Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 6,374,393	$ 5,787,548	$ 6,299,241	$ 5,761,291
Net preneed contract sales	1,451,833	1,448,371	1,314,001
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	5,961	10,824	4,707
Net investment (losses) earnings	527,894	(618,760)	443,088
Change in deferred revenue for unfulfilled performance obligations	(93,473)	(123,337)	(87,207)
Recognized Revenue From Backlog	(554,839)	(498,242)	(471,160)
Recognized Revenue From Current Period	(730,436)	(726,584)	(669,025)
Change in cancellation allowance	87	8,351	(459)
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ (20,182)	$ (12,316)	$ 4,005