Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 4,644,206	$ 5,029,602	$ 5,306,479	$ 4,790,552
Net preneed contract sales	238,471	240,388
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	12,743	(12,310)
Net investment (losses) earnings	(665,127)	230,540
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(2,555)	(6,178)
Recognized Revenue From Backlog	(121,611)	(115,103)
Recognized Revenue From Current Period	(107,821)	(101,242)
Change in cancellation allowance	1,095	148
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ (17,468)	$ 2,807