Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments [Abstract]
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	$ 5,345,720	$ 4,789,562	$ 4,271,392	$ 4,778,842
Net Preneed Contract Sales	1,494,557	1,372,705	1,325,134
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(1,279,295)	(1,280,468)	(1,185,717)
Deposits To Trust Receivable Impact	373,663	372,644	347,601
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	19,299	11,751	134,729
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	407,770	489,577	(191,611)
Maturities and Distributed Earnings	(430,608)	(442,507)	(433,036)
Change in cancellation allowance	(4,468)	(2,006)	62,131
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(55,269)	(10,223)	(546,554)
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ 4,115	$ 6,697	$ (20,127)