Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 718,314	$ 608,589	$ 2,210,569	$ 1,883,238
Gross Profit	148,298	115,805	470,402	401,115
General and administrative expenses	(39,748)	(33,740)	(141,885)	(96,042)
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	26,570	981	58,752	(5,533)
Operating income	135,120	83,046	387,269	299,540
Interest expense	(43,376)	(38,080)	(134,679)	(103,589)
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	0	(29,158)	468
Other income (expense), net	(9)	667	1,577	(1,013)
Income before income taxes	91,735	45,633	225,009	195,406
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	671,949	552,128	2,062,231	1,717,909
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	46,365	56,461	148,338	165,329
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	458,941	398,220	1,447,526	1,272,850
Gross Profit	88,122	66,812	305,277	266,872
Other income (expense), net	0	0	0	0
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	259,373	210,369	763,043	610,388
Gross Profit	60,176	48,993	165,125	134,243
Other income (expense), net	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0