<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>418</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>409</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>110</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>14</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Recently Issued Accounting Standards</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/RecentlyIssuedAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>Recently Issued Accounting Standards</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/Goodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Receivables</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedCemeteryReceivables</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Receivables</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Receivables from Preneed Trusts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ReceivablesFromPreneedTrusts</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables from Preneed Trusts</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Contracts Secured by Insurance</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ContractsSecuredByInsurance</Role>
      <ShortName>Contracts Secured by Insurance</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/DeferredChargesAndOtherNonCurrentAssetsNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/LongTermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Convertible Subordinated Notes (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ConvertibleSubordinatedNotesNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Subordinated Notes (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures Payable to Affiliate and Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities of Carriage Services Capital Trust (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ConvertibleJuniorSubordinatedDebenturesPayableToAffiliateAndCompanyObligatedMandatorilyRedeemableConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesOfCarriageServicesCapitalTrustNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures Payable to Affiliate and Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities of Carriage Services Capital Trust (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - Major Segments of Business</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/MajorSegmentsOfBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Segments of Business</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Statement of Operations Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfStatementOfOperationsInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Statement of Operations Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2123100 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2124100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Acquisitions Acquisitions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/AcquisitionsAcquisitionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions Acquisitions (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/GoodwillTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedCemeteryReceivablesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ReceivablesFromPreneedTrustsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/DeferredChargesAndOtherNonCurrentAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/LongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Convertible Subordinated Notes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ConvertibleSubordinatedNotesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Subordinated Notes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2321301 - Disclosure - Major Segments of Business (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/MajorSegmentsOfBusinessTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Segments of Business (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2322301 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Statement of Operations Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfStatementOfOperationsInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Statement of Operations Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2323301 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2324301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401403 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Operations) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401404 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (PPE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPpeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (PPE) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401405 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Business Combinations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesBusinessCombinationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Business Combinations) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401406 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Fair Value) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/BasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Fair Value) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/AcquisitionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Acquisitions Acquisitions: Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/AcquisitionsAcquisitionsPurchasePriceAllocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions Acquisitions: Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Assets and Liabilities Associated with the Cemetery and Funeral Home Businesses Held for Sale) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsAssetsAndLiabilitiesAssociatedWithCemeteryAndFuneralHomeBusinessesHeldForSaleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Assets and Liabilities Associated with the Cemetery and Funeral Home Businesses Held for Sale) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Assets held for sale and discontinued operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/AssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsAssetsHeldForSaleAndDiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Assets held for sale and discontinued operations) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Changes in Goodwill) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/GoodwillChangesInGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (Changes in Goodwill) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Components of preneed cemetery trust investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsComponentsOfPreneedCemeteryTrustInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Components of preneed cemetery trust investments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsCostAndFairMarketValuesAssociatedWithPreneedCemeteryTrustInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with preneed cemetery trust investments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed preneed cemetery trust income securities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsEstimatedMaturitiesOfFixedPreneedCemeteryTrustIncomeSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed preneed cemetery trust income securities) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406405 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on cemetery merchandise and service trust investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsUnrealizedLossesOnCemeteryMerchandiseAndServiceTrustInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on cemetery merchandise and service trust investments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406406 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsPreneedCemeteryTrustInvestmentSecurityTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed cemetery trust investment security transactions) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406407 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in preneed cemetery trusts) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsPurchasesAndSalesOfInvestmentsInPreneedCemeteryTrustsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in preneed cemetery trusts) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406408 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Components of preneed funeral trust investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsComponentsOfPreneedFuneralTrustInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Components of preneed funeral trust investments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406409 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsCostAndFairMarketValuesAssociatedWithPreneedFuneralTrustInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with preneed funeral trust investments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406410 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed preneed funeral trust income securities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsEstimatedMaturitiesOfFixedPreneedFuneralTrustIncomeSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed preneed funeral trust income securities) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406411 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsPreneedFuneralTrustInvestmentSecurityTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Preneed funeral trust investment security transactions) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406412 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in preneed funeral trusts) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsPurchasesAndSalesOfInvestmentsInPreneedFuneralTrustsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in preneed funeral trusts) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406413 - Disclosure - Preneed Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on preneed funeral trust investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedTrustInvestmentsUnrealizedLossesOnPreneedFuneralTrustInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on preneed funeral trust investments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedCemeteryReceivablesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Preneed cemetery receivables) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedCemeteryReceivablesPreneedCemeteryReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Preneed cemetery receivables) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Aging of past due financing receivables) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/PreneedCemeteryReceivablesAgingOfPastDueFinancingReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Receivables (Aging of past due financing receivables) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ReceivablesFromPreneedTrustsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Receivables from preneed funeral trust funds) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ReceivablesFromPreneedTrustsReceivablesFromPreneedFuneralTrustFundsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Receivables from preneed funeral trust funds) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Receivables from Preneed Trusts Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Composition of Assets Held in Trusts) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ReceivablesFromPreneedTrustsReceivablesFromPreneedTrustsCompositionOfAssetsHeldInTrustsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Receivables from Preneed Trusts Receivables from Preneed Trusts (Composition of Assets Held in Trusts) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409401 - Disclosure - Contracts Secured by Insurance (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ContractsSecuredByInsuranceNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contracts Secured by Insurance (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (The Components of Care trusts' corpus) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentsTheComponentsOfCareTrustsCorpusDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (The Components of Care trusts' corpus) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentsCostAndFairMarketValuesAssociatedWithTrustInvestmentsHeldInPerpetualCareTrustFundsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Cost and fair market values associated with the trust investments held in perpetual care trust funds) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410404 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed perpetual care trust income securities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentsEstimatedMaturitiesOfFixedPerpetualCareTrustIncomeSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Estimated maturities of fixed perpetual care trust income securities) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410405 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on perpetual care trust investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentsUnrealizedLossesOnPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Unrealized losses on perpetual care trust investments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410406 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in interest income and other, net) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentsPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentSecurityTransactionsRecordedInInterestIncomeAndOtherNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in interest income and other, net) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410407 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentsPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentSecurityTransactionsRecordedInCemeteryRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Perpetual care trust investment security transactions recorded in Cemetery revenue) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410408 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in perpetual care trusts) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustInvestmentsPurchasesAndSalesOfInvestmentsInPerpetualCareTrustsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (Purchases and sales of investments in perpetual care trusts) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411401 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/DeferredChargesAndOtherNonCurrentAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Long-term Debt Table) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/LongTermDebtLongTermDebtTableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Long-term Debt Table) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/LongTermDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Convertible Subordinated Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ConvertibleSubordinatedNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Subordinated Notes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417401 - Disclosure - Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures Payable to Affiliate and Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities of Carriage Services Capital Trust (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/ConvertibleJuniorSubordinatedDebenturesPayableToAffiliateAndCompanyObligatedMandatorilyRedeemableConvertiblePreferredSecuritiesOfCarriageServicesCapitalTrustDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures Payable to Affiliate and Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities of Carriage Services Capital Trust (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/StockholdersEquityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Options) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/StockholdersEquityOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Options) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419404 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (ESPP) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/StockholdersEquityEsppDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (ESPP) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419405 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (AOCI) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/StockholdersEquityStockholdersEquityAociDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity (AOCI) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421402 - Disclosure - Major Segments of Business (Revenue, pre-tax income and total and total assets by segments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/MajorSegmentsOfBusinessRevenuePreTaxIncomeAndTotalAndTotalAssetsBySegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Major Segments of Business (Revenue, pre-tax income and total and total assets by segments) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Statement of Operations Information (Supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfStatementOfOperationsInformationSupplementalDisclosureForConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Statement of Operations Information (Supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2423402 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationSupplementalDisclosureForConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Supplemental disclosure for the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2424402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (EPS Computations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://carriageservices.com/role/EarningsPerShareEpsComputationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (EPS Computations) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element csv_PreneedReceivablesNetOfAllowanceForBadDebts had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 0.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ProceedsFromConvertibleDebt had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1 had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 2.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 3 5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate had a mix of decimals attribute values: 4 5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2401404 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (PPE) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2404402 - Disclosure - Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations (Assets and Liabilities Associated with the Cemetery and Funeral Home Businesses Held for Sale) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2405402 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Changes in Goodwill) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2410402 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments (The Components of Care trusts' corpus) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2412402 - Disclosure - Deferred Charges and Other Non-Current Assets (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2415402 - Disclosure - Convertible Subordinated Notes (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2417401 - Disclosure - Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures Payable to Affiliate and Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Securities of Carriage Services Capital Trust (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2419402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>csv-20140630.xml</File>
    <File>csv-20140630.xsd</File>
    <File>csv-20140630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>csv-20140630_def.xml</File>
    <File>csv-20140630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>csv-20140630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
