Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions) (Details) - Preneed Funeral Trust Investments [Member] - Interest Income and Other, Net [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Investment income	$ 524	$ 596	$ 1,801	$ 1,639
Realized gain, net	0	131	2,296	525
Realized losses	(2)	(716)	(1,314)	(4,090)
Expenses and taxes	(390)	(253)	(1,106)	(946)
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	$ (132)	$ 242	$ (1,677)	$ 2,872