Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Deferred Preneed Funeral Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		$ 540,164
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		557,897	$ 540,164
Funeral [Member]
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		540,164	551,948	$ 535,136
Net preneed contract sales		232,628	198,195	144,202
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net		(2,895)	(21,639)	298,047
Net investment (losses) earnings	[1]	(37,208)	24,256	126,428
Recognized deferred preneed revenues		(276,359)	(258,534)	(200,680)
Change in cancellation allowance		11,675	21,272	(5,670)
Change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust		90,351	26,131	(343,878)
Effect of foreign currency and other		(459)	(1,465)	(1,637)
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		$ 557,897	$ 540,164	$ 551,948

[1] Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings.