Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$ 1,789,776	$ 1,731,417	$ 1,677,898
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	4,790,552	5,265,206
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets	37,991
Net preneed contract sales	977,378	900,037	847,848
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	159,560	10,488	193
Net investment (losses) earnings	(195,051)	381,436	146,103
Recognized deferred preneed revenues		(876,857)	(823,319)
Recognized Revenue From Backlog	(381,041)
Recognized Revenue From Current Period	(572,428)
Change in cancellation allowance	65,817	(165)	5,396
Change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust		(361,499)	(124,923)
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ (20,326)	4,919	2,221
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		$ 1,789,776	$ 1,731,417