Name:	sci_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationCemeteryproperty
Namespace Prefix:	sci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to the total liability as of the balance sheet date of amounts deposited into trust, including retrospective refunds and undistributed earnings and losses on investments

No definition available.

Name:	sci_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationDeferredPreneedFuneralAndCemeteryRevenuesAndDeferredReceiptsHeldInTrusts
Namespace Prefix:	sci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the Entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date, net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the contract. The aggregate fair value as of the balance sheet date of financial instruments and other positions may include: (1) mortgages, mortgage-backed and asset backed securities; (2) US government and agency obligations; (3) state and municipal government obligations; (4) other sovereign government debt; (5) corporate obligations; (6) corporate equities; (7) principal investments; (8) derivative contracts; and (9) physical commodities. Includes both pledged and unpledged holdings.

No definition available.

Name:	sci_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationPreneedFuneralAndCemeteryReceivablesAndTrustInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	sci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The amount of care trust corpus recognized as of the acquisition date.

No definition available.

Name:	sci_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCareTrustCorpus
Namespace Prefix:	sci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of cemetery perpetual care trust recognized as of the acquisition date.

No definition available.

Name:	sci_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCemeteryPerpetualCareTrusts
Namespace Prefix:	sci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of assets acquired at the acquisition date.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84161108&loc=d3e4845-128472

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Amount of assets that are expected to be realized or consumed within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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Period Type:	instant

Amount of liabilities due within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary difference assumed at the acquisition date that are classified as noncurrent.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, that lack physical substance, having a projected indefinite period of benefit, acquired at the acquisition date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The amount of identifiable intangible assets recognized as of the acquisition date.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 37
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108330185&loc=d3e2207-128464

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84161108&loc=d3e4845-128472

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
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Amount of liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount recognized as of the acquisition date for the identifiable assets acquired in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

Amount of other assets expected to be realized or consumed after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of property, plant, and equipment recognized as of the acquisition date.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount recognized for assets, including goodwill, in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.