Preneed Cemetery Activities Deferred Preneed Cemetery Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues		$ 1,120,001
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues		1,150,137	$ 1,120,001
Cemetery [Member]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues		1,120,001	1,062,381	$ 1,016,275
Net preneed and atneed deferred sales		596,714	561,899	531,768
(Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net		(1,977)	2,357	(25,071)
Net investment (losses) earnings	[1]	79,447	(42,806)	(22,378)
Recognized deferred preneed revenues		(546,071)	(504,064)	(493,739)
Change in cancellation allowance		(3,015)	(8,048)	3,833
Change in deferred preneed cemetary receipts held in trust		(96,417)	52,050	55,636
Effect of foreign currency and other		1,455	(3,768)	(3,943)
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues		$ 1,150,137	$ 1,120,001	$ 1,062,381

[1] Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings (losses).