Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance		$ (5,496)	$ (8,546)	$ (11,637)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense		(10,776)	(6,083)	(7,376)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	[1]	(66,808)	(63,964)	(55,573)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	[2]	(79,685)	(73,097)	(66,040)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance		(3,395)	(5,496)	(8,546)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Noncurrent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance		(11,334)	(11,259)	(10,986)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense		0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	[1]	0	(75)	(273)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	[2]	0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance		(11,334)	(11,334)	(11,259)
Asset Allowance for Cancellation, Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance		(105,773)	(107,040)	(106,793)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense		(1,411)	(5,016)	(2,950)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	[1]	(6,216)	(6,283)	(2,703)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	[2]	(8,660)	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance		(104,740)	(105,773)	(107,040)
Revenue Allowance for Cancellation, Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance		(121,548)	(125,030)	(149,288)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense		0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	[1]	(4,635)	(3,482)	(24,258)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	[2]	0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance		(116,913)	(121,548)	(125,030)
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance		(126,654)	(134,201)	(114,719)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense		(6,336)	(5,988)	(21,285)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	[1]	(490)	(1,559)	(1,803)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	[2]	0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance		$ (132,500)	$ (126,654)	$ (134,201)

[1] Primarily relates to acquisitions and dispositions of operations.

[2] Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.