144
	Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation included in net income	$	4,689			$	4,092			$	3,218
	We realized windfall tax deductions of $7.3 million, $16.3 million, and $4.9 million in excess of previously recorded tax benefits, based on the option and restricted share value at the time of grant for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Pursuant to the Stock-Based Compensation Topic of the ASC, the additional tax benefit associated with the windfall is not recognized until the deduction reduces taxes payable.
	Stock Options
	The following table sets forth stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers and not in thousands)
		Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	12,401,970			$	8.84
	Granted	2,041,330			$	15.26
	Exercised	(1,087,153	)		$	8.58
	Canceled	(36,397	)		$	10.31
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	13,319,750			$	9.84
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013	9,205,267			$	8.51
	During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, 36,397 of the canceled shares were forfeited. The aggregate intrinsic value for stock options outstanding and exercisable was $110.4 million and $88.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013.
	Set forth below is certain information related to stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2013:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers and not in thousands)
			Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
			Number			Weighted-		Weighted-				Number	Weighted-
			Outstanding at			Average		Average				Exercisable at	Average
			December 31,			Remaining						December 31,
	Range of Exercise Price		2013			Contractual Life		Exercise Price				2013	Exercise Price
	$4.01 — 8.00		3,902,973			3.6		$	5.76			3,902,973	$	5.76
	$8.01 — 12.00		7,220,947			3.9		$	10.45			5,147,794	$	10.47
	$12.01 — 16.00		2,195,830			6.7		$	15.07			154,500	$	12.67
	$4.01 — 16.00		13,319,750			4.2		$	9.84			9,205,267	$	8.51
	Other information pertaining to option activity during the years ended December 31 is as follows:
		2013				2012				2011
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted	$	3.68			$	3.41			$	2.73
	Total fair value of stock options vested (in thousands)	$	5,997			$	5,088			$	5,015
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands)	$	8,855			$	20,333			$	5,184
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, cash received from the exercise of stock options was $6.3 million, $18.4 million, and $8.2 million, respectively. We recognized compensation expense of $6.7 million, $6.2 million, and $5.1 million related to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options of $8.0 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years.
	Restricted Shares
	Restricted share activity was as follows:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers)
		Restricted			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2012	1,104,579			$	9.78
	Granted	378,280			$	15.26
	Vested	(296,886	)		$	8.63
	Canceled	(2,744	)		$	10.32
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2013	1,183,229			$	11.81
	The fair market value of our restricted stock, as determined on the grant date, is being amortized and charged to income (with an offsetting credit to Capital in excess of par value) generally over the average period during which the restrictions lapse. At December 31, 2013, unrecognized compensation expense of $6.2 million related to restricted shares, which is recorded in Capital in excess of par value on our balance sheet, is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years. We recognized compensation expense of $5.2 million, $4.9 million, and $4.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, related to our restricted shares.

Credit_Risk_and_Fair_Value_of_

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Text Block]	'
	Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair Value Estimates
	The fair value estimates of the following financial instruments have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. 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 carrying values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts approximate fair value due to the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms.
	The fair value of our debt instruments at December 31 was as follows:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—	$	4,786
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014	106,939		—
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	144,653		150,112
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	214,904		222,049
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016	60,487		—
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	333,259		341,094
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	288,875		298,750
	6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019	210,000		—
	7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	270,000		276,250
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	192,610		204,500
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	173,625		186,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	431,588		—
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	215,750		215,500
	Term Loan due July 2018	600,000		—
	Bank credit facility due March 2016	—		86,600
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	30,000		—
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,752		5,698
	Total fair value of debt instruments	$	3,277,442	$	1,991,339
	The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate securities were estimated using market prices for those securities, and therefore they are classified within Level 1 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC. The term loan, bank credit facility, and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.
	Credit Risk Exposure
	Our cash deposits, some of which exceed insured limits, are distributed among various market and national banks in the jurisdictions in which we operate. In addition, we regularly invest excess cash in financial instruments which are not insured, such as money-market funds and Eurodollar time deposits, that are offered by a variety of reputable financial institutions and commercial paper that is offered by corporations with quality credit ratings. We believe that the credit risk associated with such instruments is minimal.
	We grant credit to customers in the normal course of business. The credit risk associated with our funeral, cemetery, and preneed funeral and preneed cemetery receivables due from customers is generally considered minimal because of the diversification of the customers served. Furthermore, bad debts have not been significant relative to the volume of deferred revenues. Customer payments on preneed funeral or preneed cemetery contracts that are either placed into state-regulated trusts or used to pay premiums on life insurance contracts generally do not subject us to collection risk. Insurance-funded contracts are subject to supervision by state insurance departments and are protected in the majority of states by insurance guaranty acts.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Leases
	Our leases principally relate to funeral home facilities and transportation equipment. The majority of our lease arrangements contain options to (i) purchase the property at fair value on the exercise date, (ii) purchase the property for a value determined at the inception of the lease, or (iii) renew the lease for the fair rental value at the end of the primary lease term. Rental expense for operating leases was $28.4 million, $26.8 million, and $25.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating and capital leases exceeding one year were as follows:
		Operating		Capital
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	15,098	$	38,652
	2015	13,051		50,627
	2016	11,363		18,178
	2017	9,343		36,932
	2018	8,148		32,418
	2019 and thereafter	65,281		12,890
	Total	$	122,284	$	189,697
	Less: Interest on capital leases			(19,892		)
	Total principal payable on capital leases			$	169,805
	Employment and Management, Consulting, and Non-Competition Agreements
	We have entered into employment and management, consulting, and non-competition agreements, generally for five to ten years, with certain officers and employees and former owners of businesses that we acquired. At December 31, 2013, the maximum estimated future cash commitments under agreements with remaining commitment terms, and with original terms of more than one year, were as follows:
		Employment and Management		Consulting			Non-Competition		Total
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	3,034	$	756		$	5,180	$	8,970
	2015	1,645		458			4,100		6,203
	2016	831		181			3,744		4,756
	2017	698		69			3,503		4,270
	2018	324		69			3,335		3,728
	2019 and thereafter	141		125			7,453		7,719
	Total	$	6,673	$	1,658		$	27,315	$	35,646
	Insurance Loss Reserves
	We purchase comprehensive general liability, morticians and cemetery professional liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage structured with high deductibles. The high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, we have self-insurance reserves of $78.0 million, including $21.5 million in reserves assumed as part of the acquisition of Stewart, and $57.5 million, respectively.
	Litigation
	We are a party to various litigation matters, investigations, and proceedings. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein; however, if we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters. We accrue such insurance recoveries when they become probable of being paid and can be reasonably estimated.
	Burial Practices Claims. We are named as a defendant in various lawsuits alleging improper burial practices at certain of our cemetery locations. These lawsuits include but are not limited to the Garcia, Sands, and Schwartz lawsuits described in the following paragraphs.
	Reyvis Garcia and Alicia Garcia v. Alderwoods Group, Inc., Osiris Holding of Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation, d/b/a Graceland Memorial Park South, f/k/a Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc. , was filed in December 2004, in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Case No. 04-25646 CA 32. Plaintiffs are the son and sister of the decedent, Eloisa Garcia, who was buried at Graceland Memorial Park South in March 1986, when the cemetery was owned by Paradise Memorial Gardens, Inc. Initially, the suit sought damages on the individual claims of the plaintiffs relating to the burial of Eloisa Garcia. Plaintiffs claimed that due to poor recordkeeping, spacing issues and maps, and the fact that the family could not afford to purchase a marker for the grave, the burial location of the decedent could not be readily located. Subsequently, the decedent’s grave was located and verified. In July 2006, plaintiffs amended their complaint, seeking to certify a class of all persons buried at this cemetery whose burial sites cannot be located, claiming that this was due to poor recordkeeping, maps, and surveys at the cemetery. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a third amended class action complaint and added two additional named plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified monetary damages, as well as equitable and injunctive relief. On May 4, 2011, the trial court certified a class and we appealed that ruling. On July 31, 2013, the Court of Appeals reversed the order certifying the case. In November 2013, we settled this case for an amount which is not material to the Company.
	Robert Scott, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Eden Memorial Park, et al.(previously styled F. Charles Sands,et al. v. Eden Memorial Park, et al.) Case No. BC421528; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles - Central District. This case was filed in September 2009 against SCI and certain subsidiaries regarding our Eden Memorial Park cemetery in Mission Hills, California. The plaintiff seeks compensatory, consequential and punitive damages as well as the appointment of a receiver to oversee cemetery operations. The plaintiff alleges the cemetery engaged in wrongful burial practices and did not disclose them to customers. After a hearing in February 2012, the court in May 2012 issued an order certifying classes of cemetery plot owners and their families based on alleged Company misrepresentation, concealment or nondisclosure of material facts regarding alleged improper burial practices pertaining to the period from February 1985 to September 2009. Trial proceedings commenced in January 2014, and we expect the proceedings could continue for several weeks. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.
	Barbara Schwartz & Carol Neitlich, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. SCI Funeral Services of Florida, Inc., et al.; Case No. 2012CA015954, In the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial District in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. This lawsuit has been removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and is now Case No. 9:12-CV-80180-DMM. This case was filed by counsel for plaintiffs in the Sands case regarding our Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Chapel and Bailey Memorial Gardens located in North Lauderdale, Florida. Plaintiffs seek to certify a class of cemetery plot owners and their families. Plaintiffs allege the cemetery engaged in wrongful burial practices and did not disclose them to customers. Plaintiffs seek compensatory, consequential and punitive damages as well as the appointment of a receiver to oversee the cemetery operations. On our motion, the court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims in March 2013. The plaintiffs are appealing the dismissal. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of any damages.
	Wage and Hour Claims. We are named a defendant in various lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state laws regulating wage and hour overtime pay, including but not limited to the Bryant and Helm lawsuits described below.
	Bryant, et al. v. Service Corporation International, et al.; Case No. RG-07359593; and Helm, et al. v. AWGI & SCI; Case No. RG-07359602; in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Alameda. These cases were filed on December 5, 2007. These cases were removed to federal court in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Francisco/Oakland Division. The Bryant case is now Case No. 3:08-CV-01190-SI and the Helm case is now Case No. C 08-01184-SI. On December 29, 2009, the court in the Helm case denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the case as a class action. The plaintiffs modified and refiled their motion for certification. On March 9, 2011, the court denied plaintiffs’ renewed motions to certify a class in both of the Bryant and Helm cases and dismissed the Helm case. The Helm plaintiff is appealing the court's order decertifying her claims. The individual claims in the Bryant case are still pending. The plaintiffs have also (i) filed additional lawsuits with similar allegations seeking class certification of state law claims in different states, and (ii) made a large number of demands for arbitration. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in these lawsuits.
	Claims Regarding Acquisition of Stewart Enterprises. We are named as a defendant in the following lawsuit.
	Karen Moulton, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Stewart Enterprises, Inc., Service Corporation International and others ; Case No. 2013-5636; in the Civil District Court Parish of New Orleans. This case was filed as a class action in June 2013 against SCI and our subsidiary in connection with SCI's proposed acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. The plaintiffs allege that SCI aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duties by Stewart Enterprises and its board of directors in negotiating the combination of Stewart Enterprises with a subsidiary of SCI. The plaintiffs seek damages and an injunction against the proposed combination. We have filed exceptions to the plaintiffs’ complaint, but the case was stayed until after the closing of the acquisition. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of damages.
	The ultimate outcome of the matters described above cannot be determined at this time. We intend to vigorously defend all of the above lawsuits; however, an adverse decision in one or more of such matters could have a material effect on us, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Equity_Level_1_Notes

Equity Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Equity
	(All shares reported in whole numbers)
	Share Authorization
	We are authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1 per share par value. No preferred shares were issued as of December 31, 2013 or 2012. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, 500,000,000 common shares of $1 par value were authorized. We had 212,316,642 and 211,046,501 shares issued and outstanding, net of 10,000 and 10,000 shares held in treasury at par at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
		Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Currency			Gains and			Other
		Translation			Losses			Comprehensive
		Adjustment						(Loss) Income
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2010	$	112,768		$	—		$	112,768
	Activity in 2011	(6,916		)	—			(6,916		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(80,789		)	(80,789		)
	Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			80,789			80,789
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	105,852		$	—		$	105,852
	Activity in 2012	5,865			—			5,865
	Reduction in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			95,686			95,686
	Reclassification of net unrealized losses activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			(95,686		)	(95,686		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	111,717		$	—		$	111,717
	Activity in 2013	(23,276		)				(23,276		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(113,553		)	(113,553		)
	Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			113,553			113,553
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	88,441		$	—		$	88,441
	The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The U.S. dollar amount that arises from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the cumulative currency translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive income.
	Share Repurchase Program
	Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our share repurchase program. During 2013, there were no shares repurchased under our stock repurchase program. During 2012, we repurchased 15,294,567 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $184.9 million, which is an average cost per share of $12.09. During 2011, we repurchased 19,752,174 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $195.7 million, which is an average cost per share of $9.91. In November 2012, our Board of Directors approved an additional increase in our share repurchase program authorizing the investment of up to an additional $155.0 million to repurchase our common stock, bringing total authorization up to $200.0 million. The remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under the share repurchase program was $190.1 million at December 31, 2013.
	Cash Dividends
	On November 12, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.07 per common share paid on December 31, 2013 to stockholders of record as of December 13, 2013. We paid $57.2 million, $60.3 million, and $44.8 million in cash dividends in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. In 2012, five dividends were paid including the fourth quarter 2012 dividend, which historically would have been paid in the first quarter of 2013. On February 12, 2014 our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.08 per common share payable on March 28, 2014 to stockholders of record as of March 15, 2014.
	Noncontrolling Interests
	During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, we acquired an additional 20% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society, Inc. for $23.3 million, increasing our ownership from 70.0% to 90.0%.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Retirement Plans
	We currently have a supplemental retirement plan for certain current and former key employees (SERP), a supplemental retirement plan for officers and certain key employees (Senior SERP), a retirement plan for certain non-employee directors (Directors’ Plan), a Retirement Plan for Rose Hills Trustees, a Rose Hills Supplemental Retirement Plan, and a Stewart Supplemental Retirement Plan (collectively, the “Plans”). We also provide a 401(k) employee savings plan. All of our Plans have a measurement date of December 31.
	The Plans are frozen; therefore, the participants do not earn incremental benefits from additional years of service, and we do not incur any additional service cost since December 31, 2000.
	Retirement benefits under the SERP are based on years of service and average monthly compensation, reduced by benefits under Social Security. The Senior SERP provides retirement benefits based on years of service and position. The Directors’ Plan provides for an annual benefit to directors following retirement, based on a vesting schedule.
	The components of the Plans’ net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2013				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	780			$	1,109			$	1,306
	Actual return on plan assets	—				—				—
	Recognized net actuarial (gains) losses	(1,205		)		1,418				(289		)
		$	(425	)		$	2,527			$	1,017
	The Plans’ funded status at December 31 was as follows:
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Change in Benefit Obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	28,674			$	29,214
	Acquisition of benefit obligation	21,407				—
	Interest cost	780				1,109
	Actuarial loss	(856		)		1,806
	Benefits paid	(12,506		)		(3,455		)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	37,499			$	28,674
	Change in Plan Assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	—			$	—
	Employer contributions	12,506				3,455
	Benefits paid, including expenses	(12,506		)		(3,455		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—			$	—
	Funded status of plan	$	(37,499	)		$	(28,674	)
	Net amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$	(37,499	)		$	(28,674	)
	Funding Summary:
	Projected benefit obligations	$	37,499			$	28,674
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	37,499			$	28,674
	Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
	Accrued benefit liability	$	(37,499	)		$	(28,674	)
	The retirement benefits under the Plans are unfunded obligations of the Company. We have purchased various life insurance policies on the participants in the Plans with the intent to use the proceeds or any cash value buildup from such policies to assist in meeting, at least to the extent of such assets, the Plan’s funding requirements. The face value of these insurance policies at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $47.4 million and $49.8 million, respectively, and the cash surrender value was $35.8 million and $37.2 million, respectively. The outstanding loans against the policies are minimal and there are no restrictions in the policies regarding loans.
	The Plans’ weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net benefit cost are as follows: we base our discount rate used to compute future benefit obligations using an analysis of expected future benefit payments. The reasonableness of our discount rate is verified by comparing the rate to the rate earned on high-quality fixed income investments, such as the Moody’s Aa index, plus 50 basis points. The assumed rate of return on plan assets was not applicable as we pay plan benefits as they come due. As all Plans are curtailed, the assumed rate of compensation increase is zero.
		2013			2012			2011
	Weighted average discount rate used to determine obligations	3.66	%		2.9	%		4.05	%
	Weighted average discount rate used to determine net periodic pension cost	2.9	%		4.05	%		4.41	%
	The following benefit payments are expected to be paid in future years related to our Plans:
	2014	$	4,274
	2015	3,995
	2016	3,768
	2017	3,482
	2018	3,286
	Years 2019 through 2023	13,397
	We have an employee savings plan that qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for the exclusive benefit of our United States employees. Under the plan, participating employees may contribute a portion of their pretax and/or after-tax income in accordance with specified guidelines up to a maximum of 50%.
	During 2013, 2012, and 2011 we matched a percentage of the employee contributions through contributions of cash. For these years, our matching contribution was based upon the following:
	Years of Vesting Service		Percentage of Deferred Compensation
	0 — 5 years		75% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	6 — 10 years		100% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	11 or more years		125% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	The amount of our matched contributions in 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $24.3 million, $23.1 million, and $22.3 million, respectively.

Segment_Reporting_Level_1_Note

Segment Reporting Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Segment Reporting
	Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations. Our geographic areas include United States, Canada, and Germany. We conduct both funeral and cemetery operations in the United States and Canada and funeral operations in Germany.
	Our reportable segment information is as follows:
		Funeral			Cemetery			Reportable
								Segments
		(In thousands)
	2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,704,375		$	852,007		$	2,556,382
	Interest expense	4,736			348			5,084
	Depreciation and amortization	92,879			23,460			116,339
	Amortization of intangible assets	17,245			4,590			21,835
	Gross profit	350,940			198,629			549,569
	Amortization of cemetery property	—			48,344			48,344
	Total assets	5,765,137			6,574,402			12,339,539
	Capital expenditures	50,449			58,315			108,764
	2012
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,625,738		$	784,743		$	2,410,481
	Interest expense	4,302			384			4,686
	Depreciation and amortization	91,035			22,773			113,808
	Amortization of intangible assets	18,803			5,021			23,824
	Gross profit	347,800			175,413			523,213
	Amortization of cemetery property	—			44,976			44,976
	Total assets	4,537,444			4,808,558			9,346,002
	Capital expenditures	43,984			58,155			102,139
	2011
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,573,498		$	742,542		$	2,316,040
	Interest expense	3,957			305			4,262
	Depreciation and amortization	89,872			21,355			111,227
	Amortization of intangible assets	18,582			5,540			24,122
	Gross profit	329,410			147,092			476,502
	Amortization of cemetery property	—			40,046			40,046
	Total assets	4,494,331			4,496,749			8,991,080
	Capital expenditures	45,275			57,972			103,247
	The following table reconciles certain reportable segment amounts to our corresponding consolidated amounts:
		Reportable			Corporate			Consolidated
		Segments
		(In thousands)
	2013
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,556,382		$	—		$	2,556,382
	Interest expense	5,084			137,276			142,360
	Depreciation and amortization	116,339			6,263			122,602
	Amortization of intangible assets	21,835			24			21,859
	Total assets	12,339,539			566,531			12,906,070
	Capital expenditures	108,764			4,320			113,084
	2012
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,410,481		$	—		$	2,410,481
	Interest expense	4,686			130,382			135,068
	Depreciation and amortization	113,808			6,419			120,227
	Amortization of intangible assets	23,824			29			23,853
	Total assets	9,346,002			337,566			9,683,568
	Capital expenditures	102,139			13,489			115,628
	2011
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,316,040		$	—		$	2,316,040
	Interest expense	4,262			129,520			133,782
	Depreciation and amortization	111,227			6,820			118,047
	Amortization of intangible assets	24,122			1,469			25,591
	Total assets	8,991,080			336,732			9,327,812
	Capital expenditures	103,247			15,128			118,375
	The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments shown above to our consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Gross profit from reportable segments	$	549,569		$	523,213		$	476,502
	General and administrative expenses	(155,136		)	(121,891		)	(101,826		)
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(6,263		)	(1,533		)	(10,977		)
Operating income	388,170			399,789			363,699
Interest expense	(142,360		)	(135,068		)	(133,782		)
Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net	468			(22,706		)	(3,509		)
Other (expense) income, net	(559		)	3,668			(772		)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	245,719		$	245,683		$	225,636
Our geographic area information was as follows:
	United States			Canada			Germany			Total
	(In thousands)
2013
Revenues from external customers	$	2,334,676		$	215,799		$	5,907		$	2,556,382
Interest expense	141,991			369			—			142,360
Depreciation and amortization	111,210			11,025			367			122,602
Amortization of intangible assets	20,846			1,013			—			21,859
Amortization of cemetery property	42,972			5,372			—			48,344
Operating income	331,143			56,513			514			388,170
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,958		)	(305		)	—			(6,263		)
Long-lived assets	6,660,263			329,785			2,868			6,992,916
2012
Revenues from external customers	$	2,191,532		$	212,898		$	6,051		$	2,410,481
Interest expense	134,643			425			—			135,068
Depreciation and amortization	108,411			11,451			365			120,227
Amortization of intangible assets	22,433			1,420			—			23,853
Amortization of cemetery property	39,803			5,173			—			44,976
Operating income	346,289			53,081			419			399,789
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(1,502		)	(9		)	(22		)	(1,533		)
Long-lived assets	4,575,926			359,882			2,918			4,938,726
2011
Revenues from external customers	$	2,103,738		$	205,733		$	6,569		$	2,316,040
Interest expense	133,479			303			—			133,782
Depreciation and amortization	105,931			11,723			393			118,047
Amortization of intangible assets	24,223			1,368			—			25,591
Amortization of cemetery property	35,375			4,671			—			40,046
Operating income	311,790			51,367			542			363,699
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(10,299		)	(678		)				(10,977		)
Long-lived assets	4,553,557			351,813			3,038			4,908,408

Earnings_Per_Share_Level_1_Not

Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that shared in our earnings.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS for the three years ended December 31 is presented below:
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
	Net income:
	Net income — basic	$	143,848	$	152,546	$	144,903
	After tax interest on convertible debt	51		51		51
	Net income — diluted	$	143,899	$	152,597	$	144,954
	Weighted average shares:
	Weighted average shares — basic	211,811		215,712		234,242
	Stock options	4,082		3,233		2,306
	Convertible debt	121		121		121
	Weighted average shares — diluted	216,014		219,066		236,669
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.68	$	0.71	$	0.62
	Diluted	$	0.67	$	0.7	$	0.61
	The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes outstanding stock options and convertible debt in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options and debt would be antidilutive to the periods presented. Total options not currently included in the computation of diluted EPS in shares are 1.2 million, 1.3 million, and 4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Acquisition_Level_1_Notes

Acquisition Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Acquisition
	Stewart
	On December 23, 2013, pursuant to a tender offer, we acquired Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Stewart) for $13.25 per share in cash, resulting in a purchase price of $1.5 billion, which includes the assumption of $331.5 million of Stewart’s debt.
	We incurred acquisition costs of $39.7 million of which $28.4 million is included in General and administrative expenses and $11.3 million is included in Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The primary reasons for the merger and the principal factors that contributed to the recognition of goodwill in this acquisition were:
	•	the acquisition of Stewart enhances our network footprint, enabling us to serve a number of new, complementary areas;
	•	combining the two companies’ operations provides synergies and related cost savings through the elimination of duplicate home office functions and economies of scale; and
	•	the acquisition of Stewart’s preneed backlog of deferred revenues enhances our long-term stability.
	The following table summarizes the adjusted fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of December 23, 2013:
		(In thousands)
	Accounts receivable	$	14,638
	Other current assets	197,899
	Cemetery property	284,775
	Property and equipment, net	340,456
	Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	655,010
	Finite-lived intangible assets	106,278
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets	79,400
	Acquired assets held for sale	434,248
	Deferred charges and other assets	278,320
	Goodwill	578,578
	Total assets acquired	2,969,602
	Current liabilities	217,220
	Long-term debt	270,668
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	782,858
	Assumed liabilities held for sale	153,637
	Deferred income taxes	100,169
	Other liabilities	279,577
	Total liabilities assumed	1,804,129
	Noncontrolling interest	118
	Net assets acquired	$	1,165,355
	We have not finalized our assessment of the fair values as there has been insufficient time between the acquisition date and the issuance of these financial statements to complete our review and final determination of fair value.
	The gross amount of accounts receivable is $16.9 million, of which $2.3 million is not expected to be collected. Included in Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments are receivables under preneed contracts with a fair value of $147.5 million. The gross amount due under the contracts is $165.7 million, of which $18.2 million is not expected to be collected.
	Goodwill, land, and certain identifiable intangible assets recorded in the acquisition are not subject to amortization; however, the goodwill and intangible assets will be tested periodically for impairment as required by the Intangible Assets Topic of the ASC. Of the $578.6 million in goodwill recognized, $260.4 million was allocated to our cemetery segment and $318.2 million was allocated to our funeral segment. As a result of the carryover of Stewart’s tax basis, $3.0 million of this goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The identified intangible assets are comprised of the following:
		Useful life
		Minimum		Maximum	Fair Value
		(Years)			(In thousands)
	Preneed customer relationships related to insurance claims	10		20	$	28,500
	Other preneed customer relationships	10		14	44,251
	Selling and management agreements	20		40	11,000
	Covenants-not-to-compete	5		15	5,480
	Operating leases	26		34	7,897
	Tradenames	5		5	9,150
	Tradenames			Indefinite	77,900
	Licenses and permits			Indefinite	1,500
	Total intangible assets				$	185,678
	Included in our results of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 is revenue of $11.4 million and net income of $0.8 million for the period from the acquisition date (December 23, 2013) through December 31, 2013. The following unaudited pro forma summary presents financial information as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
		(unaudited)
	Revenue	$	2,919,278		$	2,848,451
	Net income	$	203,916		$	135,010
	Neptune
	The Company acquired 70% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society, Inc. (Neptune) on June 3, 2011 for $44 million. During 2013, we acquired an additional 20% of the outstanding shares of Neptune increasing our ownership from 70% to 90%. Neptune is the nation's largest direct cremation organization with a network of 30 locations in nine states at the time of our original acquisition. Neptune operates under the brand names Neptune Society, Neptune Cremation Service, and Trident Society. With this acquisition we will expanded our footprint into a sector of the market that will continue to grow and that we do not currently target through our traditional funeral service and cemetery network. We have completed our evaluation of purchase price allocation. As a result of this acquisition, we recognized $37.6 million of intangible assets and $37.3 million of goodwill.

Divestiture_Related_Activities

Divestiture Related Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Divestiture-Related Activities
	As divestitures occur in the normal course of business, gains or losses on the sale of such locations are recognized in the income statement line item (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, which consist of the following for the years ended December 31:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	(Losses) gains on divestitures, net	$	(3,350	)	$	617		$	(8,526	)
	Impairment losses	(2,913		)	(2,150		)	(2,451		)
		$	(6,263	)	$	(1,533	)	$	(10,977	)
	Assets Held for Sale
	In connection with the acquisition of Stewart, we have agreed to a consent order with the staff of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that identifies certain properties the FTC will require us to divest as a result of the acquisition. The consent order has been approved by the FTC commissioners. As a result, these properties have been classified as assets held for sale in our December 31, 2013consolidated balance sheet. In connection with this revised classification, we have recorded an impairment loss related to legacy SCI locations of approximately $0.8 million in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Net assets held for sale at December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		(In thousands)
	Current assets	$	4,569
	Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	342,728
	Cemetery property	83,115
	Property and equipment, net	63,356
	Goodwill	126,877
	Deferred charges and other assets	38,050
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	83,426
	Total assets	$	742,121
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	3,183
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	340,418
	Care trusts' corpus	83,426
	Other long term liabilities	4,209
	Total liabilities	431,236
	Net assets held for sale	$	310,885

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors of Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors of Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes [Abstract]	'
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	21. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors of Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes
	In conjunction with the Stewart acquisition, we assumed $200.0 million, $85.3 million, and $46.3 million in aggregate principle amount of 6.5% senior notes due 2019, 3.125% convertible senior notes due 2014, and 3.375% convertible seniors notes due 2016, respectively, that were originally issued by Stewart Enterprises, Inc. ('Subsidiary Issuer') and issued a parent guarantee of the 6.5% senior notes due 2019.
	The following tables present the condensed consolidating historical financial statements as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, for SCI ('Parent') on a parent only basis; the Subsidiary Issuer on a parent only basis; the Guarantor subsidiaries, which serve as guarantors for all three notes, on a combined basis; all other non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis; the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis; and the Company on a consolidated basis.
	Non-guarantor subsidiaries of the three notes include the Puerto Rican subsidiaries of the Subsidiary Issuer; Investors Trust, Inc.; certain immaterial domestic subsidiaries of the Subsidiary Issuer, which are not 100 percent-owned, or are prohibited by law from guaranteeing the notes; and all subsidiaries of the Parent that are not subsidiaries of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. The guarantor subsidiaries of the notes are 100 percent-owned directly or indirectly by the Parent and the Subsidiary Issuer. The guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. Statement of Operations, Comprehensive Income, and Cash Flows information for the Subsidiary Issuer and Guarantor Subsidiaries below is from the date of acquisition, December 23, 2013.
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	11,349		$	2,545,033		$	—		$	2,556,382
	Costs and expenses	—			—			(9,648		)	(1,997,165		)	—			(2,006,813		)
	Gross profits	—			—			1,701			547,868			—			549,569
	General and administrative expenses	(30,492		)	(451		)	—			(124,193		)	—			(155,136		)
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	—			—			—			(6,263		)	—			(6,263		)
	Operating income	$	(30,492	)	$	(451	)	$	1,701		$	417,412		$	—		$	388,170
	Interest expense	(135,362		)	(472		)	—			(6,526		)	—			(142,360		)
	Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	—			—			—			468			—			468
	Equity in subsidiaries	248,784			1,068			—			—			(249,852		)	—
	Other (expense) income, net	—			—			(20		)	(539		)	—			(559		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	82,930		$	145		$	1,681		$	410,815		$	(249,852	)	$	245,719
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	60,918			360			(656		)	(157,237		)	—			(96,615		)
	Net income	143,848			505			1,025			253,578			(249,852		)	149,104
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(5,256	)	$	(5,256	)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	143,848		$	505		$	1,025		$	253,578		$	(255,108	)	$	143,848
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Revenues	$	—		$	2,410,481		$	—		$	2,410,481
	Costs and expenses	—			(1,887,268		)	—			(1,887,268		)
	Gross profits	—			523,213			—			523,213
	General and administrative expenses	(2,062		)	(119,829		)	—			(121,891		)
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	—			(1,533		)	—			(1,533		)
	Operating income	$	(2,062	)	$	401,851		$	—		$	399,789
	Interest expense	(128,950		)	(6,118		)	—			(135,068		)
	Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	(22,706		)	—			—			(22,706		)
	Equity in subsidiaries	249,803			—			(249,803		)	—
	Other income (expense), net	—			3,668			—			3,668
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	96,085		$	399,401		$	(249,803	)	$	245,683
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	56,461			(148,009		)	—			(91,548		)
	Net income	152,546			251,392			(249,803		)	154,135
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	—		$	—		$	(1,589	)	$	(1,589	)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	152,546		$	251,392		$	(251,392	)	$	152,546
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
		Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Revenues	$	—		$	2,316,040		$	—		$	2,316,040
	Costs and expenses	—			(1,839,538		)	—			(1,839,538		)
	Gross profits	—			476,502			—			476,502
	General and administrative expenses	(1,940		)	(99,886		)	—			(101,826		)
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	—			(10,977		)	—			(10,977		)
	Operating income	$	(1,940	)	$	365,639		$	—		$	363,699
	Interest expense	(128,315		)	(5,467		)	—			(133,782		)
	Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	(3,509		)	—			—			(3,509		)
	Equity in subsidiaries	229,536			—			(229,536		)	—
	Other income (expense), net	—			(772		)	—			(772		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	95,772		$	359,400		$	(229,536	)	$	225,636
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	49,131			(128,535		)	—			(79,404		)
	Net income	144,903			230,865			(229,536		)	146,232
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	—		$	—		$	(1,329	)	$	(1,329	)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	144,903		$	230,865		$	(230,865	)	$	144,903
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income	$	143,848		$	505		$	1,025		$	253,578		$	(249,852	)	$	149,104
	Other comprehensive income	(23,276		)	—			—			(23,276		)	18,020			(28,532		)
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$	120,572		$	505		$	1,025		$	230,302		$	(231,832	)	$	120,572
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income	$	152,546		$	251,392		$	(249,803	)	$	154,135
Other comprehensive income	5,865			5,865			(7,454		)	4,276
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$	158,411		$	257,257		$	(257,257	)	$	158,411
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income	$	144,903		$	230,865		$	(229,536	)	$	146,232
Other comprehensive income	(6,916		)	(6,916		)	5,587			(8,245		)
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$	137,987		$	223,949		$	(223,949	)	$	137,987
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	53,543		$	1,898		$	89,432		$	—		$	144,873
Receivables, net	—			442			23,908			81,549			—			105,899
Inventories, net	—			—			10,822			23,743			—			34,565
Current assets held for sale	—			—			3,333			1,236			—			4,569
Other	9,083			29,133			34,611			31,014			—			103,841
Total current assets	$	9,083		$	83,118		$	74,572		$	226,974		$	—		$	393,747
Equity in subsidiaries	4,132,098			874,590			4,546			—			(5,011,234		)	—
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	—			—			358,567			1,512,307			—			1,870,874
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	—			—			265,346			2,035,565			—			2,300,911
Cemetery property, at cost	—			—			266,168			1,482,899			—			1,749,067
Property and equipment, net	—			15,243			308,267			1,599,451			—			1,922,961
Non-current assets held for sale	—			—			434,248			303,304			—			737,552
Deferred charges and other assets	42,068			31,807			179,811			407,548			—			661,234
Goodwill, net	—			578,578			—			1,343,524			—			1,922,102
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	—			—			223,903			1,123,719			—			1,347,622
Total assets	$	4,183,249		$	1,583,336		$	2,115,428		$	10,035,291		$	(5,011,234	)	$	12,906,070
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	31,914		$	46,020		$	43,706		$	365,008		$	—		$	486,648
Current maturities of long-term debt	—			106,939			—			39,423			—			146,362
Current liabilities held for sale	—			—			1,647			1,536			—			3,183
Income taxes	—			560			1,427			4,404			—			6,391
Total current liabilities	31,914			153,519			46,780			410,371			—			642,584
Long-term debt	2,731,611			270,578			89			153,270						3,155,548
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	$	—		$	—		$	177,097		$	509,202		$	—		$	686,299
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	—			—			33,561			889,594			—			923,155
Deferred tax liability	1,092			—			99,595			518,513			—			619,200
Non-current liabilities held for sale	—			—			153,637			274,416			—			428,053
Other liabilities	4,402			29,944			11,116			384,931			—			430,393
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	—			—			503,667			2,746,919			—			3,250,586
Care trusts’ corpus	—			—			223,903			1,121,971			—			1,345,874
Equity:
Common stock	212,317			85,175			102			25			(85,302		)	212,317
Other equity	1,113,472			1,044,120			865,881			2,937,638			(4,847,639		)	1,113,472
Accumulated other comprehensive income	88,441			—			—			88,441			(88,441		)	88,441
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,414,230			1,129,295			865,983			3,026,104			(5,021,382		)	1,414,230
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			—			10,148			10,148
Total equity	1,414,230			1,129,295			865,983			3,026,104			(5,011,234		)	1,424,378
Total liabilities and equity	4,183,249			1,583,336			2,115,428			10,035,291			(5,011,234		)	12,906,070
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	92,708		$	—		$	92,708
Receivables, net	—			101,817			—			101,817
Inventories, net	—			24,560			—			24,560
Other	4,393			59,017			—			63,410
Total current assets	$	4,393		$	278,102		$	—		$	282,495
Equity in subsidiaries	3,108,856			—			(3,108,856		)	—
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	—			1,535,932			—			1,535,932
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	—			1,826,835			—			1,826,835
Cemetery property, at cost	—			1,489,948			—			1,489,948
Property and equipment, net	—			1,641,101			—			1,641,101
Goodwill, net	—			1,382,410			—			1,382,410
Deferred charges and other assets	23,357			401,910			—			425,267
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	—			1,099,580			—			1,099,580
Total assets	$	3,136,606		$	9,655,818		$	(3,108,856	)	$	9,683,568
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	20,761			353,022			—			373,783
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,757			26,672			—			31,429
Income taxes	—			6,892			—			6,892
Total current liabilities	$	25,518		$	386,586		$	—		$	412,104
Long-term debt	1,762,725			153,896			—			1,916,621
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	—			536,647			—			536,647
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	—			861,148			—			861,148
Deferred tax liability	1,175			470,023			—			471,198
Other liabilities	4,161			395,789			—			399,950
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	—			2,624,321			—			2,624,321
Care trusts’ corpus	—			1,098,752			—			1,098,752
Equity:
Common stock	211,047			24			(24		)	211,047
Other equity	1,020,263			3,016,915			(3,016,915		)	1,020,263
Accumulated other comprehensive income	111,717			111,717			(111,717		)	111,717
Total common stockholders’ equity	$	1,343,027		$	3,128,656		$	(3,128,656	)	$	1,343,027
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			19,800			19,800
Total equity	1,343,027			3,128,656			(3,108,856		)	1,362,827
Total liabilities and equity	$	3,136,606		$	9,655,818		$	(3,108,856	)	$	9,683,568
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	(147,355	)	$	(25,024	)	$	1,737		$	555,351		$	—		$	384,709
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			—			—			(113,084		)	—			(113,084		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,165,350		)	114,875			1,898			(8,545		)	—			(1,057,122		)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	—			—			—			13,072			—			13,072
Other	—			—			—			341			—			341
Distributions from subsidiaries	437,742			—			—			—			(437,742		)	—
Net cash used in investing activities	(727,608		)	114,875			1,898			(108,216		)	(437,742		)	(1,156,793		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,055,000			—			—			—			—			1,055,000
Debt issuance costs	(36,064		)	—			—			—			—			(36,064		)
Payments of debt	(91,265		)	—			—			(571		)	—			(91,836		)
Early extinguishment of debt	(80		)	—			—			—			—			(80		)
Principal payments on capital leases	—			—			—			(26,280		)	—			(26,280		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,309			—			—			—			—			6,309
Purchase of Company common stock	(1,708		)	—			—			—			—			(1,708		)
Payments of dividends	(57,229		)	—			—			—			—			(57,229		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			(23,333		)	—			(23,333		)
Other	—			—			—			336			—			336
Distributions to parent	—			(36,308		)	(1,737		)	(399,697		)	437,742			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	874,963			(36,308		)	(1,737		)	(449,545		)	437,742			825,115
Effect of foreign currency	—			—			—			(866		)	—			(866		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			53,543			1,898			(3,276		)	—			52,165
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			—			—			92,708			—			92,708
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	53,543		$	1,898		$	89,432		$	—		$	144,873
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	(126,547	)	$	495,793		$	—		$	369,246
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(115,628		)	—			(115,628		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(65,463		)	—			(65,463		)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	—			9,953			—			9,953
Other	—			(3,816		)	—			(3,816		)
Distributions from subsidiaries	340,260			—			(340,260		)	—
Net cash used in investing activities	340,260			(174,954		)	(340,260		)	(174,954		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	221,600			5,907			—			227,507
Debt issuance costs	(4,500		)	—			—			(4,500		)
Payments of debt	—			(1,145		)	—			(1,145		)
Early extinguishment of debt	(202,140		)	—			—			(202,140		)
Principal payments on capital leases	—			(25,760		)	—			(25,760		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	18,389			—			—			18,389
Purchase of Company common stock	(186,766		)	—			—			(186,766		)
Payments of dividends	(60,296		)	—			—			(60,296		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—			(3,000		)	—			(3,000		)
Bank overdrafts and other	—			6,199			—			6,199
Distributions to parent	—			(340,260		)	340,260			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(213,713		)	(358,059		)	340,260			(231,512		)
Effect of foreign currency				1,359						1,359
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			(35,861		)	—			(35,861		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			128,569			—			128,569
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	92,708		$	—		$	92,708
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	(125,067	)	$	513,179		$	—		$	388,112
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(118,375		)	—			(118,375		)
Acquisitions	—			(99,570		)	—			(99,570		)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	—			24,529			—			24,529
Other	—			3,159			—			3,159
Distributions from subsidiaries	337,131			—			(337,131		)	—
Net cash used in investing activities	337,131			(190,257		)	(337,131		)	(190,257		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	85,000			—			—			85,000
Debt issuance costs	—			—			—			—
Payments of debt	(20,000		)	(2,774		)	—			(22,774		)
Early extinguishment of debt	(43,194		)	—			—			(43,194		)
Principal payments on capital leases	—			(23,030		)	—			(23,030		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	8,227			—			—			8,227
Purchase of Company common stock	(197,302		)	—			—			(197,302		)
Payments of dividends	(44,795		)	—			—			(44,795		)
Bank overdrafts and other	—			(798		)	—			(798		)
Distributions to parent	—			(337,131		)	337,131			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(212,064		)	(363,733		)	337,131			(238,666		)
Effect of foreign currency	—			(1,466		)	—			(1,466		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			(42,277		)	—			(42,277		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			170,846			—			170,846
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	128,569		$	—		$	128,569

Quarterly_Financial_Data

Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	'
	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	Quarterly financial data for 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	2013
	Revenues	$	652,352		$	625,505		$	609,951		$	668,574
	Costs and expenses	(492,695		)	(499,467		)	(493,896		)	(520,755		)
	Gross profits	159,657			126,038			116,055			147,819
	Operating income	127,765			89,114			83,296			87,995
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes(1)	94,012			56,143			45,882			49,682
	Provision for income taxes	(35,290		)	(21,708		)	(18,488		)	(21,130		)
	Net income	58,722			34,435			27,394			28,552
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,102		)	(820		)	(615		)	(2,719		)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	57,620			33,615			26,779			25,833
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share(2):
	Basic — EPS	0.27			0.16			0.13			0.12
	Diluted — EPS	0.27			0.16			0.12			0.12
	2012
	Revenues	$	602,506		$	597,372		$	581,182		$	629,421
	Costs and expenses	(475,488		)	(469,741		)	(460,429		)	(481,610		)
	Gross profits	127,018			127,631			120,753			147,811
	Operating income	101,118			99,689			95,176			103,806
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes(1)	71,435			63,574			63,925			46,749
	Provision for income taxes	(23,120		)	(25,935		)	(22,128		)	(20,365		)
	Net income	48,315			37,639			41,797			26,384
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(290		)	(563		)	(735		)	(1		)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	48,025			37,076			41,062			26,383
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share(2):
	Basic — EPS	0.22			0.17			0.19			0.12
	Diluted — EPS	0.22			0.17			0.19			0.12
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.
	-2	Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.

Schedule_II

Schedule II	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
	SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	Three Years Ended December 31, 2013
	Description		Balance at			Charged		Charged			Write-Offs(2)			Balance at
			Beginning			(Credited) to		(Credited) to						End of
			of Period			Costs and		Other						Period
						Expenses		Accounts(1)
			(In thousands)
	Current provision:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts:
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	8,884		$	8,327	$	53,719		$	(59,895	)	$	11,035
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	9,172		$	9,706	$	38,122		$	(48,116	)	$	8,884
	Year Ended December 31, 2011		$	13,602		$	9,254	$	25,612		$	(39,296	)	$	9,172
	Due After One Year:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts:
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	1,316		$	—	$	9,670		$	—		$	10,986
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	1,665		$	—	$	1		$	(350	)	$	1,316
	Year Ended December 31, 2011		$	3,111		$	—	$	—		$	(1,446	)	$	1,665
	Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery
	Asset allowance for cancellation:
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	83,642		$	4,498	$	13,121		$	—		$	101,261
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	78,564		$	4,549	$	529		$	—		$	83,642
	Year Ended December 31, 2011		$	78,163		$	2,852	$	(2,451	)	$	—		$	78,564
	Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery
	Revenue allowance for cancellation:
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	(131,320	)	$	—	$	(2,200	)	$	—		$	(133,520	)
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	(136,004	)	$	—	$	4,684		$	—		$	(131,320	)
	Year Ended December 31, 2011		$	(134,760	)	$	—	$	(1,244	)	$	—		$	(136,004	)
	Deferred tax valuation allowance:
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	67,732		$	6,213	$	973		$	—		$	74,918
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	63,681		$	3,713	$	338		$	—		$	67,732
	Year Ended December 31, 2011		$	63,614		$	67	$	—		$	—		$	63,681
	_________________________________
	-1	Primarily relates to acquisitions and dispositions of operations.
	-2	Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Business Combinations
	We apply the principles provided in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805 to all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009, and to certain future income tax effects related to business combinations, prior to such date, should they arise. In these acquisitions, tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and goodwill is recognized for any difference between the price of the acquisition and our fair value determination.
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years to conform to current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Our trade receivables primarily consist of amounts due for funeral services already performed. We provide various allowances and cancellation reserves for our funeral and cemetery preneed and atneed receivables as well as for our preneed funeral and preneed cemetery deferred revenues. These allowances are based on an analysis of historical trends of collection and cancellation activity. Atneed funeral and cemetery receivables are considered past due after 30 days. Collections are generally managed by the locations or third party agencies acting on behalf of the locations, until a receivable is 180 days delinquent at which time it is fully reserved and sent to a collection agency. These estimates are impacted by a number of factors, including changes in the economy, relocation, and demographic or competitive changes in our areas of operation.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Inventories and Cemetery Property
	Funeral and cemetery merchandise are stated at the lower of average cost or market. Cemetery property is recorded at cost. Inventory costs and cemetery property are relieved using specific identification in performance of a contract.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense whereas renewals and major replacements that extend the assets useful lives are capitalized. Depreciation is recognized ratably over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. Buildings are depreciated over a period ranging from seven to forty years, equipment is depreciated over a period from three to eight years, and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or ten years. Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $122.6 million, $120.2 million, and $118.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. When property is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet; resulting gains and losses are included in the consolidated statement of operations in the period of sale or disposal.
Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Leases
	We have lease arrangements primarily related to funeral service locations and transportation equipment that were primarily classified as capital leases at December 31, 2013. Lease terms related to funeral home properties generally range from one to 40 years with options to renew at varying terms. Lease terms related to transportation equipment generally range from one to five years with options to renew at varying terms. We calculate operating lease expense ratably over the lease term. We consider reasonably assured renewal options and fixed escalation provisions in our calculation. For more information related to leases, see Note 12.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill
	The excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment by assessing the fair value of each of our reporting units. We performed our annual impairment test of goodwill in accordance with the Intangibles Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) during the fourth quarter.
	Our goodwill impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. In assessing our goodwill for impairment, we elected not to perform a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. Therefore, in the first step of our goodwill impairment test, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. We determine fair value of each reporting unit using both a market and income approach. Our methodology considers discounted cash flows and multiples of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) for both SCI, its competitors, and the Peer Group. The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows. We do not record an impairment of goodwill in instances where the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount. If the aggregate step one fair value is less than the related carrying amount for a reporting unit, we compare the implied fair value of goodwill (as defined in the Intangibles Topic of the ASC) to the carrying amount of goodwill. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
	For our most recent annual impairment test performed in the fourth quarter, we used growth rates ranging from 1.2% to 7.1% over a five-year period, plus a terminal value determined using the constant growth method in projecting our future cash flows and we used an 8.5% discount rate. Fair value was calculated as the sum of the projected discounted cash flows of our reporting units over the next five years plus terminal value at the end of those five years. Our terminal value was calculated using a long-term growth rate of 2.5% and 2.9% for our funeral and cemetery reporting units, respectively.
	In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends. No interim goodwill impairment reviews were required in 2013.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Indefinite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Other Intangible Assets
	Our intangible assets include customer relationships, trademarks and tradenames, and other assets primarily resulting from acquisitions. Our trademark and tradenames and water rights assets are considered to have an indefinite life and are not subject to amortization. We test for impairment of intangible assets in accordance with the Intangibles Topic of the ASC annually during the fourth quarter.
	Our intangible assets impairment tests involve estimates and management judgment. For trademark and tradenames, our test uses the relief from royalty method whereby we determine the fair value of the assets by discounting the cash flows that represent a savings over having to pay a royalty fee for use of the trademark and tradenames. The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows. For our most recent annual impairment test performed in the fourth quarter, we estimated that the pre-tax savings would be 4.0% of the revenues associated with the trademark and tradenames, based primarily on our research of intellectual property valuation and licensing databases. We also assumed a terminal growth rate of 2.5% and 2.9% for our funeral and cemetery segments, respectively, and discounted the cash flows at an 8.7% discount rate based on the relative risk of these assets to our overall business.
	In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than the fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends. No interim intangible impairment reviews were required in 2013.
	Certain of our intangible assets associated with prior acquisitions are relieved using specific identification in performance of a contract. We amortize all other finite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of two to forty years.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
	We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, in accordance with the Intangibles and Property, Plant, and Equipment Topic of the ASC. Under this guidance, long-lived assets to be held and used are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value. Fair value is based on an income approach that utilizes projections of undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by our long-lived assets. No long-lived asset impairment reviews were required in 2013.
	Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell. We determined the fair value of assets to be disposed of using a market approach. See Note 20 for additional information related to assets to be disposed.
Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Treasury Stock
	We make treasury stock purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions and normal trading restrictions. We account for the repurchase of our common stock under the par value method. We use the average cost method upon the subsequent reissuance of treasury shares. On December 13, 2013, we canceled 0.3 million shares of common stock held in our treasury. We canceled 17.2 million and 19.2 million shares of common stock held in our treasury in 2012 and 2011, respectively. These retired treasury shares were changed to authorized but unissued status.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Foreign Currency Translation
	All assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect as of the end of the reporting period. Revenue and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the reporting period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in Equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of equity and consolidated balance sheet.
	The functional currency of SCI and its subsidiaries is the respective local currency. The transactional currency gains and losses that arise from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of our operations are recorded in Other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations. We do not have an investment in foreign operations considered to be in highly inflationary economies.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	We measure the available-for-sale securities held by our funeral merchandise and service, cemetery merchandise and service, and cemetery perpetual care trusts at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (FVM&D) Topic of the ASC. This guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about instruments measured at fair value. The guidance establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
	•	Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
	•	Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and
	•	Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
	An asset’s or liability’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Certain available-for-sale securities held by our funeral merchandise and service, cemetery merchandise and service, and cemetery perpetual care trusts have been classified in Level 3 of the hierarchy due to significant management judgment required as a result of the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, or the long-term nature of the securities. For additional disclosures required by FASB guidance for all of our available-for-sale securities, see Notes 4, 5, and 6.
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
	Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
	Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the common trust funds and mutual funds are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
	Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC.
	The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate securities were estimated using market prices for those securities, and therefore they are classified within Level 1 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy as required by the FVM&D Topic of the ASC. The term loan, bank credit facility, and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the Fair Value Measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues.
Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables
	We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are prior to the delivery of the related goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our goods and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the service or goods are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amount, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.
	If a preneed contract is canceled prior to delivery, state or provincial law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customers exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	We compute income taxes using the liability method. Our ability to realize the benefit of our federal and state deferred tax assets requires us to achieve certain future earnings levels. We have established a valuation allowance against a portion of our deferred tax assets and we could be required to further adjust that valuation allowance if market conditions change materially and future earnings are, or are projected to be, significantly different than our current estimates.
	A valuation allowance has been established because more-likely-than-not uncertainties exist with respect to our future realization of certain loss carry-forwards. The valuation allowance is primarily attributable to state net operating losses and reflects our expectation that the net operating losses in certain jurisdictions will expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the losses.
	The provision or benefit for income taxes includes U.S. federal income taxes (determined on a consolidated return basis), foreign income taxes, and state income taxes.
	Pursuant to the Stock Compensation Topic under the ASC, such windfall tax benefits are not recognized in our consolidated financial statements unless they reduce income taxes payable.
	Deferred taxes are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.
	Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.
	Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. In accordance with this guidance, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	The Plans’ weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net benefit cost are as follows: we base our discount rate used to compute future benefit obligations using an analysis of expected future benefit payments. The reasonableness of our discount rate is verified by comparing the rate to the rate earned on high-quality fixed income investments, such as the Moody’s Aa index, plus 50 basis points. The assumed rate of return on plan assets was not applicable as we pay plan benefits as they come due. As all Plans are curtailed, the assumed rate of compensation increase is zero.
	We currently have a supplemental retirement plan for certain current and former key employees (SERP), a supplemental retirement plan for officers and certain key employees (Senior SERP), a retirement plan for certain non-employee directors (Directors’ Plan), a Retirement Plan for Rose Hills Trustees, a Rose Hills Supplemental Retirement Plan, and a Stewart Supplemental Retirement Plan (collectively, the “Plans”). We also provide a 401(k) employee savings plan. All of our Plans have a measurement date of December 31.
	The Plans are frozen; therefore, the participants do not earn incremental benefits from additional years of service, and we do not incur any additional service cost since December 31, 2000.
	Retirement benefits under the SERP are based on years of service and average monthly compensation, reduced by benefits under Social Security. The Senior SERP provides retirement benefits based on years of service and position. The Directors’ Plan provides for an annual benefit to directors following retirement, based on a vesting schedule.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We have an employee savings plan that qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for the exclusive benefit of our United States employees. Under the plan, participating employees may contribute a portion of their pretax and/or after-tax income in accordance with specified guidelines up to a maximum of 50%.
	During 2013, 2012, and 2011 we matched a percentage of the employee contributions through contributions of cash. For these years, our matching contribution was based upon the following:
	Years of Vesting Service		Percentage of Deferred Compensation
	0 — 5 years		75% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	6 — 10 years		100% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	11 or more years		125% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
Funeral and Cemetery cash flow [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]	'
	These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.
	These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the service is performed or the merchandise is delivered.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income (expense), net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options.
Income Tax Uncertainties, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Consistent with our historical financial reporting, we include potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within our income tax provision account.
Funeral [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Funeral Operations
	Revenue is recognized when funeral services are performed or funeral merchandise is delivered. We sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts through various programs providing for future funeral services at prices prevailing when the agreements are signed. Revenue associated with sales of preneed funeral contracts is deferred until the funeral services are performed or funeral merchandise is delivered, generally at the time of need. Travel protection insurance and some memorialization merchandise sold on a preneed basis is delivered to the customer at the time of sale and is recognized at the time delivery has occurred. While these items are sold as part of preneed funeral arrangements they are also offered on a stand-alone basis. The total consideration for these arrangements is allocated to each item based on relative selling price determined using either vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price or third-party evidence of selling price. Vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price is determined based on the price we sell the items for on a stand-alone basis. Third-party evidence of selling price is based on the price of our largely interchangeable products that are sold in stand-alone sales to similarly situated customers. There is no general right of return for delivered items.
	Pursuant to state or provincial law, all or a portion of the proceeds from funeral merchandise or services sold on a preneed basis may be required to be paid into trust funds. We defer investment earnings related to these merchandise and service trusts until the associated merchandise is delivered or services are performed. Costs related to sales of merchandise and services are charged to expense when merchandise is delivered or services are performed. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 4 for more information regarding preneed funeral activities.
Cemetery [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cemetery Operations
	Revenue associated with sales of cemetery merchandise and services is recognized when the service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Revenue associated with sales of preneed cemetery interment rights is recognized in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the ASC. Under this guidance, revenue related to the preneed sale of unconstructed cemetery property is deferred until it is constructed and 10% of the sales price is collected. For services and non-personalized merchandise (such as vaults), we defer the revenues until the services are performed or the merchandise is delivered. For personalized marker merchandise, with the customer’s direction generally obtained at the time of sale, we can choose to order, store, and transfer title to the customer. In situations in which we have no further obligation or involvement related to the merchandise, we recognize revenues and record the cost of sales in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the ASC upon the earlier of vendor storage of these items or delivery in our cemetery. The total consideration for these arrangements is allocated to each item based on relative selling price determined using vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price. Vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price is determined based on the price we sell the items for on a stand-alone basis. There is no general right of return for delivered items.
	Pursuant to state or provincial law, all or a portion of the proceeds from cemetery merchandise or services sold on a preneed basis may be required to be paid into trust funds. We defer investment earnings related to these merchandise and services trusts until the associated merchandise is delivered or services are performed.
	A portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights is required by state or provincial law to be paid into perpetual care trust funds. Investment earnings from these trusts are distributed to us regularly, are recognized in current cemetery revenues, and are intended to defray cemetery maintenance costs, which are expensed as incurred. The principal of such perpetual care trust funds generally cannot be withdrawn.
	Costs related to the sale of property interment rights include the property and construction costs specifically identified by project. At the completion of the project, construction costs are charged to expense in the same period revenue is recognized. Costs related to sales of merchandise and services are charged to expense when merchandise is delivered or when services are performed. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our consolidated financial statements. See Notes 5 and 6 for more information regarding preneed cemetery activities.
	Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in cemetery revenues when a service is performed or merchandise is delivered. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income (expense), net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust.
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other (expense) income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lev1

Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]	'
Preneed Funeral Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	The activity in Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
					(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,535,932		$	1,486,018		$	1,427,192
	Net preneed contract sales	192,712			124,962			116,167
	Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(170,921		)	(125,625		)	(106,489		)
	Deposits to trust	82,168			81,601			72,750
	Acquisitions of businesses, net	272,403			6,021			143,252
	Net undistributed investment earnings (losses)(1)	125,986			84,611			(11,348		)
	Maturities and distributed earnings	(153,446		)	(126,130		)	(148,820		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	(3,245		)	934			(232		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(10,715		)	3,540			(6,454		)
	Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,870,874		$	1,535,932		$	1,486,018
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).
Deferred Preneed Funeral Revenues [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the activity in Deferred preneed funeral revenues for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$	536,647		$	575,546		$	580,223
	Net preneed contract sales	144,202			103,341			105,866
	Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	431,460			(4,491		)	142,026
	Net investment earnings (losses)(1)	126,428			83,788			(12,164		)
	Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(200,680		)	(164,037		)	(182,408		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	(5,670		)	1,304			(1,526		)
	Change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(343,878		)	(61,068		)	(57,936		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(2,210		)	2,264			1,465
	Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$	686,299		$	536,647		$	575,546
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).
Funeral [Member]	'
Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]	'
Investment related activities [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2013			2012			2011
					(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	82,168		$	81,601		$	72,750
	Withdrawals	125,914			100,635			109,013
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	393,169			563,628			527,681
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	435,267			555,709			610,917
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	65,011			60,833			61,272
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(9,732		)	(21,454		)	(41,162		)
Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,422,942		$	977,973
	Cash and cash equivalents	128,216			85,943
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(163,436		)	—
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	280,969			273,098
	Trust investments	1,668,691			1,337,014
	Receivables from customers	254,294			241,897
	Unearned finance charge	(6,772		)	(8,645		)
		1,916,213			1,570,266
	Allowance for cancellation	(45,339		)	(34,334		)
	Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,870,874		$	1,535,932
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair Market
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	110,511		$	1,299		$	(5,599	)		$	106,211
	Canadian government	2	100,263			81			(1,113		)		99,231
	Corporate	2	64,042			3,515			(691		)		66,866
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	2,408			23			(33		)		2,398
	Asset-backed	2	3,366			—			(10		)		3,356
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	30,107			754			(235		)		30,626
	Common stock:
	United States	1	364,721			77,963			(2,928		)		439,756
	Canada	1	27,634			4,346			(1,216		)		30,764
	Other international	1	35,519			4,986			(199		)		40,306
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	257,256			22,530			(2,303		)		277,483
	Fixed income	1	313,606			3,228			(19,577		)		297,257
	Private equity	3	32,909			2,702			(8,726		)		26,885
	Other	3	1,545			291			(33		)		1,803
	Trust investments		$	1,343,887		$	121,718		$	(42,663	)		$	1,422,942
			December 31, 2012
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair Market
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	105,594		$	5,072		$	(880	)		$	109,786
	Canadian government	2	110,399			861			(113		)		111,147
	Corporate	2	51,611			2,531			(623		)		53,519
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	3,123			57			(8		)		3,172
	Asset-backed	2	129			3			—				132
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock:	2	3,603			211			(103		)		3,711
	Common stock:
	United States	1	230,971			38,514			(6,903		)		262,582
	Canada	1	23,284			2,598			(1,271		)		24,611
	Other international	1	18,089			1,874			(658		)		19,305
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	145,589			10,097			(6,728		)		148,958
	Fixed income	1	225,365			7,314			(10,252		)		222,427
	Private equity	3	36,626			221			(18,968		)		17,879
	Other	3	542			202			—				744
	Trust investments		$	954,925		$	69,555		$	(46,507	)		$	977,973
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 (in thousands):
		2013						2012							2011
		Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
	Fair market value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	17,879		$	744		$	15,986			$	912		$	12,369		$	8,990
	Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	13,429			1,442			(403		)		(159		)	2,923			(8,063		)
	Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(43		)	(3		)	(58		)		(2		)	(88		)	(4		)
	Purchases	1,188			—			—				—			18			—
	Sales	—			—			(9		)		—			(8,156		)	—
	Contributions	3,229			—			4,664				—			10,392			—
	Distributions and other	(9,245		)	(393		)	(2,301		)		(7		)	(1,472		)	(11		)
	Acquisitions	448			13			—				—			—			—
	Fair market value, ending balance at December 31,	$	26,885		$	1,803		$	17,879			$	744		$	15,986		$	912
	_______________________________________
	-1	All unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
	-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2014 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities at December 31, 2013 are estimated as follows:
		Fair Market Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	150,154
	Due in one to five years	50,518
	Due in five to ten years	47,631
	Thereafter	29,759
		$	278,062
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, are shown in the following tables.
		December 31, 2013
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
		Value						Value							Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	28,693		$	(3,595	)	$	19,351			$	(2,004	)	$	48,044		$	(5,599	)
	Canadian government	9,546			(120		)	18,981				(993		)	28,527			(1,113		)
	Corporate	21,357			(346		)	5,654				(345		)	27,011			(691		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	1,381			(25		)	172				(8		)	1,553			(33		)
	Asset-backed	3,275			(10		)	—				—			3,275			(10		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred Stock	14,028			(235		)	—				—			14,028			(235		)
	Common stock:
	United States	46,544			(2,153		)	3,327				(775		)	49,871			(2,928		)
	Canada	2,433			(576		)	1,992				(641		)	4,425			(1,217		)
	Other international	3,396			(138		)	369				(60		)	3,765			(198		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	16,206			(337		)	12,456				(1,966		)	28,662			(2,303		)
	Fixed income	143,846			(4,984		)	38,217				(14,593		)	182,063			(19,577		)
	Private equity	—			—			13,002				(8,726		)	13,002			(8,726		)
	Other	—			—			527				(33		)	527			(33		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	290,705		$	(12,519	)	$	114,048			$	(30,144	)	$	404,753		$	(42,663	)
		December 31, 2012
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
		Value						Value							Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	22,357		$	(803	)	$	6,741			$	(77	)	$	29,098		$	(880	)
	Canadian government	7,912			(113		)	—				—			7,912			(113		)
	Corporate	7,809			(347		)	4,283				(276		)	12,092			(623		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	956			(8		)	—				—			956			(8		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred Stock	1,220			(93		)	52				(10		)	1,272			(103		)
	Common stock:
	United States	70,752			(4,694		)	9,089				(2,209		)	79,841			(6,903		)
	Canada	6,592			(652		)	2,516				(619		)	9,108			(1,271		)
	Other international	7,606			(521		)	608				(137		)	8,214			(658		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	6,779			(126		)	26,340				(6,602		)	33,119			(6,728		)
	Fixed income	38,686			(1,021		)	24,131				(9,231		)	62,817			(10,252		)
	Private equity	—			—			17,389				(18,968		)	17,389			(18,968		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	170,669		$	(8,378	)	$	91,149			$	(38,129	)	$	261,818		$	(46,507	)

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Le1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]	'
Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	The activity in Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
					(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	1,826,835		$	1,595,940		$	1,563,893
	Net preneed contract sales	562,433			501,654			468,850
	Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	199,433			1,124			(5,500		)
	Net undistributed investment earnings (losses)(1)	203,499			133,351			(24,407		)
	Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(471,710		)	(417,965		)	(403,524		)
	Deposits to trust	106,185			98,130			98,121
	Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings	(119,576		)	(98,738		)	(109,382		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	3,002			(3,481		)	(759		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(9,190		)	16,820			8,648
	Ending balance — Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,300,911		$	1,826,835		$	1,595,940
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).
Deferred Preneed Cemetery Revenues [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the activity in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues for the years ended December 31:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	861,148		$	833,303		$	813,493
	Net preneed and atneed deferred sales	396,264			380,887			363,523
	Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	119,504			1,089			(10,861		)
	Net investment earnings (losses)(1)	201,941			130,012			(26,431		)
	Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(386,632		)	(363,072		)	(350,356		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	18,358			3,968			802
	Change in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	(298,337		)	(133,612		)	37,173
	Effect of foreign currency and other	10,909			8,573			5,960
	Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	923,155		$	861,148		$	833,303
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).
Cemetery [Member]	'
Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]	'
Investment related activities [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2013			2012			2011
					(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	106,185		$	98,130		$	98,121
	Withdrawals	119,576			98,738			109,382
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	477,772			746,761			595,683
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	498,852			700,091			525,534
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	101,337			87,665			67,167
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(14,593		)	(29,397		)	(46,889		)
Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,553,719		$	1,204,084
	Cash and cash equivalents	138,459			86,923
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(107,481		)	—
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	4			9
	Trust investments	1,584,701			1,291,016
	Receivables from customers	800,005			614,599
	Unearned finance charges	(27,873		)	(29,471		)
		2,356,833			1,876,144
	Allowance for cancellation	(55,922		)	(49,309		)
	Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,300,911		$	1,826,835
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair market value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair Market
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	113,621		$	1,714		$	(8,876	)		$	106,459
	Canadian government	2	17,073			170			(261		)		16,982
	Corporate	2	48,970			5,262			(646		)		53,586
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	408			2			(2		)		408
	Asset-backed	2	3,346			—			(13		)		3,333
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	16,708			1,106			(123		)		17,691
	Common stock:
	United States	1	425,246			147,258			(3,231		)		569,273
	Canada	1	15,368			4,063			(935		)		18,496
	Other international	1	44,184			10,079			(200		)		54,063
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	327,084			49,428			(1,704		)		374,808
	Fixed income	1	338,944			5,236			(33,649		)		310,531
	Private equity	3	28,625			3,372			(5,153		)		26,844
	Other	3	1,078			200			(33		)		1,245
	Trust investments		$	1,380,655		$	227,890		$	(54,826	)		$	1,553,719
			December 31, 2012
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair Market
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	99,630		$	7,925		$	(841	)		$	106,714
	Canadian government	2	17,562			402			(83		)		17,881
	Corporate	2	43,515			2,456			(775		)		45,196
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	150			4			—				154
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock:	2	5,840			334			(196		)		5,978
	Common stock:
	United States	1	363,190			71,613			(7,716		)		427,087
	Canada	1	16,026			2,862			(846		)		18,042
	Other international	1	29,889			3,687			(857		)		32,719
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	279,265			19,520			(9,921		)		288,864
	Fixed income	1	251,687			10,975			(19,350		)		243,312
	Private equity	3	32,785			77			(15,175		)		17,687
	Other	3	407			44			(1		)		450
	Trust investments		$	1,139,946		$	119,899		$	(55,761	)		$	1,204,084
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
		2013						2012							2011
		Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
	Fair market value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	17,687		$	450		$	15,219			$	436		$	5,719		$	532
	Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	15,420			1,218			100				28			517			(71		)
	Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(48		)	(5		)	(64		)		(2		)	(95		)	(6		)
	Contributions	3,430			—			4,932				—			10,795			—
	Distributions and other	(9,645		)	(418		)	(2,500		)		(12		)	(1,717		)	(19		)
	Fair market value, ending balance at December 31,	$	26,844		$	1,245		$	17,687			$	450		$	15,219		$	436
	_________________________________
	-1	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
	-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2014 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) at December 31, 2013 are estimated as follows:
		Fair Market Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	27,088
	Due in one to five years	63,870
	Due in five to ten years	44,942
	Thereafter	44,868
		$	180,768
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, are shown in the following tables:
		December 31, 2013
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair Market			Unrealized			Fair Market				Unrealized			Fair Market			Unrealized
		Value			Losses			Value				Losses			Value			Losses
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	45,120		$	(6,040	)	$	25,043			$	(2,836	)	$	70,163		$	(8,876	)
	Canadian government	9,424			(120		)	3,066				(141		)	12,490			(261		)
	Corporate	15,050			(424		)	3,073				(222		)	18,123			(646		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	145			(2		)	2				—			147			(2		)
	Asset-backed	3,257			(13		)	—				—			3,257			(13		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock:	5,604			(123		)	—				—			5,604			(123		)
	Common stock:
	United States	46,317			(2,648		)	3,489				(583		)	49,806			(3,231		)
	Canada	1,569			(502		)	1,935				(433		)	3,504			(935		)
	Other international	4,344			(124		)	702				(76		)	5,046			(200		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	3,858			(54		)	14,477				(1,650		)	18,335			(1,704		)
	Fixed income	134,669			(5,527		)	64,009				(28,122		)	198,678			(33,649		)
	Private equity	—			—			6,589				(5,153		)	6,589			(5,153		)
	Other	—			—			282				(33		)	282			(33		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	269,357		$	(15,577	)	$	122,667			$	(39,249	)	$	392,024		$	(54,826	)
		December 31, 2012
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair Market			Unrealized			Fair Market				Unrealized			Fair Market			Unrealized
		Value			Losses			Value				Losses			Value			Losses
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	28,626		$	(841	)	$	—			$	—		$	28,626		$	(841	)
	Canadian government	5,319			(83		)	—				—			5,319			(83		)
	Corporate	14,060			(571		)	2,137				(204		)	16,197			(775		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock:	1,497			(143		)	126				(53		)	1,623			(196		)
	Common stock:
	United States	82,989			(5,624		)	11,131				(2,092		)	94,120			(7,716		)
	Canada	3,114			(461		)	1,115				(385		)	4,229			(846		)
	Other international	9,056			(655		)	741				(202		)	9,797			(857		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	28,132			(1,427		)	43,172				(8,494		)	71,304			(9,921		)
	Fixed income	54,533			(2,205		)	29,104				(17,145		)	83,637			(19,350		)
	Private equity	46			(17		)	17,136				(15,158		)	17,182			(15,175		)
	Other	8			—			378				(1		)	386			(1		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	227,380		$	(12,027	)	$	105,040			$	(43,734	)	$	332,420		$	(55,761	)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts1

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 (Tables) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Line Items]	'
Investment related activities [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2013				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	26,501			$	24,869			$	23,785
	Withdrawals	33,557				33,177				34,737
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	139,439				252,021				444,616
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	99,701				136,391				410,175
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	17,916				11,463				34,275
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(2,738		)		(6,595		)		(16,310		)
Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,352,539			$	1,045,568
	Cash and cash equivalents	78,509				54,012
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(83,426		)		—
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,347,622			$	1,099,580
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair market value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in common trust funds, mutual funds, and private equity investments. Fair market value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the common trust funds, mutual funds at published values, and the estimated market value of private equity investments.
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market
							Gains				Losses				Value
							(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	1,588			$	9			$	(14	)		$	1,583
	Canadian government	2	28,487				301				(459		)		28,329
	Corporate	2	43,196				312				(263		)		43,245
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	4,258				14				(19		)		4,253
	Asset-backed	2	3,006				5				(11		)		3,000
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	25,952				192				(252		)		25,892
	Common stock:
	United States	1	231,156				53,782				(2,087		)		282,851
	Canada	1	8,846				2,222				(623		)		10,445
	Other international	1	20,676				1,319				(167		)		21,828
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	41,282				5,693				(35		)		46,940
	Fixed income	1	819,439				35,963				(2,598		)		852,804
	Private equity	3	28,309				472				(9,002		)		19,779
	Other	3	10,521				1,153				(84		)		11,590
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	1,266,716			$	101,437			$	(15,614	)		$	1,352,539
			December 31, 2012
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair Market
							Gains				Losses				Value
							(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	820			$	45			$	(1	)		$	864
	Canadian government	2	30,159				709				(140		)		30,728
	Corporate	2	22,877				537				(51		)		23,363
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,498				41				(2		)		1,537
	Asset-backed	2	161				10				—				171
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	5,637				61				(938		)		4,760
	Common stock:
	United States	1	163,173				19,609				(3,389		)		179,393
	Canada	1	8,954				1,568				(731		)		9,791
	Other international	1	14,693				1,392				(447		)		15,638
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	16,999				2,102				(211		)		18,890
	Fixed income	1	680,921				61,172				(441		)		741,652
	Private equity	3	24,727				338				(13,943		)		11,122
	Other	3	9,653				1,110				(3,104		)		7,659
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	980,272			$	88,694			$	(23,398	)		$	1,045,568
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
		2013								2012								2011
		Private Equity				Other				Private Equity				Other				Private Equity			Other
	Fair market value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	11,122			$	7,659			$	10,849			$	6,890			$	10,435		$	6,654
	Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	6,897				4,081				1,648				1,035				9,799			703
	Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(142		)		(76		)		(162		)		(43		)		(213		)	(97		)
	Sales	—				—				(26		)		—				(44		)	—
	Contributions	3,706				—				4,171				—				118			—
	Distributions and other	(1,841		)		(508		)		(5,358		)		(223		)		(9,246		)	(370		)
	Acquisitions	37				434				—				—				—			—
	Fair market value, ending balance at December 31,	$	19,779			$	11,590			$	11,122			$	7,659			$	10,849		$	6,890
	-1	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
	-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2014 to 2043. Maturities of fixed income securities at December 31, 2013 are estimated as follows:
		Fair Market Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	14,364
	Due in one to five years	37,656
	Due in five to ten years	23,615
	Thereafter	4,775
		$	80,410
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair market values and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, are shown in the following table:
		December 31, 2013
		In Loss Position									In Loss Position								Total
		Less Than 12 Months									Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair					Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized				Fair			Unrealized
		Market					Losses				Market				Losses				Market			Losses
		Value									Value								Value
											(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	1,339				$	(14	)		$	20			$	—			$	1,359		$	(14	)
	Canadian government	15,777					(214		)		5,131				(245		)		20,908			(459		)
	Corporate	22,534					(129		)		3,299				(134		)		25,833			(263		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	2,960					(18		)		10				(1		)		2,970			(19		)
	Asset-backed	2,835					(10		)		15				(1		)		2,850			(11		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	14,650					(245		)		44				(7		)		14,694			(252		)
	Common stock:
	United States	23,825					(1,561		)		3,254				(526		)		27,079			(2,087		)
	Canada	667					(129		)		1,794				(494		)		2,461			(623		)
	Other international	1,540					(54		)		525				(113		)		2,065			(167		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	391					(14		)		163				(21		)		554			(35		)
	Fixed income	181,701					(2,090		)		28,507				(508		)		210,208			(2,598		)
	Private equity	—					—				19,242				(9,002		)		19,242			(9,002		)
	Other	—					—				9,738				(84		)		9,738			(84		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	268,219		—		$	(4,478	)		$	71,742			$	(11,136	)		$	339,961		$	(15,614	)
		December 31, 2012
		In Loss Position								In Loss Position								Total
		Less Than 12 Months								Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair				Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized				Fair			Unrealized
		Market				Losses				Market				Losses				Market			Losses
		Value								Value								Value
										(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	373			$	(1	)		$	—			$	—			$	373		$	(1	)
	Canadian government	9,145				(140		)		—				—				9,145			(140		)
	Corporate	5,439				(33		)		1,886				(18		)		7,325			(51		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	183				(2		)		—				—				183			(2		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	3,115				(639		)		973				(299		)		4,088			(938		)
	Common stock:
	United States	38,323				(2,403		)		7,495				(986		)		45,818			(3,389		)
	Canada	1,246				(281		)		1,055				(450		)		2,301			(731		)
	Other international	4,712				(389		)		696				(58		)		5,408			(447		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	2,654				(127		)		404				(84		)		3,058			(211		)
	Fixed income	10,552				(37		)		31,837				(404		)		42,389			(441		)
	Private equity	—				—				10,752				(13,943		)		10,752			(13,943		)
	Other	—				—				6,308				(3,104		)		6,308			(3,104		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	75,742			$	(4,052	)		$	61,406			$	(19,346	)		$	137,148		$	(23,398	)

Deferred_Preneed_Funeral_and_C1

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receitps Held in Trust Components [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below.
		December 31, 2013										December 31, 2012
		Preneed				Preneed			Total			Preneed				Preneed			Total
		Funeral				Cemetery						Funeral				Cemetery
					(In thousands)										(In thousands)
	Trust investments	$	1,668,691			$	1,584,701		$	3,253,392		$	1,337,014			$	1,291,016		$	2,628,030
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,108		)		(1,698		)	(2,806		)	(1,827		)		(1,882		)	(3,709		)
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,667,583			$	1,583,003		$	3,250,586		$	1,335,187			$	1,289,134		$	2,624,321
Schedule of Care Trust Corpus' Components [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are detailed below.
		December 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,347,622			$	1,099,580
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,748		)		(828		)
	Care trusts’ corpus	$	1,345,874			$	1,098,752
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income, by Component [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of Other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to our funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
									(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	65,011			$	101,337		$	17,916		$	—			$	184,264
	Realized losses	(9,732		)		(14,593		)	(2,738		)	—				(27,063		)
	Impairment charges	(829		)		(1,575		)	(192		)	—				(2,596		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	24,912				20,527			27,452			—				72,891
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(11,371		)		(14,633		)	(2,628		)	—				(28,632		)
	Net trust investment income	67,991				91,063			39,810			—				198,864
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(67,991		)		(91,063		)	(39,810		)	—				(198,864		)
	Other income (expense), net	—				—			—			(559		)		(559		)
	Total other income (expense), net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	(559	)		$	(559	)
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
		(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	60,833			$	87,665		$	11,463		$	—			$	159,961
	Realized losses	(21,454		)		(29,397		)	(6,595		)	—				(57,446		)
	Impairment charges	(781		)		(824		)	(760		)	—				(2,365		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	17,017				17,244			34,032			—				68,293
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(10,685		)		(13,389		)	(1,355		)	—				(25,429		)
	Net trust investment (loss) income	44,930				61,299			36,785			—				143,014
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(44,930		)		(61,299		)	(36,785		)	—				(143,014		)
	Other income (expense), net	—				—			—			3,668				3,668
	Total other income (expense), net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	3,668			$	3,668
		December 31, 2011
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
									(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	61,272			$	67,167		$	34,275		$	—			$	162,714
	Realized losses	(41,162		)		(46,889		)	(16,310		)	—				(104,361		)
	Impairment charges	(24,705		)		(28,705		)	(741		)	—				(54,151		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	22,283				26,902			35,467			—				84,652
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(7,303		)		(10,579		)	(2,774		)	—				(20,656		)
	Net trust investment (loss) income	10,385				7,896			49,917			—				68,198
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(10,385		)		(7,896		)	(49,917		)	—				(68,198		)
	Other (expense) income, net	—				—			—			(772		)		(772		)
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	(772	)		$	(772	)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for our funeral and cemetery reporting units are as follows (in thousands):
		2013									2012
		Funeral			Cemetery			Total			Funeral			Cemetery			Total
	Balance as of January 1:	$	1,319,308		$	63,102		$	1,382,410		$	1,298,350		$	63,143		$	1,361,493
	Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	322,118			260,108			582,226			20,289			—			20,289
	Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(2,774		)	—			(2,774		)	(2,210		)	(41		)	(2,251		)
	Held for Sale	(29,070		)	(2,027		)	(31,097		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(8,663		)	—			(8,663		)	2,879			—			2,879
	Activity in 2013	281,611			258,081			539,692			20,958			(41		)	20,917
	Balance as of December 31	$	1,600,919		$	321,183		$	1,922,102		$	1,319,308		$	63,102		$	1,382,410
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of intangible assets at December 31 were as follows:
		Useful life
		Minimum		Maximum	2013			2012
		(Years)			(In thousands)
	Amortizing intangibles:
	Covenants-not-to-compete	2	-	20	$	218,771		$	208,594
	Customer relationships	10	-	20	174,282			102,481
	Tradenames	5	-	5	12,750			3,600
	Other	5	-	40	17,027			6,050
					422,830			320,725
	Less: Accumulated amortization				227,119			207,985
	Amortizing intangibles, net				195,711			112,740
	Non-amortizing intangibles:
	Tradenames			Indefinite	215,135			134,823
	Other			Indefinite	11,640			10,140
	Non-amortizing intangibles				226,775			144,963
	Intangible assets, net				$	422,486		$	257,703
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is estimated amortization expense, excluding certain intangibles for which we are unable to provide an estimate because they are amortized based on specific identification in the performance of a preneed contract, for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	2014	$	17,572
	2015	14,884
	2016	14,065
	2017	11,525
	2018	10,722

Income_Taxes_Level_3_Tables

Income Taxes Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	'
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes for the years ended December 31 was composed of the following components:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	199,374		$	210,830		$	196,788
	Foreign	46,345			34,853			28,848
		$	245,719		$	245,683		$	225,636
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	Income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31 consisted of the following:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	United States	$	2,206		$	3,752		$	1,267
	Foreign	12,445			8,776			5,844
	State	7,864			6,036			5,781
	Total current income taxes	22,515			18,564			12,892
	Deferred:
	United States	$	65,591		$	62,227		$	57,845
	Foreign	21			(102		)	279
	State	8,488			10,859			8,388
	Total deferred income taxes	74,100			72,984			66,512
	Total income taxes	$	96,615		$	91,548		$	79,404
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Computed tax provision at the applicable federal statutory income tax rate	$	86,002		$	85,988		$	78,973
	State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefits	10,614			10,998			9,895
	Dividends received deduction and tax exempt interest	(592		)	(525		)	(644		)
	Foreign jurisdiction differences	(3,722		)	(3,491		)	(4,789		)
	Permanent differences associated with dispositions	268			602			(6,329		)
	Changes in uncertain tax positions	3,710			(479		)	1,584
	Other	335			(1,545		)	714
	Provision for income taxes	$	96,615		$	91,548		$	79,404
	Total effective tax rate	39.3		%	37.3		%	35.2		%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	The tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 consisted of the following:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Inventories and cemetery property, principally due to purchase accounting adjustments	$	(385,714	)	$	(346,364	)
	Property and equipment	(163,770		)	(97,469		)
	Intangibles	(372,105		)	(182,864		)
	Other	(22,083		)	—
	Deferred tax liabilities	(943,672		)	(626,697		)
	Loss and tax credit carry-forwards	170,900			141,739
	Deferred revenue on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts	180,283			38,823
	Accrued liabilities	109,838			84,016
	Other	—			2,007
	Deferred tax assets	461,021			266,585
	Less: Valuation allowance	(74,918		)	(67,732		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(557,569	)	$	(427,844	)
Schedule of Deferred Taxes Classification [Table Text Block]	'
	Deferred tax assets and Deferred income tax liabilities are recognized in our consolidated balance sheet as the following (in thousands):
		2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets	$	39,074		$	42,864
	Non-current deferred tax assets	22,557			490
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(619,200		)	(471,198		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(557,569	)	$	(427,844	)
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		Federal, State and Foreign Tax
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2010	$	152,765
	Additions to tax positions related to the current year	4,971
	Additions to tax positions related to prior years	60
	Statute expirations	(1,484		)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	156,312
	Reductions to tax positions related to the current year	(2,100		)
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(10,224		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	143,988
	Additions to tax positions related to the current year	3,019
	Additions to tax positions related to the acquisition of Stewart, offset to goodwill	1,556
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(8,800		)
	Statute expirations	(2,844		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	136,919
Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table Text Block]	'
	Such loss carry-forwards will expire as follows:
		Federal			State			Foreign			Total
					(In thousands)
	2014	$	115		$	17,052		$	—		$	17,167
	2015	58			156,981			—			157,039
	2016	121			35,886			—			36,007
	2017	—			14,755			—			14,755
	Thereafter	77,703			2,924,985			5			3,002,693
	Total	$	77,997		$	3,149,659		$	5		$	3,227,661
Summary of Valuation Allowance [Table Text Block]	'
	At December 31, 2013, our loss and tax credit carry-forward deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances by jurisdiction are as follows:
		Federal			State (1)			Foreign			Total
					(In thousands)
	Loss and tax credit carry-forwards	$	36,799		$	110,941		$	23,160		$	170,900
	Valuation allowance	$	—		$	55,574		$	19,344		$	74,918
	_________________________________
	-1	Presented net of Federal benefit

Supplementary_Information_Leve1

Supplementary Information Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplementary Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Balance Sheet, Supplemental Disclosures	'
	The detail of certain balance sheet accounts is as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	105,241		$	52,431
	Commercial paper and temporary investments	39,632			40,277
		$	144,873		$	92,708
	Receivables, net:
	Notes receivable	$	1,140		$	976
	Atneed funeral receivables, net of allowances of $8,895 and $7,194, respectively	68,565			70,208
	Atneed cemetery receivables, net of allowances of $2,140 and $1,690, respectively	16,399			14,408
	Other	19,795			16,225
		$	105,899		$	101,817
	Other current assets:
	Income tax receivable	$	2,841		$	4,805
	Prepaid insurance	8,583			4,258
	Restricted cash	6,550			1,484
	Bond conversion asset	21,682			—
	Deferred debt issuance costs	9,082			4,393
	Other	16,029			5,606
		$	64,767		$	20,546
	Cemetery property:
	Undeveloped land	$	1,209,143		$	1,077,930
	Developed lots, lawn crypts, and mausoleum spaces	539,924			412,018
		$	1,749,067		$	1,489,948
	Property and equipment:
	Land	$	610,348		$	524,381
	Buildings and improvements	1,786,952			1,596,888
	Operating equipment	502,313			482,476
	Leasehold improvements	28,558			27,532
	Capital leases	185,875			181,386
		3,114,046			2,812,663
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,084,589		)	(1,070,385		)
	Less: Accumulated amortization of capital leases	(106,496		)	(101,177		)
		$	1,922,961		$	1,641,101
	Deferred charges and other assets:
	Intangible assets, net	422,486			257,703
	Restricted cash	2,409			4,457
	Non-current deferred tax assets	22,557			490
	Notes receivable, net of allowances of $10,986 and $1,316, respectively	11,651			10,334
	Cash surrender value of insurance policies	90,177			84,875
	Other	111,954			67,408
		$	661,234		$	425,267
		December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	143,385		$	104,025
	Accrued compensation	104,466			97,750
	Accrued interest	36,583			20,709
	Accrued property taxes	13,756			14,246
	Self insurance reserves	77,962			57,543
	Bank overdraft	5,152			22,240
	Bond conversion liability	18,744			—
	Other accrued liabilities	86,600			57,270
		$	486,648		$	373,783
	Other liabilities:
	Accrued pension	$	35,629		$	27,374
	Deferred compensation	65,605			59,897
	Customer refund obligation reserve	59,826			70,656
	Tax liability	181,455			185,568
	Indemnification liability	442			1,681
Payable to perpetual care fund	56,501			41,806
Other	30,935			12,968
	$	430,393		$	399,950
Schedule of Product Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The detail of certain income statement accounts is as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Merchandise revenues:
	Funeral	$	586,631		$	554,518		$	524,695
	Cemetery	609,143			554,504			516,683
	Total merchandise revenues	1,195,774			1,109,022			1,041,378
	Services revenues:
	Funeral	993,296			969,088			958,602
	Cemetery	212,962			203,104			195,369
	Total services revenues	1,206,258			1,172,192			1,153,971
	Other revenues	154,350			129,267			120,691
	Total revenues	$	2,556,382		$	2,410,481		$	2,316,040
	Merchandise costs and expenses:
	Funeral	$	268,310		$	260,699		$	259,462
	Cemetery	254,091			234,034			222,634
	Total cost of merchandise	522,401			494,733			482,096
	Services costs and expenses:
	Funeral	551,812			523,811			495,268
	Cemetery	101,067			98,914			97,474
	Total cost of services	652,879			622,725			592,742
	Overhead and other expenses	831,533			769,810			764,700
	Total cost and expenses	$	2,006,813		$	1,887,268		$	1,839,538
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	Cash interest payments for the three years ended December 31 (in thousands) were as follows:
	Payments in 2013	$	125,022
	Payments in 2012	131,723
	Payments in 2011	129,105
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Dividends accrued but not paid	$	—		$	—		$	11,027
	Options exercised by attestation	$	3,004		$	—		$	—
	Shares repurchased	$	(3,004	)	$	—		$	—

Debt_Level_3_Tables

Debt Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	Debt as of December 31 was as follows:
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—			$	4,757
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014	85,256				—
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	136,465				136,465
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377				197,377
	3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016	46,279				—
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000				295,000
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000				250,000
	6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019	200,000				—
	7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	250,000				250,000
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	200,000				200,000
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000				150,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	425,000				—
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000				200,000
	Term Loan due July 2018	600,000				—
	Bank credit facility due March 2016	—				86,600
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	30,000				—
	Obligations under capital leases	189,697				176,445
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050	4,752				5,698
	Unamortized premiums (discounts) and other, net	42,084				(4,292		)
	Total debt	3,301,910				1,948,050
	Less:
	Current maturities of debt, capital lease obligations, and mortgage notes	(123,738		)		(32,072		)
	Current maturities of unamortized (premiums) discounts and other, net	(22,624		)		643
	Total current maturities	(146,362		)		(31,429		)
	Total long-term debt	$	3,155,548			$	1,916,621
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	The aggregate maturities of our debt for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 and thereafter (in thousands) are as follows:
		Debt Maturities			Premium (Discount) Maturities			Aggregate Maturities of Debt
	2014	$	123,738		$	22,624		$	146,362
	2015	180,742			10,522			191,264
	2016	260,387			5,947			266,334
	2017	335,221			1,499			336,720
	2018	915,708			1,749			917,457
	2019 and thereafter	1,444,030			(257		)	1,443,773
		$	3,259,826		$	42,084		$	3,301,910
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	Cash interest payments for the three years ended December 31 (in thousands) were as follows:
	Payments in 2013	$	125,022
	Payments in 2012	131,723
	Payments in 2011	129,105
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Dividends accrued but not paid	$	—			$	—			$	11,027
	Options exercised by attestation	$	3,004			$	—			$	—
	Shares repurchased	$	(3,004	)		$	—			$	—
Schedule of future cash interest payments [Table Text Block]	'
	Cash interest payments forecasted as of December 31, 2013 for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 and thereafter (in thousands) are as follows:
	Payments in 2014	$	164,871
	Payments in 2015	156,580
	Payments in 2016	143,296
	Payments in 2017	127,496
	Payments in 2018	112,415
	Payments in 2019 and thereafter	255,429

ShareBased_Compensation_Level_1

Share-Based Compensation Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions, based on the methods described above for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011:
			Years Ended December 31,
	Assumptions		2013			2012			2011
	Dividend yield		1.9	%		1.8	%		2.4	%
	Expected volatility		35.2	%		40.8	%		38.4	%
	Risk-free interest rate		0.7	%		0.8	%		2.4	%
	Expected holding period (years)		4			5			5
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes certain information with respect to stock option and restricted share compensation for 2013, 2012, and 2011, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for those respective periods:
		December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	$	11,925			$	10,983			$	9,144
	Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation included in net income	$	4,689			$	4,092			$	3,218
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers and not in thousands)
		Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	12,401,970			$	8.84
	Granted	2,041,330			$	15.26
	Exercised	(1,087,153	)		$	8.58
	Canceled	(36,397	)		$	10.31
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	13,319,750			$	9.84
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013	9,205,267			$	8.51
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block]	'
	Set forth below is certain information related to stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2013:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers and not in thousands)
			Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
			Number			Weighted-		Weighted-				Number	Weighted-
			Outstanding at			Average		Average				Exercisable at	Average
			December 31,			Remaining						December 31,
	Range of Exercise Price		2013			Contractual Life		Exercise Price				2013	Exercise Price
	$4.01 — 8.00		3,902,973			3.6		$	5.76			3,902,973	$	5.76
	$8.01 — 12.00		7,220,947			3.9		$	10.45			5,147,794	$	10.47
	$12.01 — 16.00		2,195,830			6.7		$	15.07			154,500	$	12.67
	$4.01 — 16.00		13,319,750			4.2		$	9.84			9,205,267	$	8.51
Other Information Pertaining to Stock Option Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	Other information pertaining to option activity during the years ended December 31 is as follows:
		2013				2012				2011
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted	$	3.68			$	3.41			$	2.73
	Total fair value of stock options vested (in thousands)	$	5,997			$	5,088			$	5,015
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands)	$	8,855			$	20,333			$	5,184
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	Restricted share activity was as follows:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers)
		Restricted			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2012	1,104,579			$	9.78
	Granted	378,280			$	15.26
	Vested	(296,886	)		$	8.63
	Canceled	(2,744	)		$	10.32
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2013	1,183,229			$	11.81

Credit_Risk_and_Fair_Value_of_1

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of our debt instruments at December 31 was as follows:
		2013		2012
		(In thousands)
	7.875% Debentures due February 2013	$	—	$	4,786
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014	106,939		—
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	144,653		150,112
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	214,904		222,049
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016	60,487		—
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	333,259		341,094
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	288,875		298,750
	6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019	210,000		—
	7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	270,000		276,250
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	192,610		204,500
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	173,625		186,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	431,588		—
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	215,750		215,500
	Term Loan due July 2018	600,000		—
	Bank credit facility due March 2016	—		86,600
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	30,000		—
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,752		5,698
	Total fair value of debt instruments	$	3,277,442	$	1,991,339

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	As of December 31, 2013, future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating and capital leases exceeding one year were as follows:
		Operating		Capital
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	15,098	$	38,652
	2015	13,051		50,627
	2016	11,363		18,178
	2017	9,343		36,932
	2018	8,148		32,418
	2019 and thereafter	65,281		12,890
	Total	$	122,284	$	189,697
	Less: Interest on capital leases			(19,892		)
	Total principal payable on capital leases			$	169,805
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table Text Block]	'
	At December 31, 2013, the maximum estimated future cash commitments under agreements with remaining commitment terms, and with original terms of more than one year, were as follows:
		Employment and Management		Consulting			Non-Competition		Total
		(In thousands)
	2014	$	3,034	$	756		$	5,180	$	8,970
	2015	1,645		458			4,100		6,203
	2016	831		181			3,744		4,756
	2017	698		69			3,503		4,270
	2018	324		69			3,335		3,728
	2019 and thereafter	141		125			7,453		7,719
	Total	$	6,673	$	1,658		$	27,315	$	35,646

Equity_Level_3_Tables

Equity Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
		Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Currency			Gains and			Other
		Translation			Losses			Comprehensive
		Adjustment						(Loss) Income
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2010	$	112,768		$	—		$	112,768
	Activity in 2011	(6,916		)	—			(6,916		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(80,789		)	(80,789		)
	Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			80,789			80,789
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	105,852		$	—		$	105,852
	Activity in 2012	5,865			—			5,865
	Reduction in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			95,686			95,686
	Reclassification of net unrealized losses activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			(95,686		)	(95,686		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	111,717		$	—		$	111,717
	Activity in 2013	(23,276		)				(23,276		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(113,553		)	(113,553		)
	Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			113,553			113,553
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	88,441		$	—		$	88,441

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of the Plans’ net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2013				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	780			$	1,109			$	1,306
	Actual return on plan assets	—				—				—
	Recognized net actuarial (gains) losses	(1,205		)		1,418				(289		)
		$	(425	)		$	2,527			$	1,017
Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]	'
	The Plans’ funded status at December 31 was as follows:
		2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Change in Benefit Obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	28,674			$	29,214
	Acquisition of benefit obligation	21,407				—
	Interest cost	780				1,109
	Actuarial loss	(856		)		1,806
	Benefits paid	(12,506		)		(3,455		)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	37,499			$	28,674
	Change in Plan Assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	—			$	—
	Employer contributions	12,506				3,455
	Benefits paid, including expenses	(12,506		)		(3,455		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—			$	—
	Funded status of plan	$	(37,499	)		$	(28,674	)
	Net amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$	(37,499	)		$	(28,674	)
	Funding Summary:
	Projected benefit obligations	$	37,499			$	28,674
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	37,499			$	28,674
	Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
	Accrued benefit liability	$	(37,499	)		$	(28,674	)
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	'
	The Plans’ weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net benefit cost are as follows: we base our discount rate used to compute future benefit obligations using an analysis of expected future benefit payments. The reasonableness of our discount rate is verified by comparing the rate to the rate earned on high-quality fixed income investments, such as the Moody’s Aa index, plus 50 basis points. The assumed rate of return on plan assets was not applicable as we pay plan benefits as they come due. As all Plans are curtailed, the assumed rate of compensation increase is zero.
		2013			2012			2011
	Weighted average discount rate used to determine obligations	3.66	%		2.9	%		4.05	%
	Weighted average discount rate used to determine net periodic pension cost	2.9	%		4.05	%		4.41	%
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	'
	The following benefit payments are expected to be paid in future years related to our Plans:
	2014	$	4,274
	2015	3,995
	2016	3,768
	2017	3,482
	2018	3,286
	Years 2019 through 2023	13,397

Segment_Reporting_Level_3_Tabl

Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	Our reportable segment information is as follows:
		Funeral			Cemetery			Reportable
								Segments
		(In thousands)
	2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,704,375		$	852,007		$	2,556,382
	Interest expense	4,736			348			5,084
	Depreciation and amortization	92,879			23,460			116,339
	Amortization of intangible assets	17,245			4,590			21,835
	Gross profit	350,940			198,629			549,569
	Amortization of cemetery property	—			48,344			48,344
	Total assets	5,765,137			6,574,402			12,339,539
	Capital expenditures	50,449			58,315			108,764
	2012
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,625,738		$	784,743		$	2,410,481
	Interest expense	4,302			384			4,686
	Depreciation and amortization	91,035			22,773			113,808
	Amortization of intangible assets	18,803			5,021			23,824
	Gross profit	347,800			175,413			523,213
	Amortization of cemetery property	—			44,976			44,976
	Total assets	4,537,444			4,808,558			9,346,002
	Capital expenditures	43,984			58,155			102,139
	2011
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,573,498		$	742,542		$	2,316,040
	Interest expense	3,957			305			4,262
	Depreciation and amortization	89,872			21,355			111,227
	Amortization of intangible assets	18,582			5,540			24,122
	Gross profit	329,410			147,092			476,502
	Amortization of cemetery property	—			40,046			40,046
	Total assets	4,494,331			4,496,749			8,991,080
	Capital expenditures	45,275			57,972			103,247
Schedule of Significant Reportable Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table reconciles certain reportable segment amounts to our corresponding consolidated amounts:
		Reportable			Corporate			Consolidated
		Segments
		(In thousands)
	2013
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,556,382		$	—		$	2,556,382
	Interest expense	5,084			137,276			142,360
	Depreciation and amortization	116,339			6,263			122,602
	Amortization of intangible assets	21,835			24			21,859
	Total assets	12,339,539			566,531			12,906,070
	Capital expenditures	108,764			4,320			113,084
	2012
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,410,481		$	—		$	2,410,481
	Interest expense	4,686			130,382			135,068
	Depreciation and amortization	113,808			6,419			120,227
	Amortization of intangible assets	23,824			29			23,853
	Total assets	9,346,002			337,566			9,683,568
	Capital expenditures	102,139			13,489			115,628
	2011
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,316,040		$	—		$	2,316,040
	Interest expense	4,262			129,520			133,782
	Depreciation and amortization	111,227			6,820			118,047
	Amortization of intangible assets	24,122			1,469			25,591
	Total assets	8,991,080			336,732			9,327,812
	Capital expenditures	103,247			15,128			118,375
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments shown above to our consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	Gross profit from reportable segments	$	549,569		$	523,213		$	476,502
	General and administrative expenses	(155,136		)	(121,891		)	(101,826		)
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(6,263		)	(1,533		)	(10,977		)
	Operating income	388,170			399,789			363,699
	Interest expense	(142,360		)	(135,068		)	(133,782		)
	Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net	468			(22,706		)	(3,509		)
	Other (expense) income, net	(559		)	3,668			(772		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	245,719		$	245,683		$	225,636
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]	'
	Our geographic area information was as follows:
		United States			Canada			Germany			Total
		(In thousands)
	2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	2,334,676		$	215,799		$	5,907		$	2,556,382
	Interest expense	141,991			369			—			142,360
	Depreciation and amortization	111,210			11,025			367			122,602
	Amortization of intangible assets	20,846			1,013			—			21,859
	Amortization of cemetery property	42,972			5,372			—			48,344
	Operating income	331,143			56,513			514			388,170
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,958		)	(305		)	—			(6,263		)
	Long-lived assets	6,660,263			329,785			2,868			6,992,916
	2012
	Revenues from external customers	$	2,191,532		$	212,898		$	6,051		$	2,410,481
	Interest expense	134,643			425			—			135,068
	Depreciation and amortization	108,411			11,451			365			120,227
	Amortization of intangible assets	22,433			1,420			—			23,853
	Amortization of cemetery property	39,803			5,173			—			44,976
	Operating income	346,289			53,081			419			399,789
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(1,502		)	(9		)	(22		)	(1,533		)
	Long-lived assets	4,575,926			359,882			2,918			4,938,726
	2011
	Revenues from external customers	$	2,103,738		$	205,733		$	6,569		$	2,316,040
	Interest expense	133,479			303			—			133,782
	Depreciation and amortization	105,931			11,723			393			118,047
	Amortization of intangible assets	24,223			1,368			—			25,591
	Amortization of cemetery property	35,375			4,671			—			40,046
	Operating income	311,790			51,367			542			363,699
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(10,299		)	(678		)				(10,977		)
	Long-lived assets	4,553,557			351,813			3,038			4,908,408

Earnings_Per_Share_Level_3_Tab

Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS for the three years ended December 31 is presented below:
		2013		2012		2011
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
	Net income:
	Net income — basic	$	143,848	$	152,546	$	144,903
	After tax interest on convertible debt	51		51		51
	Net income — diluted	$	143,899	$	152,597	$	144,954
	Weighted average shares:
	Weighted average shares — basic	211,811		215,712		234,242
	Stock options	4,082		3,233		2,306
	Convertible debt	121		121		121
	Weighted average shares — diluted	216,014		219,066		236,669
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.68	$	0.71	$	0.62
	Diluted	$	0.67	$	0.7	$	0.61

Acquisition_Level_3_Tables

Acquisition Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the adjusted fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of December 23, 2013:
		(In thousands)
	Accounts receivable	$	14,638
	Other current assets	197,899
	Cemetery property	284,775
	Property and equipment, net	340,456
	Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	655,010
	Finite-lived intangible assets	106,278
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets	79,400
	Acquired assets held for sale	434,248
	Deferred charges and other assets	278,320
	Goodwill	578,578
	Total assets acquired	2,969,602
	Current liabilities	217,220
	Long-term debt	270,668
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	782,858
	Assumed liabilities held for sale	153,637
	Deferred income taxes	100,169
	Other liabilities	279,577
	Total liabilities assumed	1,804,129
	Noncontrolling interest	118
	Net assets acquired	$	1,165,355
Schedule of Finite and Indefinte-lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of a Business Comination [Table Text Block]	'
	The identified intangible assets are comprised of the following:
		Useful life
		Minimum		Maximum	Fair Value
		(Years)			(In thousands)
	Preneed customer relationships related to insurance claims	10		20	$	28,500
	Other preneed customer relationships	10		14	44,251
	Selling and management agreements	20		40	11,000
	Covenants-not-to-compete	5		15	5,480
	Operating leases	26		34	7,897
	Tradenames	5		5	9,150
	Tradenames			Indefinite	77,900
	Licenses and permits			Indefinite	1,500
	Total intangible assets				$	185,678
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following unaudited pro forma summary presents financial information as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
		(unaudited)
	Revenue	$	2,919,278		$	2,848,451
	Net income	$	203,916		$	135,010

Divestiture_Related_Activities1

Divestiture Related Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Gains (Losses) on Divestitures and Impairment Charges [Table Text Block]	'
	consist of the following for the years ended December 31:
		2013			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
	(Losses) gains on divestitures, net	$	(3,350	)	$	617		$	(8,526	)
	Impairment losses	(2,913		)	(2,150		)	(2,451		)
		$	(6,263	)	$	(1,533	)	$	(10,977	)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors of Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013																			Dec. 31, 2012													Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'																			'													'
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	'																			'													'
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations																			Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations													Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
		Year Ended December 31, 2013																			Year Ended December 31, 2012													Year Ended December 31, 2011
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated				Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated				Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Revenues	$	—		$	—		$	11,349		$	2,545,033		$	—		$	2,556,382		Revenues	$	—		$	2,410,481		$	—		$	2,410,481		Revenues	$	—		$	2,316,040		$	—		$	2,316,040
	Costs and expenses	—			—			(9,648		)	(1,997,165		)	—			(2,006,813		)	Costs and expenses	—			(1,887,268		)	—			(1,887,268		)	Costs and expenses	—			(1,839,538		)	—			(1,839,538		)
	Gross profits	—			—			1,701			547,868			—			549,569			Gross profits	—			523,213			—			523,213			Gross profits	—			476,502			—			476,502
	General and administrative expenses	(30,492		)	(451		)	—			(124,193		)	—			(155,136		)	General and administrative expenses	(2,062		)	(119,829		)	—			(121,891		)	General and administrative expenses	(1,940		)	(99,886		)	—			(101,826		)
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	—			—			—			(6,263		)	—			(6,263		)	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	—			(1,533		)	—			(1,533		)	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	—			(10,977		)	—			(10,977		)
	Operating income	$	(30,492	)	$	(451	)	$	1,701		$	417,412		$	—		$	388,170		Operating income	$	(2,062	)	$	401,851		$	—		$	399,789		Operating income	$	(1,940	)	$	365,639		$	—		$	363,699
	Interest expense	(135,362		)	(472		)	—			(6,526		)	—			(142,360		)	Interest expense	(128,950		)	(6,118		)	—			(135,068		)	Interest expense	(128,315		)	(5,467		)	—			(133,782		)
	Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	—			—			—			468			—			468			Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	(22,706		)	—			—			(22,706		)	Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	(3,509		)	—			—			(3,509		)
	Equity in subsidiaries	248,784			1,068			—			—			(249,852		)	—			Equity in subsidiaries	249,803			—			(249,803		)	—			Equity in subsidiaries	229,536			—			(229,536		)	—
	Other (expense) income, net	—			—			(20		)	(539		)	—			(559		)	Other income (expense), net	—			3,668			—			3,668			Other income (expense), net	—			(772		)	—			(772		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	82,930		$	145		$	1,681		$	410,815		$	(249,852	)	$	245,719		Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	96,085		$	399,401		$	(249,803	)	$	245,683		Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	95,772		$	359,400		$	(229,536	)	$	225,636
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	60,918			360			(656		)	(157,237		)	—			(96,615		)	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	56,461			(148,009		)	—			(91,548		)	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	49,131			(128,535		)	—			(79,404		)
	Net income	143,848			505			1,025			253,578			(249,852		)	149,104			Net income	152,546			251,392			(249,803		)	154,135			Net income	144,903			230,865			(229,536		)	146,232
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(5,256	)	$	(5,256	)	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	—		$	—		$	(1,589	)	$	(1,589	)	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	—		$	—		$	(1,329	)	$	(1,329	)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	143,848		$	505		$	1,025		$	253,578		$	(255,108	)	$	143,848		Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	152,546		$	251,392		$	(251,392	)	$	152,546		Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	144,903		$	230,865		$	(230,865	)	$	144,903
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'																			'													'
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income																			Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income													Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income
		Year Ended December 31, 2013																			Year Ended December 31, 2012													Year Ended December 31, 2011
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated				Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated				Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income	$	143,848		$	505		$	1,025		$	253,578		$	(249,852	)	$	149,104		Net income	$	152,546		$	251,392		$	(249,803	)	$	154,135		Net income	$	144,903		$	230,865		$	(229,536	)	$	146,232
	Other comprehensive income	(23,276		)	—			—			(23,276		)	18,020			(28,532		)	Other comprehensive income	5,865			5,865			(7,454		)	4,276			Other comprehensive income	(6,916		)	(6,916		)	5,587			(8,245		)
	Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$	120,572		$	505		$	1,025		$	230,302		$	(231,832	)	$	120,572		Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$	158,411		$	257,257		$	(257,257	)	$	158,411		Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$	137,987		$	223,949		$	(223,949	)	$	137,987
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'																			'													'
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets																			Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
		Year Ended December 31, 2013																			Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated				Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS																			ASSETS
	Current assets:																			Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	53,543		$	1,898		$	89,432		$	—		$	144,873
																				Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	92,708		$	—		$	92,708
	Receivables, net	—			442			23,908			81,549			—			105,899
																				Receivables, net	—			101,817			—			101,817
	Inventories, net	—			—			10,822			23,743			—			34,565
																				Inventories, net	—			24,560			—			24,560
	Current assets held for sale	—			—			3,333			1,236			—			4,569
																				Other	4,393			59,017			—			63,410
	Other	9,083			29,133			34,611			31,014			—			103,841
																				Total current assets	$	4,393		$	278,102		$	—		$	282,495
	Total current assets	$	9,083		$	83,118		$	74,572		$	226,974		$	—		$	393,747
																				Equity in subsidiaries	3,108,856			—			(3,108,856		)	—
	Equity in subsidiaries	4,132,098			874,590			4,546			—			(5,011,234		)	—
																				Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	—			1,535,932			—			1,535,932
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	—			—			358,567			1,512,307			—			1,870,874
																				Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	—			1,826,835			—			1,826,835
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	—			—			265,346			2,035,565			—			2,300,911
																				Cemetery property, at cost	—			1,489,948			—			1,489,948
	Cemetery property, at cost	—			—			266,168			1,482,899			—			1,749,067
																				Property and equipment, net	—			1,641,101			—			1,641,101
	Property and equipment, net	—			15,243			308,267			1,599,451			—			1,922,961
																				Goodwill, net	—			1,382,410			—			1,382,410
	Non-current assets held for sale	—			—			434,248			303,304			—			737,552
																				Deferred charges and other assets	23,357			401,910			—			425,267
	Deferred charges and other assets	42,068			31,807			179,811			407,548			—			661,234
																				Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	—			1,099,580			—			1,099,580
	Goodwill, net	—			578,578			—			1,343,524			—			1,922,102
																				Total assets	$	3,136,606		$	9,655,818		$	(3,108,856	)	$	9,683,568
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	—			—			223,903			1,123,719			—			1,347,622
																				LIABILITIES & EQUITY
	Total assets	$	4,183,249		$	1,583,336		$	2,115,428		$	10,035,291		$	(5,011,234	)	$	12,906,070		Current liabilities:
	LIABILITIES & EQUITY																			Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	20,761			353,022			—			373,783
	Current liabilities:
																				Current maturities of long-term debt	4,757			26,672			—			31,429
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	31,914		$	46,020		$	43,706		$	365,008		$	—		$	486,648
																				Income taxes	—			6,892			—			6,892
	Current maturities of long-term debt	—			106,939			—			39,423			—			146,362
																				Total current liabilities	$	25,518		$	386,586		$	—		$	412,104
	Current liabilities held for sale	—			—			1,647			1,536			—			3,183
																				Long-term debt	1,762,725			153,896			—			1,916,621
	Income taxes	—			560			1,427			4,404			—			6,391
																				Deferred preneed funeral revenues	—			536,647			—			536,647
	Total current liabilities	31,914			153,519			46,780			410,371			—			642,584
																				Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	—			861,148			—			861,148
	Long-term debt	2,731,611			270,578			89			153,270						3,155,548
																				Deferred tax liability	1,175			470,023			—			471,198
	Deferred preneed funeral revenues	$	—		$	—		$	177,097		$	509,202		$	—		$	686,299
																				Other liabilities	4,161			395,789			—			399,950
	Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	—			—			33,561			889,594			—			923,155
																				Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	—			2,624,321			—			2,624,321
	Deferred tax liability	1,092			—			99,595			518,513			—			619,200
																				Care trusts’ corpus	—			1,098,752			—			1,098,752
	Non-current liabilities held for sale	—			—			153,637			274,416			—			428,053
																				Equity:
	Other liabilities	4,402			29,944			11,116			384,931			—			430,393
																				Common stock	211,047			24			(24		)	211,047
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	—			—			503,667			2,746,919			—			3,250,586
																				Other equity	1,020,263			3,016,915			(3,016,915		)	1,020,263
Care trusts’ corpus	—			—			223,903			1,121,971			—			1,345,874
																			Accumulated other comprehensive income	111,717			111,717			(111,717		)	111,717
Equity:
																			Total common stockholders’ equity	$	1,343,027		$	3,128,656		$	(3,128,656	)	$	1,343,027
Common stock	212,317			85,175			102			25			(85,302		)	212,317
																			Noncontrolling interests	—			—			19,800			19,800
Other equity	1,113,472			1,044,120			865,881			2,937,638			(4,847,639		)	1,113,472
																			Total equity	1,343,027			3,128,656			(3,108,856		)	1,362,827
Accumulated other comprehensive income	88,441			—			—			88,441			(88,441		)	88,441
																			Total liabilities and equity	$	3,136,606		$	9,655,818		$	(3,108,856	)	$	9,683,568
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,414,230			1,129,295			865,983			3,026,104			(5,021,382		)	1,414,230
Noncontrolling interests	—			—			—			—			10,148			10,148
Total equity	1,414,230			1,129,295			865,983			3,026,104			(5,011,234		)	1,424,378
Total liabilities and equity	4,183,249			1,583,336			2,115,428			10,035,291			(5,011,234		)	12,906,070
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	'																			'													'
																				Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows													Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated										Year Ended December 31, 2012													Year Ended December 31, 2011
	ASSETS																				Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated				Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	92,708		$	—		$	92,708								Net cash provided by operating activities	$	(126,547	)	$	495,793		$	—		$	369,246		Net cash provided by operating activities	$	(125,067	)	$	513,179		$	—		$	388,112
	Receivables, net	—			101,817			—			101,817									Cash flows from investing activities:													Cash flows from investing activities:
	Inventories, net	—			24,560			—			24,560									Capital expenditures	—			(115,628		)	—			(115,628		)	Capital expenditures	—			(118,375		)	—			(118,375		)
	Other	4,393			59,017			—			63,410									Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(65,463		)	—			(65,463		)	Acquisitions	—			(99,570		)	—			(99,570		)
	Total current assets	$	4,393		$	278,102		$	—		$	282,495								Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	—			9,953			—			9,953			Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	—			24,529			—			24,529
	Equity in subsidiaries	3,108,856			—			(3,108,856		)	—									Other	—			(3,816		)	—			(3,816		)	Other	—			3,159			—			3,159
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	—			1,535,932			—			1,535,932									Distributions from subsidiaries	340,260			—			(340,260		)	—			Distributions from subsidiaries	337,131			—			(337,131		)	—
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	—			1,826,835			—			1,826,835									Net cash used in investing activities	340,260			(174,954		)	(340,260		)	(174,954		)	Net cash used in investing activities	337,131			(190,257		)	(337,131		)	(190,257		)
	Cemetery property, at cost	—			1,489,948			—			1,489,948									Cash flows from financing activities:													Cash flows from financing activities:
	Property and equipment, net	—			1,641,101			—			1,641,101									Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	221,600			5,907			—			227,507			Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	85,000			—			—			85,000
	Goodwill, net	—			1,382,410			—			1,382,410									Debt issuance costs	(4,500		)	—			—			(4,500		)	Debt issuance costs	—			—			—			—
	Deferred charges and other assets	23,357			401,910			—			425,267									Payments of debt	—			(1,145		)	—			(1,145		)	Payments of debt	(20,000		)	(2,774		)	—			(22,774		)
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	—			1,099,580			—			1,099,580									Early extinguishment of debt	(202,140		)	—			—			(202,140		)	Early extinguishment of debt	(43,194		)	—			—			(43,194		)
	Total assets	$	3,136,606		$	9,655,818		$	(3,108,856	)	$	9,683,568								Principal payments on capital leases	—			(25,760		)	—			(25,760		)	Principal payments on capital leases	—			(23,030		)	—			(23,030		)
	LIABILITIES & EQUITY																			Proceeds from exercise of stock options	18,389			—			—			18,389			Proceeds from exercise of stock options	8,227			—			—			8,227
	Current liabilities:
																				Purchase of Company common stock	(186,766		)	—			—			(186,766		)	Purchase of Company common stock	(197,302		)	—			—			(197,302		)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	20,761			353,022			—			373,783
																				Payments of dividends	(60,296		)	—			—			(60,296		)	Payments of dividends	(44,795		)	—			—			(44,795		)
	Current maturities of long-term debt	4,757			26,672			—			31,429
																				Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—			(3,000		)	—			(3,000		)	Bank overdrafts and other	—			(798		)	—			(798		)
	Income taxes	—			6,892			—			6,892
																				Bank overdrafts and other	—			6,199			—			6,199			Distributions to parent	—			(337,131		)	337,131			—
	Total current liabilities	$	25,518		$	386,586		$	—		$	412,104
																				Distributions to parent	—			(340,260		)	340,260			—			Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(212,064		)	(363,733		)	337,131			(238,666		)
	Long-term debt	1,762,725			153,896			—			1,916,621
																				Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(213,713		)	(358,059		)	340,260			(231,512		)	Effect of foreign currency	—			(1,466		)	—			(1,466		)
	Deferred preneed funeral revenues	—			536,647			—			536,647
																				Effect of foreign currency				1,359						1,359			Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			(42,277		)	—			(42,277		)
	Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	—			861,148			—			861,148
																				Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			(35,861		)	—			(35,861		)	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			170,846			—			170,846
	Deferred tax liability	1,175			470,023			—			471,198
																				Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			128,569			—			128,569			Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	128,569		$	—		$	128,569
	Other liabilities	4,161			395,789			—			399,950
																				Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	92,708		$	—		$	92,708
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	—			2,624,321			—			2,624,321
	Care trusts’ corpus	—			1,098,752			—			1,098,752
	Equity:
	Common stock	211,047			24			(24		)	211,047
	Other equity	1,020,263			3,016,915			(3,016,915		)	1,020,263
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	111,717			111,717			(111,717		)	111,717
	Total common stockholders’ equity	$	1,343,027		$	3,128,656		$	(3,128,656	)	$	1,343,027
	Noncontrolling interests	—			—			19,800			19,800
	Total equity	1,343,027			3,128,656			(3,108,856		)	1,362,827
	Total liabilities and equity	$	3,136,606		$	9,655,818		$	(3,108,856	)	$	9,683,568
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Parent			Subsidiary Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	(147,355	)	$	(25,024	)	$	1,737		$	555,351		$	—		$	384,709
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	—			—			—			(113,084		)	—			(113,084		)
	Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,165,350		)	114,875			1,898			(8,545		)	—			(1,057,122		)
	Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	—			—			—			13,072			—			13,072
	Other	—			—			—			341			—			341
	Distributions from subsidiaries	437,742			—			—			—			(437,742		)	—
	Net cash used in investing activities	(727,608		)	114,875			1,898			(108,216		)	(437,742		)	(1,156,793		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,055,000			—			—			—			—			1,055,000
Debt issuance costs	(36,064		)	—			—			—			—			(36,064		)
Payments of debt	(91,265		)	—			—			(571		)	—			(91,836		)
Early extinguishment of debt	(80		)	—			—			—			—			(80		)
Principal payments on capital leases	—			—			—			(26,280		)	—			(26,280		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,309			—			—			—			—			6,309
Purchase of Company common stock	(1,708		)	—			—			—			—			(1,708		)
Payments of dividends	(57,229		)	—			—			—			—			(57,229		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—			—			—			(23,333		)	—			(23,333		)
Other	—			—			—			336			—			336
Distributions to parent	—			(36,308		)	(1,737		)	(399,697		)	437,742			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	874,963			(36,308		)	(1,737		)	(449,545		)	437,742			825,115
Effect of foreign currency	—			—			—			(866		)	—			(866		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	—			53,543			1,898			(3,276		)	—			52,165
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	—			—			—			92,708			—			92,708
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	53,543		$	1,898		$	89,432		$	—		$	144,873

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Table

Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	Quarterly financial data for 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	2013
	Revenues	$	652,352		$	625,505		$	609,951		$	668,574
	Costs and expenses	(492,695		)	(499,467		)	(493,896		)	(520,755		)
	Gross profits	159,657			126,038			116,055			147,819
	Operating income	127,765			89,114			83,296			87,995
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes(1)	94,012			56,143			45,882			49,682
	Provision for income taxes	(35,290		)	(21,708		)	(18,488		)	(21,130		)
	Net income	58,722			34,435			27,394			28,552
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,102		)	(820		)	(615		)	(2,719		)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	57,620			33,615			26,779			25,833
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share(2):
	Basic — EPS	0.27			0.16			0.13			0.12
	Diluted — EPS	0.27			0.16			0.12			0.12
	2012
	Revenues	$	602,506		$	597,372		$	581,182		$	629,421
	Costs and expenses	(475,488		)	(469,741		)	(460,429		)	(481,610		)
	Gross profits	127,018			127,631			120,753			147,811
	Operating income	101,118			99,689			95,176			103,806
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes(1)	71,435			63,574			63,925			46,749
	Provision for income taxes	(23,120		)	(25,935		)	(22,128		)	(20,365		)
	Net income	48,315			37,639			41,797			26,384
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(290		)	(563		)	(735		)	(1		)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	48,025			37,076			41,062			26,383
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share(2):
	Basic — EPS	0.22			0.17			0.19			0.12
	Diluted — EPS	0.22			0.17			0.19			0.12
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.
	-2	Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Required percentage of sales price	0.00%	'	'
Amortization of cemetery property	$48,344	$44,976	$40,046
Depreciation	122,602	120,227	118,047
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Growth Rate, Low End of the Range	1.20%	'	'
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Growth Rate, High End of the Range	7.10%	'	'
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	8.50%	'	'
Intangible Fair Value Inputs, Royalty Savings Rate	0.04	'	'
Intangibles Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	8.70%	'	'
Retirement of treasury shares	0	0	0
Funeral [Member]	'	'	'
Amortization of cemetery property	0	0	0
Depreciation	92,879	91,035	89,872
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Terminal Growth Rate	2.50%	'	'
Intangibles Fair Value Inputs, Terminal Growth Rate	2.50%	'	'
Cemetery [Member]	'	'	'
Amortization of cemetery property	48,344	44,976	40,046
Depreciation	$23,460	$22,773	$21,355
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Terminal Growth Rate	2.90%	'	'
Intangibles Fair Value Inputs, Terminal Growth Rate	2.90%	'	'
Treasury Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Retirement of treasury shares	278	17,167	19,174
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Funeral home lease life	'1 year	'	'
Transportation equipment lease life	'1 year	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	'P7Y	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	'P3Y	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Funeral home lease life	'40 years	'	'
Transportation equipment lease life	'5 years	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	'40 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	'P40Y	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	'P8Y	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	'P10Y	'	'
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	'2 years	'	'
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	'20 years	'	'

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Inv

Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Funeral [Member]	'	'	'
Investment related activities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deposits to trust	$82,168	$81,601	$72,750
Withdrawals	125,914	100,635	109,013
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	393,169	563,628	527,681
Sales of available-for-sale securities	435,267	555,709	610,917
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	65,011	60,833	61,272
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	($9,732)	($21,454)	($41,162)

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lon

Preneed Funeral Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	$90,177	$84,875	'	'
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,870,874	1,535,932	'	'
Funeral [Member]	'	'	'	'
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Trust investments, at market	1,422,942	977,973	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	128,216	85,943	'	'
Assets associated with businesses held for sale	-163,436	0	'	'
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	280,969	273,098	'	'
Trust investments	1,668,691	1,337,014	'	'
Receivables from customers	254,294	241,897	'	'
Unearned finance charge	-6,772	-8,645	'	'
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	1,916,213	1,570,266	'	'
Allowance for cancellation	-45,339	-34,334	'	'
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$1,870,874	$1,535,932	$1,486,018	$1,427,192

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Pre

Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Receivables Net and Trust Invesments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$1,870,874		$1,535,932		'
Funeral [Member]	'		'		'
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	1,535,932		1,486,018		1,427,192
Net preneed contract sales	192,712		124,962		116,167
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	-170,921		-125,625		-106,489
Deposits to trust	82,168		81,601		72,750
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	272,403		6,021		143,252
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	125,986	[1]	84,611	[1]	-11,348	[1]
Maturities and distributed earnings	-153,446		-126,130		-148,820
Change in cancellation allowance	-3,245		934		-232
Effect of foreign currency and other	-10,715		3,540		-6,454
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$1,870,874		$1,535,932		$1,486,018
[1]	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Sch

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$1,343,887	$954,925
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	121,718	69,555
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-42,663	-46,507
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,422,942	977,973
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	110,511	105,594
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,299	5,072
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-5,599	-880
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	106,211	109,786
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	100,263	110,399
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	81	861
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,113	-113
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	99,231	111,147
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	64,042	51,611
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,515	2,531
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-691	-623
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	66,866	53,519
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,408	3,123
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	23	57
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-33	-8
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,398	3,172
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,366	129
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-10	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	3,356	132
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	30,107	3,603
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	754	211
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-235	-103
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	30,626	3,711
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	364,721	230,971
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	77,963	38,514
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-2,928	-6,903
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	439,756	262,582
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	27,634	23,284
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,346	2,598
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,216	-1,271
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	30,764	24,611
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	35,519	18,089
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,986	1,874
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-199	-658
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	40,306	19,305
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	257,256	145,589
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	22,530	10,097
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-2,303	-6,728
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	277,483	148,958
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	313,606	225,365
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,228	7,314
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-19,577	-10,252
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	297,257	222,427
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	32,909	36,626
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,702	221
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-8,726	-18,968
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	26,885	17,879
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,545	542
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	291	202
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-33	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$1,803	$744

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lev2

Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Fair market value, beginning balance	'		$15,219		'
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	'		100	[1]	'
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	'		-64	[2]	'
Contributions	'		4,932		'
Distributions and other	'		-2,500		'
Fair market value, ending balance	'		17,687		'
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Fair market value, beginning balance	17,879		15,986		12,369
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	13,429	[3]	-403	[3]	2,923	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-43	[4]	-58	[4]	-88	[4]
Purchases	1,188		0		18
Sales	0		9		8,156
Contributions	3,229		4,664		10,392
Distributions and other	-9,245		-2,301		-1,472
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	448		0		0
Fair market value, ending balance	26,885		17,879		15,986
Other Investments [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Fair market value, beginning balance	744		912		8,990
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,442	[3]	-159	[3]	-8,063	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-3	[4]	-2	[4]	-4	[4]
Purchases	0		0		0
Sales	0		0		0
Contributions	0		0		0
Distributions and other	-393		-7		-11
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	13		0		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$1,803		$744		$912
[1]	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[2]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[3]	All unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[4]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Inv1

Preneed Funeral Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Funeral [Member]	'
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]	'
Due in one year or less	$150,154
Due in one to five years	50,518
Due in five to ten years	47,631
Thereafter	29,759
Total	$278,062

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Sch1

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$290,705	$170,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-12,519	-8,378
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	114,048	91,149
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-30,144	-38,129
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	404,753	261,818
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-42,663	-46,507
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	28,693	22,357
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-3,595	-803
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	19,351	6,741
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-2,004	-77
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	48,044	29,098
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-5,599	-880
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,546	7,912
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-120	-113
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	18,981	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-993	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	28,527	7,912
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-1,113	-113
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	21,357	7,809
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-346	-347
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,654	4,283
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-345	-276
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	27,011	12,092
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-691	-623
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,381	956
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-25	-8
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	172	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-8	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,553	956
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-33	-8
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,275	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-10	'
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, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,275	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-10	'
Preferred Stock securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	5,604	1,497
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-123	-143
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	126
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-53
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,604	1,623
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-123	-196
Preferred Stock securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	14,028	1,220
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-235	-93
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	52
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-10
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	14,028	1,272
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-235	-103
US Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	46,317	82,989
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2,648	-5,624
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,489	11,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-583	-2,092
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	49,806	94,120
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-3,231	-7,716
US Common Stock Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	46,544	70,752
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2,153	-4,694
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,327	9,089
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-775	-2,209
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	49,871	79,841
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-2,928	-6,903
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,569	3,114
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-502	-461
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,935	1,115
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-433	-385
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,504	4,229
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-935	-846
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,433	6,592
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-576	-652
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,992	2,516
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-641	-619
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,425	9,108
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-1,217	-1,271
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,344	9,056
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-124	-655
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	702	741
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-76	-202
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,046	9,797
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-200	-857
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,396	7,606
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-138	-521
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	369	608
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-60	-137
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,765	8,214
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-198	-658
Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,858	28,132
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-54	-1,427
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	14,477	43,172
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1,650	-8,494
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	18,335	71,304
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-1,704	-9,921
Equity Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	16,206	6,779
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-337	-126
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	12,456	26,340
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1,966	-6,602
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	28,662	33,119
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-2,303	-6,728
Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	134,669	54,533
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-5,527	-2,205
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	64,009	29,104
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-28,122	-17,145
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	198,678	83,637
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-33,649	-19,350
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	143,846	38,686
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4,984	-1,021
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	38,217	24,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-14,593	-9,231
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	182,063	62,817
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-19,577	-10,252
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	46
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-17
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,589	17,136
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-5,153	-15,158
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	6,589	17,182
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-5,153	-15,175
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	13,002	17,389
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-8,726	-18,968
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	13,002	17,389
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-8,726	-18,968
Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	282	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-33	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	282	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-33	'
Other Investments [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	527	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-33	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	527	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($33)	'

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Pre1

Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Deferred Preneed Funeral Revenues (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$686,299		$536,647		'
Funeral [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	536,647		575,546		580,223
Net preneed contract sales	144,202		103,341		105,866
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	431,460		-4,491		142,026
Net investment (losses) earnings	126,428	[1]	83,788	[1]	-12,164	[1]
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	-200,680		-164,037		-182,408
Change in cancellation allowance	-5,670		1,304		-1,526
Change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	-343,878		-61,068		-57,936
Effect of foreign currency and other	-2,210		2,264		1,465
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$686,299		$536,647		$575,546
[1]	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Pre2

Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Insurance Commissions and Fees	$106,500,000	$94,000,000	$86,800,000
Funeral [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, low end of the range	0.00%	0.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	20.00%	60.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	0.00%	0.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	10.00%	25.00%	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	8,100,000	'	'
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	'2 years	'	'
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	'10 years	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, minimum	'2014	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, maximum	'2043	'	'
Investment Earnings, Net	48,500,000	38,700,000	37,700,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$829,000	$781,000	$24,705,000

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_In

Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cemetery [Member]	'	'	'
Investment related activities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deposits to trust	$106,185	$98,130	$98,121
Withdrawals	119,576	98,738	109,382
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	477,772	746,761	595,683
Sales of available-for-sale securities	498,852	700,091	525,534
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	101,337	87,665	67,167
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	($14,593)	($29,397)	($46,889)

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Lo

Preneed Cemetery Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]	'	'
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	$90,177	$84,875
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,870,874	1,535,932
Cemetery [Member]	'	'
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]	'	'
Trust investments, at market	1,553,719	1,204,084
Cash and cash equivalents	138,459	86,923
Assets associated with businesses held for sale	-107,481	0
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	4	9
Trust investments	1,584,701	1,291,016
Receivables from customers	800,005	614,599
Unearned finance charge	-27,873	-29,471
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	2,356,833	1,876,144
Allowance for cancellation	-55,922	-49,309
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$2,300,911	$1,826,835

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Pr

Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetary Activities Receivables Net and Trust Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$2,300,911		$1,826,835		'
Cemetery [Member]	'		'		'
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	1,826,835		1,595,940		1,563,893
Net preneed contract sales	562,433		501,654		468,850
Dispositions (acquisitions) of businesses, net	199,433		1,124		-5,500
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	203,499	[1]	133,351	[1]	-24,407	[1]
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	-471,710		-417,965		-403,524
Deposits to trust	106,185		98,130		98,121
Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings	-119,576		-98,738		-109,382
Change in cancellation allowance	3,002		-3,481		-759
Effect of foreign currency and other	-9,190		16,820		8,648
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$2,300,911		$1,826,835		$1,595,940
[1]	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Sc

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$1,380,655	$1,139,946
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	227,890	119,899
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-54,826	-55,761
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,553,719	1,204,084
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	113,621	99,630
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,714	7,925
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-8,876	-841
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	106,459	106,714
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	17,073	17,562
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	170	402
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-261	-83
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	16,982	17,881
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	48,970	43,515
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,262	2,456
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-646	-775
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	53,586	45,196
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	408	150
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-2	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	408	154
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,346	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-13	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	3,333	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	16,708	5,840
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,106	334
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-123	-196
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	17,691	5,978
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	425,246	363,190
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	147,258	71,613
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-3,231	-7,716
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	569,273	427,087
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	15,368	16,026
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,063	2,862
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-935	-846
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	18,496	18,042
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	44,184	29,889
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	10,079	3,687
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-200	-857
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	54,063	32,719
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	327,084	279,265
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	49,428	19,520
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,704	-9,921
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	374,808	288,864
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	338,944	251,687
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,236	10,975
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-33,649	-19,350
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	310,531	243,312
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,625	32,785
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,372	77
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-5,153	-15,175
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	26,844	17,687
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,078	407
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	200	44
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-33	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$1,245	$450

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Le2

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Other Investments [Member] | Cemetery [Member]	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Fair market value, beginning balance	$450		$436		$532
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,218	[1]	28	[1]	-71	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-5	[2]	-2	[2]	-6	[2]
Contributions	0		0		0
Distributions and other	-418		-12		-19
Fair market value, ending balance	1,245		450		436
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Fair market value, beginning balance	'		15,219		'
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	'		100	[1]	'
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	'		-64	[2]	'
Contributions	'		4,932		'
Distributions and other	'		-2,500		'
Fair market value, ending balance	'		17,687		'
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Cemetery [Member]	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Fair market value, beginning balance	17,687		'		5,719
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	15,420	[1]	'		517	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-48	[2]	'		-95	[2]
Contributions	3,430		'		10,795
Distributions and other	-9,645		'		-1,717
Fair market value, ending balance	$26,844		'		$15,219
[1]	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[2]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_In1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cemetery [Member]	'
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]	'
Due in one year or less	$27,088
Due in one to five years	63,870
Due in five to ten years	44,942
Thereafter	44,868
Total	$180,768

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Sc1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cemetery [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$269,357	$227,380
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-15,577	-12,027
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	122,667	105,040
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-39,249	-43,734
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	392,024	332,420
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	54,826	55,761
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	45,120	28,626
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-6,040	-841
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	25,043	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-2,836	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	70,163	28,626
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	8,876	841
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,424	5,319
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-120	-83
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,066	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-141	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	12,490	5,319
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	261	83
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	15,050	14,060
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-424	-571
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,073	2,137
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-222	-204
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	18,123	16,197
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	646	775
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	145	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	147	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	2	'
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,257	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-13	'
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, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,257	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	13	'
Preferred Stock securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	5,604	1,497
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-123	-143
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	126
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-53
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,604	1,623
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	123	196
US Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	46,317	82,989
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2,648	-5,624
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,489	11,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-583	-2,092
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	49,806	94,120
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	3,231	7,716
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,569	3,114
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-502	-461
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,935	1,115
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-433	-385
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,504	4,229
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	935	846
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,344	9,056
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-124	-655
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	702	741
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-76	-202
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,046	9,797
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	200	857
Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,858	28,132
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-54	-1,427
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	14,477	43,172
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1,650	-8,494
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	18,335	71,304
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	1,704	9,921
Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	134,669	54,533
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-5,527	-2,205
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	64,009	29,104
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-28,122	-17,145
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	198,678	83,637
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	33,649	19,350
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	46
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-17
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,589	17,136
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-5,153	-15,158
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	6,589	17,182
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	5,153	15,175
Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	282	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-33	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	282	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	33	'
Other Investments [Member] | Cemetery [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	'	8
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	'	378
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	'	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	386
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	'	$1

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_De

Preneed Cemetery Activities Deferred Preneed Cemetery Revenues (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$923,155		$861,148		'
Cemetery [Member]	'		'		'
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	861,148		833,303		813,493
Net preneed and atneed deferred sales	396,264		380,887		363,523
(Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net	119,504		1,089		-10,861
Net investment (losses) earnings	201,941	[1]	130,012	[1]	-26,431	[1]
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	-386,632		-363,072		-350,356
Change in cancellation allowance	18,358		3,968		802
Change in deferred preneed cemetary receipts held in trust	-298,337		-133,612		37,173
Effect of foreign currency and other	10,909		8,573		5,960
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$923,155		$861,148		$833,303
[1]	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Pr1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetery Activities, Textuals (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cemetery [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	0.00%	0.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	20.00%	60.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, low end of the range	0.00%	0.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	10.00%	25.00%	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	$8,500,000	'	'
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	'2 years	'	'
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	'10 years	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, minimum	'2014	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, maximum	'2043	'	'
Investment Earnings, Net	39,000,000	27,700,000	20,700,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$1,575,000	$824,000	$28,705,000

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts2

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investment Related Activities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'	'
Investment related activities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deposits to trust	$26,501	$24,869	$23,785
Withdrawals	33,557	33,177	34,737
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	139,439	252,021	444,616
Sales of available-for-sale securities	99,701	136,391	410,175
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	17,916	11,463	34,275
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	($2,738)	($6,595)	($16,310)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts3

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]	'	'
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$1,347,622	$1,099,580
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]	'	'
Trust investments, at market	1,352,539	1,045,568
Cash and cash equivalents	78,509	54,012
Assets associated with businesses held for sale	-83,426	0
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$1,347,622	$1,099,580

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts4

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$1,266,716	$980,272
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	101,437	88,694
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-15,614	-23,398
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,352,539	1,045,568
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,588	820
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	9	45
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-14	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,583	864
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,487	30,159
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	301	709
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-459	-140
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	28,329	30,728
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	43,196	22,877
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	312	537
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-263	-51
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	43,245	23,363
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	4,258	1,498
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	14	41
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-19	-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	4,253	1,537
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,006	161
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5	10
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-11	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	3,000	171
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	25,952	5,637
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	192	61
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-252	-938
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	25,892	4,760
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	231,156	163,173
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	53,782	19,609
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-2,087	-3,389
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	282,851	179,393
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	8,846	8,954
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,222	1,568
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-623	-731
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	10,445	9,791
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	20,676	14,693
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,319	1,392
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-167	-447
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	21,828	15,638
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	41,282	16,999
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,693	2,102
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-35	-211
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	46,940	18,890
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	819,439	680,921
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	35,963	61,172
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-2,598	-441
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	852,804	741,652
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,309	24,727
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	472	338
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-9,002	-13,943
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	19,779	11,122
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	10,521	9,653
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,153	1,110
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-84	-3,104
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$11,590	$7,659

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts5

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Fair market value, beginning balance	'		$15,219		'
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	'		100	[1]	'
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	'		-64	[2]	'
Contributions	'		4,932		'
Distributions and other	'		-2,500		'
Fair market value, ending balance	'		17,687		'
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Fair market value, beginning balance	11,122		10,849		10,435
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	6,897	[3]	1,648	[3]	9,799	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-142	[4]	-162	[4]	-213	[4]
Sales	0		-26		-44
Contributions	3,706		4,171		118
Distributions and other	-1,841		-5,358		-9,246
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	37		0		0
Fair market value, ending balance	19,779		11,122		10,849
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] | Other Investments [Member]	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Fair market value, beginning balance	7,659		6,890		6,654
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	4,081	[3]	1,035	[3]	703	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-76	[4]	-43	[4]	-97	[4]
Sales	0		0		0
Contributions	0		0		0
Distributions and other	-508		-223		-370
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	434		0		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$11,590		$7,659		$6,890
[1]	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[2]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[3]	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
[4]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts6

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investments Classifed by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]	'
Due in one year or less	$14,364
Due in one to five years	37,656
Due in five to ten years	23,615
Thereafter	4,775
Total	$80,410

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts7

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$268,219	$75,742
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4,478	-4,052
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	71,742	61,406
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-11,136	-19,346
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	137,148
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	15,614	23,398
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,339	373
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-14	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	20	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,359	373
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	14	1
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	15,777	9,145
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-214	-140
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,131	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-245	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	20,908	9,145
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	459	140
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	22,534	5,439
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-129	-33
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,299	1,886
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-134	-18
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	25,833	7,325
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	263	51
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,960	183
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-18	-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	10	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,970	183
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	19	2
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,835	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-10	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	15	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,850	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	11	'
Preferred Stock securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	5,604	1,497
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-123	-143
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	126
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-53
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,604	1,623
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	123	196
Preferred Stock securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	14,650	3,115
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-245	-639
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	44	973
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-7	-299
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	14,694	4,088
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	252	938
US Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	46,317	82,989
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2,648	-5,624
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,489	11,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-583	-2,092
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	49,806	94,120
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	3,231	7,716
US Common Stock Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	23,825	38,323
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-1,561	-2,403
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,254	7,495
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-526	-986
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	27,079	45,818
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	2,087	3,389
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,569	3,114
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-502	-461
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,935	1,115
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-433	-385
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,504	4,229
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	935	846
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	667	1,246
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-129	-281
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,794	1,055
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-494	-450
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,461	2,301
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	623	731
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,344	9,056
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-124	-655
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	702	741
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-76	-202
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,046	9,797
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	200	857
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,540	4,712
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-54	-389
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	525	696
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-113	-58
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,065	5,408
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	167	447
Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,858	28,132
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-54	-1,427
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	14,477	43,172
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1,650	-8,494
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	18,335	71,304
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	1,704	9,921
Equity Funds [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	391	2,654
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-14	-127
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	163	404
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-21	-84
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	554	3,058
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	35	211
Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	134,669	54,533
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-5,527	-2,205
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	64,009	29,104
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-28,122	-17,145
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	198,678	83,637
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	33,649	19,350
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	181,701	10,552
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2,090	-37
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	28,507	31,837
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-508	-404
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	210,208	42,389
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	2,598	441
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	46
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-17
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,589	17,136
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-5,153	-15,158
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	6,589	17,182
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	5,153	15,175
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	19,242	10,752
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-9,002	-13,943
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	19,242	10,752
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	9,002	13,943
Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	282	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-33	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	282	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	33	'
Other Investments [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	9,738	6,308
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-84	-3,104
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	9,738	6,308
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	$84	$3,104

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts8

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Cemetry Perpetual Care Trusts, Textuals (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, low end of the range	0.00%	0.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	20.00%	60.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, low end of the range	0.00%	0.00%	'
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	10.00%	25.00%	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	$1,400,000	'	'
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	'2 years	'	'
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	'10 years	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, minimum	'2014	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, maximum	'2043	'	'
Investment Earnings, Net	44,100,000	44,700,000	43,000,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$192,000	$760,000	$741,000

Deferred_Preneed_Funeral_and_C2

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	$3,253,392	$2,628,030	'
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-2,806	-3,709	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	3,250,586	2,624,321	'
Care trusts’ corpus	1,345,874	1,098,752	'
Total other income, net	-559	3,668	-772
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	184,264	159,961	162,714
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-27,063	-57,446	-104,361
Impairment charges	-2,596	-2,365	-54,151
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	72,891	68,293	84,652
Trust expenses and income taxes	-28,632	-25,429	-20,656
Net trust investment income	198,864	143,014	68,198
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	-198,864	-143,014	-68,198
Other income, net	-559	3,668	-772
Total other income, net	-559	3,668	-772
Funeral [Member]	'	'	'
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,668,691	1,337,014	'
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-1,108	-1,827	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,667,583	1,335,187	'
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	65,011	60,833	61,272
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-9,732	-21,454	-41,162
Impairment charges	-829	-781	-24,705
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	24,912	17,017	22,283
Trust expenses and income taxes	-11,371	-10,685	-7,303
Net trust investment income	67,991	44,930	10,385
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	-67,991	-44,930	-10,385
Other income, net	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0
Cemetery [Member]	'	'	'
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,584,701	1,291,016	'
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-1,698	-1,882	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,583,003	1,289,134	'
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	101,337	87,665	67,167
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-14,593	-29,397	-46,889
Impairment charges	-1,575	-824	-28,705
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	20,527	17,244	26,902
Trust expenses and income taxes	-14,633	-13,389	-10,579
Net trust investment income	91,063	61,299	7,896
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	-91,063	-61,299	-7,896
Other income, net	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]	'	'	'
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-1,748	-828	'
Care trusts' corpus, excluding accrued expenses	1,347,622	1,099,580	'
Care trusts’ corpus	1,345,874	1,098,752	'
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	17,916	11,463	34,275
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-2,738	-6,595	-16,310
Impairment charges	-192	-760	-741
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	27,452	34,032	35,467
Trust expenses and income taxes	-2,628	-1,355	-2,774
Net trust investment income	39,810	36,785	49,917
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	-39,810	-36,785	-49,917
Other income, net	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0
Corporate Elimination [Member]	'	'	'
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]	'	'	'
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0
Impairment charges	0	0	0
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	0	0	0
Trust expenses and income taxes	0	0	0
Net trust investment income	0	0	0
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	0	0	0
Other income, net	-559	3,668	-772
Total other income, net	($559)	$3,668	($772)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	$1,382,410	$1,361,493	'
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,382,410	'	'
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	582,226	20,289	'
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	-2,774	-2,251	'
Goodwill, Other Changes	-31,097	'	'
Effect of foreign currency and other	-8,663	2,879	'
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	539,692	20,917	'
Goodwill, ending balance	'	1,382,410	1,361,493
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,922,102	1,382,410	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	422,830	320,725	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	227,119	207,985	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	195,711	112,740	'
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names	215,135	134,823	'
Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	11,640	10,140	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	226,775	144,963	'
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	422,486	257,703	'
Amortization of intangible assets	21,859	23,853	25,591
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	17,572	'	'
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	14,884	'	'
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	14,065	'	'
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	11,525	'	'
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	10,722	'	'
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	218,771	208,594	'
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	174,282	102,481	'
Trade Names [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	12,750	3,600	'
Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	17,027	6,050	'
Funeral [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,319,308	1,298,350	'
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,319,308	'	'
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	322,118	20,289	'
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	-2,774	-2,210	'
Goodwill, Other Changes	-29,070	'	'
Effect of foreign currency and other	-8,663	2,879	'
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	281,611	20,958	'
Goodwill, ending balance	'	1,319,308	1,298,350
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,600,919	1,319,308	'
Amortization of intangible assets	17,245	18,803	18,582
Cemetery [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Goodwill, beginning balance	63,102	63,143	'
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	63,102	'	'
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	260,108	0	'
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	0	-41	'
Goodwill, Other Changes	-2,027	'	'
Effect of foreign currency and other	0	0	'
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	258,081	-41	'
Goodwill, ending balance	'	63,102	63,143
Goodwill, net, ending balance	321,183	63,102	'
Amortization of intangible assets	$4,590	$5,021	$5,540
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'10 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'5 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'5 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'40 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'20 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'20 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'5 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	'40 years	'	'

Income_Taxes_Level_4_Details

Income Taxes Level 4 (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Impact of of certain tax items

$25,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$25,100,000

'

'

United States

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

199,374,000

210,830,000

196,788,000

Foreign

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

46,345,000

34,853,000

28,848,000

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

49,682,000

[1]

45,882,000

[1]

56,143,000

[1]

94,012,000

[1]

46,749,000

[1]

63,925,000

[1]

63,574,000

[1]

71,435,000

[1]

245,719,000

245,683,000

225,636,000

United States

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,206,000

3,752,000

1,267,000

Foreign

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,445,000

8,776,000

5,844,000

State

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,864,000

6,036,000

5,781,000

Total current income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,515,000

18,564,000

12,892,000

United States

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65,591,000

62,227,000

57,845,000

Foreign

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,000

-102,000

279,000

State

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,488,000

10,859,000

8,388,000

Total deferred income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

74,100,000

72,984,000

66,512,000

Total income taxes

-21,130,000

-18,488,000

-21,708,000

-35,290,000

-20,365,000

-22,128,000

-25,935,000

-23,120,000

96,615,000

91,548,000

79,404,000

Income Taxes Paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,000,000

23,100,000

13,100,000

Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

1,500,000

8,500,000

Computed tax provision at the applicable federal statutory income tax rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

86,002,000

85,988,000

78,973,000

State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,614,000

10,998,000

9,895,000

Dividends received deduction and tax exempt interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-592,000

-525,000

-644,000

Foreign jurisdiction differences

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,722,000

-3,491,000

-4,789,000

Permanent differences associated with dispositions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

268,000

602,000

-6,329,000

Changes in uncertain tax positions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,710,000

-479,000

1,584,000

Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

335,000

-1,545,000

714,000

Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

39.30%

37.30%

35.20%

Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,100,000

'

'

Inventories and cemetery property, principally due to purchase accounting adjustments

-385,714,000

'

'

'

-346,364,000

'

'

'

-385,714,000

-346,364,000

'

Property and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation methods and purchase accounting adjustments

-163,770,000

'

'

'

-97,469,000

'

'

'

-163,770,000

-97,469,000

'

Intangibles

-372,105,000

'

'

'

-182,864,000

'

'

'

-372,105,000

-182,864,000

'

Deferred Tax Liabilities, Payables

-22,083,000

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

-22,083,000

0

'

Deferred tax liabilities

-943,672,000

'

'

'

-626,697,000

'

'

'

-943,672,000

-626,697,000

'

Deferred Tax Assets, Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards

170,900,000

'

'

'

141,739,000

'

'

'

170,900,000

141,739,000

'

Deferred revenue on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, principally due to earnings from trust funds

180,283,000

'

'

'

38,823,000

'

'

'

180,283,000

38,823,000

'

Accrued liabilities

109,838,000

'

'

'

84,016,000

'

'

'

109,838,000

84,016,000

'

Other

0

'

'

'

2,007,000

'

'

'

0

2,007,000

'

Deferred tax assets

461,021,000

'

'

'

266,585,000

'

'

'

461,021,000

266,585,000

'

Less: Valuation allowance

-74,918,000

'

'

'

-67,732,000

'

'

'

-74,918,000

-67,732,000

'

Net deferred income tax liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49,900,000

'

'

Deferred tax assets

39,074,000

'

'

'

42,864,000

'

'

'

39,074,000

42,864,000

'

Non-current deferred tax assets

22,557,000

'

'

'

490,000

'

'

'

22,557,000

490,000

'

Non-current deferred tax liabilities

-619,200,000

'

'

'

-471,198,000

'

'

'

-619,200,000

-471,198,000

'

Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,300,000

29,100,000

'

Undistributed Earnings from Foreign Subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

241,500,000

263,100,000

'

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning Balance

'

'

'

143,988,000

'

'

'

156,312,000

143,988,000

156,312,000

152,765,000

Additions to tax positions related to the current year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,019,000

-2,100,000

4,971,000

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,556,000

'

'

Additions to tax positions related to prior years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,800,000

10,224,000

-60,000

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-8,800,000

'

'

Statute expirations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,844,000

'

-1,484,000

Ending Balance

136,919,000

'

'

'

143,988,000

'

'

'

136,919,000

143,988,000

156,312,000

Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate

37,100,000

'

'

'

34,900,000

'

'

'

37,100,000

34,900,000

37,800,000

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued

44,500,000

'

'

'

41,600,000

'

'

'

44,500,000

41,600,000

41,800,000

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,100,000

'

'

Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

200,000

'

Operating Loss Carryforwards

3,227,661,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,227,661,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year One

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,167,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Two

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

157,039,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Three

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,007,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Four

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,755,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Five Years and Thereafter

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,002,693,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Unexpiring

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

67,500,000

'

'

Valuation allowance, change due to business combination

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,700,000

'

'

Net deferred income tax liability

-557,569,000

'

'

'

-427,844,000

'

'

'

-557,569,000

-427,844,000

'

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Tax Assets, Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards

36,799,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,799,000

'

'

Less: Valuation allowance

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Loss Carryforwards

77,997,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

77,997,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year One

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

115,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Two

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

58,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Three

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

121,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Four

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Five Years and Thereafter

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

77,703,000

'

'

Change in net operating loss carryforwards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,700,000

'

'

State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Tax Assets, Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards

110,941,000

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

110,941,000

[2]

'

'

Less: Valuation allowance

-55,574,000

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-55,574,000

[2]

'

'

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Loss Carryforwards

3,149,659,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,149,659,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year One

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,052,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Two

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

156,981,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Three

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35,886,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Four

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,755,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Five Years and Thereafter

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,924,985,000

'

'

Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,900,000

'

'

Change in net operating loss carryforwards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,200,000

'

'

Foreign Tax Authority [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Tax Assets, Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards

23,160,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,160,000

'

'

Less: Valuation allowance

-19,344,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-19,344,000

'

'

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Loss Carryforwards

5,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year One

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Two

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Three

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Four

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Five Years and Thereafter

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,000

'

'

[1]

Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.

[2]

Presented net of Federal benefit

Supplementary_Information_Leve2

Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash and cash equivalents:	'	'	'	'
Cash	$105,241	$52,431	'	'
Commercial paper and temporary investments	39,632	40,277	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	144,873	92,708	128,569	170,846
Receivables, net:	'	'	'	'
Notes receivable	1,140	976	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	2,140	1,690	'	'
Other	19,795	16,225	'	'
Receivables, net	105,899	101,817	'	'
Other current assets:	'	'	'	'
Income tax receivable	2,841	4,805	'	'
Prepaid insurance	8,583	4,258	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	6,550	1,484	'	'
Bond conversion asset	21,682	0	'	'
Deferred Finance Costs, Current, Net	9,082	4,393	'	'
Other Assets, Current	16,029	5,606	'	'
Other	64,767	20,546	'	'
Cemetery Property, Undeveloped Land	1,209,143	1,077,930	'	'
Cemetery Property, Developed	539,924	412,018	'	'
Cemetery property, at cost	1,749,067	1,489,948	'	'
Land	610,348	524,381	'	'
Buildings and Improvements, Gross	1,786,952	1,596,888	'	'
Machinery and Equipment, Gross	502,313	482,476	'	'
Leasehold Improvements, Gross	28,558	27,532	'	'
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	185,875	181,386	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,114,046	2,812,663	'	'
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	-1,084,589	-1,070,385	'	'
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Property, Plant, and Equipment Other, Accumulated Depreciation	-106,496	-101,177	'	'
Property and equipment, net	1,922,961	1,641,101	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	422,486	257,703	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	2,409	4,457	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	22,557	490	'	'
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent	11,651	10,334	'	'
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Noncurrent	10,986	1,316	'	'
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	111,954	67,408	'	'
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance	90,177	84,875	'	'
Accounts payable	143,385	104,025	'	'
Accrued compensation	104,466	97,750	'	'
Accrued dividend	0	0	11,027	'
Interest Payable, Current	36,583	20,709	'	'
Accrual for Taxes Other than Income Taxes, Current	13,756	14,246	'	'
Self Insurance Reserve, Current	77,962	57,543	'	'
Bank Overdrafts	5,152	22,240	'	'
Bond conversion liability	18,744	0	'	'
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current	86,600	57,270	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	486,648	373,783	'	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent	35,629	27,374	'	'
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent	65,605	59,897	'	'
Customer Funds	59,826	70,656	'	'
Tax liability	181,455	185,568	'	'
Indemnification Liability	442	1,681	'	'
Payable to ECF	56,501	41,806	'	'
Other Assets, Noncurrent	30,935	12,968	'	'
Total merchandise revenues	1,195,774	1,109,022	1,041,378	'
Total services revenues	1,206,258	1,172,192	1,153,971	'
Other revenues	154,350	129,267	120,691	'
Total revenues	2,556,382	2,410,481	2,316,040	'
Total cost of merchandise	522,401	494,733	482,096	'
Total cost of services	652,879	622,725	592,742	'
Overhead and other expenses	831,533	769,810	764,700	'
Total costs and expenses	2,006,813	1,887,268	1,839,538	'
Deferred charges and other assets	661,234	425,267	'	'
Other liabilities	430,393	399,950	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	3,004,000	0	0	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	-3,004,000	0	0	'
Funeral [Member]	'	'	'	'
Receivables, net:	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	68,565	70,208	'	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	8,895	7,194	'	'
Other current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance	280,969	273,098	'	'
Total merchandise revenues	586,631	554,518	524,695	'
Total services revenues	993,296	969,088	958,602	'
Total revenues	1,704,375	1,625,738	1,573,498	'
Total cost of merchandise	268,310	260,699	259,462	'
Total cost of services	551,812	523,811	495,268	'
Cemetery [Member]	'	'	'	'
Receivables, net:	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	16,399	14,408	'	'
Other current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance	4	9	'	'
Total merchandise revenues	609,143	554,504	516,683	'
Total services revenues	212,962	203,104	195,369	'
Total revenues	852,007	784,743	742,542	'
Total cost of merchandise	254,091	234,034	222,634	'
Total cost of services	$101,067	$98,914	$97,474	'

Debt_Level_4_Details

Debt Level 4 (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

28-May-13

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 10, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aggregate principal amount [Member]

Discount (premium) [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Capital Lease Obligations [Member]

Capital Lease Obligations [Member]

Mortgages [Member]

Mortgages [Member]

February 2013 [Member]

February 2013 [Member]

July 2014 [Member]

July 2014 [Member]

April 2015 [Member]

April 2015 [Member]

April 2016 [Member]

April 2016 [Member]

July 2016 [Member]

July 2016 [Member]

June 2017 [Member]

June 2017 [Member]

October 2018 [Member]

October 2018 [Member]

April 2019 [Member]

April 2019 [Member]

May 2019 [Member]

May 2019 [Member]

November 2020 [Member]

November 2020 [Member]

November 2021 [Member]

November 2021 [Member]

January 2022 [Member]

January 2022 [Member]

April 2027 [Member]

April 2027 [Member]

March 2016 [Member]

March 2016 [Member]

July 2018 [Member]

July 2018 [Member]

July 2018 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

$4,757,000

'

'

$136,465,000

$136,465,000

$197,377,000

$197,377,000

'

'

$295,000,000

$295,000,000

$250,000,000

$250,000,000

$200,000,000

$0

$250,000,000

$250,000,000

$200,000,000

$200,000,000

$150,000,000

$150,000,000

$425,000,000

$0

$200,000,000

$200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent

600,000,000

0

'

600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85,256,000

0

'

'

'

'

46,279,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bank credit facility due March 2016

86,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

86,600,000

140,000,000

30,000,000

0

'

'

'

'

Obligations under capital leases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

189,697,000

176,445,000

'

'

Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,752,000

5,698,000

Unamortized pricing discounts and other

'

'

'

'

'

'

42,084,000

-4,292,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

3,301,910,000

1,948,050,000

'

'

3,259,826,000

42,084,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current maturities of long-term debt

123,738,000

32,072,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, unamortized discount (premium), net, current portion

-22,624,000

643,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less current maturities

146,362,000

31,429,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total long-term debt

3,155,548,000

1,916,621,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

5.25%

6.28%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate

76.00%

87.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2012

146,362,000

'

'

'

123,738,000

22,624,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2013

191,264,000

'

'

'

180,742,000

10,522,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2014

266,334,000

'

'

'

260,387,000

5,947,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

336,720,000

'

'

'

335,221,000

1,499,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

917,457,000

'

'

'

915,708,000

1,749,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017 and thereafter

1,443,773,000

'

'

'

1,444,030,000

-257,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

175,000,000

'

175,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Paid

125,022,000

131,723,000

129,105,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments in 2012

164,871,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments in 2013

156,580,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments in 2014

143,296,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments in 2015

127,496,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments in 2016

112,415,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments in 2017 and thereafter

$255,429,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Debt_Textuals_Details

Debt Debt, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 10, 2014	28-May-13
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	'	$110,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	167,000,000	'	'	'	'
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	'	'	5.25%	6.28%	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	'	'	76.00%	87.00%	'	'	'
Financing Commitment	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,825,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	'	500,000,000	'	'	'	'
Consent Solitication Fee	'	'	0.25%	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent	'	'	600,000,000	0	'	'	600,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	425,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Bridge Loan	'	'	'	'	'	'	725,000,000
Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,100,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Pending Divestiture Proceeds	200,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Leverage Ratio with payment terms	375.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	'	175,000,000	'	175,000,000	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	'	'	86,600,000	'	'	'	'
Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	'	'	31,800,000	'	'	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	'	'	32,300,000	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	'	'	0.25%	'	'	'	'
Line of credit, committed amount	'	'	18,800,000	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	'	'	418,900,000	'	'	308,900,000	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'	'	200,000,000	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.38%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principal payments on capital leases	'	'	26,280,000	25,760,000	23,030,000	'	'
Repayments of Long-term Debt	'	'	600,000	206,600,000	'	'	'
Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net	'	'	468,000	-22,706,000	-3,509,000	'	'
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	'	'	'	1,300,000	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium	'	'	'	21,400,000	'	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred	'	'	40,100,000	78,900,000	31,300,000	'	'
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Finance Receivables Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value	'	'	7,600,000	1,700,000	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	'	'	-42,100,000	-4,300,000	'	'	'
Pledged Assets, Other, Not Separately Reported on Statement of Financial Position	'	'	2,100,000	3,100,000	'	'	'
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Long-term Capital Lease Obligations, and Capital Securities	'	'	26,400,000	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	'	'	3,277,442,000	1,991,339,000	'	'	'
July 2014 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	107,900,000	'	'	'	'
July 2016 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	59,100,000	'	'	'	'
October 2014 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	7.38%	'	'	'	'
Repayments of Long-term Debt	'	'	'	180,700,000	'	'	'
April 2015 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	6.75%	'	'	'	'
April 2016 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	6.75%	'	'	'	'
June 2017 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	7.00%	'	'	'	'
May 2019 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	4.50%	'	'	'	'
November 2021 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	8.00%	'	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2019 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	'	200,000,000	0	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	'	'	10,000,000	'	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | July 2014 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible Debt	'	'	85,256,000	0	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	'	'	21,700,000	'	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | July 2016 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible Debt	'	'	46,279,000	0	'	'	'
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	'	'	14,200,000	'	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | July 2018 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	'	'	30,000,000	0	'	140,000,000	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | February 2013 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	'	0	4,757,000	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2015 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	'	136,465,000	136,465,000	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2016 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	'	197,377,000	197,377,000	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2017 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	'	295,000,000	295,000,000	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | October 2018 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	'	250,000,000	250,000,000	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | May 2019 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	'	200,000,000	200,000,000	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	'	150,000,000	150,000,000	'	'	'
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior Notes	'	'	200,000,000	200,000,000	'	'	'
Discount (premium) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	'	'	$35,800,000	'	'	'	'

ShareBased_Compensation_Level_2

Share-Based Compensation Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	$11,925	$10,983	$9,144
Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation included in net income	4,689	4,092	3,218
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Exercised	-3,004,000	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	36,397	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	13,319,750	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'4 years 2 months 29 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$9.84	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	9,205,267	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.51	'	'
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$4.01	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$8	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	3,902,973	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 7 months 8 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$5.76	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	3,902,973	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.76	'	'
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$8.01	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$12	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	7,220,947	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 10 months 28 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$10.45	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	5,147,794	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$10.47	'	'
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$12.01	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$16	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	2,195,830	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'6 years 8 months 7 days	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$15.07	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	154,500	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$12.67	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Dividend yield	1.90%	1.80%	2.40%
Expected volatility	35.20%	40.80%	38.40%
Risk-free interest rate	0.70%	0.80%	2.40%
Expected holding period	'4 years	'5 years	'5 years
Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	6,700	6,200	5,100
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Options outstanding at beginning of period	12,401,970	'	'
Options outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price	$8.84	'	'
Granted	2,041,330	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$15.26	'	'
Exercised	-1,087,153	'	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.58	'	'
Cancelled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$10.31	'	'
Options outstanding at end of period	13,319,750	12,401,970	'
Options outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price	$9.84	$8.84	'
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011	13,319,750	12,401,970	'
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.84	$8.84	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	9,205,267	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.51	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	$5,200	$4,900	$4,100
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period	1,104,579	'	'
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$9.78	'	'
Granted	378,280	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$15.26	'	'
Vested	-296,886	'	'
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$8.63	'	'
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period	1,183,229	1,104,579	'
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$11.81	$9.78	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	-2,744	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$10.32	'	'

ShareBased_Compensation_ShareB

Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Vesting rate	33.33%	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	44,000,000	'	'
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	6,744,936	9,218,551	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	$7,300,000	$16,300,000	$4,900,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	36,397	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	110,400,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	'	88,600,000	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$3.68	$3.41	$2.73
Fair Value of Stock Options Vested	5,997,000	5,088,000	5,015,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	8,855,000	20,332,946,000	5,184,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,309,000	18,389,000	8,227,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	11,925,000	10,983,000	9,144,000
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	6,700,000	6,200,000	5,100,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	8,000,000	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'1 year 3 months 30 days	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	5,200,000	4,900,000	4,100,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$6,200,000	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'1 year 3 months 29 days	'	'
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$4.01	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$8	'	'
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$8.01	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$12	'	'
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$12.01	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$16	'	'

Credit_Risk_and_Fair_Value_of_2

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Bank credit facility due March 2016	$86,600	'
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,752	5,698
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	3,277,442	1,991,339
February 2013 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	0	4,786
July 2014 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	106,939	0
April 2015 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	144,653	150,112
April 2016 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	214,904	222,049
July 2016 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	60,487	0
June 2017 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	333,259	341,094
October 2018 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	288,875	298,750
April 2019 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	210,000	0
May 2019 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	270,000	276,250
November 2020 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	192,610	204,500
November 2021 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	173,625	186,000
January 2022 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	431,588	0
April 2027 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	215,750	215,500
March 2016 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Bank credit facility due March 2016	0	86,600
July 2018 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Bank credit facility due March 2016	30,000	0
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	$600,000	$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$28,400,000	$26,800,000	$25,700,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	15,098,000	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	13,051,000	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	11,363,000	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	9,343,000	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	8,148,000	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	65,281,000	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	122,284,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	38,652,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	50,627,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	18,178,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	36,932,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	32,418,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	12,890,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	189,697,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Interest Included in Payments	-19,892,000	'	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Net Minimum Payments	169,805,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	8,970,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	6,203,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	4,756,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	4,270,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	3,728,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Six Years and Thereafter	7,719,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments Due	35,646,000	'	'
Self Insurance Reserve	78,000,000	57,500,000	'
Self insurance reserve, business acquired	21,500,000	'	'
Employment Agreement [Member]	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	3,034,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	1,645,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	831,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	698,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	324,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Six Years and Thereafter	141,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments Due	6,673,000	'	'
Consulting Agreement [Member]	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	756,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	458,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	181,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	69,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	69,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Six Years and Thereafter	125,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments Due	1,658,000	'	'
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	5,180,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	4,100,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	3,744,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	3,503,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	3,335,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Six Years and Thereafter	7,453,000	'	'
Agreements, Future Payments Due	$27,315,000	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Management, consulting and non-compete agreement term	'5 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Management, consulting and non-compete agreement term	'10 years	'	'

Equity_Level_4_Details

Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$111,717	'	'
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	-23,292	5,892	-6,925
Balance at end of period	88,441	111,717	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	111,717	105,852	112,768
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	-23,276	5,865	-6,916
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	-113,553	95,686	-80,789
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	113,553	-95,686	80,789
Balance at end of period	88,441	111,717	105,852
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	111,717	105,852	112,768
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	-23,276	5,865	-6,916
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	0	0	0
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	88,441	111,717	105,852
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent	'	0	0
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	-113,553	95,686	-80,789
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	113,553	-95,686	80,789
Balance at end of period	$0	$0	$0

Equity_Equity_Textuals_Details

Equity Equity, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	'	1,000,000	1,000,000	'	'
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	'	500,000,000	500,000,000	500,000,000	'
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	'	212,316,642	212,316,642	211,046,501	'
Treasury Stock, Shares	'	10,000	10,000	10,000	'
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	'	'	'	15,294,567	19,752,174
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	'	'	'	$184,900,000	$195,700,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	'	'	'	$12.09	$9.91
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorization Increase	'	'	155,000,000	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	'	'	200,000,000	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	'	'	190,100,000	'	'
Dividends declared per share	$0.08	$0.07	$0	$0	$0
Payments of Dividends, Common Stock	'	'	57,229,000	60,296,000	44,795,000
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Purchase of Interest by Parent	'	'	0.2	'	'
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	'	'	$23,333,000	$3,000,000	$0
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership before Transaction	'	'	70.00%	'	'
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership after Transaction	'	'	90.00%	'	'

Retirement_Plans_Details

Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Business Combinations and Acquisitions, Benefit Obligation	$21,407,000	$0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data	'.5	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	780,000	1,109,000	1,306,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	-1,205,000	1,418,000	-289,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	-425,000	2,527,000	1,017,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	28,674,000	29,214,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	780,000	1,109,000	1,306,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses	-856,000	1,806,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-12,506,000	-3,455,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	37,499,000	28,674,000	29,214,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	12,506,000	3,455,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-12,506,000	-3,455,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-37,499,000	-28,674,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	-37,499,000	-28,674,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	37,499,000	28,674,000	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities	-37,499,000	-28,674,000	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent	35,629,000	27,374,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Amount of Plan Participants' Future Benefits Covered by Insurance Contracts Issued by Employer or Related Parties	47,400,000	49,800,000	'
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance, Retirement Plans	35,800,000	37,200,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	3.66%	2.90%	4.05%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	2.90%	4.05%	4.41%
2012	4,274,000	'	'
2013	3,995,000	'	'
2014	3,768,000	'	'
2015	3,482,000	'	'
2016	3,286,000	'	'
Years 2017 through 2021	13,397,000	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$24,300,000	$23,100,000	$22,300,000

Segment_Reporting_Level_4_Deta

Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from External Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,556,382

$2,410,481

$2,316,040

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

142,360

135,068

133,782

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

122,602

120,227

118,047

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

122,602

120,227

118,047

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,859

23,853

25,591

Amortization of cemetery property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,344

44,976

40,046

Total assets

12,906,070

'

'

'

9,683,568

'

'

'

12,906,070

9,683,568

'

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

113,084

115,628

118,375

Gross profits from reportable segments

147,819

116,055

126,038

159,657

147,811

120,753

127,631

127,018

549,569

523,213

476,502

General and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-155,136

-121,891

-101,826

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6,263

-1,533

-10,977

Operating income

87,995

83,296

89,114

127,765

103,806

95,176

99,689

101,118

388,170

399,789

363,699

Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

468

-22,706

-3,509

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-559

3,668

-772

Income before income taxes

49,682

[1]

45,882

[1]

56,143

[1]

94,012

[1]

46,749

[1]

63,925

[1]

63,574

[1]

71,435

[1]

245,719

245,683

225,636

Long-lived assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6992916

'4938726

'4908408

UNITED STATES

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from External Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,334,676

2,191,532

2,103,738

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

141,991

134,643

133,479

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

111,210

108,411

105,931

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,846

22,433

24,223

Amortization of cemetery property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42,972

39,803

35,375

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,958

1,502

10,299

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

331,143

346,289

311,790

Long-lived assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6660263

'4575926

'4553557

CANADA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from External Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

215,799

212,898

205,733

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

369

425

303

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,025

11,451

11,723

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,013

1,420

1,368

Amortization of cemetery property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,372

5,173

4,671

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

305

9

678

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

56,513

53,081

51,367

Long-lived assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'329785

'359882

'351813

GERMANY

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from External Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,907

6,051

6,569

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

367

365

393

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Amortization of cemetery property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

22

'

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

514

419

542

Long-lived assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2868

'2918

'3038

Operating Segments [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from External Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,556,382

2,410,481

2,316,040

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,084

4,686

4,262

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

116,339

113,808

111,227

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

116,339

113,808

111,227

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,835

23,824

24,122

Amortization of cemetery property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,344

44,976

40,046

Total assets

12,339,539

'

'

'

9,346,002

'

'

'

12,339,539

9,346,002

8,991,080

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

108,764

102,139

103,247

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

108,764

102,139

103,247

Gross profits from reportable segments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

549,569

523,213

476,502

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-559

3,668

-772

Funeral [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from External Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,704,375

1,625,738

1,573,498

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,736

4,302

3,957

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

92,879

91,035

89,872

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,245

18,803

18,582

Amortization of cemetery property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Total assets

5,765,137

'

'

'

4,537,444

'

'

'

5,765,137

4,537,444

4,494,331

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,449

43,984

45,275

Gross profits from reportable segments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

350,940

347,800

329,410

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Cemetery [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from External Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

852,007

784,743

742,542

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

348

384

305

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,460

22,773

21,355

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,590

5,021

5,540

Amortization of cemetery property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,344

44,976

40,046

Total assets

6,574,402

'

'

'

4,808,558

'

'

'

6,574,402

4,808,558

4,496,749

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

58,315

58,155

57,972

Gross profits from reportable segments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

198,629

175,413

147,092

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Corporate Elimination [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from External Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

137,276

130,382

129,520

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,263

6,419

6,820

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24

29

1,469

Total assets

566,531

'

'

'

337,566

'

'

'

566,531

337,566

336,732

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,320

13,489

15,128

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-559

3,668

-772

Consolidated Entities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from External Customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,556,382

2,410,481

2,316,040

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

142,360

135,068

133,782

Depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

122,602

120,227

118,047

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,859

23,853

25,591

Total assets

12,906,070

'

'

'

9,683,568

'

'

'

12,906,070

9,683,568

9,327,812

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$113,084

$115,628

$118,375

[1]

Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.

Earnings_Per_Share_Level_4_Det

Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$25,833

$26,779

$33,615

$57,620

$26,383

$41,062

$37,076

$48,025

$143,848

$152,546

$144,903

After tax interest on convertible debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51

51

51

Net income — diluted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$143,899

$152,597

$144,954

Weighted average shares (denominator):

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average shares — basic

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-211,811

-215,712

-234,242

Stock options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,082

3,233

2,306

Convertible debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

121

121

121

Weighted average shares — diluted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

216,014

219,066

236,669

Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic

$0.12

[1]

$0.13

[1]

$0.16

[1]

$0.27

[1]

$0.12

[1]

$0.19

[1]

$0.17

[1]

$0.22

[1]

$0.68

$0.71

$0.62

Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted

$0.12

[1]

$0.12

[1]

$0.16

[1]

$0.27

[1]

$0.12

[1]

$0.19

[1]

$0.17

[1]

$0.22

[1]

$0.67

$0.70

$0.61

[1]

Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.

Earnings_Per_Share_Earnings_Pe

Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Textuals (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1.2	1.3	4.9

Acquisition_Purchase_Price_All

Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 23, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Significant Acquisitions and Disposals, Transaction [Domain]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Noncompete Agreements [Member]

Trade Names [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Noncompete Agreements [Member]

Trade Names [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Customer Lists [Member]

Licensing Agreements [Member]

Noncompete Agreements [Member]

Leases, Acquired-in-Place, Market Adjustment [Member]

Trade Names [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Customer Lists [Member]

Licensing Agreements [Member]

Noncompete Agreements [Member]

Leases, Acquired-in-Place, Market Adjustment [Member]

Trade Names [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indefinite-Lived Trade Names

$215,135

'

$134,823

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$77,900

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'10 years

'2 years

'5 years

'40 years

'20 years

'20 years

'5 years

'

'10 years

'10 years

'20 years

'5 years

'26 years

'5 years

'20 years

'14 years

'40 years

'15 years

'34 years

'5 years

Finite-Lived License Agreements, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Trade Names, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,150

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Off-market Lease, Favorable, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,897

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Noncompete Agreements, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,480

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Customer Lists, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

44,251

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-Lived Customer Relationships, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts receivable

'

14,638

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other current assets

'

197,899

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cemetery property

'

284,775

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and equipment, net

'

340,456

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments

'

655,010

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Finite-lived intangible assets

'

106,278

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

'

79,400

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business combination, assets to be divested

434,248

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred charges and other assets

'

278,320

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

'

578,578

'

37,300

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total assets acquired

'

2,969,602

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current liabilities

'

217,220

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt

'

270,668

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts

'

782,858

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business combination, liabilities held for sale

'

153,637

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred tax liability

'

100,169

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other liabilities

'

279,577

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total liabilities assumed

'

1,804,129

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Business Combination

118

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net assets acquired

'

1,165,355

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indefinite-Lived License Agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill

$185,678

'

'

$37,600

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business_Acquisition_Pro_Forma

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	$2,919,278	$2,848,451
Net income	$203,916	$135,010

Acquisition_Acquisition_Textua

Acquisition Acquisition, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 23, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013	Jun. 03, 2011
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price Per Share	'	'	'	$13.25	'	'
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	$39,700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization of Acquisition Costs	28,400,000	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net	'	'	37,300,000	578,578,000	'	'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Noncurrent Assets, Receivables	147,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	582,226,000	20,289,000	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount	3,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	'	11,400,000	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	'	800,000	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	'	'	'	'	20.00%	70.00%
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Including Subsequent Acquisition, Percentage	'	'	'	'	90.00%	'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	1,500,000,000	'	0	'	'	'
Business Combination, Debt Assumed	'	'	'	331,500,000	'	'
Acquisition costs - period interest	11,300,000	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	185,678,000	'	37,600,000	'	'	'
Cemetery [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	260,108,000	0	'	'	'	'
Funeral [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	322,118,000	20,289,000	'	'	'	'
Current [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Gross Contractual Amount	16,900,000	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Estimated Uncollectible	2,300,000	'	'	'	'	'
Noncurrent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Gross Contractual Amount	165,700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Estimated Uncollectible	18,200,000	'	'	'	'	'
Keystone Acquisition [Member] | Cemetery [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	260,400,000	'	'	'	'	'
Keystone Acquisition [Member] | Funeral [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$318,200,000	'	'	'	'	'

Divestiture_Related_Activities2

Divestiture Related Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets held for sale	$4,569,000	$0	'
Asset Impairment Charges	800,000	'	'
(Losses) gains on divestitures	-3,350,000	617,000	-8,526,000
Impairment losses	-2,913,000	-2,150,000	-2,451,000
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	-6,263,000	-1,533,000	-10,977,000
Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	342,728,000	'	'
Cemetery property	83,115,000	'	'
Property and equipment, net	63,356,000	'	'
Goodwill	126,877,000	'	'
Non-current assets held for sale	737,552,000	0	'
Deferred charges and other assets, held for sale	38,050,000	'	'
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	83,426,000	'	'
Total assets	742,121,000	'	'
Current liabilities held for sale	3,183,000	0	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	340,418,000	'	'
Care trusts' corpus	83,426,000	'	'
Other long term liabilities	4,209,000	'	'
Total liabilities	431,236,000	'	'
Net assets held for sale	$310,885,000	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors of Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

$668,574

$609,951

$625,505

$652,352

$629,421

$581,182

$597,372

$602,506

$2,556,382

$2,410,481

$2,316,040

Costs and expenses

520,755

493,896

499,467

492,695

481,610

460,429

469,741

475,488

2,006,813

1,887,268

1,839,538

Gross profits

147,819

116,055

126,038

159,657

147,811

120,753

127,631

127,018

549,569

523,213

476,502

General and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

155,136

121,891

101,826

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,263

1,533

10,977

Operating income

87,995

83,296

89,114

127,765

103,806

95,176

99,689

101,118

388,170

399,789

363,699

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

142,360

135,068

133,782

Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

468

-22,706

-3,509

Equity in subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-559

3,668

-772

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

49,682

[1]

45,882

[1]

56,143

[1]

94,012

[1]

46,749

[1]

63,925

[1]

63,574

[1]

71,435

[1]

245,719

245,683

225,636

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

-21,130

-18,488

-21,708

-35,290

-20,365

-22,128

-25,935

-23,120

96,615

91,548

79,404

Net income

28,552

27,394

34,435

58,722

26,384

41,797

37,639

48,315

149,104

154,135

146,232

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

2,719

615

820

1,102

1

735

563

290

5,256

1,589

1,329

Net income attributable to common stockholders

25,833

26,779

33,615

57,620

26,383

41,062

37,076

48,025

143,848

152,546

144,903

Parent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Costs and expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Gross profits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

General and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,492

2,062

1,940

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-30,492

-2,062

-1,940

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

135,362

128,950

128,315

Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-22,706

-3,509

Equity in subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

248,784

249,803

229,536

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

82,930

96,085

95,772

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-60,918

-56,461

-49,131

Net income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

143,848

152,546

144,903

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Net income attributable to common stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

143,848

152,546

144,903

Subsidiary Issuer

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Costs and expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Gross profits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

General and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

451

'

'

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-451

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

472

'

'

Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Equity in subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,068

'

'

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

145

'

'

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-360

'

'

Net income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

505

'

'

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Net income attributable to common stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

505

'

'

Guarantor Subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,349

'

'

Costs and expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,648

'

'

Gross profits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,701

'

'

General and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,701

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Equity in subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-20

'

'

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,681

'

'

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

656

'

'

Net income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,025

'

'

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Net income attributable to common stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,025

'

'

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,545,033

2,410,481

2,316,040

Costs and expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,997,165

1,887,268

1,839,538

Gross profits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

547,868

523,213

476,502

General and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

124,193

119,829

99,886

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,263

1,533

10,977

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

417,412

401,851

365,639

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,526

6,118

5,467

Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

468

0

0

Equity in subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-539

3,668

-772

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

410,815

399,401

359,400

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

157,237

148,009

128,535

Net income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

253,578

251,392

230,865

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Net income attributable to common stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

253,578

251,392

230,865

Eliminations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Costs and expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Gross profits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

General and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Gains (losses) on early extinguishment of debt, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Equity in subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-249,852

-249,803

-229,536

Other (expense) income, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-249,852

-249,803

-229,536

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Net income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-249,852

-249,803

-229,536

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,256

1,589

1,329

Net income attributable to common stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($255,108)

($251,392)

($230,865)

[1]

Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors of Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	$28,552	$27,394	$34,435	$58,722	$26,384	$41,797	$37,639	$48,315	$149,104	$154,135	$146,232
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-28,532	4,276	-8,245
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	120,572	158,411	137,987
Parent	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	143,848	152,546	144,903
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-23,276	5,865	-6,916
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	120,572	158,411	137,987
Subsidiary Issuer	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	505	'	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	505	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,025	'	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,025	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	253,578	251,392	230,865
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-23,276	5,865	-6,916
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	230,302	257,257	223,949
Eliminations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-249,852	-249,803	-229,536
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	18,020	-7,454	5,587
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($231,832)	($257,257)	($223,949)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors of Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$144,873	$92,708	$128,569	$170,846
Receivables, net	105,899	101,817	'	'
Inventories, net	34,565	24,560	'	'
Current assets held for sale	4,569	0	'	'
Other	103,841	63,410	'	'
Total current assets	393,747	282,495	'	'
Equity in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,870,874	1,535,932	'	'
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	2,300,911	1,826,835	'	'
Cemetery property, at cost	1,749,067	1,489,948	'	'
Property and equipment, net	1,922,961	1,641,101	'	'
Non-current assets held for sale	737,552	0	'	'
Deferred charges and other assets	661,234	425,267	'	'
Goodwill, net	1,922,102	1,382,410	'	'
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,347,622	1,099,580	'	'
Total assets	12,906,070	9,683,568	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	486,648	373,783	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	146,362	31,429	'	'
Current liabilities held for sale	3,183	0	'	'
Income taxes	6,391	6,892	'	'
Total current liabilities	642,584	412,104	'	'
Long-term debt	3,155,548	1,916,621	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	686,299	536,647	'	'
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	923,155	861,148	'	'
Deferred tax liability	619,200	471,198	'	'
Non-current liabilities held for sale	428,053	0	'	'
Other liabilities	430,393	399,950	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	3,250,586	2,624,321	'	'
Care trusts’ corpus	1,345,874	1,098,752	'	'
Common stock	212,317	211,047	'	'
Other equity	1,113,472	1,020,263	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	88,441	111,717	'	'
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,414,230	1,343,027	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	10,148	19,800	'	'
Total equity	1,424,378	1,362,827	1,412,195	1,479,948
Total liabilities and equity	12,906,070	9,683,568	'	'
Parent	'	'	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Receivables, net	0	0	'	'
Inventories, net	0	0	'	'
Current assets held for sale	0	'	'	'
Other	9,083	4,393	'	'
Total current assets	9,083	4,393	'	'
Equity in subsidiaries	4,132,098	3,108,856	'	'
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	0	0	'	'
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	0	0	'	'
Cemetery property, at cost	0	0	'	'
Property and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Non-current assets held for sale	0	'	'	'
Deferred charges and other assets	42,068	23,357	'	'
Goodwill, net	0	0	'	'
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	0	0	'	'
Total assets	4,183,249	3,136,606	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	31,914	20,761	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	4,757	'	'
Current liabilities held for sale	0	'	'	'
Income taxes	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	31,914	25,518	'	'
Long-term debt	2,731,611	1,762,725	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	0	0	'	'
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	0	0	'	'
Deferred tax liability	1,092	1,175	'	'
Non-current liabilities held for sale	0	'	'	'
Other liabilities	4,402	4,161	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	0	0	'	'
Care trusts’ corpus	0	0	'	'
Common stock	212,317	211,047	'	'
Other equity	1,113,472	1,020,263	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	88,441	111,717	'	'
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,414,230	1,343,027	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Total equity	1,414,230	1,343,027	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	4,183,249	3,136,606	'	'
Subsidiary Issuer	'	'	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	53,543	0	'	'
Receivables, net	442	'	'	'
Inventories, net	0	'	'	'
Current assets held for sale	0	'	'	'
Other	29,133	'	'	'
Total current assets	83,118	'	'	'
Equity in subsidiaries	874,590	'	'	'
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	0	'	'	'
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	0	'	'	'
Cemetery property, at cost	0	'	'	'
Property and equipment, net	15,243	'	'	'
Non-current assets held for sale	0	'	'	'
Deferred charges and other assets	31,807	'	'	'
Goodwill, net	578,578	'	'	'
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	0	'	'	'
Total assets	1,583,336	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	46,020	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	106,939	'	'	'
Current liabilities held for sale	0	'	'	'
Income taxes	560	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	153,519	'	'	'
Long-term debt	270,578	'	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	0	'	'	'
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	0	'	'	'
Deferred tax liability	0	'	'	'
Non-current liabilities held for sale	0	'	'	'
Other liabilities	29,944	'	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	0	'	'	'
Care trusts’ corpus	0	'	'	'
Common stock	85,175	'	'	'
Other equity	1,044,120	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	'	'	'
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,129,295	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	'	'	'
Total equity	1,129,295	'	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	1,583,336	'	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,898	0	'	'
Receivables, net	23,908	'	'	'
Inventories, net	10,822	'	'	'
Current assets held for sale	3,333	'	'	'
Other	34,611	'	'	'
Total current assets	74,572	'	'	'
Equity in subsidiaries	4,546	'	'	'
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	358,567	'	'	'
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	265,346	'	'	'
Cemetery property, at cost	266,168	'	'	'
Property and equipment, net	308,267	'	'	'
Non-current assets held for sale	434,248	'	'	'
Deferred charges and other assets	179,811	'	'	'
Goodwill, net	0	'	'	'
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	223,903	'	'	'
Total assets	2,115,428	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	43,706	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	'	'	'
Current liabilities held for sale	1,647	'	'	'
Income taxes	1,427	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	46,780	'	'	'
Long-term debt	89	'	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	177,097	'	'	'
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	33,561	'	'	'
Deferred tax liability	99,595	'	'	'
Non-current liabilities held for sale	153,637	'	'	'
Other liabilities	11,116	'	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	503,667	'	'	'
Care trusts’ corpus	223,903	'	'	'
Common stock	102	'	'	'
Other equity	865,881	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	'	'	'
Total common stockholders’ equity	865,983	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	'	'	'
Total equity	865,983	'	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	2,115,428	'	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	89,432	92,708	128,569	170,846
Receivables, net	81,549	101,817	'	'
Inventories, net	23,743	24,560	'	'
Current assets held for sale	1,236	'	'	'
Other	31,014	59,017	'	'
Total current assets	226,974	278,102	'	'
Equity in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,512,307	1,535,932	'	'
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	2,035,565	1,826,835	'	'
Cemetery property, at cost	1,482,899	1,489,948	'	'
Property and equipment, net	1,599,451	1,641,101	'	'
Non-current assets held for sale	303,304	'	'	'
Deferred charges and other assets	407,548	401,910	'	'
Goodwill, net	1,343,524	1,382,410	'	'
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,123,719	1,099,580	'	'
Total assets	10,035,291	9,655,818	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	365,008	353,022	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	39,423	26,672	'	'
Current liabilities held for sale	1,536	'	'	'
Income taxes	4,404	6,892	'	'
Total current liabilities	410,371	386,586	'	'
Long-term debt	153,270	153,896	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	509,202	536,647	'	'
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	889,594	861,148	'	'
Deferred tax liability	518,513	470,023	'	'
Non-current liabilities held for sale	274,416	'	'	'
Other liabilities	384,931	395,789	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	2,746,919	2,624,321	'	'
Care trusts’ corpus	1,121,971	1,098,752	'	'
Common stock	25	24	'	'
Other equity	2,937,638	3,016,915	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	88,441	111,717	'	'
Total common stockholders’ equity	3,026,104	3,128,656	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	0	0	'	'
Total equity	3,026,104	3,128,656	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	10,035,291	9,655,818	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Receivables, net	0	0	'	'
Inventories, net	0	0	'	'
Current assets held for sale	0	'	'	'
Other	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	0	0	'	'
Equity in subsidiaries	-5,011,234	-3,108,856	'	'
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	0	0	'	'
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	0	0	'	'
Cemetery property, at cost	0	0	'	'
Property and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Non-current assets held for sale	0	'	'	'
Deferred charges and other assets	0	0	'	'
Goodwill, net	0	0	'	'
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	0	0	'	'
Total assets	-5,011,234	-3,108,856	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0	0	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Current liabilities held for sale	0	'	'	'
Income taxes	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	0	0	'	'
Long-term debt	'	0	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	0	0	'	'
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	0	0	'	'
Deferred tax liability	0	0	'	'
Non-current liabilities held for sale	0	'	'	'
Other liabilities	0	0	'	'
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	0	0	'	'
Care trusts’ corpus	0	0	'	'
Common stock	-85,302	-24	'	'
Other equity	-4,847,639	-3,016,915	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-88,441	-111,717	'	'
Total common stockholders’ equity	-5,021,382	-3,128,656	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	10,148	19,800	'	'
Total equity	-5,011,234	-3,108,856	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	($5,011,234)	($3,108,856)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors of Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	$384,709	$369,246	$388,112
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	113,084	115,628	118,375
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	1,057,122	65,463	99,570
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	13,072	9,953	24,529
Other	-341	3,816	-3,159
Distributions from subsidiaries	0	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-1,156,793	-174,954	-190,257
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,055,000	227,507	85,000
Debt issuance costs	36,064	4,500	0
Payments of debt	91,836	1,145	22,774
Early extinguishment of debt	80	202,140	43,194
Principal payments on capital leases	26,280	25,760	23,030
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,309	18,389	8,227
Purchase of Company common stock	1,708	186,766	197,302
Payments of dividends	57,229	60,296	44,795
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	23,333	3,000	0
Other	336	6,199	-798
Distributions to parent	0	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	825,115	-231,512	-238,666
Effect of foreign currency	-866	1,359	-1,466
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	52,165	-35,861	-42,277
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	92,708	128,569	170,846
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	144,873	92,708	128,569
Parent	'	'	'
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	-147,355	-126,547	-125,067
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	1,165,350	0	0
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
Distributions from subsidiaries	437,742	340,260	337,131
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-727,608	340,260	337,131
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,055,000	221,600	85,000
Debt issuance costs	36,064	4,500	0
Payments of debt	91,265	0	20,000
Early extinguishment of debt	80	202,140	43,194
Principal payments on capital leases	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	6,309	18,389	8,227
Purchase of Company common stock	1,708	186,766	197,302
Payments of dividends	57,229	60,296	44,795
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'
Other	0	0	0
Distributions to parent	0	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	874,963	-213,713	-212,064
Effect of foreign currency	0	'	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0	0
Subsidiary Issuer	'	'	'
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	-25,024	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	'	'
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	114,875	'	'
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	0	'	'
Other	0	'	'
Distributions from subsidiaries	0	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	114,875	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	'	'
Debt issuance costs	0	'	'
Payments of debt	0	'	'
Early extinguishment of debt	0	'	'
Principal payments on capital leases	0	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	'	'
Purchase of Company common stock	0	'	'
Payments of dividends	0	'	'
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'
Other	0	'	'
Distributions to parent	-36,308	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	-36,308	'	'
Effect of foreign currency	0	'	'
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	53,543	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	53,543	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	1,737	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	'	'
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	1,898	'	'
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	0	'	'
Other	0	'	'
Distributions from subsidiaries	0	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	1,898	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	'	'
Debt issuance costs	0	'	'
Payments of debt	0	'	'
Early extinguishment of debt	0	'	'
Principal payments on capital leases	0	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	'	'
Purchase of Company common stock	0	'	'
Payments of dividends	0	'	'
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'
Other	0	'	'
Distributions to parent	-1,737	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	-1,737	'	'
Effect of foreign currency	0	'	'
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,898	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,898	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	555,351	495,793	513,179
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	113,084	115,628	118,375
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	8,545	65,463	99,570
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	13,072	9,953	24,529
Other	-341	3,816	-3,159
Distributions from subsidiaries	0	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-108,216	-174,954	-190,257
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	5,907	0
Debt issuance costs	0	0	0
Payments of debt	571	1,145	2,774
Early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0
Principal payments on capital leases	26,280	25,760	23,030
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	0	0	0
Payments of dividends	0	0	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	23,333	3,000	'
Other	336	6,199	-798
Distributions to parent	-399,697	-340,260	-337,131
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	-449,545	-358,059	-363,733
Effect of foreign currency	-866	1,359	-1,466
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-3,276	-35,861	-42,277
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	92,708	128,569	170,846
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	89,432	92,708	128,569
Eliminations	'	'	'
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	0	0	0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0
Distributions from subsidiaries	-437,742	-340,260	-337,131
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	-437,742	-340,260	-337,131
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	0	0
Debt issuance costs	0	0	0
Payments of debt	0	0	0
Early extinguishment of debt	0	0	0
Principal payments on capital leases	0	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	0	0	0
Payments of dividends	0	0	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'
Other	0	0	0
Distributions to parent	437,742	340,260	337,131
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	437,742	340,260	337,131
Effect of foreign currency	0	'	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ6

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors of Senior Notes and Senior Convertible Notes Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements of Guarantors Narrative (Details) (Unsecured Debt [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
April 2019 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'	'
Senior Notes	$200,000	$0
July 2014 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible Debt	85,256	0
July 2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible Debt	$46,279	$0

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Detai

Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	$668,574		$609,951		$625,505		$652,352		$629,421		$581,182		$597,372		$602,506		$2,556,382	$2,410,481	$2,316,040
Costs and expenses	-520,755		-493,896		-499,467		-492,695		-481,610		-460,429		-469,741		-475,488		-2,006,813	-1,887,268	-1,839,538
Gross profits	147,819		116,055		126,038		159,657		147,811		120,753		127,631		127,018		549,569	523,213	476,502
Operating income	87,995		83,296		89,114		127,765		103,806		95,176		99,689		101,118		388,170	399,789	363,699
Income before income taxes	49,682	[1]	45,882	[1]	56,143	[1]	94,012	[1]	46,749	[1]	63,925	[1]	63,574	[1]	71,435	[1]	245,719	245,683	225,636
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	-21,130		-18,488		-21,708		-35,290		-20,365		-22,128		-25,935		-23,120		96,615	91,548	79,404
Net income	28,552		27,394		34,435		58,722		26,384		41,797		37,639		48,315		149,104	154,135	146,232
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2,719		-615		-820		-1,102		-1		-735		-563		-290		-5,256	-1,589	-1,329
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$25,833		$26,779		$33,615		$57,620		$26,383		$41,062		$37,076		$48,025		$143,848	$152,546	$144,903
Basic — EPS	$0.12	[2]	$0.13	[2]	$0.16	[2]	$0.27	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.19	[2]	$0.17	[2]	$0.22	[2]	$0.68	$0.71	$0.62
Diluted - EPS	$0.12	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.16	[2]	$0.27	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.19	[2]	$0.17	[2]	$0.22	[2]	$0.67	$0.70	$0.61
[1]	Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.
[2]	Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.

Schedule_II_Details

Schedule II (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member]	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	$8,884		$9,172		$13,602
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	8,327		9,706		9,254
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	53,719	[1]	38,122	[1]	25,612	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	-59,895	[2]	-48,116	[2]	-39,296	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	11,035		8,884		9,172
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Noncurrent [Member]	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	1,316		1,665		3,111
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	9,670	[1]	1	[1]	0	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	-350	[2]	-1,446	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	10,986		1,316		1,665
Asset Allowance for Cancellation, Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery [Member]	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	83,642		78,564		78,163
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	4,498		4,549		2,852
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	13,121	[1]	529	[1]	-2,451	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	101,261		83,642		78,564
Revenue Allowance for Cancellation, Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery [Member]	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	-131,320		-136,004		-134,760
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	-2,200	[1]	4,684	[1]	-1,244	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	-133,520		-131,320		-136,004
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	67,732		63,681		63,614
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	6,213		3,713		67
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	973	[1]	338	[1]	0	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	$74,918		$67,732		$63,681
[1]	Primarily relates to acquisitions and dispositions of operations.
[2]	Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.