Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Level 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	$ 11,637		$ 8,884		$ 9,172
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	7,376		7,874		9,705
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	55,573	[1]	54,774	[1]	38,123	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	(66,040)	[2]	(59,895)	[2]	(48,116)	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	8,546		11,637		8,884
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Noncurrent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	10,986		1,316		1,665
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	273	[1]	9,670	[1]	1	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	(350)	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	11,259		10,986		1,316
Asset Allowance for Cancellation, Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	106,793		83,642		78,564
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	2,950		4,498		4,549
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(2,703)	[1]	18,653	[1]	529	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	107,040		106,793		83,642
Revenue Allowance for Cancellation, Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(149,288)		(131,320)		(136,004)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	24,258	[1]	(17,968)	[1]	4,684	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	(125,030)		(149,288)		(131,320)
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	114,719		71,013		66,851
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	21,285		6,213		3,713
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(1,803)	[1]	37,493	[1]	449	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	$ 134,201		$ 114,719		$ 71,013

[1] Primarily relates to acquisitions and dispositions of operations.

[2] Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.