Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$ 0	$ 26,394	$ 0
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	6,299,241	5,761,291	5,306,479	$ 4,790,552
Net preneed contract sales	1,314,001	1,089,060	984,575
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	4,707	19,664	(12,741)
Net investment (losses) earnings	443,088	402,048	484,577
Change in deferred revenue for unfulfilled performance obligations	(87,207)	(55,087)	(10,223)
Recognized Revenue From Backlog	(471,160)	(412,127)	(368,908)
Recognized Revenue From Current Period	(669,025)	(598,768)	(573,804)
Change in cancellation allowance	(459)	1,070	1,066
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ 4,005	8,952	11,385
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		$ 0	$ 26,394