Preneed Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income			$ 107,499	$ 70,208
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 7,313	$ 7,991	7,163	8,162
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	660	555	810	384
Purchases	28	25	28	25
Sales	(77)	(18)	(77)	(18)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 7,924	$ 8,553	$ 7,924	$ 8,553