Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ (62)	$ 0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	69,351	17,985
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	(62)	0
Other Investments | Funeral
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	5,276	4,756
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	221	55
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 5,435	$ 4,811