Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments [Abstract]
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	$ 4,271,392	$ 4,778,842	$ 4,305,165	$ 4,078,464
Net Preneed Contract Sales	1,325,134	1,257,288	1,159,194
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(1,185,717)	(1,109,380)	(1,030,703)
Deposits To Trust Receivable Impact	347,601	328,241	279,782
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	134,729	8,153	1,477
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	(191,611)	384,512	145,511
Maturities and Distributed Earnings	(433,036)	(411,452)	(337,912)
Change in cancellation allowance	62,131	(528)	3,329
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(546,554)	0	0
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ (20,127)	$ 16,843	$ 6,023