Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 746,746	$ 624,231	$ 1,492,255	$ 1,274,649
Gross Profit	155,864	125,983	322,104	285,310
General and administrative expenses	(46,127)	(31,379)	(102,137)	(62,302)
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	34,994	(5,545)	32,182	(6,514)
Operating income	144,731	89,059	252,149	216,494
Interest expense	(46,307)	(32,740)	(91,303)	(65,509)
Gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	(29,158)	468	(29,158)	468
Other income (expense), net	50	(695)	1,586	(1,680)
Income before income taxes	69,316	56,092	133,274	149,773
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	695,899	570,344	1,390,282	1,165,781
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	50,847	53,887	101,973	108,868
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	479,531	414,545	988,585	874,630
Gross Profit	97,908	80,259	217,155	200,060
Other income (expense), net	0	0	0	0
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	267,215	209,686	503,670	400,019
Gross Profit	57,956	45,724	104,949	85,250
Other income (expense), net	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0