Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	$ (3,395)	$ (5,496)	$ (8,546)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	9,980	10,776	6,083
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(11,285)	(12,877)	(9,133)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	(2,090)	(3,395)	(5,496)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Noncurrent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(11,334)	(11,334)	(11,259)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(388)	0	(75)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	(10,946)	(11,334)	(11,334)
Asset Allowance for Cancellation, Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(104,740)	(105,773)	(107,040)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	1,105	1,411	5,016
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(1,904)	(2,444)	(6,283)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	(107,749)	(104,740)	(105,773)
Revenue Allowance for Cancellation, Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(116,913)	(121,548)	(125,030)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(1,186)	(4,635)	(3,482)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	(118,099)	(116,913)	(121,548)
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(132,500)	(126,654)	(134,201)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	8,035	6,336	5,988
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	(619)	(490)	(1,559)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	$ (141,154)	$ (132,500)	$ (126,654)