Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments [Abstract]
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	$ 4,789,562	$ 4,271,392	$ 4,778,842	$ 4,305,165
Net Preneed Contract Sales	1,372,705	1,325,134	1,257,288
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(1,280,468)	(1,185,717)	(1,109,380)
Deposits To Trust Receivable Impact	372,644	347,601	328,241
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	11,751	134,729	8,153
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	489,577	(191,611)	384,512
Maturities and Distributed Earnings	(442,507)	(433,036)	(411,452)
Change in cancellation allowance	(2,006)	62,131	(528)
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(10,223)	(546,554)	0
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ 6,697	$ (20,127)	$ 16,843