Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues (Details) [Abstract]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 5,029,602	$ 4,768,826	$ 4,790,552	$ 5,265,206
Accounting Changes [Text Block]	0	37991
Net Preneed Deferred Sales	$ 240,388	$ 244,091
Deferred Revenue Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	(12,310)	40,332
Deferred Investment Earnings, Net	230,540	(46,918)
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(115,103)	(115,202)
Recognized deferred revenues, current period sales	(101,242)	(105,256)
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(6,178)	(606,888)
Deferred Revenue Change in Cancellation Allowance	148	61,987
Effect of foreign currency and other on deferred revenue	$ 2,807	$ (6,517)