Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Preneed cemetery receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Allowance for amount of receivables for preneed cemetery interment rights and related products and services presented in accounts receivables	$ 2,779	$ 2,622
Cemetery interment rights	29,625	28,687
Cemetery merchandise and services	10,849	10,299
Accounts receivable, excluding unearned finance charges and allowance for contract cancellations of $2,622 and $2,779, respectively	11,843	11,380
Preneed receivables, excluding unearned finance charges and allowance for contract cancellations of $4,983 and $4,922, respectively	28,631	27,606
Preneed cemetery receivables	40,474	38,986
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	2,198	2,098	$ 1,679
Allowance for amount of receivables for preneed cemetery interment rights and related products and services presented in preneed receivables	4,922	4,983
Preneed Cemetery Receivables
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,861	1,765
Write-offs and cancellations	(1,298)	(1,332)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	1,456	1,428
Ending balance	$ 2,019	$ 1,861	$ 1,765