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The increase during the period in capital lease obligations due to entering into new capital leases.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
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The amount of debt premium that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

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Period Type:	instant

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629

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The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of increase (decrease) of the credit facility.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

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Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The interest rate applicable to the portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

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Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The cash inflow from the issuance of long-term debt that is not secured by collateral. Excludes proceeds from tax exempt unsecured debt.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (b)

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow for the obligation for a lease meeting the criteria for capitalization (with maturities exceeding one year or beyond the operating cycle of the entity, if longer).

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3291-108585

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

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Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The cash outflow for the payment of other borrowing not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
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Period Type:	instant

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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sci_May2019Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sci_May2024Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sci_April2019Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sci_April2015Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sci_July2018Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sci_July2014Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=sci_July2016Member
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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