Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	3,470,575	4,090,978
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$ 113,600
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value		$ 106,800
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 16.86	$ 11.02	$ 7.50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$ 6,059	$ 5,538	$ 5,708
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	37,115	42,700	59,180
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	24,181	27,814	39,354
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	15,423	14,709	14,168
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	7,300
PerformanceUnitsCashPaid	$ 10,900	$ 16,800
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$ 45.44
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Exercisable	3,989,812
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 41.68
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Outstanding	4,906,195
2016 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number		13,404,404
Long Term Incentive 1996 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	44,000,000
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 5,929	$ 5,738	5,514
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 6,800
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 9 months 18 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 6,128	5,739	5,647
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 7,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 9 months 18 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 3,366	3,232	3,007
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	4,000
Performance Options [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense	$ 11,800	$ 14,600	$ 19,500
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 7 months 6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	308,976
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$ 22.28
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Exercisable	55,320
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 22.28
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Outstanding	55,320
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$ 29.25
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Exercisable	894,450
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 29.25
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Outstanding	894,450
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$ 39.65
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Exercisable	1,519,695
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 39.65
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Outstanding	1,519,695
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$ 50.31
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Exercisable	1,308,944
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 50.42
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Outstanding	1,506,810
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 5 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$ 59.76
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Exercisable	211,403
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 59.76
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Outstanding	558,220
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 6
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$ 70.34
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Exercisable	0
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range, Shares Outstanding	371,700

PerformanceUnitsCashPaid

No definition available.

Name:	sci_PerformanceUnitsCashPaid
Namespace Prefix:	sci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense for award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes amount capitalized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479830/718-10-S99-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cost not yet recognized for nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

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

- Definition

Weighted-average period over which cost not yet recognized is expected to be recognized for award under share-based payment arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash inflow from exercise of option under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (a)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 230
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-14

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2A
-Subparagraph (a)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 718
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2A

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares authorized for issuance under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(3)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)(2)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount by which the current fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of options outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(ii)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of shares reserved for issuance pertaining to the outstanding exercisable stock options as of the balance sheet date in the customized range of exercise prices for which the market and performance vesting condition has been satisfied.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(iii)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of shares reserved for issuance pertaining to the outstanding stock options as of the balance sheet date for all option plans in the customized range of exercise prices.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of options vested. Excludes equity instruments other than options, for example, but not limited to, share units, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average exercise price as of the balance sheet date for those equity-based payment arrangements exercisable and outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iii)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480429/718-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees could acquire the underlying shares with respect to all outstanding stock options which are in the customized range of exercise prices.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=sci_LongTermIncentive2016PlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=sci_LongTermIncentive1996PlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=sci_PerformanceOptionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis=sci_StockOptionPlanExerciseRange1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis=sci_StockOptionPlanExerciseRange2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis=sci_StockOptionPlanExerciseRange3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis=sci_StockOptionPlanExerciseRange4Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis=sci_StockOptionPlanExerciseRange5Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis=sci_StockOptionPlanExerciseRange6Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: