Preneed Cemetery Activities Deferred Preneed Cemetery Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues		$ 1,062,381
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues		1,120,001	$ 1,062,381
Cemetery [Member]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues		1,062,381	1,016,275	$ 861,148
Net preneed and atneed deferred sales		561,899	531,768	396,264
(Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net		2,357	(25,071)	212,624
Net investment (losses) earnings	[1]	(42,806)	(22,378)	201,941
Recognized deferred preneed revenues		(504,064)	(493,739)	(386,632)
Change in cancellation allowance		(8,048)	3,833	18,358
Change in deferred preneed cemetary receipts held in trust		52,050	55,636	(298,337)
Effect of foreign currency and other		(3,768)	(3,943)	10,909
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues		$ 1,120,001	$ 1,062,381	$ 1,016,275

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