Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2016 |
Dec. 31, 2015 |
|
| Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items] | |||
| Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value | $ 2,300 | ||
| Investment income | 5,949 | $ 6,451 | $ 5,315 |
| Decrease (increase) in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust | (5,111) | (6,017) | (5,751) |
| Preneed Cemetery Trust Investments | |||
| Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items] | |||
| Impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value | 900 | ||
| Investment income | 2,250 | 2,250 | 2,562 |
| Realized gains | 2,218 | 2,141 | 2,952 |
| Realized losses | (2,384) | (6,559) | (3,671) |
| Expenses and taxes | (1,308) | (1,266) | (1,790) |
| Decrease (increase) in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust | $ (776) | $ 3,434 | $ (53) |