Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 773,242	$ 751,396	$ 1,550,952	$ 1,500,615
Gross Profit	183,445	161,989	360,610	324,912
General and administrative expenses	(40,590)	(36,849)	(83,094)	(75,753)
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	753	(30,641)	5,688	(30,988)
Operating income	143,608	94,499	283,204	218,171
Interest expense	(42,083)	(39,398)	(82,719)	(82,480)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(21,898)	0	(22,479)
Other income (expense), net	(7)	(564)	(441)	(806)
Income before income taxes	101,518	32,639	200,044	112,406
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	728,370	707,434	1,455,610	1,416,322
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	44,872	43,962	95,342	84,293
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	458,874	467,104	957,638	959,293
Gross Profit	92,077	89,432	204,684	196,643
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	314,368	284,292	593,314	541,322
Gross Profit	$ 91,368	$ 72,557	$ 155,926	$ 128,269