<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <Version>2.3.0.15</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ReportType />
  <ContextCount>263</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>330</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>61</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>4</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information Document</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information Document</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Statement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfOperationsStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Statement</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Statement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Statement</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002500 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) Statement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetParentheticalStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) Statement</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Statement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Statement</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity Statement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfEquityStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity Statement</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004500 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) Statement</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementOfEquityParentheticalStatement</Role>
      <ShortName>Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) Statement</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/NatureOfOperationsLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Recently Issued Accounting Standards Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/RecentlyIssuedAccountingStandardsLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Recently Issued Accounting Standards Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/DeferredPreneedFuneralAndCemeteryReceiptsHeldInTrustAndCareTrustsCorpusLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2122100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/IncomeTaxesLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2125100 - Disclosure - Debt Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/DebtLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2128100 - Disclosure - Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CreditRiskAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2131100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2134100 - Disclosure - Equity Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/EquityLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2137100 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/SegmentReportingLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2140100 - Disclosure - Supplementary Information Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/SupplementaryInformationLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplementary Information Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2143100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2146100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/EarningsPerShareLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2149100 - Disclosure - Acquisition Level 1 (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/AcquisitionLevel1Notes</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition Level 1 (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2204201 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLevel2Policies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/DeferredPreneedFuneralAndCemeteryReceiptsHeldInTrustAndCareTrustsCorpusLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2325301 - Disclosure - Debt Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/DebtLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2328301 - Disclosure - Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CreditRiskAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2331301 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2334301 - Disclosure - Equity Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/EquityLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2337301 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/SegmentReportingLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2340301 - Disclosure - Supplementary Information Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/SupplementaryInformationLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplementary Information Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2346301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/EarningsPerShareLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2349301 - Disclosure - Acquisition Level 3 (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/AcquisitionLevel3Tables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition Level 3 (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesInvestmentRelatedActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesLongTermReceivableAndInvestmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410404 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410405 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Fair Value Hierarchy (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesFairValueHierarchyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Fair Value Hierarchy (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410406 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesLevel3ActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410407 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesInvestmentsClassifiedByContractualMaturityDateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410408 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesScheduleOfUnrealizedLossOnInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410409 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities, Textuals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedFuneralActivitiesPreneedFuneralActivitiesTextualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities, Textuals (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesInvestmentRelatedActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesLongTermReceivableAndInvestmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413405 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Fair Value Hierarchy (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesFairValueHierarchyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Fair Value Hierarchy (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413406 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesLevel3ActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413407 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesInvestmentsClassifiedByContractualMaturityDateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413408 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Invstments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesScheduleOfUnrealizedLossOnInvstmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Invstments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413409 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetery Activities, Textuals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/PreneedCemeteryActivitiesPreneedCemeteryActivitiesTextualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetery Activities, Textuals (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investment Related Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsInvestmentRelatedActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investment Related Activities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsLongTermReceivableAndInvestmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416405 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Fair Value Hierarchy (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsFairValueHierarchyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Fair Value Hierarchy (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416406 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsLevel3ActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 Activities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416407 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investments Classifed by Contractual Maturity Date (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsInvestmentsClassifedByContractualMaturityDateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investments Classifed by Contractual Maturity Date (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416408 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsScheduleOfUnrealizedLossOnInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416409 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Cemetry Perpetual Care Trusts, Textuals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CemeteryPerpetualCareTrustsCemetryPerpetualCareTrustsTextualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Cemetry Perpetual Care Trusts, Textuals (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/DeferredPreneedFuneralAndCemeteryReceiptsHeldInTrustAndCareTrustsCorpusLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2422402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/IncomeTaxesLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425402 - Disclosure - Debt Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/DebtLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2425403 - Disclosure - Debt Debt, Textuals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/DebtDebtTextualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Debt, Textuals (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2428402 - Disclosure - Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CreditRiskAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431402 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2431403 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation, Textuals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationTextualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation, Textuals (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434402 - Disclosure - Equity Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/EquityLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2434403 - Disclosure - Equity Equity, Textuals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/EquityEquityTextualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity Equity, Textuals (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2437402 - Disclosure - Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/SegmentReportingLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2440402 - Disclosure - Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/SupplementaryInformationLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2443402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2446402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/EarningsPerShareLevel4Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2446403 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Textuals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/EarningsPerShareEarningsPerShareTextualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share, Textuals (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2449402 - Disclosure - Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/AcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2449403 - Disclosure - Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/ScheduleOfFiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule of Finite and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2449404 - Disclosure - Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2449405 - Disclosure - Acquisition Acquisition, Textuals (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.sci-corp.com/role/AcquisitionAcquisitionTextualsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition Acquisition, Textuals (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <ContainEmbeddedReports>false</ContainEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount had a mix of decimals attribute values: -3 -5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityPurchasePrice had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -6.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2410409 - Disclosure - Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities, Textuals (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2413409 - Disclosure - Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetery Activities, Textuals (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2416409 - Disclosure - Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Cemetry Perpetual Care Trusts, Textuals (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2425403 - Disclosure - Debt Debt, Textuals (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2434403 - Disclosure - Equity Equity, Textuals (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2443402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Level 4 (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2449405 - Disclosure - Acquisition Acquisition, Textuals (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Statement</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Statement</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2010'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002500 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) Statement</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Statement</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1004500 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) Statement</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>sci-20110930.xml</File>
    <File>sci-20110930.xsd</File>
    <File>sci-20110930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>sci-20110930_def.xml</File>
    <File>sci-20110930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>sci-20110930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
