Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Receivables Net and Trust Invesments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments		$ 1,843,023
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments		1,760,297	$ 1,843,023
Funeral [Member]
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments		1,843,023	1,870,243	$ 1,536,257
Net preneed contract sales		283,927	247,994	192,712
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds		(234,413)	(211,830)	(170,921)
Deposits to trust		121,109	102,553	82,168
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net		1,400	(19,203)	271,395
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	[1]	(38,510)	22,480	125,986
Maturities and distributed earnings		(200,635)	(162,059)	(153,446)
Change in cancellation allowance		2,787	7,644	(3,245)
Effect of foreign currency and other		(18,391)	(14,799)	(10,663)
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments		$ 1,760,297	$ 1,843,023	$ 1,870,243

[1] Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings.