Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward] (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues (Details) [Abstract]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 4,768,826		$ 5,265,206
Accounting Changes [Text Block]	37991
Net Preneed Deferred Sales	$ 244,091
Deferred Revenue Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	40,332
Deferred Investment Earnings, Net	(46,918)
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(115,202)
Recognized deferred revenues, current period sales	(105,256)
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(606,888)	$ 0
Deferred Revenue Change in Cancellation Allowance	61,987
Effect of foreign currency and other on deferred revenue	$ (6,517)