Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - Other Investments [Member] - Funeral [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance		$ 4,756	$ 4,891	$ 801
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	[1]	478	(167)	876
Purchases		89	32	3,214
Sales		(47)	0	0
Fair market value, ending balance		$ 5,276	$ 4,756	$ 4,891

[1] All unrealized gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral 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.