Supplementary Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$ 353,880	$ 336,897
Total services revenues	352,737	374,961
Other revenues	42,654	36,259
Total revenues	749,271	748,117
Total cost of merchandise	197,283	185,521
Total cost of services	176,107	172,547
Overhead and other expenses	214,385	212,605
Total costs and expenses	587,775	570,673
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	(6,794)	(3,547)
Funeral
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	160,006	162,201
Total services revenues	297,113	316,867
Total revenues	492,109	507,687
Total cost of merchandise	78,129	78,662
Total cost of services	157,088	153,424
Cemetery
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	193,874	174,696
Total services revenues	55,624	58,094
Total revenues	257,162	240,430
Total cost of merchandise	119,154	106,859
Total cost of services	$ 19,019	$ 19,123