Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 5,314,811	$ 5,106,160	$ 5,306,479	$ 4,790,552
Net preneed contract sales	801,064	734,998
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	14,201	(27,737)
Net investment (losses) earnings	(32,410)	288,703
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(42,300)	(3,849)
Recognized Revenue From Backlog	(324,117)	(292,653)
Recognized Revenue From Current Period	(407,666)	(389,463)
Change in cancellation allowance	1,070	(842)
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ (1,510)	$ 6,451