Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues (Details) [Abstract]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 5,137,919	$ 5,020,979	$ 4,790,552	$ 5,265,206
Net Preneed Deferred Sales	496,842	505,146
Deferred Revenue Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	(29,665)	148,048
Deferred Investment Earnings, Net	327,819	20,720
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(212,912)	(212,195)
Recognized deferred revenues, current period sales	(241,589)	(242,438)
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(3,770)	(551,092)
Deferred Revenue Change in Cancellation Allowance	(206)	62,147
Effect of foreign currency and other on deferred revenue	$ 10,848	$ (12,554)
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			$ 0	$ 37,991