Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Asset Allowance for Cancellation, Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	$ (107,749)	$ (104,740)	$ (105,773)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	(69)	(1,105)	(1,411)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	59,300	1,904	2,444
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	(48,380)	(107,749)	(104,740)
Revenue Allowance for Cancellation, Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(118,099)	(116,913)	(121,548)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	118,099	1,186	4,635
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	0	(118,099)	(116,913)
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(141,154)	(132,500)	(126,654)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	(20,219)	(8,035)	(6,336)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	4	619	490
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	(120,931)	(141,154)	(132,500)
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Notes Receivable [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(2,090)	(3,395)	(5,496)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	(8,372)	(9,980)	(10,776)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	8,884	11,285	12,877
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	(1,578)	(2,090)	(3,395)
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Noncurrent Notes [Domain]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	(10,946)	(11,334)	(11,334)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Cost and Expense	0	0	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	132	388	0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance	$ (10,814)	$ (10,946)	$ (11,334)