Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Deferred Preneed Funeral Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		$ 557,897
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		581,280	$ 557,897
Funeral [Member]
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		557,897	540,164	$ 551,948
Net preneed contract sales		251,134	232,628	198,195
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net		2,170	(2,895)	(21,639)
Net investment (losses) earnings	[1]	66,656	(37,208)	24,256
Recognized deferred preneed revenues		(277,248)	(276,359)	(258,534)
Change in cancellation allowance		8,411	11,675	21,272
Change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust		(28,506)	90,351	26,131
Effect of foreign currency and other		766	(459)	(1,465)
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		$ 581,280	$ 557,897	$ 540,164

[1] Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings.