Preneed Activities Deferred Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Deferred revenue, Gross	$ 2,026,487		$ 1,989,232
Cumulative amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(576,485)		(570,418)
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(3,849)	$ (544,780)
Deferred Revenue	$ 1,450,002		$ 1,418,814