Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Receivables Net and Trust Invesments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	$ 4,749,548	$ 4,240,963
Investments	5,009,202	4,512,211
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	1,455,071	1,351,148
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	4,305,165	4,078,464	$ 4,149,692
Net preneed contract sales	1,257,288	1,159,194	1,083,424
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(1,109,380)	(1,030,703)	(951,099)
Deposits to trust	371,234	321,232	313,244
Deposits to trust excl ECF	328,241	279,782	274,361
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	8,153	1,477	5,804
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	384,512	145,511	(80,699)
Maturities and distributed earnings	(411,452)	(337,912)	(364,367)
Change in cancellation allowance	(528)	3,329	741
Effect of foreign currency and other	16,843	6,023	(39,393)
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	4,778,842	4,305,165	$ 4,078,464
Deferred Discounts, Finance Charges and Interest Included in Receivables	(45,515)	(45,989)
Funeral [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	336,925	312,556
Cemetery [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Noncurrent	$ 1,118,146	$ 1,038,592