Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - Other Investments [Member] - Cemetery [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		$ 1,504	$ 203	$ 0
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	[1]	0	(27)	7
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	[2]	(212)	0	0
Payments to Acquire Other Investments		0	1,328	196
Sales		(1,292)	0	0
Fair market value, ending balance		$ 0	$ 1,504	$ 203

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

[2] All losses recognized in Other (expense) income, net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net to Deferred preneed receipts held in trust. See Note 6 for further information related to our Deferred preneed receipts held in trust.