Supplementary Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Product Information [Line Items]        
Total merchandise revenues $ 361,559 $ 352,418 $ 1,090,907 $ 1,061,689
Total services revenues 321,336 319,083 1,006,499 1,032,044
Other revenues 38,572 42,952 124,677 123,028
Total revenues 721,467 714,453 2,222,083 2,216,761
Total cost of merchandise 185,996 182,027 568,839 553,312
Total cost of services 180,171 180,493 553,567 550,479
Overhead and other expenses 214,555 210,254 634,019 626,183
Total costs and expenses 580,722 572,774 1,756,425 1,729,974
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid     (6,160) (1,587)
Acquisitions of capital leases, primarily transportation equipment     33,814 51,347
Funeral        
Product Information [Line Items]        
Total merchandise revenues 145,989 146,187 459,907 460,317
Total services revenues 268,588 267,279 843,004 867,969
Total revenues 445,462 449,300 1,404,623 1,428,469
Total cost of merchandise 67,529 69,902 216,752 220,372
Total cost of services 154,166 156,105 470,974 469,885
Cemetery        
Product Information [Line Items]        
Total merchandise revenues 215,570 206,231 631,000 601,372
Total services revenues 52,748 51,804 163,495 164,075
Total revenues 276,005 265,153 817,460 788,292
Total cost of merchandise 118,467 112,125 352,087 332,940
Total cost of services $ 26,005 $ 24,388 $ 82,593 $ 80,594