Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 714,525	$ 718,314	$ 2,216,996	$ 2,210,569
Gross Profit	141,944	148,298	486,623	470,402
General and administrative expenses	(28,158)	(39,748)	(96,781)	(141,885)
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	10,764	26,570	3,403	58,752
Operating income	124,550	135,120	393,245	387,269
Interest expense	(43,921)	(43,376)	(129,842)	(134,679)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(6,918)	0	(6,918)	(29,158)
Other income (expense), net	334	(9)	167	1,577
Income before income taxes	74,045	91,735	256,652	225,009
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	671,857	671,949	2,077,383	2,062,231
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	42,668	46,365	139,613	148,338
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	449,240	458,941	1,428,385	1,447,526
Gross Profit	77,032	89,660	298,899	310,059
Other income (expense), net	0	0	0	0
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	265,285	259,373	788,611	763,043
Gross Profit	64,912	58,638	187,724	160,343
Other income (expense), net	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0