Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues (Details) [Abstract]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 5,106,160	$ 5,118,575	$ 4,790,552	$ 5,265,206
Net Preneed Deferred Sales	734,998	745,566
Deferred Revenue Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	(27,737)	159,194
Deferred Investment Earnings, Net	288,703	102,119
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(292,653)	(297,407)
Recognized deferred revenues, current period sales	(389,463)	(403,477)
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(3,849)	(544,780)
Deferred Revenue Change in Cancellation Allowance	(842)	62,120
Effect of foreign currency and other on deferred revenue	$ 6,451	$ (7,957)
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets			$ 0	$ 37,991