Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 731,346	$ 721,467	$ 2,282,298	$ 2,222,083
Gross Profit	149,702	140,745	510,312	465,658
General and administrative expenses	(39,213)	(26,916)	(122,307)	(102,668)
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(143)	557	5,545	(30,432)
Hurricane Expenses, Net of Insurance Proceeds	(1,290)	0	(1,290)	0
Operating income	109,056	114,386	392,260	332,558
Interest expense	(42,754)	(39,508)	(125,473)	(121,988)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(25)	0	(22,503)
Other income (expense), net	276	110	(165)	(697)
Income before income taxes	66,578	74,963	266,622	187,370
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	685,186	681,769	2,140,796	2,098,091
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	46,160	39,698	141,502	123,992
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	437,529	445,501	1,395,167	1,404,794
Gross Profit	70,118	74,543	274,802	271,186
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	293,817	275,966	887,131	817,289
Gross Profit	$ 79,584	$ 66,202	$ 235,510	$ 194,472