Preneed Trust Investments (Components of preneed funeral trust investments) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Preneed funeral trust investments	$ 89,444,000		$ 89,444,000		$ 89,240,000
Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge, other than temporary decline in fair value of investments	0	$ 100,000	0	$ 900,000
Preneed funeral trust investments, at fair value	92,151,000		92,151,000		91,980,000
Less: allowance for contract cancellation	(2,707,000)		(2,707,000)		(2,740,000)
Preneed funeral trust investments	$ 89,444,000		$ 89,444,000		$ 89,240,000