Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income			$ 147,017		$ (110,016)
Private Equity Funds | Funeral
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, ending balance		$ 4,704			4,704
Other Investments | Funeral
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 5,353	5,081	4,772		4,891
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	106	(376)	680	[1]	(209)	[1]
Fair market value, ending balance	5,481	4,704	5,481		4,704
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	36	0	61		22
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	$ (14)	$ (1)	$ (32)		$ 0

[1] All unrealized gains (losses) 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.