Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 5,761,291	$ 5,306,479	$ 4,790,552	$ 5,265,206
Net preneed contract sales	1,089,060	984,575	977,378
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	19,664	(12,741)	159,560
Net investment (losses) earnings	402,048	484,577	(195,051)
Change in deferred revenue for unfulfilled performance obligations	(55,087)	(10,223)	(546,554)
Recognized Revenue From Backlog	(412,127)	(368,908)	(381,041)
Recognized Revenue From Current Period	(598,768)	(573,804)	(572,428)
Change in cancellation allowance	1,070	1,066	65,817
Effect of foreign currency and other	8,952	11,385	(20,326)
Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member]
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$ 26,394	0	0
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust		0	37,991
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net		$ 26,394	$ 0