Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - Funeral - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2015
Private Equity Funds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, ending balance		$ 5,081			$ 5,081
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 4,811	4,817	$ 4,772		4,891
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	535	241	574	[1]	167	[1]
Fair market value, ending balance	5,353	5,081	5,353		5,081
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	25	23	25		23
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	$ (18)	$ 0	$ (18)		$ 0

[1] All unrealized gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed receipts held in trust. See Note 6 for further information related to our Deferred preneed receipts held in trust.