Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetary Activities Receivables Net and Trust Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments		$ 2,306,669
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments		2,318,167	$ 2,306,669
Cemetery [Member]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments		2,306,669	2,292,348	$ 1,826,835
Net preneed contract sales		799,497	688,336	562,433
Dispositions (acquisitions) of businesses, net		4,404	(10,898)	190,870
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	[1]	(42,189)	(18,038)	203,499
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds		(716,686)	(615,489)	(471,710)
Deposits to trust		153,252	129,581	106,185
Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings		(163,732)	(150,064)	(119,576)
Change in cancellation allowance		(2,046)	843	3,002
Effect of foreign currency and other		(21,002)	(9,950)	(9,190)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments		$ 2,318,167	$ 2,306,669	$ 2,292,348

[1] Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) earnings