Service Corporation International (SCI) 10-K 13 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 11, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Service Corporation International
Entity Central Index Key	89089
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		202,902,489
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$4,221,605,973

Consolidated_Statement_of_Oper

Consolidated Statement of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues	$2,994,012	$2,550,466	$2,404,430
Costs and expenses	-2,318,199	-2,001,419	-1,881,658
Gross profits	675,813	549,047	522,772
General and administrative expenses	-184,877	-155,128	-121,891
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	116,613	-6,263	-1,511
Operating income	607,549	387,656	399,370
Interest expense	-177,571	-142,360	-135,068
(Losses) gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	-29,158	468	-22,706
Other income (expense), net	1,780	-558	3,687
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	402,600	245,206	245,283
Provision for income taxes	-225,980	-93,024	-90,111
Income from continuing operations	176,620	152,182	155,172
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,186	406	262
Net income	178,806	152,588	155,434
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-6,337	-5,256	-1,589
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$172,469	$147,332	$153,845
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$0.82		$0.71
Basic weighted average number of shares	210,741	211,811	215,712
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$0.81		$0.70
Diluted weighted average number of shares	214,200	216,014	219,066
Dividends declared per share	$0.34	$0.27	$0.23

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$178,806	$152,588	$155,434
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-32,096	-23,292	5,892
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments to discontinued operations	3,114	0	0
Total comprehensive income	149,824	129,296	161,326
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-6,382	-5,240	-1,616
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$143,442	$124,056	$159,710

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$177,335	$141,584
Receivables, net	109,050	101,424
Deferred tax assets	1,128	30,282
Inventories, net	29,697	32,741
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	4,750
Current assets held for sale	45	4,569
Other	79,601	63,746
Total current assets	396,856	379,096
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,843,023	1,870,243
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	2,306,669	2,292,348
Cemetery property, at cost	1,739,216	1,752,269
Property and equipment, net	1,861,403	1,912,514
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	0	2,491
Non-current assets held for sale	6,702	823,327
Goodwill, net	1,810,853	1,825,721
Deferred charges and other assets	617,546	633,000
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,341,376	1,342,591
Total assets	11,923,644	12,833,600
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	453,028	482,839
Current maturities of long-term debt	90,931	176,362
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	4,728
Current liabilities held for sale	14	4,390
Income taxes	8,035	5,263
Total current liabilities	552,008	673,582
Long-term debt	2,963,794	3,125,548
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	540,164	551,948
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	1,062,381	1,016,275
Deferred tax liabilities	448,824	387,169
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	968
Non-current liabilities held for sale	6,988	517,251
Other liabilities	495,565	491,238
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	3,148,884	3,248,463
Care trusts’ corpus	1,327,658	1,340,930
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Equity:
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 205,458,331 and 212,326,642 shares issued, respectively, and 204,866,770 and 212,316,642 shares outstanding, respectively	204,867	212,317
Capital in excess of par value	1,186,304	1,259,348
Accumulated deficit	-81,859	-90,026
Accumulated other comprehensive income	59,414	88,441
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,368,726	1,470,080
Noncontrolling interests	8,652	10,148
Total equity	1,377,378	1,480,228
Total liabilities and equity	$11,923,644	$12,833,600

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par or stated value per share	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued	205,458,331	212,326,642
Common stock, shares outstanding	204,866,770	212,316,642

Consolidated_Statement_of_Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$178,806	$152,588	$155,434
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	-2,186	-406	-262
Losses (gains) on early extinguishment of debt, net	29,158	-468	22,706
Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt	-24,804	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	140,002	122,235	119,862
Amortization of intangible assets	36,640	21,859	23,853
Amortization of cemetery property	60,439	48,344	44,976
Amortization of loan costs	8,825	15,943	4,905
Provision for doubtful accounts	7,376	7,874	9,705
Provision for deferred income taxes	129,671	71,708	71,685
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	-116,613	6,263	1,511
Share-based compensation	13,127	11,925	10,983
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards	-30,123	0	0
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Increase (decrease) in receivables	-18,644	11,017	-9,782
Increase in other assets	-11,013	-14,815	-6,901
(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities	-12,038	-1,995	26,360
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
Decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	30,357	47,648	37,341
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue	-23,069	-9,260	-41,228
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	-52,869	-50,990	-22,357
Effect of cemetery production and maturities:
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	-43,964	-73,626	-96,837
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue	54,049	30,785	20,817
Decrease in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	-34,664	-12,761	-587
Other	-108	-27	-3,684
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations	318,355	383,841	368,500
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from discontinued operations	-1,000	868	746
Net cash provided by operating activities	317,355	384,709	369,246
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-144,499	-112,939	-115,322
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	15,336	1,057,122	65,463
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	424,383	13,219	9,995
Net (deposits) withdrawals of restricted funds and other	12,225	-341	3,815
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations	252,323	-1,156,501	-174,605
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from discontinued operations	4,963	-292	-349
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	257,286	-1,156,793	-174,954
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	755,000	1,055,000	227,507
Debt issuance costs	-10,500	-36,064	-4,500
Payments of debt	-230,561	-90,466	-607
Early extinguishment of debt	-762,764	-80	-202,140
Principal payments on capital leases	-29,380	-26,280	-25,760
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	32,376	6,309	18,389
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	30,123	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	-242,874	-1,708	-186,766
Payments of dividends	71,517	57,229	60,296
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	-15,000	-23,333	-3,000
Bank overdrafts and other	7,130	336	6,199
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations	-537,967	826,485	-230,974
Net cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations	0	-1,370	-538
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-537,967	825,115	-231,512
Net change in cash of discontinued operations	1,361	785	1,049
Effect of foreign currency	-2,284	-1,001	1,287
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	35,751	52,815	-34,884
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	141,584	88,769	123,653
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$177,335	$141,584	$88,769

Consolidated_Statement_of_Equi

Consolidated Statement of Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Deficit(1)		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Noncontrolling Interest
Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,463,262,000	$224,666,000	($1,710,000)	$1,430,330,000	($315,977,000)	[1]	$105,852,000	$20,101,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	161,326,000	0	0	0	153,845,000	[1]	5,865,000	1,616,000
Dividends declared on common stock	-49,253,000	0	0	-49,253,000	0	[1]	0	0
Stock option exercises	18,389,000	2,993,000	0	15,396,000	0	[1]	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	483,000	0	-483,000	0	[1]	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	10,983,000	0	0	10,983,000	0	[1]	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	-186,766,000	0	-15,467,000	-99,002,000	-72,297,000	[1]	0	0
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Business Combination	-3,000,000	0	0	-1,762,000	0	[1]	0	-1,238,000
Noncontrolling interest payments	-679,000	0	0	0	0	[1]	0	-679,000
Retirement of treasury shares	0	-17,167	17,167	0	0	[1]	0	0
Other	931,000	82,000	0	849,000	0	[1]	0	0
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2012	1,415,193,000	211,057,000	-10,000	1,307,058,000	-234,429,000	[1]	111,717,000	19,800,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	129,296,000	0	0	0	147,332,000	[1]	-23,276,000	5,240,000
Dividends declared on common stock	-57,229,000	0	0	-57,229,000	0	[1]	0	0
Stock option exercises	9,313,000	1,087,000	0	8,226,000	0	[1]	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	378,000	-3,000	-375,000	0	[1]	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	11,925,000	0	0	11,925,000	0	[1]	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	-4,712,000	0	-275,000	-1,508,000	-2,929,000	[1]	0	0
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Business Combination	-23,333,000	0	0	-10,023,000	0	[1]	0	-13,310,000
Acquisition	118,000	0	0	0	0	[1]	0	118,000
Noncontrolling interest payments	-1,700,000	0	0	0	0	[1]	0	-1,700,000
Retirement of treasury shares	0	-278	278	0	0	[1]	0	0
Other	1,357,000	83,000	0	1,274,000	0	[1]	0	0
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013	1,480,228,000	212,327,000	-10,000	1,259,348,000	-90,026,000	[1]	88,441,000	10,148,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	149,824,000	0	0	0	172,469,000	[1]	-29,027,000	6,382,000
Dividends declared on common stock	-71,517,000	0	0	-71,517,000	0	[1]	0	0
Stock option exercises	33,137,000	3,642,000	0	29,495,000	0	[1]	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	352,000	0	-352,000	0	[1]	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	13,127,000	0	0	13,127,000	0	[1]	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	-243,635,000	0	-11,537,000	-67,796,000	-164,302,000	[1]	0	0
Tax benefits related to stock-based awards	30,123,000	0	0	30,123,000	0	[1]	0	0
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Business Combination	-15,000,000	0	0	-7,441,000	0	[1]	0	-7,559,000
Noncontrolling interest payments	-319,000	0	0	0	0	[1]	0	-319,000
Retirement of treasury shares	0	-10,956	10,956	0	0	[1]	0	0
Other	1,410,000	93,000	0	1,317,000	0	[1]	0	0
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2014	$1,377,378,000	$205,458,000	($591,000)	$1,186,304,000	($81,859,000)	[1]	$59,414,000	$8,652,000
[1]	The statement of equity at December 31, 2011 was adjusted to reflect an increase of $51.1 million to the accumulated deficit as a result of the deferred tax revision discussed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

Consolidated_Statement_of_Equi1

Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Impact of Restatement on Opening Retained Earnings, Net of Tax	$51.10

Nature_of_Operations_Level_1_N

Nature of Operations Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Nature of Operations [Abstract]
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	Nature of Operations
	We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral service locations and cemeteries operating in the United States and Canada. Our funeral service and cemetery operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and related businesses.
	We provide all professional services relating to funerals and cremations, including the use of funeral facilities and motor vehicles and preparation and embalming services. Funeral-related merchandise, including caskets, casket memorialization products, burial vaults, cremation receptacles, cremation memorialization products, flowers, and other ancillary products and services, is sold at funeral service locations. Our cemeteries provide cemetery property interment rights, including developed lots, lawn crypts, mausoleum spaces, cremation niches, and cremation memorialization property and sell cemetery-related merchandise and services, including stone and bronze memorials, markers, merchandise installations, flowers, and burial openings and closings. We also sell preneed funeral and cemetery merchandise and services whereby a customer contractually agrees to the terms of certain merchandise and services to be provided in the future.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Reclassifications and Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows. We sold our German operations and the financial data related to those operations has been reclassified as discontinued operations in all periods. We also retrospectively adjusted the financial statements to reflect measurement period adjustments made throughout 2014 related to our acquisition of Stewart Enterprises (Stewart). For further information on this acquisition and these adjustments, see Note 19.
	Additionally, we have revised our prior period amounts to correct for the following:
	•	$30.0 million from Long-term debt to Current maturities of long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013. The original misclassification, which was identified and disclosed in the first quarter of 2014, relates to amounts payable in 2014 for our Term Loan due July 2018.
	•	Misstatements in the determination of certain deferred tax amounts originating in 2013 and prior periods and primarily relating to the 2006 purchase accounting for the acquisition of Alderwoods Group Inc. that were identified during the fourth quarter of 2014. Other adjustments primarily relate to the tax basis of fixed assets, intangibles, and deferred revenue. The correction of these items impacted the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 as presented in the company’s annual report.
	We assessed the applicable guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and concluded that these misstatements were not material to our consolidated financial statements for the aforementioned prior periods; however, we did conclude that correcting these prior misstatements would be material to the full year consolidated statement of operations. As a result of this analysis, all prior period consolidated financial statements have been revised in this Form 10-K filing. Any other changes throughout the remainder of the Form 10-K reflect the changes below. The following is a summary of the consolidated statement of operations, the consolidated balance sheet, and the consolidated statement of cash flows line items impacted by the debt and income tax revisions:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(in thousands)
	Provision for income taxes	$	(96,615	)	$	3,484		$	107		$	(93,024	)
	Net income	$	149,104		$	3,484		$	—		$	152,588
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	143,848		$	3,484		$	—		$	147,332
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share:
	Basic	$	0.68		$	0.02		$	—		$	0.7
	Diluted	$	0.67		$	0.01		$	—		$	0.68
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(in thousands)
	Provision for income taxes	$	(91,548	)	$	1,299		$	138		$	(90,111	)
	Net income	$	154,135		$	1,299		$	—		$	155,434
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	152,546		$	1,299		$	—		$	153,845
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share:
	Basic	$	0.71		$	—		$	—		$	0.71
	Diluted	$	0.7		$	—		$	—		$	0.7
	Summary of Revised Consolidated Balance Sheet Amounts
		31-Dec-13
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets	$	39,074		$	(3,750	)	$	(5,042	)	$	30,282
	Total current assets	$	393,747		$	(3,750	)	$	(10,901	)	$	379,096
	Goodwill	$	1,922,102		$	(91,016	)	$	(5,365	)	$	1,825,721
	Total assets	$	12,906,070		$	(94,766	)	$	22,296		$	12,833,600
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	146,362		$	30,000		$	—		$	176,362
	Income taxes	$	6,391		$	(1,202	)	$	74		$	5,263
	Total current liabilities	$	642,584		$	28,798		$	2,200		$	673,582
	Long-term debt	$	3,155,548		$	(30,000	)	$	—		$	3,125,548
	Deferred tax liabilities	$	619,200		$	(190,355	)	$	(41,676	)	$	387,169
	Other liabilities	$	430,393		$	40,941		$	19,904		$	491,238
	Accumulated deficit	$	(145,876	)	$	55,850		$	—		$	(90,026	)
	Total equity	$	1,424,378		$	55,850		$	—		$	1,480,228
	Total liabilities and equity	$	12,906,070		$	(94,766	)	$	22,296		$	12,833,600
	Summary of Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows(1) Amounts
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income	$	149,104		$	3,484		$	—		$	152,588
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Provision for deferred income taxes	$	74,100		$	(2,282	)	$	(110	)	$	71,708
	Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
	(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities	$	(284	)	$	(1,202	)	$	(509	)	$	(1,995	)
	Summary of Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows(1) Amounts
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income	$	154,135		$	1,299		$	—		$	155,434
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Provision for deferred income taxes	$	72,984		$	(1,299	)	$	—		$	71,685
	Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
	(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities	$	25,240		$	—		$	1,120		$	26,360
	(1) These revisions had no net impact on Net cash provided by operating, investing, or financing activities.
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Our trade receivables primarily consist of amounts due for funeral services already performed. We provide various allowances and cancellation reserves for our funeral and cemetery preneed and atneed receivables as well as for our preneed funeral and preneed cemetery deferred revenues. These allowances are based on an analysis of historical trends of collection and cancellation activity. Atneed funeral and cemetery receivables are considered past due after 30 days. Collections are generally managed by the locations or third party agencies acting on behalf of the locations, until a receivable is 180 days delinquent at which time it is fully reserved and sent to a collection agency. These estimates are impacted by a number of factors, including changes in the economy, relocation, and demographic or competitive changes in our areas of operation.
Inventories and Cemetery Property
Funeral and cemetery merchandise are stated at the lower of average cost or market. Cemetery property is recorded at cost. Inventory costs and cemetery property are relieved using specific identification in performance of a contract. Amortization expense for cemetery property was $60.4 million, $48.3 million, and $45.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense whereas renewals and major replacements that extend the assets useful lives are capitalized. Depreciation is recognized ratably over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. Buildings are depreciated over a period ranging from seven to forty years, equipment is depreciated over a period from three to eight years, and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or ten years. Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $140.0 million, $122.2 million, and $119.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. When property is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet; resulting gains and losses are included in the consolidated statement of operations in the period of sale or disposal.
Leases
We have lease arrangements primarily related to funeral service locations and transportation equipment that were primarily classified as capital leases at December 31, 2014. Lease terms related to funeral home properties generally range from one to 40 years with options to renew at varying terms. Lease terms related to transportation equipment generally range from one to five years with options to renew at varying terms. We calculate operating lease expense ratably over the lease term. We consider reasonably assured renewal options and fixed escalation provisions in our calculation. For more information related to leases, see Note 12.
Goodwill
The excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is tested annually, during the fourth quarter, for impairment by assessing the fair value of each of our reporting units.
Our goodwill impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. In the first step of our goodwill impairment test, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. We determine fair value of each reporting unit using both a market and income approach. Our methodology considers discounted cash flows and multiples of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows. We do not record an impairment of goodwill in instances where the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount. If the aggregate fair value is less than the related carrying amount for a reporting unit, we compare the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying amount of goodwill. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
For our most recent annual impairment test performed in the fourth quarter, we used a 7.0% discount rate, growth rates ranging from 1.9% to 6.3% over a five-year period, plus a terminal value determined using the constant growth method in projecting our future cash flows. Fair value was calculated as the sum of the projected discounted cash flows of our reporting units over the next five years plus terminal value at the end of those five years. Our terminal value was calculated using a long-term growth rate of 2.5% and 2.9% for our funeral and cemetery reporting units, respectively.
In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of goodwill whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends. No interim goodwill impairment reviews were required in 2014 or 2013. For more information related to goodwill, see Note 8.
Other Intangible Assets
Our intangible assets include customer relationships, trademarks and tradenames, and other intangible assets primarily resulting from acquisitions. Our trademark and tradenames and certain other intangible assets are considered to have an indefinite life and are not subject to amortization. We test for impairment of intangible assets annually during the fourth quarter.
Our intangible assets impairment tests involve estimates and management judgment. For trademark and tradenames, our test uses the relief from royalty method whereby we determine the fair value of the assets by discounting the cash flows that represent a savings over having to pay a royalty fee for use of the trademark and tradenames. The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows. For our most recent annual impairment test performed in the fourth quarter, we estimated that the pre-tax savings would range from 1.0% to 4.0% of the revenues associated with the trademark and tradenames, based primarily on our research of intellectual property valuation and licensing databases. We also assumed a terminal growth rate of 2.5% and 2.9% for our funeral and cemetery segments, respectively, and discounted the cash flows at a 7.2% discount rate based on the relative risk of these assets to our overall business.
In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of intangible assets whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than the fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends. No interim intangible impairment reviews were required in 2014 or 2013.
Certain of our intangible assets associated with prior acquisitions are relieved using specific identification in performance of a contract. We amortize all other finite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which range from two to forty years. For more information related to intangible assets, see Note 8.
Fair Value Measurements
We measure the available-for-sale securities held by our funeral merchandise and service, cemetery merchandise and service, and cemetery perpetual care trusts at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We utilize a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
•	Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
•	Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and
•	Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
An asset’s or liability’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Certain available-for-sale securities held by our funeral merchandise and service, cemetery merchandise and service, and cemetery perpetual care trusts have been classified in Level 3 of the hierarchy due to the significant management judgment required as a result of the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, or the long-term nature of the securities. For additional disclosures for all of our available-for-sale securities, see Notes 4, 5, and 6.
Treasury Stock
We make treasury stock purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions and normal trading restrictions. We account for the repurchase of our common stock under the par value method. In 2014, we canceled 10.9 million shares of common stock held in our treasury. We canceled 0.3 million and 17.2 million shares of common stock held in our treasury in 2013 and 2012, respectively. These retired treasury shares were changed to authorized but unissued status.
Foreign Currency Translation
All assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect as of the end of the reporting period. Revenue and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the reporting period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in Equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of equity and consolidated balance sheet.
The functional currency of SCI and its subsidiaries is the respective local currency. The transactional currency gains and losses that arise from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of our operations are recorded in Other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations. We do not have an investment in foreign operations considered to be in highly inflationary economies.
Funeral Operations
Revenue is recognized when funeral merchandise is delivered or funeral services are performed. We sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts through various programs providing for future funeral services at prices prevailing when the agreements are signed. Revenue associated with sales of preneed funeral contracts is deferred until funeral merchandise is delivered or the funeral services are performed, generally at the time of need. Travel protection insurance and certain memorialization merchandise sold on a preneed basis is delivered to the customer at the time of sale and is recognized at the time delivery has occurred. While these items are sold as part of preneed funeral arrangements they are also offered on a stand-alone basis. The total consideration received for these arrangements is allocated to each item based on relative selling price determined using either vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price or third-party evidence of selling price. Vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price is determined based on the price we sell the items for on a stand-alone basis. Third-party evidence of selling price is based on the price of our largely interchangeable products that are sold in stand-alone sales to similarly situated customers. There is no general right of return for delivered items.
Pursuant to state or provincial law, all or a portion of the proceeds from funeral merchandise or services sold on a preneed basis may be required to be paid into trust funds. We defer investment earnings related to these merchandise and service trusts until the associated merchandise is delivered or services are performed. Costs related to sales of merchandise and services are charged to expense when merchandise is delivered or services are performed. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 4 for more information regarding preneed funeral activities.
Cemetery Operations
Revenue associated with sales of cemetery merchandise and services is recognized when merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Revenue associated with sales of preneed cemetery property interment rights is deferred until the property is constructed and a minimum of 10% of the sales price is collected. For non-personalized merchandise (such as vaults) and services, we defer the revenues until the merchandise is delivered or the services are performed. For personalized marker merchandise, with the customer’s direction generally obtained at the time of sale, we can choose to order, store, and transfer title to the customer. In situations in which we have no further obligation or involvement related to the merchandise, we recognize revenues and record the cost of sales upon the earlier of vendor storage of these items or delivery in our cemetery. The total consideration received for these arrangements is allocated to each item based on relative selling price determined using vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price. Vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price is determined based on the price we sell the items for on a stand-alone basis. There is no general right of return for delivered items.
Pursuant to state or provincial law, all or a portion of the proceeds from cemetery merchandise or services sold on a preneed basis may be required to be paid into trust funds. We defer investment earnings related to these merchandise and services trusts until the associated merchandise is delivered or services are performed.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights is required by state or provincial law to be paid into perpetual care trust funds. Investment earnings from these trusts are distributed to us regularly, are recognized in current cemetery revenues, and are intended to defray cemetery maintenance costs, which are expensed as incurred. The principal of such perpetual care trust funds generally cannot be withdrawn.
Costs related to the sale of property interment rights include the property and construction costs specifically identified by project. Property and construction costs are charged to expense when the revenue is recognized by specific identification in the performance of a contract. Costs related to sales of merchandise and services are charged to expense when merchandise is delivered or when services are performed. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our consolidated financial statements. See Notes 5 and 6 for more information regarding preneed cemetery and perpetual care activities.
Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables
We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are entered into prior to the delivery of the related merchandise and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our merchandise and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the merchandise or services are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amounts, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.
If a preneed contract is canceled prior to delivery, state or provincial law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.
Income Taxes
We compute income taxes using the liability method. Our ability to realize the benefit of our federal and state deferred tax assets requires us to achieve certain future earnings levels. We have established a valuation allowance against a portion of our deferred tax assets and we could be required to further adjust that valuation allowance if market conditions change materially and future earnings are, or are projected to be, significantly different than our current estimates.
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the Income Taxes Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to eliminate a diversity in practice for the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The amendment requires that the unrecognized tax benefit be presented as a reduction of the deferred tax assets associated with the carryforwards except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. We adopted this amendment effective January 1, 2014 with no impact on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Changes
	Discontinued Operations
	In April 2014, the FASB amended the Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant, and Equipment Topics of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) to change the requirement for reporting discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, a disposal of a component of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Fewer disposals are expected to qualify as discontinued operations under the new guidance. It also requires the disclosure of pretax income of disposals that do not qualify as discontinued operations. The new guidance is effective with disposals that occur after January 1, 2015.
	Revenue Recognition
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. Additionally, the ASU requires the deferral of direct incremental selling costs to the period in which the underlying revenue is recognized. The amendments in the ASU will be applied using one of two retrospective methods. The new guidance is effective for us beginning January 1, 2017 and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated results of operations.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lev

Preneed Funeral Activities Level 1 (Notes) (Funeral [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Funeral [Member]
Preneed Funeral Activities Text Block	Preneed Funeral Activities
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, related to unperformed, price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts. Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed funeral revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts after the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed.
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
					(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	102,553		$	82,168		$	81,601
	Withdrawals	$	131,352		$	125,914		$	100,635
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,238,257		$	393,169		$	563,628
	Sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,318,512		$	435,267		$	555,709
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	168,567		$	65,011		$	60,833
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	(113,748	)	$	(9,732	)	$	(21,454	)
	(1) The increase in activity in 2014 is the result of changing the legal structure of the trust investments.
	The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,205,747		$	1,438,326
	Cash and cash equivalents	162,229			128,217
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	—			(181,535		)
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	260,899			280,969
	Trust investments	1,628,875			1,665,977
	Receivables from customers	262,700			259,784
	Unearned finance charge	(11,054		)	(10,179		)
		1,880,521			1,915,582
	Allowance for cancellation	(37,498		)	(45,339		)
	Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,843,023		$	1,870,243
	The activity in Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
					(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,870,243		$	1,536,257		$	1,484,764
	Net preneed contract sales	247,994			192,712			124,962
	Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(211,830		)	(170,921		)	(125,625		)
	Deposits to trust	102,553			82,168			81,601
	(Divestitures) acquisitions of businesses, net	(19,203		)	271,395			6,021
	Net undistributed investment earnings (1)	22,480			125,986			84,611
	Maturities and distributed earnings	(162,059		)	(153,446		)	(126,130		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	7,644			(3,245		)	934
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(14,799		)	(10,663		)	5,119
	Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,843,023		$	1,870,243		$	1,536,257
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings.
	The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts.
			December 31, 2014
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	85,775		$	468		$	(455	)		$	85,788
	Canadian government	2	90,430			449			(874		)		90,005
	Corporate	2	24,765			423			(126		)		25,062
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,325			29			(12		)		1,342
	Asset-backed	2	6			—			—				6
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	2,503			113			(113		)		2,503
	Common stock:
	United States	1	377,441			18,533			(7,405		)		388,569
	Canada	1	14,708			4,292			(895		)		18,105
	Other international	1	38,035			1,175			(1,560		)		37,650
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	308,548			3,332			(15,901		)		295,979
	Fixed income	1	229,414			869			(3,576		)		226,707
	Private equity	3	35,094			2,649			(9,418		)		28,325
	Other	3	5,084			726			(104		)		5,706
	Trust investments		$	1,213,128		$	33,058		$	(40,439	)		$	1,205,747
		December 31, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
					Gains			Losses				Value
					(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	111,824		$	1,299		$	(5,599	)		$	107,524
Canadian government	2	100,263			81			(1,113		)		99,231
Corporate	2	64,579			3,515			(691		)		67,403
Residential mortgage-backed	2	2,438			23			(33		)		2,428
Asset-backed	2	3,407			—			(10		)		3,397
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	30,485			754			(235		)		31,004
Common stock:
United States	1	370,123			77,963			(2,928		)		445,158
Canada	1	27,710			4,346			(1,217		)		30,839
Other international	1	36,017			4,986			(198		)		40,805
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	260,686			22,530			(2,303		)		280,913
Fixed income	1	317,280			3,228			(19,577		)		300,931
Private equity	3	32,909			2,702			(8,726		)		26,885
Other	3	1,550			291			(33		)		1,808
Trust investments		$	1,359,271		$	121,718		$	(42,663	)		$	1,438,326
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, valuations are reviewed by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
As of December 31, 2014, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $25.4 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 :
	2014						2013							2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
							(In thousands)
Fair value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	26,885		$	1,808		$	17,879			$	744		$	15,986		$	912
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,242			826			13,429				1,442			(403		)	(159		)
Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(39		)	(6		)	(43		)		(3		)	(58		)	(2		)
Purchases	—			3,214			1,188				—			—			—
Sales	—			—			—				—			(9		)	—
Contributions	6,122			4			3,229				—			4,664			—
Distributions and other	(6,885		)	(140		)	(9,245		)		(393		)	(2,301		)	(7		)
Acquisitions	—			—			448				18			—			—
Fair value, ending balance at December 31,	$	28,325		$	5,706		$	26,885			$	1,808		$	17,879		$	744
_______________________________________
-1	All unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2044. Maturities of fixed income securities at December 31, 2014 are estimated as follows:
	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	123,545
Due in one to five years	32,659
Due in five to ten years	29,426
Thereafter	16,573
	$	202,203
Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when merchandise is delivered or a service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to our funeral merchandise and service trust investments were $62.8 million, $48.5 million, and $38.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income (expense), net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, we recorded a $41.8 million, a $0.8 million, and a $0.8 million, respectively, impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following tables.
	December 31, 2014
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
	Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
	Value						Value							Value
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	32,243		$	(412	)	$	4,978			$	(43	)	$	37,221		$	(455	)
Canadian government	2,894			(52		)	14,904				(822		)	17,798			(874		)
Corporate	4,988			(56		)	2,420				(70		)	7,408			(126		)
Residential mortgage-backed	217			(10		)	106				(2		)	323			(12		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	26			(113		)	—				—			26			(113		)
Common stock:
United States	126,527			(7,403		)	438				(2		)	126,965			(7,405		)
Canada	1,752			(379		)	1,085				(516		)	2,837			(895		)
Other international	19,593			(1,557		)	2				(3		)	19,595			(1,560		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	233,827			(13,219		)	23,717				(2,682		)	257,544			(15,901		)
Fixed income	112,160			(3,128		)	11,452				(448		)	123,612			(3,576		)
Private equity	203			(461		)	13,870				(8,957		)	14,073			(9,418		)
Other	5			(11		)	464				(93		)	469			(104		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	534,435		$	(26,801	)	$	73,436			$	(13,638	)	$	607,871		$	(40,439	)
	December 31, 2013
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
	Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
	Value						Value							Value
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	29,008		$	(3,595	)	$	19,633			$	(2,004	)	$	48,641		$	(5,599	)
Canadian government	9,545			(120		)	18,981				(993		)	28,526			(1,113		)
Corporate	21,525			(346		)	5,665				(345		)	27,190			(691		)
Residential mortgage-backed	1,397			(25		)	174				(8		)	1,571			(33		)
Asset-backed	3,311			(10		)	—				—			3,311			(10		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	14,182			(235		)	—				—			14,182			(235		)
Common stock:
United States	47,054			(2,153		)	3,374				(775		)	50,428			(2,928		)
Canada	2,439			(576		)	1,992				(641		)	4,431			(1,217		)
Other international	3,433			(138		)	375				(60		)	3,808			(198		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	16,383			(337		)	12,638				(1,966		)	29,021			(2,303		)
Fixed income	145,425			(4,984		)	38,774				(14,593		)	184,199			(19,577		)
Private equity	—			—			13,002				(8,726		)	13,002			(8,726		)
Other	—			—			527				(33		)	$	527		$	(33	)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	293,702		$	(12,519	)	$	115,135			$	(30,144	)	$	408,837		$	(42,663	)
Deferred Preneed Funeral Revenues
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net of allowance for cancellation, represent future funeral revenues, including distributed trust investment earnings associated with unperformed trust-funded preneed funeral contracts that are not held in trust accounts. Deferred preneed funeral revenues are recognized in current funeral revenues when merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Future funeral revenues and net trust investment earnings that are held in trust accounts are included in Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust.
The following table summarizes the activity in Deferred preneed funeral revenues for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$	551,948		$	535,136		$	573,477
Net preneed contract sales	198,195			144,202			103,341
(Divestitures) acquisitions of businesses, net	(21,639		)	298,047			(4,491		)
Net investment earnings(1)	24,256			126,428			83,788
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(258,534		)	(200,680		)	(164,037		)
Change in cancellation allowance	21,272			(5,670		)	1,304
Change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	26,131			(343,878		)	(61,068		)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(1,465		)	(1,637		)	2,822
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$	540,164		$	551,948		$	535,136
_________________________________
-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings.
Insurance-Funded Preneed Funeral Contracts
Not included in our consolidated balance sheet are insurance-funded preneed funeral contracts that will be funded by life insurance or annuity contracts issued by third party insurers. Where permitted by state or provincial law, customers may arrange their preneed funeral contract by purchasing a life insurance or annuity policy from third-party insurance companies, for which we earn a commission as general sales agent for the insurance company. These general agency commissions (GA revenues) are based on a percentage per contract sold and are recognized as funeral revenues when the insurance purchase transaction between the customer and third-party insurance provider is completed. GA revenues recognized in 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $123.0 million, $106.5 million, and $94.0 million, respectively. Direct selling costs incurred pursuant to the sale of insurance-funded preneed funeral contracts are expensed as incurred. The policy amount of the insurance contract between the customer and the third-party insurance company generally equals the amount of the preneed funeral contract. We do not reflect the unfulfilled insurance-funded preneed funeral contract amounts in our consolidated balance sheet. The proceeds of the life insurance policies or annuity contracts will be reflected in funeral revenues as these funerals are performed by the Company.

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Le

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 1 (Notes) (Cemetery [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Cemetery [Member]
Preneed Cemetery Activities Text Block	Preneed Cemetery Activities
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments represent trust investments, including investment earnings, and customer receivables, net of unearned finance charges, for contracts sold in advance of when the property interment rights, merchandise, or services are needed. Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. When we receive payments from the customer, we deposit the amount required by law into the trust and reclassify the corresponding amount from Deferred preneed cemetery revenues into Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts when the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments are reduced by the trust investment earnings (realized and unrealized) that we have been allowed to withdraw in certain states prior to maturity. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed.
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
					(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	129,581		$	106,185		$	98,130
	Withdrawals	$	150,064		$	119,576		$	98,738
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,786,800		$	477,772		$	746,761
	Sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,842,417		$	498,852		$	700,091
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	271,507		$	101,337		$	87,665
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	(138,473	)	$	(14,593	)	$	(29,397	)
	(1) The increase in activity in 2014 is the result of changing the legal structure of the trust investments.
	The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,404,298		$	1,549,182
	Cash and cash equivalents	126,914			138,459
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(4,571		)	(102,354		)
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	12			4
	Trust investments	1,526,653			1,585,291
	Receivables from customers	881,082			798,072
	Unearned finance charges	(31,524		)	(29,561		)
		2,376,211			2,353,802
	Allowance for cancellation	(69,542		)	(61,454		)
	Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,306,669		$	2,292,348
	The activity in Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
					(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,292,348		$	1,826,835		$	1,595,940
	Net preneed contract sales	688,336			562,433			501,654
	(Divestitures) acquisitions of businesses, net	(10,898		)	190,870			1,124
	Net undistributed investment (losses) earnings(1)	(18,038		)	203,499			133,351
	Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(615,489		)	(471,710		)	(417,965		)
	Deposits to trust	129,581			106,185			98,130
	Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings	(150,064		)	(119,576		)	(98,738		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	843			3,002			(3,481		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(9,950		)	(9,190		)	16,820
	Ending balance — Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,306,669		$	2,292,348		$	1,826,835
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) earnings.
	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts.
			December 31, 2014
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	63,447		$	257		$	(605	)		$	63,099
	Canadian government	2	21,687			261			(134		)		21,814
	Corporate	2	8,725			122			(116		)		8,731
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	111			3			(1		)		113
	Asset-backed	2	170			16			—				186
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	10			1			—				11
	Common stock:
	United States	1	557,955			22,746			(11,706		)		568,995
	Canada	1	10,962			5,011			(841		)		15,132
	Other international	1	55,632			1,605			(2,395		)		54,842
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	344,443			4,244			(18,430		)		330,257
	Fixed income	1	314,600			679			(4,702		)		310,577
	Private equity	3	32,342			3,185			(6,183		)		29,344
	Other	3	1,082			186			(71		)		1,197
Trust investments		$	1,411,166		$	38,316		$	(45,184	)		$	1,404,298
		December 31, 2013
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
					Gains			Losses				Value
					(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	2	$	113,293		$	1,714		$	(8,876	)		$	106,131
Canadian government	2	17,073			170			(261		)		16,982
Corporate	2	48,838			5,262			(646		)		53,454
Residential mortgage-backed	2	406			2			(2		)		406
Asset-backed	2	3,336			—			(13		)		3,323
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2	16,654			1,106			(123		)		17,637
Common stock:
United States	1	423,524			147,258			(3,231		)		567,551
Canada	1	15,361			4,063			(935		)		18,489
Other international	1	44,017			10,079			(200		)		53,896
Mutual funds:
Equity	1	325,927			49,428			(1,704		)		373,651
Fixed income	1	337,986			5,236			(33,649		)		309,573
Private equity	3	28,625			3,372			(5,153		)		26,844
Other	3	1,078			200			(33		)		1,245
Trust investments		$	1,376,118		$	227,890		$	(54,826	)		$	1,549,182
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, valuations are reviewed by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
As of December 31, 2014, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $26.9 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31 :
	2014						2013							2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
							(In thousands)
Fair value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	26,844		$	1,245		$	17,687			$	450		$	15,219		$	436
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	3,313			(73		)	15,420				1,218			100			28
Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(43		)	(7		)	(48		)		(5		)	(64		)	(2		)
Purchases	—			196			—				—			—			—
Contributions	6,582			4			3,430				—			4,932			—
Distributions and other	(7,352		)	(168		)	(9,645		)		(418		)	(2,500		)	(12		)
Fair value, ending balance at December 31,	$	29,344		$	1,197		$	26,844			$	1,245		$	17,687		$	450
_________________________________
-1	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2044. Maturities of fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) at December 31, 2014 are estimated as follows:
	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	13,302
Due in one to five years	36,354
Due in five to ten years	21,784
Thereafter	22,503
	$	93,943
Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in cemetery revenues when merchandise is delivered or a service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues. Recognized earnings (realized and unrealized) related to our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments were $48.2 million, $39.0 million, and $27.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income (expense), net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, we recorded a $60.0 million, a $1.6 million, and a $0.8 million, respectively, impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following tables:
	December 31, 2014
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
	Value			Losses			Value				Losses			Value			Losses
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	45,072		$	(605	)	$	—			$	—		$	45,072		$	(605	)
Canadian government	—			—			4,858				(134		)	4,858			(134		)
Corporate	2,017			(61		)	1,936				(55		)	3,953			(116		)
Residential mortgage-backed	33			(1		)	—				—			33			(1		)
Equity securities:
Common stock:
United States	192,015			(11,706		)	585				—			192,600			(11,706		)
Canada	2,069			(319		)	778				(522		)	2,847			(841		)
Other international	28,308			(2,395		)	—				—			28,308			(2,395		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	303,211			(18,329		)	1,577				(101		)	304,788			(18,430		)
Fixed income	159,572			(4,106		)	15,113				(596		)	174,685			(4,702		)
Private equity	88			(100		)	7,518				(6,083		)	7,606			(6,183		)
Other	2			(3		)	259				(68		)	261			(71		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	732,387		$	(37,625	)	$	32,624			$	(7,559	)	$	765,011		$	(45,184	)
	December 31, 2013
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
	Value			Losses			Value				Losses			Value			Losses
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	44,995		$	(6,040	)	$	24,961			$	(2,836	)	$	69,956		$	(8,876	)
Canadian government	9,424			(120		)	3,066				(141		)	12,490			(261		)
Corporate	15,019			(424		)	3,069				(222		)	18,088			(646		)
Residential mortgage-backed	144			(2		)	—				—			144			(2		)
Asset-backed	3,248			(13		)	—				—			3,248			(13		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	5,588			(123		)	—				—			5,588			(123		)
Common stock:
United States	46,189			(2,648		)	3,480				(583		)	49,669			(3,231		)
Canada	1,568			(502		)	1,935				(433		)	3,503			(935		)
Other international	4,332			(124		)	700				(76		)	5,032			(200		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	3,847			(54		)	14,430				(1,650		)	18,277			(1,704		)
Fixed income	134,294			(5,527		)	63,800				(28,122		)	198,094			(33,649		)
Private equity	—			—			6,589				(5,153		)	6,589			(5,153		)
Other	—			—			283				(33		)	283			(33		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	268,648		$	(15,577	)	$	122,313			$	(39,249	)	$	390,961		$	(54,826	)
Deferred Preneed Cemetery Revenues
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Deferred preneed cemetery revenues, net of allowance for cancellation, represent future cemetery revenues, including distributed trust investment earnings associated with unperformed trust-funded preneed cemetery contracts that are not held in trust accounts. Deferred preneed cemetery revenues are recognized in current cemetery revenues when merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Future cemetery revenues and net trust investment earnings that are held in trust accounts are included in Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust.
The following table summarizes the activity in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues for the years ended December 31:
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	1,016,275		$	861,148		$	833,303
Net preneed and atneed deferred sales	531,768			396,264			380,887
(Divestitures) acquisitions of businesses, net	(25,071		)	212,624			1,089
Net investment (losses) earnings(1)	(22,378		)	201,941			130,012
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(493,739		)	(386,632		)	(363,072		)
Change in cancellation allowance	3,833			18,358			3,968
Change in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	55,636			(298,337		)	(133,612		)
Effect of foreign currency and other	(3,943		)	10,909			8,573
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	1,062,381		$	1,016,275		$	861,148
_________________________________
-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) earnings.

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 1 (Notes) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Text Block	Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts
	We are required by state and provincial law to pay into cemetery perpetual care trusts a portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights. Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. We consolidate our cemetery perpetual care trust investments with a corresponding amount recorded as Care trusts’ corpus. Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	42,220		$	26,501		$	24,869
	Withdrawals	$	46,981		$	33,557		$	33,177
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,306,314		$	139,439		$	252,021
	Sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,396,669		$	99,701		$	136,391
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	134,259		$	17,916		$	11,463
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	(51,093	)	$	(2,738	)	$	(6,595	)
	(1) The increase in activity in 2014 is the result of changing the legal structure of the trust investments.
	The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,192,966		$	1,352,251
	Cash and cash equivalents	149,694			78,509
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(1,284		)	(88,169		)
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,341,376		$	1,342,591
	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the trusts.
			December 31, 2014
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	794		$	40		$	(4	)		$	830
	Canadian government	2	31,993			442			(233		)		32,202
	Corporate	2	16,762			344			(210		)		16,896
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	910			15			(6		)		919
	Asset-backed	2	661			10			(4		)		667
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	4,439			60			(12		)		4,487
	Common stock:
	United States	1	225,129			9,340			(4,881		)		229,588
	Canada	1	7,419			2,737			(596		)		9,560
	Other international	1	8,102			90			(399		)		7,793
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	17,310			3,264			(93		)		20,481
	Fixed income	1	846,230			1,580			(14,263		)		833,547
	Private equity	3	34,288			408			(10,788		)		23,908
	Other	3	13,526			1,094			(2,532		)		12,088
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	1,207,563		$	19,424		$	(34,021	)		$	1,192,966
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	1,588		$	9		$	(14	)		$	1,583
	Canadian government	2	28,487			301			(459		)		28,329
	Corporate	2	43,191			312			(263		)		43,240
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	4,256			14			(19		)		4,251
	Asset-backed	2	3,006			5			(11		)		3,000
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	25,946			192			(252		)		25,886
	Common stock:
	United States	1	231,093			53,782			(2,087		)		282,788
	Canada	1	8,846			2,222			(623		)		10,445
	Other international	1	20,671			1,319			(167		)		21,823
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	41,270			5,693			(35		)		46,928
	Fixed income	1	819,244			35,963			(2,598		)		852,609
	Private equity	3	28,309			472			(9,002		)		19,779
	Other	3	10,521			1,153			(84		)		11,590
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	1,266,428		$	101,437		$	(15,614	)		$	1,352,251
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
The valuation of private equity and other alternative investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. The fair value of these investments is estimated based on the value of the underlying real estate and private equity investments. The underlying real estate value is determined using the most recent available appraisals. Private equity instruments are valued based on reported net asset values discounted by 0% to 20% for risk and 0% to 10% for liquidity. A significant increase (decrease) in the discounts results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, valuations are reviewed by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors quarterly. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
As of December 31, 2014, our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $8.9 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. Our private equity and other investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, the nature of the investments in this category is that the distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. We estimate that the underlying assets will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years.
The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31 :
	2014						2013							2012
	Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
							(In thousands)
Fair value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	19,779		$	11,590		$	11,122			$	7,659		$	10,849		$	6,890
Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,216			2,145			6,897				4,081			1,648			1,035
Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(70		)	(44		)	(142		)		(76		)	(162		)	(43		)
Sales	—			(17		)	—				—			(26		)	—
Contributions	10,461			—			3,706				—			4,171			—
Distributions and other	(7,478		)	(1,586		)	(1,841		)		(508		)	(5,358		)	(223		)
Acquisitions	—			—			37				434			—			—
Fair value, ending balance at December 31,	$	23,908		$	12,088		$	19,779			$	11,590		$	11,122		$	7,659
-1	All unrealized gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2044. Maturities of fixed income securities at December 31, 2014 are estimated as follows:
	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	18,602
Due in one to five years	23,463
Due in five to ten years	8,593
Thereafter	856
	$	51,514
Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. Recognized earnings related to these cemetery perpetual care trust investments were $72.4 million, $44.1 million, and $44.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other (expense) income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, we recorded a $8.1 million, a $0.2 million, and a $0.8 million, respectively, impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments.
We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings, and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following table:
	December 31, 2014
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
	Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
	Value						Value							Value
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	497		$	(4	)	$	—			$	—		$	497		$	(4	)
Canadian government	—			—			7,825				(233		)	7,825			(233		)
Corporate	4,656			(108		)	3,198				(102		)	7,854			(210		)
Residential mortgage-backed	256			(5		)	69				(1		)	325			(6		)
Asset-backed	373			(4		)	—				—			373			(4		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	2,224			(11		)	49				(1		)	2,273			(12		)
Common stock:
United States	100,370			(4,803		)	419				(78		)	100,789			(4,881		)
Canada	2,418			(244		)	757				(352		)	3,175			(596		)
Other international	4,444			(399		)	—				—			4,444			(399		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,601			(85		)	153				(8		)	2,754			(93		)
Fixed income	576,890			(14,177		)	2,581				(86		)	579,471			(14,263		)
Private equity	9,213			(798		)	14,254				(9,990		)	23,467			(10,788		)
Other	4,069			(352		)	6,276				(2,180		)	10,345			(2,532		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	708,011		$	(20,990	)	$	35,581			$	(13,031	)	$	743,592		$	(34,021	)
	December 31, 2013
	In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
	Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
	Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
	Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
	Value						Value							Value
							(In thousands)
Fixed income securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,339		$	(14	)	$	20			$	—		$	1,359		$	(14	)
Canadian government	15,777			(214		)	5,131				(245		)	20,908			(459		)
Corporate	22,530			(129		)	3,299				(134		)	25,829			(263		)
Residential mortgage-backed	2,959			(18		)	10				(1		)	2,969			(19		)
Asset-backed	2,835			(10		)	15				(1		)	2,850			(11		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	14,647			(245		)	44				(7		)	14,691			(252		)
Common stock:
United States	23,820			(1,561		)	3,253				(526		)	27,073			(2,087		)
Canada	667			(129		)	1,794				(494		)	2,461			(623		)
Other international	1,540			(54		)	524				(113		)	2,064			(167		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	390			(14		)	163				(21		)	553			(35		)
Fixed income	181,662			(2,090		)	28,494				(508		)	210,156			(2,598		)
Private equity	—			—			19,242				(9,002		)	19,242			(9,002		)
Other	—			—			9,739				(84		)	9,739			(84		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	268,166		$	(4,478	)	$	71,728			$	(11,136	)	$	339,894		$	(15,614	)

Deferred_Preneed_Funeral_and_C

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus [Abstract]
Deferred Preneed Funeral And Cemetery Receipts Held In Trust And Care Trusts Corpus Text Block	Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts’ Corpus
	Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust
	We consolidate the merchandise and service trusts associated with our preneed funeral and cemetery activities as we are the primary beneficiary of the trusts. Although we consolidate the merchandise and service trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, us, or our customers. The customers are the legal beneficiaries of these merchandise and service trusts; therefore, their interests in these trusts represent a liability to us.
	The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below.
		December 31, 2014										December 31, 2013
		Preneed				Preneed			Total			Preneed				Preneed			Total
		Funeral				Cemetery						Funeral				Cemetery
					(In thousands)										(In thousands)
	Trust investments	$	1,628,875			$	1,526,653		$	3,155,528		$	1,665,977			$	1,585,291		$	3,251,268
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,487		)		(4,157		)	(6,644		)	(1,108		)		(1,697		)	(2,805		)
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,626,388			$	1,522,496		$	3,148,884		$	1,664,869			$	1,583,594		$	3,248,463
	Care Trusts’ Corpus
	The Care trusts’ corpus reflected in our consolidated balance sheet represents the cemetery perpetual care trusts, including the related accrued expenses.
	The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below.
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,341,376			$	1,342,591
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(13,718		)		(1,661		)
	Care trusts’ corpus	$	1,327,658			$	1,340,930
	Other Income (Expense), Net
	The components of Other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to our funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.
		Year Ended December 31, 2014
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
									(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	168,567			$	271,507		$	134,259		$	—			$	574,333
	Realized losses	(113,748		)		(138,473		)	(51,093		)	—				(303,314		)
	Impairment charges	(41,846		)		(60,040		)	(8,072		)	—				(109,958		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	22,668				17,597			35,464			—				75,729
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(19,590		)		(20,833		)	(17,581		)	—				(58,004		)
	Net trust investment income	16,051				69,758			92,977			—				178,786
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(16,051		)		(69,758		)	(92,977		)	—				(178,786		)
	Other income (expense), net	—				—			—			1,780				1,780
	Total other income (expense), net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	1,780			$	1,780
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
		(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	65,011			$	101,337		$	17,916		$	—			$	184,264
	Realized losses	(9,732		)		(14,593		)	(2,738		)	—				(27,063		)
	Impairment charges	(829		)		(1,575		)	(192		)	—				(2,596		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	24,912				20,527			27,452			—				72,891
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(11,371		)		(14,633		)	(2,628		)	—				(28,632		)
	Net trust investment income	67,991				91,063			39,810			—				198,864
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(67,991		)		(91,063		)	(39,810		)	—				(198,864		)
	Other income (expense), net	—				—			—			(558		)		(558		)
	Total other income (expense), net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	(558	)		$	(558	)
		December 31, 2012
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
									(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	60,833			$	87,665		$	11,463		$	—			$	159,961
	Realized losses	(21,454		)		(29,397		)	(6,595		)	—				(57,446		)
	Impairment charges	(781		)		(824		)	(760		)	—				(2,365		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	17,017				17,244			34,032			—				68,293
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(10,685		)		(13,389		)	(1,355		)	—				(25,429		)
	Net trust investment income	44,930				61,299			36,785			—				143,014
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(44,930		)		(61,299		)	(36,785		)	—				(143,014		)
	Other (expense) income, net	—				—			—			3,687				3,687
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	3,687			$	3,687

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for our funeral and cemetery reporting units are as follows: (in thousands):
		2014									2013
		Funeral			Cemetery			Total			Funeral			Cemetery			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of January 1,	$	1,526,011		$	299,710		$	1,825,721		$	1,248,316		$	43,078		$	1,291,394
	Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	292			3,238			3,530			318,202			258,659			576,861
	Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(5,959		)	(2,960		)	(8,919		)	(31,844		)	(2,027		)	(33,871		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(9,465		)	(14		)	(9,479		)	(8,663		)	—			(8,663		)
	Activity	(15,132		)	264			(14,868		)	277,695			256,632			534,327
	Balance as of December 31,	$	1,510,879		$	299,974		$	1,810,853		$	1,526,011		$	299,710		$	1,825,721
	The components of intangible assets at December 31 were as follows:
		Useful life
		Minimum		Maximum	2014			2013
		(Years)			(In thousands)
	Amortizing intangibles:
	Covenants-not-to-compete	2	-	20	$	209,920		$	217,758
	Customer relationships	10	-	20	148,351			151,427
	Tradenames	5	-	5	12,750			12,750
	Other	5	-	40	11,927			17,027
					382,948			398,962
	Less: Accumulated amortization				220,682			227,119
	Amortizing intangibles, net				162,266			171,843
	Non-amortizing intangibles:
	Tradenames			Indefinite	220,875			215,135
	Other			Indefinite	10,640			11,640
	Non-amortizing intangibles				231,515			226,775
	Intangible assets, net				$	393,781		$	398,618
	Amortization expense for intangible assets was $36.6 million, $21.9 million, and $23.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The following is estimated amortization expense, excluding certain intangibles for which we are unable to provide an estimate because they are amortized based on specific identification in the performance of a preneed contract, for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	2015	$	9,946
	2016	$	9,206
	2017	$	7,484
	2018	$	6,627
	2019	$	4,144

Income_Taxes_Level_1_Notes

Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Income Taxes
	The provision or benefit for income taxes includes U.S. federal income taxes (determined on a consolidated return basis), foreign income taxes, and state income taxes.
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes for the years ended December 31 was composed of the following components:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	360,800		$	199,374		$	210,830
	Foreign	41,800			45,832			34,453
		$	402,600		$	245,206		$	245,283
	Income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31 consisted of the following:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	United States	$	67,511		$	2,207		$	3,752
	Foreign	10,859			12,445			8,638
	State	17,939			6,664			6,036
	Total current income taxes	96,309			21,316			18,426
	Deferred:
	United States	$	108,514		$	64,355		$	60,699
	Foreign	(653		)	58			118
	State	21,810			7,295			10,868
	Total deferred income taxes	129,671			71,708			71,685
	Total income taxes	$	225,980		$	93,024		$	90,111
	We made income tax payments of $106.3 million, $26.0 million, and $23.1 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, and received refunds of $0.6 million, $0.5 million, and $1.5 million.
	The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Computed tax provision at the applicable federal statutory income tax rate	$	140,910		$	86,002		$	85,988
	State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefits	25,736			8,221			11,007
	Dividends received deduction and tax exempt interest	(1,612		)	(592		)	(525		)
	Foreign jurisdiction differences	(4,424		)	(3,685		)	(3,409		)
	Permanent differences associated with dispositions	61,892			268			602
	Changes in uncertain tax positions	4,624			3,710			(479		)
	Other	(1,146		)	(900		)	(3,073		)
	Provision for income taxes	$	225,980		$	93,024		$	90,111
	Total effective tax rate	56.1		%	37.9		%	36.7		%
	The 2014 consolidated effective tax rate was 56.1%, compared to 37.9% and 36.7% in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The 2014 effective tax rate increased 18.2% over prior year primarily due to non-deductible goodwill resulting from gains on required divestitures associated with the Stewart acquisition and the increase in the unrecognized tax benefits coupled with higher state tax expenses which are partially offset by state legislative changes and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates.
	During 2012, we reached a partial settlement with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in connection with its audit of our affiliate's, SCI Funeral and Cemetery Purchasing Cooperative, 2003 - 2005 federal income tax returns. In connection with this settlement we reduced our 2012 tax expense by $3.1 million for adjustments to our "unrecognized tax benefits" - that is, the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the benefits recognized in our financial statements. The lower effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes the benefit associated with the closure of that tax audit.
	Deferred taxes are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates. The tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 consisted of the following:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Inventories and cemetery property	$	(338,446	)	$	(368,650	)
	Property and equipment	(183,332		)	(159,734		)
	Intangibles	(309,271		)	(323,311		)
	Other	(6,870		)	(35,103		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(837,919		)	(886,798		)
	Loss and tax credit carry-forwards	181,092			252,272
	Deferred revenue on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts	262,202			305,504
	Accrued liabilities	99,908			109,103
	Deferred tax assets	543,202			666,879
	Less: Valuation allowance	(134,201		)	(114,719		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(428,918	)	$	(334,638	)
	As a result of our acquisition of Stewart, our net deferred tax liability increased by $14.7 million primarily as a result of deferred taxes being recorded as part of the purchase accounting entries recording assets and liabilities at fair value.
	Deferred tax assets and Deferred income tax liabilities are recognized in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 as follows:
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Current deferred tax assets	$	1,128		$	30,282
	Non-current deferred tax assets	18,778			22,249
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(448,824		)	(387,169		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(428,918	)	$	(334,638	)
	In addition to the loss and tax credit carry-forward amounts reflected as deferred tax assets in the table above, we have taken certain tax deductions related to the exercised employee stock options and vested restricted shares that are in excess of the stock-based compensation amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements (“windfall tax benefits”). Such windfall tax benefits are not recognized in our consolidated financial statements unless they reduce income taxes payable. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 we have windfall tax benefits of $2.7 million and $36.3 million, respectively, which when realized will be recorded as a reduction to current taxes payable and a credit to Capital in excess of par value in our consolidated financial statements.
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, U.S. income taxes had not been provided on $259.4 million and $241.5 million, respectively, of the remaining undistributed earnings of our Canadian subsidiaries. We intend to permanently reinvest these undistributed foreign earnings in those businesses outside the United States. It is not practicable to determine the amount of federal income taxes, if any, that might become due if such earnings are repatriated.
	The following table summarizes the activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Federal, State and Foreign Tax
		(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	197,223
Reductions to tax positions related to the current year	(2,100		)
Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(10,224		)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	184,899
Additions to tax positions related to the current year	3,019
Additions to tax positions related to the acquisition of Stewart, offset to goodwill	1,556
Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(8,800		)
Statute expirations	(2,844		)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	177,830
Additions to tax positions related to the current year	8,721
Additions to tax positions related to prior years	10,085
Reductions to tax positions related to the current year	(1,075		)
Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(2,325		)
Reductions to tax positions related to the acquisition of Stewart, offset to goodwill	(1,556		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	191,680
Our total unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rates were $77.3 million, $37.1 million, and $34.9 million as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
During 2014, we recorded an increase of $13.8 million in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits, of which $7.7 million was a net increase to U.S. tax positions taken in the current year, and $7.8 million was a net increase to U.S. tax positions taken in prior years. In addition, we recorded a $1.6 million decrease to U.S. positions related to acquired entities taken in prior years, offset to goodwill.
Consistent with our historical financial reporting, we include potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within our income tax provision account. We have accrued $47.6 million, $44.5 million, and $41.6 million for the payment of interest, net of tax benefits, and penalties as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. We recognized an increase of interest and penalties of $3.1 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively. We recognized a decrease of interest and penalties of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions or the uncertainty of deductions in the future, amounts accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.
We file income tax returns, including tax returns for our subsidiaries, with federal, state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. Our tax returns are subject to routine compliance review by the taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which we file tax returns in the ordinary course of business. We consider the United States to be our most significant tax jurisdiction; however, the taxing authority in Canada is auditing various tax returns. While we have effectively concluded our 2003 - 2005 tax years with respect to our affiliate SCI Funeral and Cemetery Purchasing Cooperative, SCI and subsidiaries' tax years 1999 through 2005 remain under review at the IRS Appeals level. SCI and subsidiaries are under audit for 2006-2007 as a result of carry back claims. Furthermore, SCI and its affiliates are under audit by various state and foreign jurisdictions for years 2010 through 2012. It is reasonably possible that changes to our global unrecognized tax benefits could be significant; however, due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of completion of audits and possible outcomes, a current estimate of the range of increases or decreases that may occur within the next twelve months cannot be made.
Various subsidiaries have foreign, federal, and state carry-forwards in the aggregate of $3.3 billion with expiration dates through 2031. Such loss carry-forwards will expire as follows:
	Federal			State			Foreign			Total
				(In thousands)
2015	$	—		$	80,429		$	—		$	80,429
2016	—			158,616			—			158,616
2017	—			243,893			—			243,893
2018	—			105,303			—			105,303
Thereafter	9,736			2,728,094			470			2,738,300
Total	$	9,736		$	3,316,335		$	470		$	3,326,541
In addition to the above loss carry-forwards, we have $59.1 million of foreign losses that have an indefinite expiration.
A valuation allowance has been established because more-likely-than-not uncertainties exist with respect to our future realization of certain loss carry-forwards. The valuation allowance is primarily attributable to state net operating losses and reflects our expectation that the net operating losses in certain jurisdictions will expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the losses. In 2014, we recorded a net $21.5 million increase in state valuation allowance related to state estimated net operating losses expected to expire unutilized. We recorded a $2.1 million decrease in international valuation allowances due to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Euro and the US dollar.
At December 31, 2014, our loss and tax credit carry-forward deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances by jurisdiction are as follows:
	Federal			State			Foreign			Total
				(In thousands)
Loss and tax credit carry-forwards	$	3,587		$	155,956		$	21,549		$	181,092
Valuation allowance	$	—		$	116,923		$	17,278		$	134,201
_________________________________
-1	Presented net of Federal benefit
Our federal loss and tax credit carryforwards exclude windfall tax benefits, suspended net operating losses and credit carryforwards which, when realized, will reduce current income taxes payable by an additional $2.7 million.

Debt_Level_1_Notes

Debt Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Debt
	Debt as of December 31 was as follows:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014	$	—		$	86,416
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	—			136,465
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377			197,377
	3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016	134			45,119
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			250,000
	6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019	—			200,000
	7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	—			250,000
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	200,000			200,000
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000			150,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	425,000			425,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024	550,000			—
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
	Term Loan due July 2018	370,000			600,000
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	235,000			30,000
	Obligations under capital leases	181,002			189,697
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050	4,117			4,752
	Unamortized (discounts) premiums and other, net	(2,905		)	42,084
	Total debt	3,054,725			3,301,910
	Less:
	Current maturities of debt, capital lease obligations, and mortgage notes	(91,584		)	(153,738		)
	Current maturities of unamortized discounts (premiums) and other, net	653			(22,624		)
	Total current maturities	(90,931		)	(176,362		)
	Total long-term debt	$	2,963,794		$	3,125,548
	Current maturities of debt at December 31, 2014 primarily comprise our capital lease obligations and amounts due under our term loan.
	Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 5.21% and 5.25% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Approximately 75% and 76% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The aggregate maturities of our debt for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 and thereafter (in thousands) are as follows:
		Aggregate Maturities of Debt
	2015	$	90,931
	2016	223,449
	2017	315,414
	2018	858,277
	2019	9,003
	2020 and thereafter	1,557,651
		$	3,054,725
	Bank Credit Facility
	The Company has a $500.0 million bank credit facility due July 2018 with a syndicate of banks, including a sublimit of $175 million for letters of credit. As of December 31, 2014, we have $235.0 million outstanding borrowings under our bank credit facility and have issued $31.6 million of letters of credit. The bank credit facility provides us with flexibility for working capital, if needed, and is guaranteed by a majority of our domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guaranty is a guaranty of payment of the outstanding amount of the total lending commitment, including letters of credit. The bank credit facility contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. As of December 31, 2014 we are in compliance with all covenants. We pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.35% at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, we have $233.4 million in borrowing capacity under the facility.
	Debt Issuances and Additions
	In May 2014, we issued $550.0 million of unsecured 5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024. We used the net proceeds from this offering, along with a $95.0 million draw on our Bank Credit Facility, to repay our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015, 6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019, and 7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019 along with associated refinancing costs. The newly issued notes are subject to the provisions of the Company's Senior Indenture dated as of February 1, 1993, as amended, which includes covenants limiting, among other things, the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale-leaseback transactions.
	In February 2014, we drew $110.0 million on our Bank Credit Facility, which we used along with cash on hand to repay our 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014 and substantially all of our 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016.
	In July 2013, the Company issued $425 million in 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022. In conjunction with the Stewart acquisition, we assumed $200.0 million, $86.4 million, and $46.3 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.5% Senior Notes due 2019, 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due 2014, and 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due 2016, respectively. These notes had fair value premiums of $10.0 million, $21.7 million, and $14.2 million, respectively, which are included in unamortized premiums (discounts) and other, net above as of December 31, 2013.
	In November 2012, we issued $200.0 million of unsecured 4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020. We used the net proceeds from the offering to repay our 7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014.
	Debt Extinguishments and Reductions
	During the year ended December 31, 2014, we made debt payments of $993.4 million for scheduled and early extinguishment payments as follows:
	•	$250.0 million in aggregate principal of our 7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019;
	•	$200.0 million in aggregate principal and $9.1 million in unamortized premiums of our 6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019;
	•	$136.5 million in aggregate principal of our 6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015;
	•	$230.0 million in aggregate principal of our Term Loan due July 2018. Of this amount our credit agreement required $200.0 million from the proceeds of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) mandated divestitures under our consent order related to the Stewart acquisition;
	•	$86.4 million in aggregate principal and $21.7 million in unamortized premiums of our 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due 2014;
	•	$45.0 million in aggregate principal and $14.2 million in unamortized premiums of our 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due 2016;
	•	$0.5 million in other debt.
	Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a loss of $29.2 million recorded in (Losses) gains on early extinguishment of debt in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	In addition to repaying $86.6 million of outstanding cash advances on our previous credit facility during 2013, we paid an aggregate of $31.8 million to repay our remaining $4.8 million 7.875% Debenture due February 2013, to retire $26.4 million in capital lease obligations and to extinguish $0.6 million in other debt. Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a gain $0.5 million recorded in gains on early extinguishment of debt, net in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. As mentioned above, we have paid down a total of $167.0 million in debt including $107.9 million in principal and premiums associated with our 3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014 and $59.1 million in principal and premiums associated with our 3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016. We did not incur any gains or losses as a result of these transactions.
	During 2012, we paid an aggregate of $206.6 million, to redeem our 7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014 with a principal amount of $180.7 million and to retire $25.8 million in capital lease obligations. Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a loss of $22.7 million recorded in (Losses) gains on early extinguishment of debt, net in our Consolidated Statement of Operations, which represents the write-off of unamortized deferred loan costs of $1.3 million and $21.4 million in a make-whole provision paid in cash upon retiring our 7.375% Senior Notes due October 2014. This refinancing allowed the Company to replace 7.375% debt due in 2014 with 4.5% debt due in 2020.
	Capital Leases
	In 2014, 2013, and 2012 we acquired $35.7 million, $40.1 million, and $78.9 million, respectively, of capital leases, primarily related to transportation equipment. We retired $29.4 million and $26.4 million of capital lease obligations for the years ended December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively. See additional information regarding these leases in Note 12.
	Additional Debt Disclosures
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we have deposits of $7.4 million and $7.6 million, respectively, in restricted, interest-bearing accounts that were pledged as collateral for various credit instruments and commercial commitments and is included in Deferred charges and other assets in our consolidated balance sheet.
	We had assets of approximately $1.7 million and $2.1 million pledged as collateral for the mortgage notes and other debt at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Cash interest payments for the three years ended December 31 (in thousands) were as follows:
Payments in 2014	$	175,327
Payments in 2013	$	125,022
Payments in 2012	$	131,723
Cash interest payments forecasted as of December 31, 2014 for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 and thereafter (in thousands) are as follows:
Payments in 2015	$	154,408
Payments in 2016	$	144,134
Payments in 2017	$	128,986
Payments in 2018	$	114,305
Payments in 2019	$	96,830
Payments in 2020 and thereafter	$	324,075

Credit_Risk_and_Fair_Value_of_

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Text Block]	Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair Value Estimates
	The fair value estimates of the following financial instruments have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The carrying values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts approximate fair value due to the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms.
	The fair value of our debt instruments at December 31 was as follows:
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014	—		106,939
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	—		144,653
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	208,075		214,904
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016	160		60,487
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	320,043		333,259
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	277,538		288,875
	6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019	—		210,000
	7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	—		270,000
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	201,700		192,610
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	174,375		173,625
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	437,750		431,588
	5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024	558,250		—
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	220,890		215,750
	Term Loan due July 2018	370,000		600,000
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	235,000		30,000
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,117		4,752
	Total fair value of debt instruments	$	3,007,898	$	3,277,442
	The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate securities were estimated using market prices for those securities, and therefore they are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The term loan, bank credit facility, and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.
	Credit Risk Exposure
	Our cash deposits, some of which exceed insured limits, are distributed among various market and national banks in the jurisdictions in which we operate. In addition, we regularly invest excess cash in financial instruments which are not insured, such as money-market funds and Eurodollar time deposits, that are offered by a variety of reputable financial institutions and commercial paper that is offered by corporations with quality credit ratings. We believe that the credit risk associated with such instruments is minimal.
	We grant credit to customers in the normal course of business. The credit risk associated with our funeral, cemetery, and preneed funeral and preneed cemetery receivables due from customers is generally considered minimal because of the diversification of the customers served. Furthermore, bad debts have not been significant relative to the volume of deferred revenues. Customer payments on preneed funeral or preneed cemetery contracts that are either placed into state-regulated trusts or used to pay premiums on life insurance contracts generally do not subject us to collection risk. Insurance-funded contracts are subject to supervision by state insurance departments and are protected in the majority of states by insurance guaranty acts.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies
	Leases
	Our leases principally relate to funeral home facilities and transportation equipment. The majority of our lease arrangements contain options to (i) purchase the property at fair value on the exercise date, (ii) purchase the property for a value determined at the inception of the lease, or (iii) renew the lease for the fair rental value at the end of the primary lease term. Rental expense for operating leases was $37.2 million, $28.4 million, and $26.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating and capital leases exceeding one year were as follows:
		Operating		Capital
		(In thousands)
	2015	$	14,049	$	31,377
	2016	12,219		26,366
	2017	10,202		20,654
	2018	8,726		63,380
	2019	7,308		9,125
	2020 and thereafter	62,468		30,100
	Total	$	114,972	181,002
	Less: Interest on capital leases			(18,508		)
	Total principal payable on capital leases			$	162,494
	Employment and Management, Consulting, and Non-Competition Agreements
	We have entered into employment and management, consulting, and non-competition agreements, generally for five to ten years, with certain officers and employees and former owners of businesses that we acquired. At December 31, 2014, the maximum estimated future cash commitments under agreements with remaining commitment terms, and with original terms of more than one year, were as follows:
		Employment and Management		Consulting			Non-Competition		Total
		(In thousands)
	2015	$	2,236	$	587		$	4,376	$	7,199
	2016	938		218			3,872		5,028
	2017	767		103			3,622		4,492
	2018	333		75			3,414		3,822
	2019	126		69			3,236		3,431
	2020 and thereafter	16		38			4,999		5,053
	Total	$	4,416	$	1,090		$	23,519	$	29,025
	Insurance Loss Reserves
	We purchase comprehensive general liability, morticians and cemetery professional liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage structured with high deductibles. The high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we have self-insurance reserves of $74.0 million and $78.0 million, respectively.
	Litigation
	We are a party to various litigation matters, investigations, and proceedings. Some of the more frequent ordinary routine litigations incidental to our business are based on burial practices claims and employment related matters, including discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour laws and regulations. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the lawsuits described herein; however, if we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish the necessary accruals. We hold certain insurance policies that may reduce cash outflows with respect to an adverse outcome of certain of these litigation matters. We accrue such insurance recoveries when they become probable of being paid and can be reasonably estimated.
	Wage and Hour Claims. We are named a defendant in various lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state laws regulating wage and hour pay, including but not limited to the Sambrosky lawsuit described below.
	Charles Samborsky, et al, individually and on behalf of those persons similarly situated, v. SCI California Funeral Services, Inc., et al ; Case No. BC544180; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, Central District-Central Civil West Courthouse. This lawsuit was filed in April 2014 against an SCI subsidiary and purports to have been brought on behalf of employees who worked as family service counselors in California since April 2010. The plaintiffs allege causes of action for various violations of state laws regulating wage and hour pay. The plaintiffs seek unpaid wages, compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, interest, and injunctive relief. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit.
	Claims Regarding Acquisition of Stewart Enterprises. We are involved in the following lawsuits.
	Karen Moulton, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Stewart Enterprises, Inc., Service Corporation International and others ; Case No. 2013-5636; in the Civil District Court Parish of New Orleans. This case was filed as a class action in June 2013 against SCI and our subsidiary in connection with SCI's proposed acquisition of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. The plaintiffs allege that SCI aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duties by Stewart Enterprises and its board of directors in negotiating the combination of Stewart Enterprises with a subsidiary of SCI. The plaintiffs seek damages concerning the combination. We filed exceptions to the plaintiffs’ complaint that were granted in June 2014. Thus, subject to appeals, SCI will no longer be party to the suit. The case will continue against our subsidiary Stewart Enterprises and its former individual directors. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of damages.
	S.E. Funeral Homes of California, Inc. v. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, et al.; Case No. BC559142; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. The plaintiff is a company indirectly owned by Stewart Enterprises, Inc. The plaintiff filed this action in September 2014 to prevent The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles (the “Archdiocese”) from terminating six ground leases. In reliance on the leases having 40 year terms beginning at the earliest in 1997, the plaintiff had previously made material investments since 1997 in constructing and operating funeral homes, chapels, mausoleums, and other improvements on the leased premises. In addition, the plaintiff has created a material backlog of deferred preneed revenue that plaintiff expects to receive in the coming years. In September 2014, the Archdiocese delivered notices purporting to terminate the leases and alleging that the leases were breached because the plaintiff did not obtain the Archdiocese’s consent before Stewart Enterprises, Inc. entered into a reverse merger with an affiliate of SCI. The plaintiff disputes this contention and seeks, among other things, a declaratory judgment declaring that the Archdiocese’s purported termination notices are invalid, requiring specific performance of the leases, or, in the alternative, awarding plaintiff compensatory damages and damages for unjust enrichment. We cannot quantify the ultimate outcome in this lawsuit.
	The ultimate outcome of the matters described above cannot be determined at this time. We intend to vigorously defend all of the above lawsuits; however, an adverse decision in one or more of such matters could have a material effect on us, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Equity_Level_1_Notes

Equity Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Equity
	(All shares reported in whole numbers)
	Share Authorization
	We are authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1 per share par value. No preferred shares were issued as of December 31, 2014 or 2013. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, 500,000,000 common shares of $1 par value were authorized. We had 204,866,770 and 212,316,642 shares issued and outstanding, net of 591,561 and 10,000 shares held in treasury at par at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
		Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Currency			Gains and			Other
		Translation			Losses			Comprehensive
		Adjustment						(Loss) Income
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	105,852		$	—		$	105,852
	Activity in 2012	5,865			—			5,865
	Reduction in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			95,686			95,686
	Reclassification of net unrealized losses activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			(95,686		)	(95,686		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	111,717		$	—		$	111,717
	Activity in 2013	(23,276		)				(23,276		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(113,553		)	(113,553		)
	Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			113,553			113,553
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	88,441		$	—		$	88,441
	Activity in 2014	(32,141		)	—			(32,141		)
	Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments to Net income from discontinued operations	3,114			—			3,114
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(166,570		)	(166,570		)
	Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			166,570			166,570
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	59,414		$	—		$	59,414
	The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The U.S. dollar amount that arises from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the cumulative currency translation adjustments in Accumulated other comprehensive income.
	Share Repurchase Program
	Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our share repurchase program. Under our share repurchase program, during 2014, we repurchased 11,424,446 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $241.7 million, which is an average cost per share of $21.15. During 2013, there were no shares repurchased under our share repurchase program. During 2012, we repurchased 15,294,567 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $184.9 million, which is an average cost per share of $12.09 under the program. In November 2014, our Board of Directors approved an additional increase in our share repurchase program authorizing the investment of up to an additional $290.0 million to repurchase our common stock, bringing total authorization up to $300.0 million. The remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under the share repurchase program was $238.8 million at December 31, 2014.
	Subsequent to December 31, 2014, we repurchased 1,974,053 shares for $45.1 million at an average cost per share of $22.84.
	Cash Dividends
	On November 11, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.09 per common share paid on December 31, 2014 to stockholders of record as of December 15, 2014. We paid $71.5 million, $57.2 million, and $60.3 million in cash dividends in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. In 2012, five dividends were paid including the fourth quarter 2012 dividend, which historically would have been paid in the first quarter of 2013. On February 10, 2015 our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.10 per common share payable on March 31, 2014 to stockholders of record as of March 16, 2014.

ShareBased_Compensation_Level_

Share-Based Compensation Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	Share-Based Compensation
	Stock Benefit Plans
	We maintain benefit plans whereby shares of our common stock may be issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options or restricted stock granted to officers and key employees. Our Amended and Restated Incentive Plan reserves 44,000,000 shares of common stock for outstanding and future awards of stock options, restricted stock, and other stock based awards to officers and key employees.
	Our benefit plans allow for options to be granted as either non-qualified or incentive stock options. The options historically have been granted annually, or upon hire, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The options are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock on the date the grant, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The options are generally exercisable at a rate of 331/3% each year unless alternative vesting methods are approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Restricted stock awards are generally expensed to income ratably over the period during which the restrictions lapse. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, 4,916,787 and 6,744,936 shares, respectively, were reserved for future option and restricted stock grants under our stock benefit plans.
	We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. This model allows the use of a range of assumptions related to volatility, risk-free interest rate, expected holding period, and dividend yield. The expected volatility utilized in the valuation model is based on the historical volatility of our stock price. The dividend yield and expected holding period are based on historical experience and management’s estimate of future events. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve based on the expected life of the option in effect at the time of grant. The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions, based on the methods described above for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
			Years Ended December 31,
	Assumptions		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend yield		1.8	%		1.9	%		1.8	%
	Expected volatility		27.1	%		35.2	%		40.8	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.1	%		0.7	%		0.8	%
	Expected holding period (years)		4			4			5
	The following table summarizes certain information with respect to stock option and restricted share compensation for 2014, 2013, and 2012, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for those respective periods:
		December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	$	13,127			$	11,925			$	10,983
	Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation included in net income	$	7,368			$	4,689			$	4,092
	We realized windfall tax deductions of $31.6 million, $7.3 million, and $16.3 million in excess of previously recorded tax benefits, based on the option and restricted share value at the time of grant for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The additional tax benefit associated with the windfall is not recognized until the deduction reduces taxes payable.
	Stock Options
	The following table sets forth stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers and not in thousands)
		Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	13,319,750			$	9.84
	Granted	2,495,850			$	17.41
	Exercised	(3,642,126	)		$	9.1
	Forfeited and other	(66,368	)		$	8.52
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	12,107,106			$	11.63
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014	7,673,557			$	9.17
	The aggregate intrinsic value for stock options outstanding and exercisable was $134.2 million and $103.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014.
	Set forth below is certain information related to stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers and not in thousands)
			Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
			Number			Weighted-		Weighted-				Number	Weighted-
			Outstanding at			Average		Average				Exercisable at	Average
			December 31,			Remaining						December 31,
	Range of Exercise Price		2014			Contractual Life		Exercise Price				2014	Exercise Price
	$4.01 — 8.00		2,784,838			2.6		$	6.01			2,784,838	$	6.01
	$8.01 — 12.00		4,871,490			3.8		$	10.43			4,228,505	$	10.32
	$12.01 — 16.00		1,996,328			6		$	15.2			660,214	$	15.08
	$16.01 — 20.00		2,454,450			7.1		$	17.41			—	$	—
	$4.01 — 20.00		12,107,106			4.6		$	11.62			7,673,557	$	9.17
	Other information pertaining to option activity during the years ended December 31 is as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted	$	3.34			$	3.68			$	3.41
	Total fair value of stock options vested (in thousands)	$	6,814			$	5,997			$	5,088
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands)	$	42,048			$	8,855			$	20,333
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, cash received from the exercise of stock options was $32.4 million, $6.3 million, and $18.4 million, respectively. We recognized compensation expense of $7.5 million, $6.7 million, and $6.2 million related to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options of $8.8 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years.
	Restricted Shares
	Restricted share activity was as follows:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers)
		Restricted			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2013	1,183,229			$	11.81
	Granted	351,860			$	17.49
	Vested	(207,659	)		$	11.26
	Forfeited and other	(8,170	)		$	14.67
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2014	1,319,260			$	13.39
	The fair value of our restricted stock, as determined on the grant date, is being amortized and charged to income (with an offsetting credit to Capital in excess of par value) generally over the average period during which the restrictions lapse. At December 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense of $6.5 million related to restricted shares, which is recorded in Capital in excess of par value on our balance sheet, is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years. We recognized compensation expense of $5.7 million, $5.2 million, and $4.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, related to our restricted shares.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	Retirement Plans
	We currently have a supplemental retirement plan for certain current and former key employees (SERP), a supplemental retirement plan for officers and certain key employees (Senior SERP), a retirement plan for certain non-employee directors (Directors’ Plan), a Retirement Plan for Rose Hills Trustees, a Rose Hills Supplemental Retirement Plan, and a Stewart Supplemental Retirement Plan (collectively, the “Plans”). We also provide a 401(k) employee savings plan. All of our Plans have a measurement date of December 31.
	The Plans are frozen; therefore, the participants do not earn incremental benefits from additional years of service, and we do not incur any additional service cost since December 31, 2000.
	Retirement benefits under the SERP are based on years of service and average monthly compensation, reduced by benefits under Social Security. The Senior SERP provides retirement benefits based on years of service and position. The Directors’ Plan provides for an annual benefit to directors following retirement, based on a vesting schedule.
	The components of the Plans’ net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	1,293			$	780			$	1,109
	Recognized net actuarial losses (gains)	2,401				(1,205		)		1,418
		$	3,694			$	(425	)		$	2,527
	The Plans’ funded status at December 31 was as follows:
		2014				2013
		(In thousands)
	Change in Benefit Obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	37,499			$	28,674
	Acquisition of benefit obligation	—				21,407
	Interest cost	1,293				780
	Actuarial gain (loss)	2,401				(856		)
	Benefits paid	(4,273		)		(12,506		)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	36,920			$	37,499
	Change in Plan Assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	—			$	—
	Employer contributions	4,273				12,506
	Benefits paid, including expenses	(4,273		)		(12,506		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—			$	—
	Funded status of plan	$	(36,920	)		$	(37,499	)
	Net amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$	(36,920	)		$	(37,499	)
	Funding Summary:
	Projected benefit obligations	$	36,920			$	37,499
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	36,920			$	37,499
	Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
	Accrued benefit liability	$	(36,920	)		$	(37,499	)
	The retirement benefits under the Plans are unfunded obligations of the Company. We have purchased various life insurance policies on the participants in the Plans with the intent to use the proceeds or any cash value buildup from such policies to assist in meeting, at least to the extent of such assets, the Plan’s funding requirements. The face value of these insurance policies at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $47.8 million and $47.4 million, respectively, and the cash surrender value was $37.0 million and $35.8 million, respectively. The outstanding loans against the policies are minimal and there are no restrictions in the policies regarding loans.
	The Plans’ weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net benefit cost are as follows: we base our discount rate used to compute future benefit obligations using an analysis of expected future benefit payments. The reasonableness of our discount rate is verified by comparing the rate to the rate earned on high-quality fixed income investments, such as the Moody’s Aa index, plus 50 basis points. The assumed rate of return on plan assets was not applicable as we pay plan benefits as they come due. As all Plans are curtailed, the assumed rate of compensation increase is zero.
		2014			2013			2012
	Weighted average discount rate used to determine obligations	3.42	%		3.66	%		2.9	%
	Weighted average discount rate used to determine net periodic pension cost	3.69	%		2.9	%		4.05	%
	The following benefit payments are expected to be paid in future years related to our Plans (in thousands):
	2015	$	3,940
	2016	$	3,768
	2017	$	3,471
	2018	$	3,264
	2019	$	3,195
	Years 2020 through 2024	$	11,771
	We have an employee savings plan that qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for the exclusive benefit of our United States employees. Under the plan, participating employees may contribute a portion of their pretax and/or after-tax income in accordance with specified guidelines up to a maximum of 50%.
	During 2014, 2013, and 2012 we matched a percentage of the employee contributions through contributions of cash. For these years, our matching contribution was based upon the following:
	Years of Vesting Service		Percentage of Deferred Compensation
	0 — 5 years		75% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	6 — 10 years		100% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	11 or more years		125% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	The amount of our matched contributions in 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $26.8 million, $24.3 million, and $23.1 million, respectively.

Segment_Reporting_Level_1_Note

Segment Reporting Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Segment Reporting
	Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations. Our geographic areas include United States and Canada. We conduct both funeral and cemetery operations in the United States and Canada.
	Our reportable segment information is as follows:
		Funeral			Cemetery			Reportable
								Segments
		(In thousands)
	2014
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,920,477		$	1,073,535		$	2,994,012
	Interest expense	$	4,714		$	510		$	5,224
	Depreciation and amortization	$	101,792		$	28,754		$	130,546
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	24,841		$	11,700		$	36,541
	Gross profit	$	403,938		$	271,875		$	675,813
	Amortization of cemetery property	$	—		$	60,439		$	60,439
	Total assets	$	5,209,177		$	6,248,713		$	11,457,890
	Capital expenditures	$	52,610		$	78,588		$	131,198
	2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,698,493		$	851,973		$	2,550,466
	Interest expense	$	4,736		$	348		$	5,084
	Depreciation and amortization	$	92,588		$	23,384		$	115,972
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	17,245		$	4,590		$	21,835
	Gross profit	$	349,791		$	199,256		$	549,047
	Amortization of cemetery property	$	—		$	48,344		$	48,344
	Total assets	$	5,675,371		$	6,594,300		$	12,269,671
	Capital expenditures	$	50,304		$	58,315		$	108,619
	2012
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,619,687		$	784,743		$	2,404,430
	Interest expense	$	4,302		$	384		$	4,686
	Depreciation and amortization	$	90,707		$	22,736		$	113,443
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	18,803		$	5,021		$	23,824
	Gross profit	$	347,359		$	175,413		$	522,772
	Amortization of cemetery property	$	—		$	44,976		$	44,976
	Total assets	$	4,477,259		$	4,777,450		$	9,254,709
	Capital expenditures	$	43,678		$	58,155		$	101,833
	The following table reconciles certain reportable segment amounts to our corresponding consolidated amounts:
		Reportable			Corporate			Consolidated
		Segments
		(In thousands)
	2014
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,994,012		$	—		$	2,994,012
	Interest expense	$	5,224		$	172,347		$	177,571
	Depreciation and amortization	$	130,546		$	9,456		$	140,002
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	36,541		$	99		$	36,640
	Total assets	$	11,457,890		$	465,754		$	11,923,644
	Capital expenditures	$	131,198		$	13,301		$	144,499
	2013
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,550,466		$	—		$	2,550,466
	Interest expense	$	5,084		$	137,276		$	142,360
	Depreciation and amortization	$	115,972		$	6,263		$	122,235
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	21,835		$	24		$	21,859
	Total assets	$	12,269,671		$	563,929		$	12,833,600
	Capital expenditures	$	108,619		$	4,320		$	112,939
	2012
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,404,430		$	—		$	2,404,430
	Interest expense	$	4,686		$	130,382		$	135,068
	Depreciation and amortization	$	113,443		$	6,419		$	119,862
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	23,824		$	29		$	23,853
	Total assets	$	9,254,709		$	333,817		$	9,588,526
	Capital expenditures	$	101,833		$	13,488		$	115,321
	The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments shown above to our consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Gross profit from reportable segments	$	675,813		$	549,047		$	522,772
	General and administrative expenses	(184,877		)	(155,128		)	(121,891		)
	Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	116,613			(6,263		)	(1,511		)
Operating income	607,549			387,656			399,370
Interest expense	(177,571		)	(142,360		)	(135,068		)
(Losses) gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	(29,158		)	468			(22,706		)
Other income (expense), net	1,780			(558		)	3,687
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	402,600		$	245,206		$	245,283
Our geographic area information was as follows:
	United States			Canada			Total
	(In thousands)
2014
Revenues from external customers	$	2,792,010		$	202,002		$	2,994,012
Interest expense	$	177,245		$	326		$	177,571
Depreciation and amortization	$	129,510		$	10,492		$	140,002
Amortization of intangible assets	$	35,895		$	745		$	36,640
Amortization of cemetery property	$	55,679		$	4,760		$	60,439
Operating income	$	557,608		$	49,941		$	607,549
Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	$	116,046		$	567		$	116,613
Long-lived assets	$	5,717,850		$	300,515		$	6,018,365
2013
Revenues from external customers	$	2,334,667		$	215,799		$	2,550,466
Interest expense	$	141,991		$	369		$	142,360
Depreciation and amortization	$	111,210		$	11,025		$	122,235
Amortization of intangible assets	$	20,846		$	1,013		$	21,859
Amortization of cemetery property	$	42,972		$	5,372		$	48,344
Operating income	$	331,143		$	56,513		$	387,656
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	$	(5,958	)	$	(305	)	$	(6,263	)
Long-lived assets	$	5,793,719		$	329,785		$	6,123,504
2012
Revenues from external customers	$	2,191,532		$	212,898		$	2,404,430
Interest expense	$	134,643		$	425		$	135,068
Depreciation and amortization	$	108,411		$	11,451		$	119,862
Amortization of intangible assets	$	22,433		$	1,420		$	23,853
Amortization of cemetery property	$	39,803		$	5,173		$	44,976
Operating income	$	346,289		$	53,081		$	399,370
Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	$	(1,502	)	$	(9	)	$	(1,511	)
Long-lived assets	$	4,484,911		$	359,882		$	4,844,793

Supplementary_Information_Leve

Supplementary Information Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplementary Information [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block]	Supplementary Information
	The detail of certain balance sheet accounts is as follows:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	132,743		$	101,952
	Commercial paper and temporary investments	44,592			39,632
		$	177,335		$	141,584
	Receivables, net:
	Notes receivable	$	8,381		$	1,140
	Atneed funeral receivables, net of allowances of $6,200 and $8,895, respectively	61,306			66,671
	Atneed cemetery receivables, net of allowances of $2,346 and $2,742, respectively	14,842			13,841
	Other	24,521			19,772
		$	109,050		$	101,424
	Other current assets:
	Income tax receivable	$	22,581		$	2,933
	Prepaid insurance	5,270			8,583
	Restricted cash	28,926			6,550
	Bond conversion asset	—			21,682
	Deferred debt issuance costs	9,180			9,082
	Other	13,644			14,916
		$	79,601		$	63,746
	Cemetery property:
	Undeveloped land	$	1,186,325		$	1,192,613
	Developed lots, lawn crypts, mausoleum spaces, cremation niches, and cremation memorialization property	552,891			559,656
		$	1,739,216		$	1,752,269
	Property and equipment:
	Land	$	603,509		$	610,339
	Buildings and improvements	1,783,171			1,779,584
	Operating equipment	500,511			500,721
	Leasehold improvements	50,862			25,642
	Capital leases	204,991			185,875
		3,143,044			3,102,161
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,163,921		)	(1,083,151		)
	Less: Accumulated amortization of capital leases	(117,720		)	(106,496		)
		$	1,861,403		$	1,912,514
	Deferred charges and other assets:
	Intangible assets, net	393,781			398,618
	Restricted cash	16,073			2,409
	Non-current deferred tax assets	18,778			22,249
	Notes receivable, net of allowances of $11,259 and $10,986, respectively	4,858			11,651
	Cash surrender value of insurance policies	102,856			90,177
	Other	81,200			107,896
		$	617,546		$	633,000
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	137,270		$	143,686
	Accrued compensation	86,880			104,464
	Accrued interest	30,133			36,583
	Accrued property taxes	14,346			14,395
	Self insurance reserves	73,991			77,962
	Bank overdraft	27,798			5,152
	Bond conversion liability	—			18,744
	Other accrued liabilities	82,610			81,853
		$	453,028		$	482,839
	Other liabilities:
	Accrued pension	$	35,614		$	35,629
	Deferred compensation	80,580			65,605
	Customer refund obligation reserve	60,019			59,826
	Tax liability	239,265			222,365
	Indemnification liability	236			442
Payable to perpetual care fund	64,722			56,501
Other	15,129			50,870
	$	495,565		$	491,238
Revenues and Costs and Expenses
The detail of certain income statement accounts is as follows for the years ended December 31:
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Merchandise revenues:
Funeral	$	616,992		$	584,438		$	552,308
Cemetery	743,765			609,142			554,516
Total merchandise revenues	1,360,757			1,193,580			1,106,824
Services revenues:
Funeral	1,167,386			989,613			965,226
Cemetery	295,195			212,932			203,113
Total services revenues	1,462,581			1,202,545			1,168,339
Other revenues	170,674			154,341			129,267
Total revenues	$	2,994,012		$	2,550,466		$	2,404,430
Merchandise costs and expenses:
Funeral	$	294,237		$	266,538		$	258,860
Cemetery	317,690			254,065			234,031
Total cost of merchandise	611,927			520,603			492,891
Services costs and expenses:
Funeral	635,096			548,554			520,243
Cemetery	140,402			100,865			98,809
Total cost of services	775,498			649,419			619,052
Overhead and other expenses	930,774			831,397			769,715
Total cost and expenses	$	2,318,199		$	2,001,419		$	1,881,658
Certain Non-Cash Financing Transactions
	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Options exercised by attestation	$	761		$	3,004		$	—
Shares repurchased	(761		)	$	(3,004	)	$	—

Earnings_Per_Share_Level_1_Not

Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that shared in our earnings.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS for the three years ended December 31 is presented below:
		2014		2013		2012
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
	Income from continuing operations — basic	$	170,283	$	146,926	$	153,583
	After tax interest on convertible debt	51		51		51
	Income from continuing operations — diluted	$	170,334	$	146,977	$	153,634
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	2,186	$	406	$	262
	Net income — basic	$	172,469	$	147,332	$	153,845
	After tax interest on convertible debt	51		51		51
	Net income — diluted	$	172,520	$	147,383	$	153,896
	Weighted average shares:
	Weighted average shares — basic	210,741		211,811		215,712
	Stock options	3,338		4,082		3,233
	Convertible debt	121		121		121
	Weighted average shares — diluted	214,200		216,014		219,066
	Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
	Income from continuing operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.81	$	0.7	$	0.71
	Diluted	$	0.8	$	0.68	$	0.7
	Income from discontinued operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.01	$	—	$	—
	Diluted	$	0.01	$	—	$	—
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.82	$	0.7	$	0.71
	Diluted	$	0.81	$	0.68	$	0.7
	The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes outstanding stock options and convertible debt in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options and debt would be antidilutive to the periods presented. Total options not currently included in the computation of diluted EPS in shares are 1.5 million, 1.2 million, and 1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Acquisition_Level_1_Notes

Acquisition Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	Acquisition
	Stewart
	On December 23, 2013, pursuant to a tender offer, we acquired Stewart Enterprises, Inc. (Stewart) for $13.25 per share in cash, resulting in a purchase price of $1.5 billion, which includes the assumption of $331.5 million of Stewart’s debt.
	We incurred acquisition costs of $39.7 million of which $28.4 million is included in General and administrative expenses and $11.3 million is included in Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The primary reasons for the merger and the principal factors that contributed to the recognition of goodwill in this acquisition were:
	•	the acquisition of Stewart enhances our network footprint, enabling us to serve a number of new, complementary areas;
	•	combining the two companies’ operations provides synergies and related cost savings through the elimination of duplicate home office functions and economies of scale; and
	•	the acquisition of Stewart’s preneed backlog of deferred revenues enhances our long-term stability.
	The following table summarizes the adjusted fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of December 23, 2013:
		(In thousands)
	Accounts receivable	$	11,119
	Other current assets	190,518
	Cemetery property	287,449
	Property and equipment, net	330,125
	Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	645,440
	Finite-lived intangible assets	75,444
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets	79,400
	Acquired assets held for sale	520,023
	Deferred charges and other assets	278,631
	Goodwill	573,808
	Total assets acquired	2,991,957
	Current liabilities	219,373
	Long-term debt	270,668
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	740,441
	Assumed liabilities held for sale	242,835
	Deferred income taxes	58,493
	Other liabilities	294,674
	Total liabilities assumed	1,826,484
	Noncontrolling interest	118
	Net assets acquired	$	1,165,355
	The gross amount of accounts receivable is $14.0 million, of which $2.9 million is not expected to be collected. Included in preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments are receivables under preneed contracts with a fair value of $140.0 million. The gross amount due under the contracts is $170.3 million, of which $30.3 million is not expected to be collected.
	We have completed our purchase price allocation. During the twelve months of 2014, we made the following adjustments to our estimates of the fair value of assets and liabilities and revised the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 included in this filing to reflect these adjustments:
		(In thousands)
	Decrease in the fair value of accounts receivable and other current assets	$	(10,900	)
	Increase in the fair value of cemetery property	2,674
	Decrease in property and equipment, net	(10,331		)
	Decrease in the fair value of preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	(9,570		)
	Decrease in the fair value of finite-lived intangible assets	(30,834		)
	Increase in the fair value of acquired assets held for sale	85,775
	Increase in the fair value of deferred charges and other assets	311
	Decrease in the fair value of deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trust	42,417
	Change in the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities held for sale	(89,198		)
	Decrease in the fair value of deferred income taxes	41,676
	Other	(17,250		)
	Total adjustment to goodwill	$	4,770
	Goodwill, land, and certain identifiable intangible assets recorded in the acquisition are not subject to amortization; however, the goodwill and intangible assets will be tested periodically for impairment. Of the $573.8 million in goodwill recognized, $258.2 million was allocated to our cemetery segment and $315.6 million was allocated to our funeral segment. As a result of the carryover of Stewart’s tax basis, $3.0 million of this goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The identified intangible assets comprise the following:
		Useful life
		Minimum		Maximum	Fair Value
		(Years)			(In thousands)
	Preneed customer relationships related to insurance claims	10		20	$	28,500
	Other preneed customer relationships	10		14	20,502
	Selling and management agreements	10		40	5,900
	Covenants-not-to-compete	5		15	5,480
	Operating leases	26		34	5,912
	Tradenames	5		5	9,150
	Tradenames			Indefinite	77,900
	Licenses and permits			Indefinite	1,500
	Total intangible assets				$	154,844
	Included in our results of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 is revenue of $11.4 million and net income of $0.8 million for the period from the acquisition date (December 23, 2013) through December 31, 2013. The following unaudited pro forma summary presents financial information as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
		(unaudited)
	Revenue	$	2,919,278		$	2,848,451
	Net income	$	203,916		$	135,010
SCI Direct
During 2013, we acquired an additional 20% of the outstanding shares of The Neptune Society Inc (Neptune) increasing our ownership from 70% to 90%. During 2014 we acquired the remaining 10% of the outstanding shares. Neptune is the nation's largest direct cremation organization with a network of 30 locations in nine states at the time of our original acquisition. Neptune operates under the brand names Neptune Society, National Cremation Service, and Trident Society. With this acquisition we expanded our footprint into a sector of the market that will continue to grow and that was not targeted through our traditional funeral service and cemetery network. We have completed our evaluation of purchase price allocation. As a result of this acquisition, we recognized $37.6 million of intangible assets and $37.3 million of goodwill.

Divestiture_Related_Activities

Divestiture Related Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	Divestiture-Related Activities
	As divestitures occur in the normal course of business, gains or losses on the sale of such locations are recognized in the income statement line item Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net, which consist of the following for the years ended December 31:
		2014				2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Gains (losses) on divestitures, net	$	122,535			$	(3,350	)	$	639
	Impairment losses	(5,922		)		(2,913		)	(2,150		)
		$	116,613			$	(6,263	)	$	(1,511	)
	Assets Held for Sale
	We have identified certain properties that we intended to sell as they do not meet our strategic goals and have classified them as held for sale in our December 31, 2014 consolidated balance sheet. In connection with this revised classification, we have recorded an impairment loss of approximately $3.0 million in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Additionally, in connection with the acquisition of Stewart, we agreed to a consent order with the staff of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that identifies certain properties the FTC required us to divest as a result of the acquisition. The consent order has been approved by the FTC commissioners. As a result, these properties were classified as assets held for sale in our December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet.
	Net assets held for sale at December 31, were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Current assets	$	45		$	4,569
	Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	5,048			356,064
	Cemetery property	165			89,060
	Property and equipment, net	43			71,618
	Goodwill	88			190,976
	Deferred charges and other assets	74			27,440
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,284			88,169
	Total assets	$	6,747		$	827,896
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	14			4,390
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	5,677			424,780
	Care trusts' corpus	1,284			88,262
	Other long term liabilities	27			4,209
	Total liabilities	7,002			521,641
	Net assets held for sale	$	(255	)	$	306,255
	Discontinued Operations
	During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 we sold our operations in Germany for approximately $6.9 million and are presenting the assets and results of operations as discontinued operations. Assets of discontinued operations at December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		December 31,
		2013
		(in thousands)
	Current assets	$	4,750
	Property and equipment, net	116
	Deferred charges and other assets	2,375
	Total assets	$	7,241
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,728
	Deferred preneed funeral revenues	938
	Other long term liabilities	30
	Total liabilities	5,696
	Net assets of discontinued operations	$	1,545
	The results of our discontinued operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:
		Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,
		2014				2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Revenues	$	1,613			$	5,907		$	6,051
	Costs and expenses	(1,471		)		(5,393		)	(5,609		)
	Gain on disposition	2,136				—			—
	Other expense, net	(2		)		(1		)	(42		)
	Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	2,276				513			400
	Provision for income taxes	(90		)		(107		)	(138		)
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	2,186			$	406		$	262

Quarterly_Financial_Data

Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	Quarterly financial data for 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	2014
	Revenues	$	745,509		$	746,746		$	718,314		$	783,443
	Costs and expenses	$	(579,269	)	$	(590,882	)	$	(570,016	)	$	(578,032	)
	Gross profits	$	166,240		$	155,864		$	148,298		$	205,411
	Operating income	$	107,418		$	144,731		$	135,120		$	220,280
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes(1)	$	63,958		$	69,316		$	91,735		$	177,591
	Provision for income taxes	$	(22,707	)	$	(37,357	)	$	(74,934	)	$	(90,982	)
	Net income	$	41,391		$	31,781		$	17,685		$	87,949
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	(289	)	$	(5,859	)	$	(34	)	$	(155	)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	41,102		$	25,922		$	17,651		$	87,794
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share(2):
	Basic — EPS	$	0.19		$	0.12		$	0.08		$	0.42
	Diluted — EPS	$	0.19		$	0.12		$	0.08		$	0.42
	2013(3)
	Revenues	$	650,418		$	624,231		$	608,589		$	667,228
	Costs and expenses	$	(491,092	)	$	(498,248	)	$	(492,784	)	$	(519,296	)
	Gross profits	$	159,326		$	125,983		$	115,805		$	147,932
	Operating income	$	127,434		$	89,059		$	83,046		$	88,117
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes(1)	$	93,680		$	56,092		$	45,633		$	49,801
	Provision for income taxes	$	(35,290	)	$	(21,598	)	$	(18,407	)	$	(17,729	)
	Net income	$	58,722		$	34,435		$	27,394		$	32,037
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	(1,102	)	$	(820	)	$	(615	)	$	(2,719	)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	57,620		$	33,615		$	26,779		$	29,318
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share(2):
	Basic — EPS	$	0.27		$	0.16		$	0.13		$	0.14
	Diluted — EPS	$	0.27		$	0.16		$	0.12		$	0.14
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.
	-2	Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.
	-3	See Note 2 for details related to the revision which was recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The revision reduced the provision for income taxes and increased net income attributable to common stockholders by $3.5 million and increased basic and diluted EPS by $0.02.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
	SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	Three Years Ended December 31, 2014
	Description		Balance at			Charged		Charged			Write-Offs(2)			Balance at
			Beginning			(Credited) to		(Credited) to						End of
			of Period			Costs and		Other						Period
						Expenses		Accounts(1)
			(In thousands)
	Current provision:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts:
	Year Ended December 31, 2014		$	11,637		$	7,376	$	55,573		$	(66,040	)	$	8,546
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	8,884		$	7,874	$	54,774		$	(59,895	)	$	11,637
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	9,172		$	9,705	$	38,123		$	(48,116	)	$	8,884
	Due After One Year:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts:
	Year Ended December 31, 2014		$	10,986		$	—	$	273		$	—		$	11,259
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	1,316		$	—	$	9,670		$	—		$	10,986
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	1,665		$	—	$	1		$	(350	)	$	1,316
	Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery
	Asset allowance for cancellation:
	Year Ended December 31, 2014		$	106,793		$	2,950	$	(2,703	)	$	—		$	107,040
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	83,642		$	4,498	$	18,653		$	—		$	106,793
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	78,564		$	4,549	$	529		$	—		$	83,642
	Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery
	Revenue allowance for cancellation:
	Year Ended December 31, 2014		$	(149,288	)	$	—	$	24,258		$	—		$	(125,030	)
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	(131,320	)	$	—	$	(17,968	)	$	—		$	(149,288	)
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	(136,004	)	$	—	$	4,684		$	—		$	(131,320	)
	Deferred tax valuation allowance:
	Year Ended December 31, 2014		$	114,719		$	21,285	$	(1,803	)	$	—		$	134,201
	Year Ended December 31, 2013		$	71,013		$	6,213	$	37,493		$	—		$	114,719
	Year Ended December 31, 2012		$	66,851		$	3,713	$	449		$	—		$	71,013
	_________________________________
	-1	Primarily relates to acquisitions and dispositions of operations.
	-2	Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International (SCI) and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Our financial statements also include the accounts of the funeral merchandise and service trusts, cemetery merchandise and service trusts, and cemetery perpetual care trusts in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Reclassifications and Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period financial statement presentation with no effect on our previously reported results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Our trade receivables primarily consist of amounts due for funeral services already performed. We provide various allowances and cancellation reserves for our funeral and cemetery preneed and atneed receivables as well as for our preneed funeral and preneed cemetery deferred revenues. These allowances are based on an analysis of historical trends of collection and cancellation activity. Atneed funeral and cemetery receivables are considered past due after 30 days. Collections are generally managed by the locations or third party agencies acting on behalf of the locations, until a receivable is 180 days delinquent at which time it is fully reserved and sent to a collection agency. These estimates are impacted by a number of factors, including changes in the economy, relocation, and demographic or competitive changes in our areas of operation.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories and Cemetery Property
	Funeral and cemetery merchandise are stated at the lower of average cost or market. Cemetery property is recorded at cost. Inventory costs and cemetery property are relieved using specific identification in performance of a contract.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense whereas renewals and major replacements that extend the assets useful lives are capitalized. Depreciation is recognized ratably over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. Buildings are depreciated over a period ranging from seven to forty years, equipment is depreciated over a period from three to eight years, and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or ten years. Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $140.0 million, $122.2 million, and $119.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. When property is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet; resulting gains and losses are included in the consolidated statement of operations in the period of sale or disposal.
Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Leases
	We have lease arrangements primarily related to funeral service locations and transportation equipment that were primarily classified as capital leases at December 31, 2014. Lease terms related to funeral home properties generally range from one to 40 years with options to renew at varying terms. Lease terms related to transportation equipment generally range from one to five years with options to renew at varying terms. We calculate operating lease expense ratably over the lease term. We consider reasonably assured renewal options and fixed escalation provisions in our calculation. For more information related to leases, see Note 12.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill
	The excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is tested annually, during the fourth quarter, for impairment by assessing the fair value of each of our reporting units.
	Our goodwill impairment test involves estimates and management judgment. In the first step of our goodwill impairment test, we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. We determine fair value of each reporting unit using both a market and income approach. Our methodology considers discounted cash flows and multiples of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows. We do not record an impairment of goodwill in instances where the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount. If the aggregate fair value is less than the related carrying amount for a reporting unit, we compare the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying amount of goodwill. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
	For our most recent annual impairment test performed in the fourth quarter, we used a 7.0% discount rate, growth rates ranging from 1.9% to 6.3% over a five-year period, plus a terminal value determined using the constant growth method in projecting our future cash flows. Fair value was calculated as the sum of the projected discounted cash flows of our reporting units over the next five years plus terminal value at the end of those five years. Our terminal value was calculated using a long-term growth rate of 2.5% and 2.9% for our funeral and cemetery reporting units, respectively.
	In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of goodwill whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends. No interim goodwill impairment reviews were required in 2014 or 2013.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Indefinite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Other Intangible Assets
	Our intangible assets include customer relationships, trademarks and tradenames, and other intangible assets primarily resulting from acquisitions. Our trademark and tradenames and certain other intangible assets are considered to have an indefinite life and are not subject to amortization. We test for impairment of intangible assets annually during the fourth quarter.
	Our intangible assets impairment tests involve estimates and management judgment. For trademark and tradenames, our test uses the relief from royalty method whereby we determine the fair value of the assets by discounting the cash flows that represent a savings over having to pay a royalty fee for use of the trademark and tradenames. The discounted cash flow valuation uses projections of future cash flows and includes assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual future cash flows. For our most recent annual impairment test performed in the fourth quarter, we estimated that the pre-tax savings would range from 1.0% to 4.0% of the revenues associated with the trademark and tradenames, based primarily on our research of intellectual property valuation and licensing databases. We also assumed a terminal growth rate of 2.5% and 2.9% for our funeral and cemetery segments, respectively, and discounted the cash flows at a 7.2% discount rate based on the relative risk of these assets to our overall business.
	In addition to our annual review, we assess the impairment of intangible assets whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be greater than the fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends. No interim intangible impairment reviews were required in 2014 or 2013.
	Certain of our intangible assets associated with prior acquisitions are relieved using specific identification in performance of a contract. We amortize all other finite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which range from two to forty years.
Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Treasury Stock
	We make treasury stock purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions and normal trading restrictions. We account for the repurchase of our common stock under the par value method. In 2014, we canceled 10.9 million shares of common stock held in our treasury. We canceled 0.3 million and 17.2 million shares of common stock held in our treasury in 2013 and 2012, respectively. These retired treasury shares were changed to authorized but unissued status.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Translation
	All assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect as of the end of the reporting period. Revenue and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the reporting period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in Equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of equity and consolidated balance sheet.
	The functional currency of SCI and its subsidiaries is the respective local currency. The transactional currency gains and losses that arise from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of our operations are recorded in Other income (expense), net in the consolidated statement of operations. We do not have an investment in foreign operations considered to be in highly inflationary economies.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value Measurements
	We measure the available-for-sale securities held by our funeral merchandise and service, cemetery merchandise and service, and cemetery perpetual care trusts at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We utilize a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
	•	Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
	•	Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and
	•	Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
	An asset’s or liability’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Certain available-for-sale securities held by our funeral merchandise and service, cemetery merchandise and service, and cemetery perpetual care trusts have been classified in Level 3 of the hierarchy due to the significant management judgment required as a result of the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, or the long-term nature of the securities.
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
	Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
	Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
	Where quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, fair values are estimated by using either quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or an income approach fair value model with observable inputs that include a combination of interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, prepayment speeds, rating, and tax-exempt status. These funds are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the three-level valuation hierarchy.
	The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate securities were estimated using market prices for those securities, and therefore they are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The term loan, bank credit facility, and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when merchandise is delivered or a service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned. In addition, we are entitled to retain, in certain jurisdictions, a portion of collected customer payments when a customer cancels a preneed contract; these amounts are also recognized in current revenues.
Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receivables
	We sell preneed funeral and cemetery contracts whereby the customer enters into arrangements for future merchandise and services prior to the time of need. As these contracts are entered into prior to the delivery of the related merchandise and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables have an interest component for which interest income is recorded when the interest amount is considered collectible and realizable, which typically coincides with cash payment. We do not accrue interest on financing receivables that are not paid in accordance with the contractual payment date given the nature of our merchandise and services, the nature of our contracts with customers, and the timing of the delivery of our services. We do not consider receivables to be past due until the merchandise or services are required to be delivered at which time the preneed receivable is paid or reclassified as a trade receivable with payment terms of less than 30 days. As the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by comparable deferred revenue amounts, we have no risk of loss related to these receivables.
	If a preneed contract is canceled prior to delivery, state or provincial law determines the amount of the refund owed to the customer, if any, including the amount of the attributed investment earnings. Upon cancellation, we receive the amount of principal deposited to the trust and previously undistributed net investment earnings and, where required, issue a refund to the customer. We retain excess funds, if any, and recognize the attributed investment earnings (net of any investment earnings payable to the customer) as revenue in the consolidated statement of operations. In certain jurisdictions, we may be obligated to fund any shortfall if the amount deposited by the customer exceed the funds in trust. Based on our historical experience, we have provided an allowance for cancellation of these receivables, which is recorded as a reduction in receivables with a corresponding offset to deferred revenue.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes
	We compute income taxes using the liability method. Our ability to realize the benefit of our federal and state deferred tax assets requires us to achieve certain future earnings levels. We have established a valuation allowance against a portion of our deferred tax assets and we could be required to further adjust that valuation allowance if market conditions change materially and future earnings are, or are projected to be, significantly different than our current estimates.
	In addition to the loss and tax credit carry-forward amounts reflected as deferred tax assets in the table above, we have taken certain tax deductions related to the exercised employee stock options and vested restricted shares that are in excess of the stock-based compensation amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements (“windfall tax benefits”). Such windfall tax benefits are not recognized in our consolidated financial statements unless they reduce income taxes payable.
	The provision or benefit for income taxes includes U.S. federal income taxes (determined on a consolidated return basis), foreign income taxes, and state income taxes.
	A valuation allowance has been established because more-likely-than-not uncertainties exist with respect to our future realization of certain loss carry-forwards. The valuation allowance is primarily attributable to state net operating losses and reflects our expectation that the net operating losses in certain jurisdictions will expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the losses.
	Deferred taxes are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our cemetery trust investments detailed in Notes 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.
	Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.
	Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The merchandise and service trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Plans’ weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net benefit cost are as follows: we base our discount rate used to compute future benefit obligations using an analysis of expected future benefit payments. The reasonableness of our discount rate is verified by comparing the rate to the rate earned on high-quality fixed income investments, such as the Moody’s Aa index, plus 50 basis points. The assumed rate of return on plan assets was not applicable as we pay plan benefits as they come due. As all Plans are curtailed, the assumed rate of compensation increase is zero.
	We currently have a supplemental retirement plan for certain current and former key employees (SERP), a supplemental retirement plan for officers and certain key employees (Senior SERP), a retirement plan for certain non-employee directors (Directors’ Plan), a Retirement Plan for Rose Hills Trustees, a Rose Hills Supplemental Retirement Plan, and a Stewart Supplemental Retirement Plan (collectively, the “Plans”). We also provide a 401(k) employee savings plan. All of our Plans have a measurement date of December 31.
	The Plans are frozen; therefore, the participants do not earn incremental benefits from additional years of service, and we do not incur any additional service cost since December 31, 2000.
	Retirement benefits under the SERP are based on years of service and average monthly compensation, reduced by benefits under Social Security. The Senior SERP provides retirement benefits based on years of service and position. The Directors’ Plan provides for an annual benefit to directors following retirement, based on a vesting schedule.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	We have an employee savings plan that qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for the exclusive benefit of our United States employees. Under the plan, participating employees may contribute a portion of their pretax and/or after-tax income in accordance with specified guidelines up to a maximum of 50%.
	During 2014, 2013, and 2012 we matched a percentage of the employee contributions through contributions of cash. For these years, our matching contribution was based upon the following:
	Years of Vesting Service		Percentage of Deferred Compensation
	0 — 5 years		75% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	6 — 10 years		100% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
	11 or more years		125% of the first 6% of deferred compensation
Funeral and Cemetery cash flow [Policy Text Block]	Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]	These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed funeral revenues until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed.
	These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues until the merchandise is delivered
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income (expense), net and a decrease to Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net, which reduces Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options.
Income Tax Uncertainties, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Consistent with our historical financial reporting, we include potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within our income tax provision account.
Funeral [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Funeral Operations
	Revenue is recognized when funeral merchandise is delivered or funeral services are performed. We sell price-guaranteed preneed funeral contracts through various programs providing for future funeral services at prices prevailing when the agreements are signed. Revenue associated with sales of preneed funeral contracts is deferred until funeral merchandise is delivered or the funeral services are performed, generally at the time of need. Travel protection insurance and certain memorialization merchandise sold on a preneed basis is delivered to the customer at the time of sale and is recognized at the time delivery has occurred. While these items are sold as part of preneed funeral arrangements they are also offered on a stand-alone basis. The total consideration received for these arrangements is allocated to each item based on relative selling price determined using either vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price or third-party evidence of selling price. Vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price is determined based on the price we sell the items for on a stand-alone basis. Third-party evidence of selling price is based on the price of our largely interchangeable products that are sold in stand-alone sales to similarly situated customers. There is no general right of return for delivered items.
	Pursuant to state or provincial law, all or a portion of the proceeds from funeral merchandise or services sold on a preneed basis may be required to be paid into trust funds. We defer investment earnings related to these merchandise and service trusts until the associated merchandise is delivered or services are performed. Costs related to sales of merchandise and services are charged to expense when merchandise is delivered or services are performed. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 4 for more information regarding preneed funeral activities.
Cemetery [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cemetery Operations
	Revenue associated with sales of cemetery merchandise and services is recognized when merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Revenue associated with sales of preneed cemetery property interment rights is deferred until the property is constructed and a minimum of 10% of the sales price is collected. For non-personalized merchandise (such as vaults) and services, we defer the revenues until the merchandise is delivered or the services are performed. For personalized marker merchandise, with the customer’s direction generally obtained at the time of sale, we can choose to order, store, and transfer title to the customer. In situations in which we have no further obligation or involvement related to the merchandise, we recognize revenues and record the cost of sales upon the earlier of vendor storage of these items or delivery in our cemetery. The total consideration received for these arrangements is allocated to each item based on relative selling price determined using vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price. Vendor specific objective evidence of the selling price is determined based on the price we sell the items for on a stand-alone basis. There is no general right of return for delivered items.
	Pursuant to state or provincial law, all or a portion of the proceeds from cemetery merchandise or services sold on a preneed basis may be required to be paid into trust funds. We defer investment earnings related to these merchandise and services trusts until the associated merchandise is delivered or services are performed.
	A portion of the proceeds from the sale of cemetery property interment rights is required by state or provincial law to be paid into perpetual care trust funds. Investment earnings from these trusts are distributed to us regularly, are recognized in current cemetery revenues, and are intended to defray cemetery maintenance costs, which are expensed as incurred. The principal of such perpetual care trust funds generally cannot be withdrawn.
	Costs related to the sale of property interment rights include the property and construction costs specifically identified by project. Property and construction costs are charged to expense when the revenue is recognized by specific identification in the performance of a contract. Costs related to sales of merchandise and services are charged to expense when merchandise is delivered or when services are performed. Sales taxes collected are recognized on a net basis in our consolidated financial statements. See Notes 5 and 6 for more information regarding preneed cemetery and perpetual care activities.
	Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in cemetery revenues when merchandise is delivered or a service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other income (expense), net and a decrease to Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net, which reduces Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust.
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues in the period in which they are earned.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	We assess our trust investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Impairment charges resulting from this assessment are recognized as investment losses in Other (expense) income, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments. These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Revisions and Reclassifications - Statement of Operations [Abstract]
Schedule of Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of the consolidated statement of operations, the consolidated balance sheet, and the consolidated statement of cash flows line items impacted by the debt and income tax revisions:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(in thousands)
	Provision for income taxes	$	(96,615	)	$	3,484		$	107		$	(93,024	)
	Net income	$	149,104		$	3,484		$	—		$	152,588
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	143,848		$	3,484		$	—		$	147,332
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share:
	Basic	$	0.68		$	0.02		$	—		$	0.7
	Diluted	$	0.67		$	0.01		$	—		$	0.68
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(in thousands)
	Provision for income taxes	$	(91,548	)	$	1,299		$	138		$	(90,111	)
	Net income	$	154,135		$	1,299		$	—		$	155,434
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	152,546		$	1,299		$	—		$	153,845
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share:
	Basic	$	0.71		$	—		$	—		$	0.71
	Diluted	$	0.7		$	—		$	—		$	0.7
	Summary of Revised Consolidated Balance Sheet Amounts
		31-Dec-13
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(in thousands)
	Deferred tax assets	$	39,074		$	(3,750	)	$	(5,042	)	$	30,282
	Total current assets	$	393,747		$	(3,750	)	$	(10,901	)	$	379,096
	Goodwill	$	1,922,102		$	(91,016	)	$	(5,365	)	$	1,825,721
	Total assets	$	12,906,070		$	(94,766	)	$	22,296		$	12,833,600
	Current maturities of long-term debt	$	146,362		$	30,000		$	—		$	176,362
	Income taxes	$	6,391		$	(1,202	)	$	74		$	5,263
	Total current liabilities	$	642,584		$	28,798		$	2,200		$	673,582
	Long-term debt	$	3,155,548		$	(30,000	)	$	—		$	3,125,548
	Deferred tax liabilities	$	619,200		$	(190,355	)	$	(41,676	)	$	387,169
	Other liabilities	$	430,393		$	40,941		$	19,904		$	491,238
	Accumulated deficit	$	(145,876	)	$	55,850		$	—		$	(90,026	)
	Total equity	$	1,424,378		$	55,850		$	—		$	1,480,228
	Total liabilities and equity	$	12,906,070		$	(94,766	)	$	22,296		$	12,833,600
	Summary of Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows(1) Amounts
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income	$	149,104		$	3,484		$	—		$	152,588
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Provision for deferred income taxes	$	74,100		$	(2,282	)	$	(110	)	$	71,708
	Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
	(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities	$	(284	)	$	(1,202	)	$	(509	)	$	(1,995	)
	Summary of Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows(1) Amounts
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		As previously reported			Revisions			Reclassifications			As revised
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net income	$	154,135		$	1,299		$	—		$	155,434
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Provision for deferred income taxes	$	72,984		$	(1,299	)	$	—		$	71,685
	Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
	(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities	$	25,240		$	—		$	1,120		$	26,360
	(1) These revisions had no net impact on Net cash provided by operating, investing, or financing activities.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lev1

Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]
Preneed Funeral Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Table Text Block]	The activity in Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
					(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,870,243		$	1,536,257		$	1,484,764
	Net preneed contract sales	247,994			192,712			124,962
	Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(211,830		)	(170,921		)	(125,625		)
	Deposits to trust	102,553			82,168			81,601
	(Divestitures) acquisitions of businesses, net	(19,203		)	271,395			6,021
	Net undistributed investment earnings (1)	22,480			125,986			84,611
	Maturities and distributed earnings	(162,059		)	(153,446		)	(126,130		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	7,644			(3,245		)	934
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(14,799		)	(10,663		)	5,119
	Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,843,023		$	1,870,243		$	1,536,257
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings.
Deferred Preneed Funeral Revenues [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the activity in Deferred preneed funeral revenues for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$	551,948		$	535,136		$	573,477
	Net preneed contract sales	198,195			144,202			103,341
	(Divestitures) acquisitions of businesses, net	(21,639		)	298,047			(4,491		)
	Net investment earnings(1)	24,256			126,428			83,788
	Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(258,534		)	(200,680		)	(164,037		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	21,272			(5,670		)	1,304
	Change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	26,131			(343,878		)	(61,068		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(1,465		)	(1,637		)	2,822
	Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$	540,164		$	551,948		$	535,136
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings.
Funeral [Member]
Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]
Investment related activities [Table Text Block]	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
					(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	102,553		$	82,168		$	81,601
	Withdrawals	$	131,352		$	125,914		$	100,635
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,238,257		$	393,169		$	563,628
	Sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,318,512		$	435,267		$	555,709
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	168,567		$	65,011		$	60,833
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	(113,748	)	$	(9,732	)	$	(21,454	)
Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]	The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,205,747		$	1,438,326
	Cash and cash equivalents	162,229			128,217
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	—			(181,535		)
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	260,899			280,969
	Trust investments	1,628,875			1,665,977
	Receivables from customers	262,700			259,784
	Unearned finance charge	(11,054		)	(10,179		)
		1,880,521			1,915,582
	Allowance for cancellation	(37,498		)	(45,339		)
	Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$	1,843,023		$	1,870,243
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts.
			December 31, 2014
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	85,775		$	468		$	(455	)		$	85,788
	Canadian government	2	90,430			449			(874		)		90,005
	Corporate	2	24,765			423			(126		)		25,062
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	1,325			29			(12		)		1,342
	Asset-backed	2	6			—			—				6
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	2,503			113			(113		)		2,503
	Common stock:
	United States	1	377,441			18,533			(7,405		)		388,569
	Canada	1	14,708			4,292			(895		)		18,105
	Other international	1	38,035			1,175			(1,560		)		37,650
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	308,548			3,332			(15,901		)		295,979
	Fixed income	1	229,414			869			(3,576		)		226,707
	Private equity	3	35,094			2,649			(9,418		)		28,325
	Other	3	5,084			726			(104		)		5,706
	Trust investments		$	1,213,128		$	33,058		$	(40,439	)		$	1,205,747
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	111,824		$	1,299		$	(5,599	)		$	107,524
	Canadian government	2	100,263			81			(1,113		)		99,231
	Corporate	2	64,579			3,515			(691		)		67,403
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	2,438			23			(33		)		2,428
	Asset-backed	2	3,407			—			(10		)		3,397
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	30,485			754			(235		)		31,004
	Common stock:
	United States	1	370,123			77,963			(2,928		)		445,158
	Canada	1	27,710			4,346			(1,217		)		30,839
	Other international	1	36,017			4,986			(198		)		40,805
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	260,686			22,530			(2,303		)		280,913
	Fixed income	1	317,280			3,228			(19,577		)		300,931
	Private equity	3	32,909			2,702			(8,726		)		26,885
	Other	3	1,550			291			(33		)		1,808
	Trust investments		$	1,359,271		$	121,718		$	(42,663	)		$	1,438,326
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 :
		2014						2013							2012
		Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
								(In thousands)
	Fair value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	26,885		$	1,808		$	17,879			$	744		$	15,986		$	912
	Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,242			826			13,429				1,442			(403		)	(159		)
	Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(39		)	(6		)	(43		)		(3		)	(58		)	(2		)
	Purchases	—			3,214			1,188				—			—			—
	Sales	—			—			—				—			(9		)	—
	Contributions	6,122			4			3,229				—			4,664			—
	Distributions and other	(6,885		)	(140		)	(9,245		)		(393		)	(2,301		)	(7		)
	Acquisitions	—			—			448				18			—			—
	Fair value, ending balance at December 31,	$	28,325		$	5,706		$	26,885			$	1,808		$	17,879		$	744
	_______________________________________
	-1	All unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
	-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2044. Maturities of fixed income securities at December 31, 2014 are estimated as follows:
		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	123,545
	Due in one to five years	32,659
	Due in five to ten years	29,426
	Thereafter	16,573
		$	202,203
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following tables.
		December 31, 2014
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
		Value						Value							Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	32,243		$	(412	)	$	4,978			$	(43	)	$	37,221		$	(455	)
	Canadian government	2,894			(52		)	14,904				(822		)	17,798			(874		)
	Corporate	4,988			(56		)	2,420				(70		)	7,408			(126		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	217			(10		)	106				(2		)	323			(12		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	26			(113		)	—				—			26			(113		)
	Common stock:
	United States	126,527			(7,403		)	438				(2		)	126,965			(7,405		)
	Canada	1,752			(379		)	1,085				(516		)	2,837			(895		)
	Other international	19,593			(1,557		)	2				(3		)	19,595			(1,560		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	233,827			(13,219		)	23,717				(2,682		)	257,544			(15,901		)
	Fixed income	112,160			(3,128		)	11,452				(448		)	123,612			(3,576		)
	Private equity	203			(461		)	13,870				(8,957		)	14,073			(9,418		)
	Other	5			(11		)	464				(93		)	469			(104		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	534,435		$	(26,801	)	$	73,436			$	(13,638	)	$	607,871		$	(40,439	)
		December 31, 2013
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
		Value						Value							Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	29,008		$	(3,595	)	$	19,633			$	(2,004	)	$	48,641		$	(5,599	)
	Canadian government	9,545			(120		)	18,981				(993		)	28,526			(1,113		)
	Corporate	21,525			(346		)	5,665				(345		)	27,190			(691		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	1,397			(25		)	174				(8		)	1,571			(33		)
	Asset-backed	3,311			(10		)	—				—			3,311			(10		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	14,182			(235		)	—				—			14,182			(235		)
	Common stock:
	United States	47,054			(2,153		)	3,374				(775		)	50,428			(2,928		)
	Canada	2,439			(576		)	1,992				(641		)	4,431			(1,217		)
	Other international	3,433			(138		)	375				(60		)	3,808			(198		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	16,383			(337		)	12,638				(1,966		)	29,021			(2,303		)
	Fixed income	145,425			(4,984		)	38,774				(14,593		)	184,199			(19,577		)
	Private equity	—			—			13,002				(8,726		)	13,002			(8,726		)
	Other	—			—			527				(33		)	$	527		$	(33	)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	293,702		$	(12,519	)	$	115,135			$	(30,144	)	$	408,837		$	(42,663	)

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Le1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]
Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Table Text Block]	The activity in Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
					(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,292,348		$	1,826,835		$	1,595,940
	Net preneed contract sales	688,336			562,433			501,654
	(Divestitures) acquisitions of businesses, net	(10,898		)	190,870			1,124
	Net undistributed investment (losses) earnings(1)	(18,038		)	203,499			133,351
	Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	(615,489		)	(471,710		)	(417,965		)
	Deposits to trust	129,581			106,185			98,130
	Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings	(150,064		)	(119,576		)	(98,738		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	843			3,002			(3,481		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(9,950		)	(9,190		)	16,820
	Ending balance — Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,306,669		$	2,292,348		$	1,826,835
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) earnings
Deferred Preneed Cemetery Revenues [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the activity in Deferred preneed cemetery revenues for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	1,016,275		$	861,148		$	833,303
	Net preneed and atneed deferred sales	531,768			396,264			380,887
	(Divestitures) acquisitions of businesses, net	(25,071		)	212,624			1,089
	Net investment (losses) earnings(1)	(22,378		)	201,941			130,012
	Recognized deferred preneed revenues	(493,739		)	(386,632		)	(363,072		)
	Change in cancellation allowance	3,833			18,358			3,968
	Change in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	55,636			(298,337		)	(133,612		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(3,943		)	10,909			8,573
	Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$	1,062,381		$	1,016,275		$	861,148
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) earnings.
Cemetery [Member]
Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]
Investment related activities [Table Text Block]	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
					(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	129,581		$	106,185		$	98,130
	Withdrawals	$	150,064		$	119,576		$	98,738
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,786,800		$	477,772		$	746,761
	Sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,842,417		$	498,852		$	700,091
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	271,507		$	101,337		$	87,665
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	(138,473	)	$	(14,593	)	$	(29,397	)
Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]	The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,404,298		$	1,549,182
	Cash and cash equivalents	126,914			138,459
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(4,571		)	(102,354		)
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	12			4
	Trust investments	1,526,653			1,585,291
	Receivables from customers	881,082			798,072
	Unearned finance charges	(31,524		)	(29,561		)
		2,376,211			2,353,802
	Allowance for cancellation	(69,542		)	(61,454		)
	Preneed cemetery receivables and trust investments	$	2,306,669		$	2,292,348
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts.
			December 31, 2014
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	63,447		$	257		$	(605	)		$	63,099
	Canadian government	2	21,687			261			(134		)		21,814
	Corporate	2	8,725			122			(116		)		8,731
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	111			3			(1		)		113
	Asset-backed	2	170			16			—				186
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	10			1			—				11
	Common stock:
	United States	1	557,955			22,746			(11,706		)		568,995
	Canada	1	10,962			5,011			(841		)		15,132
	Other international	1	55,632			1,605			(2,395		)		54,842
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	344,443			4,244			(18,430		)		330,257
	Fixed income	1	314,600			679			(4,702		)		310,577
	Private equity	3	32,342			3,185			(6,183		)		29,344
	Other	3	1,082			186			(71		)		1,197
	Trust investments		$	1,411,166		$	38,316		$	(45,184	)		$	1,404,298
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	113,293		$	1,714		$	(8,876	)		$	106,131
	Canadian government	2	17,073			170			(261		)		16,982
	Corporate	2	48,838			5,262			(646		)		53,454
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	406			2			(2		)		406
	Asset-backed	2	3,336			—			(13		)		3,323
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	16,654			1,106			(123		)		17,637
	Common stock:
	United States	1	423,524			147,258			(3,231		)		567,551
	Canada	1	15,361			4,063			(935		)		18,489
	Other international	1	44,017			10,079			(200		)		53,896
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	325,927			49,428			(1,704		)		373,651
	Fixed income	1	337,986			5,236			(33,649		)		309,573
	Private equity	3	28,625			3,372			(5,153		)		26,844
	Other	3	1,078			200			(33		)		1,245
	Trust investments		$	1,376,118		$	227,890		$	(54,826	)		$	1,549,182
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31 :
		2014						2013							2012
		Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
								(In thousands)
	Fair value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	26,844		$	1,245		$	17,687			$	450		$	15,219		$	436
	Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	3,313			(73		)	15,420				1,218			100			28
	Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(43		)	(7		)	(48		)		(5		)	(64		)	(2		)
	Purchases	—			196			—				—			—			—
	Contributions	6,582			4			3,430				—			4,932			—
	Distributions and other	(7,352		)	(168		)	(9,645		)		(418		)	(2,500		)	(12		)
	Fair value, ending balance at December 31,	$	29,344		$	1,197		$	26,844			$	1,245		$	17,687		$	450
	_________________________________
	-1	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
	-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2044. Maturities of fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) at December 31, 2014 are estimated as follows:
		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	13,302
	Due in one to five years	36,354
	Due in five to ten years	21,784
	Thereafter	22,503
		$	93,943
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following tables:
		December 31, 2014
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Value			Losses			Value				Losses			Value			Losses
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	45,072		$	(605	)	$	—			$	—		$	45,072		$	(605	)
	Canadian government	—			—			4,858				(134		)	4,858			(134		)
	Corporate	2,017			(61		)	1,936				(55		)	3,953			(116		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	33			(1		)	—				—			33			(1		)
	Equity securities:
	Common stock:
	United States	192,015			(11,706		)	585				—			192,600			(11,706		)
	Canada	2,069			(319		)	778				(522		)	2,847			(841		)
	Other international	28,308			(2,395		)	—				—			28,308			(2,395		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	303,211			(18,329		)	1,577				(101		)	304,788			(18,430		)
	Fixed income	159,572			(4,106		)	15,113				(596		)	174,685			(4,702		)
	Private equity	88			(100		)	7,518				(6,083		)	7,606			(6,183		)
	Other	2			(3		)	259				(68		)	261			(71		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	732,387		$	(37,625	)	$	32,624			$	(7,559	)	$	765,011		$	(45,184	)
		December 31, 2013
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Value			Losses			Value				Losses			Value			Losses
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	44,995		$	(6,040	)	$	24,961			$	(2,836	)	$	69,956		$	(8,876	)
	Canadian government	9,424			(120		)	3,066				(141		)	12,490			(261		)
	Corporate	15,019			(424		)	3,069				(222		)	18,088			(646		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	144			(2		)	—				—			144			(2		)
	Asset-backed	3,248			(13		)	—				—			3,248			(13		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	5,588			(123		)	—				—			5,588			(123		)
	Common stock:
	United States	46,189			(2,648		)	3,480				(583		)	49,669			(3,231		)
	Canada	1,568			(502		)	1,935				(433		)	3,503			(935		)
	Other international	4,332			(124		)	700				(76		)	5,032			(200		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	3,847			(54		)	14,430				(1,650		)	18,277			(1,704		)
	Fixed income	134,294			(5,527		)	63,800				(28,122		)	198,094			(33,649		)
	Private equity	—			—			6,589				(5,153		)	6,589			(5,153		)
	Other	—			—			283				(33		)	283			(33		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	268,648		$	(15,577	)	$	122,313			$	(39,249	)	$	390,961		$	(54,826	)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts1

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 (Tables) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Line Items]
Investment related activities [Table Text Block]	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	42,220		$	26,501		$	24,869
	Withdrawals	$	46,981		$	33,557		$	33,177
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,306,314		$	139,439		$	252,021
	Sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	1,396,669		$	99,701		$	136,391
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	134,259		$	17,916		$	11,463
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities(1)	$	(51,093	)	$	(2,738	)	$	(6,595	)
Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]	The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at market	$	1,192,966		$	1,352,251
	Cash and cash equivalents	149,694			78,509
	Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(1,284		)	(88,169		)
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,341,376		$	1,342,591
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the trusts.
			December 31, 2014
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	794		$	40		$	(4	)		$	830
	Canadian government	2	31,993			442			(233		)		32,202
	Corporate	2	16,762			344			(210		)		16,896
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	910			15			(6		)		919
	Asset-backed	2	661			10			(4		)		667
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	4,439			60			(12		)		4,487
	Common stock:
	United States	1	225,129			9,340			(4,881		)		229,588
	Canada	1	7,419			2,737			(596		)		9,560
	Other international	1	8,102			90			(399		)		7,793
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	17,310			3,264			(93		)		20,481
	Fixed income	1	846,230			1,580			(14,263		)		833,547
	Private equity	3	34,288			408			(10,788		)		23,908
	Other	3	13,526			1,094			(2,532		)		12,088
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	1,207,563		$	19,424		$	(34,021	)		$	1,192,966
			December 31, 2013
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized				Fair
						Gains			Losses				Value
						(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2	$	1,588		$	9		$	(14	)		$	1,583
	Canadian government	2	28,487			301			(459		)		28,329
	Corporate	2	43,191			312			(263		)		43,240
	Residential mortgage-backed	2	4,256			14			(19		)		4,251
	Asset-backed	2	3,006			5			(11		)		3,000
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2	25,946			192			(252		)		25,886
	Common stock:
	United States	1	231,093			53,782			(2,087		)		282,788
	Canada	1	8,846			2,222			(623		)		10,445
	Other international	1	20,671			1,319			(167		)		21,823
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1	41,270			5,693			(35		)		46,928
	Fixed income	1	819,244			35,963			(2,598		)		852,609
	Private equity	3	28,309			472			(9,002		)		19,779
	Other	3	10,521			1,153			(84		)		11,590
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$	1,266,428		$	101,437		$	(15,614	)		$	1,352,251
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows for the years ended December 31 :
		2014						2013							2012
		Private Equity			Other			Private Equity				Other			Private Equity			Other
								(In thousands)
	Fair value, beginning balance at January 1,	$	19,779		$	11,590		$	11,122			$	7,659		$	10,849		$	6,890
	Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,216			2,145			6,897				4,081			1,648			1,035
	Net realized losses included in Other income (expense), net(2)	(70		)	(44		)	(142		)		(76		)	(162		)	(43		)
	Sales	—			(17		)	—				—			(26		)	—
	Contributions	10,461			—			3,706				—			4,171			—
	Distributions and other	(7,478		)	(1,586		)	(1,841		)		(508		)	(5,358		)	(223		)
	Acquisitions	—			—			37				434			—			—
	Fair value, ending balance at December 31,	$	23,908		$	12,088		$	19,779			$	11,590		$	11,122		$	7,659
	-1	All unrealized gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
	-2	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2044. Maturities of fixed income securities at December 31, 2014 are estimated as follows:
		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	18,602
	Due in one to five years	23,463
	Due in five to ten years	8,593
	Thereafter	856
		$	51,514
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, are shown in the following table:
		December 31, 2014
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
		Value						Value							Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	497		$	(4	)	$	—			$	—		$	497		$	(4	)
	Canadian government	—			—			7,825				(233		)	7,825			(233		)
	Corporate	4,656			(108		)	3,198				(102		)	7,854			(210		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	256			(5		)	69				(1		)	325			(6		)
	Asset-backed	373			(4		)	—				—			373			(4		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2,224			(11		)	49				(1		)	2,273			(12		)
	Common stock:
	United States	100,370			(4,803		)	419				(78		)	100,789			(4,881		)
	Canada	2,418			(244		)	757				(352		)	3,175			(596		)
	Other international	4,444			(399		)	—				—			4,444			(399		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	2,601			(85		)	153				(8		)	2,754			(93		)
	Fixed income	576,890			(14,177		)	2,581				(86		)	579,471			(14,263		)
	Private equity	9,213			(798		)	14,254				(9,990		)	23,467			(10,788		)
	Other	4,069			(352		)	6,276				(2,180		)	10,345			(2,532		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	708,011		$	(20,990	)	$	35,581			$	(13,031	)	$	743,592		$	(34,021	)
		December 31, 2013
		In Loss Position						In Loss Position							Total
		Less Than 12 Months						Greater Than 12 Months
		Fair			Unrealized			Fair				Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Market			Losses			Market				Losses			Market			Losses
		Value						Value							Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	$	1,339		$	(14	)	$	20			$	—		$	1,359		$	(14	)
	Canadian government	15,777			(214		)	5,131				(245		)	20,908			(459		)
	Corporate	22,530			(129		)	3,299				(134		)	25,829			(263		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	2,959			(18		)	10				(1		)	2,969			(19		)
	Asset-backed	2,835			(10		)	15				(1		)	2,850			(11		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	14,647			(245		)	44				(7		)	14,691			(252		)
	Common stock:
	United States	23,820			(1,561		)	3,253				(526		)	27,073			(2,087		)
	Canada	667			(129		)	1,794				(494		)	2,461			(623		)
	Other international	1,540			(54		)	524				(113		)	2,064			(167		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	390			(14		)	163				(21		)	553			(35		)
	Fixed income	181,662			(2,090		)	28,494				(508		)	210,156			(2,598		)
	Private equity	—			—			19,242				(9,002		)	19,242			(9,002		)
	Other	—			—			9,739				(84		)	9,739			(84		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	268,166		$	(4,478	)	$	71,728			$	(11,136	)	$	339,894		$	(15,614	)

Deferred_Preneed_Funeral_and_C1

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus [Abstract]
Schedule of Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receitps Held in Trust Components [Table Text Block]	The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below.
		December 31, 2014										December 31, 2013
		Preneed				Preneed			Total			Preneed				Preneed			Total
		Funeral				Cemetery						Funeral				Cemetery
					(In thousands)										(In thousands)
	Trust investments	$	1,628,875			$	1,526,653		$	3,155,528		$	1,665,977			$	1,585,291		$	3,251,268
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,487		)		(4,157		)	(6,644		)	(1,108		)		(1,697		)	(2,805		)
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,626,388			$	1,522,496		$	3,148,884		$	1,664,869			$	1,583,594		$	3,248,463
Schedule of Care Trust Corpus' Components [Table Text Block]	The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are detailed below.
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,341,376			$	1,342,591
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(13,718		)		(1,661		)
	Care trusts’ corpus	$	1,327,658			$	1,340,930
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income, by Component [Table Text Block]	The components of Other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to our funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.
		Year Ended December 31, 2014
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
									(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	168,567			$	271,507		$	134,259		$	—			$	574,333
	Realized losses	(113,748		)		(138,473		)	(51,093		)	—				(303,314		)
	Impairment charges	(41,846		)		(60,040		)	(8,072		)	—				(109,958		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	22,668				17,597			35,464			—				75,729
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(19,590		)		(20,833		)	(17,581		)	—				(58,004		)
	Net trust investment income	16,051				69,758			92,977			—				178,786
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(16,051		)		(69,758		)	(92,977		)	—				(178,786		)
	Other income (expense), net	—				—			—			1,780				1,780
	Total other income (expense), net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	1,780			$	1,780
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
		(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	65,011			$	101,337		$	17,916		$	—			$	184,264
	Realized losses	(9,732		)		(14,593		)	(2,738		)	—				(27,063		)
	Impairment charges	(829		)		(1,575		)	(192		)	—				(2,596		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	24,912				20,527			27,452			—				72,891
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(11,371		)		(14,633		)	(2,628		)	—				(28,632		)
	Net trust investment income	67,991				91,063			39,810			—				198,864
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(67,991		)		(91,063		)	(39,810		)	—				(198,864		)
	Other income (expense), net	—				—			—			(558		)		(558		)
	Total other income (expense), net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	(558	)		$	(558	)
		December 31, 2012
		Funeral				Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net				Total
		Trusts				Trusts			Care Trusts
									(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	60,833			$	87,665		$	11,463		$	—			$	159,961
	Realized losses	(21,454		)		(29,397		)	(6,595		)	—				(57,446		)
	Impairment charges	(781		)		(824		)	(760		)	—				(2,365		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	17,017				17,244			34,032			—				68,293
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(10,685		)		(13,389		)	(1,355		)	—				(25,429		)
	Net trust investment income	44,930				61,299			36,785			—				143,014
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(44,930		)		(61,299		)	(36,785		)	—				(143,014		)
	Other (expense) income, net	—				—			—			3,687				3,687
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	—			$	—		$	—		$	3,687			$	3,687

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for our funeral and cemetery reporting units are as follows: (in thousands):
		2014									2013
		Funeral			Cemetery			Total			Funeral			Cemetery			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of January 1,	$	1,526,011		$	299,710		$	1,825,721		$	1,248,316		$	43,078		$	1,291,394
	Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	292			3,238			3,530			318,202			258,659			576,861
	Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	(5,959		)	(2,960		)	(8,919		)	(31,844		)	(2,027		)	(33,871		)
	Effect of foreign currency and other	(9,465		)	(14		)	(9,479		)	(8,663		)	—			(8,663		)
	Activity	(15,132		)	264			(14,868		)	277,695			256,632			534,327
	Balance as of December 31,	$	1,510,879		$	299,974		$	1,810,853		$	1,526,011		$	299,710		$	1,825,721
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	The components of intangible assets at December 31 were as follows:
		Useful life
		Minimum		Maximum	2014			2013
		(Years)			(In thousands)
	Amortizing intangibles:
	Covenants-not-to-compete	2	-	20	$	209,920		$	217,758
	Customer relationships	10	-	20	148,351			151,427
	Tradenames	5	-	5	12,750			12,750
	Other	5	-	40	11,927			17,027
					382,948			398,962
	Less: Accumulated amortization				220,682			227,119
	Amortizing intangibles, net				162,266			171,843
	Non-amortizing intangibles:
	Tradenames			Indefinite	220,875			215,135
	Other			Indefinite	10,640			11,640
	Non-amortizing intangibles				231,515			226,775
	Intangible assets, net				$	393,781		$	398,618
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	The following is estimated amortization expense, excluding certain intangibles for which we are unable to provide an estimate because they are amortized based on specific identification in the performance of a preneed contract, for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	2015	$	9,946
	2016	$	9,206
	2017	$	7,484
	2018	$	6,627
	2019	$	4,144

Income_Taxes_Level_3_Tables

Income Taxes Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	Income from continuing operations before income taxes for the years ended December 31 was composed of the following components:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	United States	$	360,800		$	199,374		$	210,830
	Foreign	41,800			45,832			34,453
		$	402,600		$	245,206		$	245,283
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	Income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31 consisted of the following:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Current:
	United States	$	67,511		$	2,207		$	3,752
	Foreign	10,859			12,445			8,638
	State	17,939			6,664			6,036
	Total current income taxes	96,309			21,316			18,426
	Deferred:
	United States	$	108,514		$	64,355		$	60,699
	Foreign	(653		)	58			118
	State	21,810			7,295			10,868
	Total deferred income taxes	129,671			71,708			71,685
	Total income taxes	$	225,980		$	93,024		$	90,111
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Computed tax provision at the applicable federal statutory income tax rate	$	140,910		$	86,002		$	85,988
	State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefits	25,736			8,221			11,007
	Dividends received deduction and tax exempt interest	(1,612		)	(592		)	(525		)
	Foreign jurisdiction differences	(4,424		)	(3,685		)	(3,409		)
	Permanent differences associated with dispositions	61,892			268			602
	Changes in uncertain tax positions	4,624			3,710			(479		)
	Other	(1,146		)	(900		)	(3,073		)
	Provision for income taxes	$	225,980		$	93,024		$	90,111
	Total effective tax rate	56.1		%	37.9		%	36.7		%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	The tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 consisted of the following:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Inventories and cemetery property	$	(338,446	)	$	(368,650	)
	Property and equipment	(183,332		)	(159,734		)
	Intangibles	(309,271		)	(323,311		)
	Other	(6,870		)	(35,103		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(837,919		)	(886,798		)
	Loss and tax credit carry-forwards	181,092			252,272
	Deferred revenue on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts	262,202			305,504
	Accrued liabilities	99,908			109,103
	Deferred tax assets	543,202			666,879
	Less: Valuation allowance	(134,201		)	(114,719		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(428,918	)	$	(334,638	)
Schedule of Deferred Taxes Classification [Table Text Block]	Deferred tax assets and Deferred income tax liabilities are recognized in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31 as follows:
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Current deferred tax assets	$	1,128		$	30,282
	Non-current deferred tax assets	18,778			22,249
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(448,824		)	(387,169		)
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	(428,918	)	$	(334,638	)
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Federal, State and Foreign Tax
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	197,223
	Reductions to tax positions related to the current year	(2,100		)
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(10,224		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	184,899
	Additions to tax positions related to the current year	3,019
	Additions to tax positions related to the acquisition of Stewart, offset to goodwill	1,556
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(8,800		)
	Statute expirations	(2,844		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	177,830
	Additions to tax positions related to the current year	8,721
	Additions to tax positions related to prior years	10,085
	Reductions to tax positions related to the current year	(1,075		)
	Reductions to tax positions related to prior years	(2,325		)
	Reductions to tax positions related to the acquisition of Stewart, offset to goodwill	(1,556		)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	191,680
Summary of Operating Loss Carryforwards [Table Text Block]	Such loss carry-forwards will expire as follows:
		Federal			State			Foreign			Total
					(In thousands)
	2015	$	—		$	80,429		$	—		$	80,429
	2016	—			158,616			—			158,616
	2017	—			243,893			—			243,893
	2018	—			105,303			—			105,303
	Thereafter	9,736			2,728,094			470			2,738,300
	Total	$	9,736		$	3,316,335		$	470		$	3,326,541
Summary of Valuation Allowance [Table Text Block]	At December 31, 2014, our loss and tax credit carry-forward deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances by jurisdiction are as follows:
		Federal			State			Foreign			Total
					(In thousands)
	Loss and tax credit carry-forwards	$	3,587		$	155,956		$	21,549		$	181,092
	Valuation allowance	$	—		$	116,923		$	17,278		$	134,201
	_________________________________
	-1	Presented net of Federal benefit

Debt_Level_3_Tables

Debt Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	Debt as of December 31 was as follows:
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014	$	—		$	86,416
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	—			136,465
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	197,377			197,377
	3.375% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016	134			45,119
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			250,000
	6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019	—			200,000
	7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	—			250,000
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	200,000			200,000
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	150,000			150,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	425,000			425,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024	550,000			—
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
	Term Loan due July 2018	370,000			600,000
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	235,000			30,000
	Obligations under capital leases	181,002			189,697
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050	4,117			4,752
	Unamortized (discounts) premiums and other, net	(2,905		)	42,084
	Total debt	3,054,725			3,301,910
	Less:
	Current maturities of debt, capital lease obligations, and mortgage notes	(91,584		)	(153,738		)
	Current maturities of unamortized discounts (premiums) and other, net	653			(22,624		)
	Total current maturities	(90,931		)	(176,362		)
	Total long-term debt	$	2,963,794		$	3,125,548
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	The aggregate maturities of our debt for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 and thereafter (in thousands) are as follows:
		Aggregate Maturities of Debt
	2015	$	90,931
	2016	223,449
	2017	315,414
	2018	858,277
	2019	9,003
	2020 and thereafter	1,557,651
		$	3,054,725
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Cash interest payments for the three years ended December 31 (in thousands) were as follows:
	Payments in 2014	$	175,327
	Payments in 2013	$	125,022
	Payments in 2012	$	131,723
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Options exercised by attestation	$	761		$	3,004		$	—
	Shares repurchased	(761		)	$	(3,004	)	$	—
Schedule of future cash interest payments [Table Text Block]	Cash interest payments forecasted as of December 31, 2014 for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 and thereafter (in thousands) are as follows:
	Payments in 2015	$	154,408
	Payments in 2016	$	144,134
	Payments in 2017	$	128,986
	Payments in 2018	$	114,305
	Payments in 2019	$	96,830
	Payments in 2020 and thereafter	$	324,075

Credit_Risk_and_Fair_Value_of_1

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Table Text Block]	The fair value of our debt instruments at December 31 was as follows:
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2014	—		106,939
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2015	—		144,653
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	208,075		214,904
	3.125% Senior Convertible Notes due July 2016	160		60,487
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	320,043		333,259
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	277,538		288,875
	6.5% Senior Notes due April 2019	—		210,000
	7.0% Senior Notes due May 2019	—		270,000
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	201,700		192,610
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	174,375		173,625
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	437,750		431,588
	5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024	558,250		—
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	220,890		215,750
	Term Loan due July 2018	370,000		600,000
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	235,000		30,000
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,117		4,752
	Total fair value of debt instruments	$	3,007,898	$	3,277,442

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2014, future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating and capital leases exceeding one year were as follows:
		Operating		Capital
		(In thousands)
	2015	$	14,049	$	31,377
	2016	12,219		26,366
	2017	10,202		20,654
	2018	8,726		63,380
	2019	7,308		9,125
	2020 and thereafter	62,468		30,100
	Total	$	114,972	181,002
	Less: Interest on capital leases			(18,508		)
	Total principal payable on capital leases			$	162,494
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table Text Block]	At December 31, 2014, the maximum estimated future cash commitments under agreements with remaining commitment terms, and with original terms of more than one year, were as follows:
		Employment and Management		Consulting			Non-Competition		Total
		(In thousands)
	2015	$	2,236	$	587		$	4,376	$	7,199
	2016	938		218			3,872		5,028
	2017	767		103			3,622		4,492
	2018	333		75			3,414		3,822
	2019	126		69			3,236		3,431
	2020 and thereafter	16		38			4,999		5,053
	Total	$	4,416	$	1,090		$	23,519	$	29,025

Equity_Level_3_Tables

Equity Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
		Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Currency			Gains and			Other
		Translation			Losses			Comprehensive
		Adjustment						(Loss) Income
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	105,852		$	—		$	105,852
	Activity in 2012	5,865			—			5,865
	Reduction in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			95,686			95,686
	Reclassification of net unrealized losses activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			(95,686		)	(95,686		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	111,717		$	—		$	111,717
	Activity in 2013	(23,276		)				(23,276		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(113,553		)	(113,553		)
	Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			113,553			113,553
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	88,441		$	—		$	88,441
	Activity in 2014	(32,141		)	—			(32,141		)
	Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments to Net income from discontinued operations	3,114			—			3,114
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			(166,570		)	(166,570		)
	Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			166,570			166,570
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	59,414		$	—		$	59,414

ShareBased_Compensation_Level_1

Share-Based Compensation Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions, based on the methods described above for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:
			Years Ended December 31,
	Assumptions		2014			2013			2012
	Dividend yield		1.8	%		1.9	%		1.8	%
	Expected volatility		27.1	%		35.2	%		40.8	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.1	%		0.7	%		0.8	%
	Expected holding period (years)		4			4			5
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes certain information with respect to stock option and restricted share compensation for 2014, 2013, and 2012, as included in our consolidated statement of operations for those respective periods:
		December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	$	13,127			$	11,925			$	10,983
	Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation included in net income	$	7,368			$	4,689			$	4,092
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers and not in thousands)
		Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	13,319,750			$	9.84
	Granted	2,495,850			$	17.41
	Exercised	(3,642,126	)		$	9.1
	Forfeited and other	(66,368	)		$	8.52
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	12,107,106			$	11.63
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014	7,673,557			$	9.17
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding and Exercisable [Table Text Block]	Set forth below is certain information related to stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers and not in thousands)
			Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
			Number			Weighted-		Weighted-				Number	Weighted-
			Outstanding at			Average		Average				Exercisable at	Average
			December 31,			Remaining						December 31,
	Range of Exercise Price		2014			Contractual Life		Exercise Price				2014	Exercise Price
	$4.01 — 8.00		2,784,838			2.6		$	6.01			2,784,838	$	6.01
	$8.01 — 12.00		4,871,490			3.8		$	10.43			4,228,505	$	10.32
	$12.01 — 16.00		1,996,328			6		$	15.2			660,214	$	15.08
	$16.01 — 20.00		2,454,450			7.1		$	17.41			—	$	—
	$4.01 — 20.00		12,107,106			4.6		$	11.62			7,673,557	$	9.17
Other Information Pertaining to Stock Option Activity [Table Text Block]	Other information pertaining to option activity during the years ended December 31 is as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted	$	3.34			$	3.68			$	3.41
	Total fair value of stock options vested (in thousands)	$	6,814			$	5,997			$	5,088
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands)	$	42,048			$	8,855			$	20,333
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]	Restricted share activity was as follows:
	(Shares reported in whole numbers)
		Restricted			Weighted-Average
		Shares			Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2013	1,183,229			$	11.81
	Granted	351,860			$	17.49
	Vested	(207,659	)		$	11.26
	Forfeited and other	(8,170	)		$	14.67
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2014	1,319,260			$	13.39

Retirement_Plans_Retirement_Pl

Retirement Plans Retirement Plans Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	The components of the Plans’ net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
		2014				2013				2012
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	$	1,293			$	780			$	1,109
	Recognized net actuarial losses (gains)	2,401				(1,205		)		1,418
		$	3,694			$	(425	)		$	2,527
Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]	The Plans’ funded status at December 31 was as follows:
		2014				2013
		(In thousands)
	Change in Benefit Obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	37,499			$	28,674
	Acquisition of benefit obligation	—				21,407
	Interest cost	1,293				780
	Actuarial gain (loss)	2,401				(856		)
	Benefits paid	(4,273		)		(12,506		)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	36,920			$	37,499
	Change in Plan Assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	—			$	—
	Employer contributions	4,273				12,506
	Benefits paid, including expenses	(4,273		)		(12,506		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—			$	—
	Funded status of plan	$	(36,920	)		$	(37,499	)
	Net amount recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet	$	(36,920	)		$	(37,499	)
	Funding Summary:
	Projected benefit obligations	$	36,920			$	37,499
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	36,920			$	37,499
	Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
	Accrued benefit liability	$	(36,920	)		$	(37,499	)
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	The Plans’ weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net benefit cost are as follows: we base our discount rate used to compute future benefit obligations using an analysis of expected future benefit payments. The reasonableness of our discount rate is verified by comparing the rate to the rate earned on high-quality fixed income investments, such as the Moody’s Aa index, plus 50 basis points. The assumed rate of return on plan assets was not applicable as we pay plan benefits as they come due. As all Plans are curtailed, the assumed rate of compensation increase is zero.
		2014			2013			2012
	Weighted average discount rate used to determine obligations	3.42	%		3.66	%		2.9	%
	Weighted average discount rate used to determine net periodic pension cost	3.69	%		2.9	%		4.05	%
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	The following benefit payments are expected to be paid in future years related to our Plans (in thousands):
	2015	$	3,940
	2016	$	3,768
	2017	$	3,471
	2018	$	3,264
	2019	$	3,195
	Years 2020 through 2024	$	11,771

Segment_Reporting_Level_3_Tabl

Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Our reportable segment information is as follows:
		Funeral			Cemetery			Reportable
								Segments
		(In thousands)
	2014
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,920,477		$	1,073,535		$	2,994,012
	Interest expense	$	4,714		$	510		$	5,224
	Depreciation and amortization	$	101,792		$	28,754		$	130,546
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	24,841		$	11,700		$	36,541
	Gross profit	$	403,938		$	271,875		$	675,813
	Amortization of cemetery property	$	—		$	60,439		$	60,439
	Total assets	$	5,209,177		$	6,248,713		$	11,457,890
	Capital expenditures	$	52,610		$	78,588		$	131,198
	2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,698,493		$	851,973		$	2,550,466
	Interest expense	$	4,736		$	348		$	5,084
	Depreciation and amortization	$	92,588		$	23,384		$	115,972
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	17,245		$	4,590		$	21,835
	Gross profit	$	349,791		$	199,256		$	549,047
	Amortization of cemetery property	$	—		$	48,344		$	48,344
	Total assets	$	5,675,371		$	6,594,300		$	12,269,671
	Capital expenditures	$	50,304		$	58,315		$	108,619
	2012
	Revenues from external customers	$	1,619,687		$	784,743		$	2,404,430
	Interest expense	$	4,302		$	384		$	4,686
	Depreciation and amortization	$	90,707		$	22,736		$	113,443
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	18,803		$	5,021		$	23,824
	Gross profit	$	347,359		$	175,413		$	522,772
	Amortization of cemetery property	$	—		$	44,976		$	44,976
	Total assets	$	4,477,259		$	4,777,450		$	9,254,709
	Capital expenditures	$	43,678		$	58,155		$	101,833
Schedule of Significant Reportable Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	The following table reconciles certain reportable segment amounts to our corresponding consolidated amounts:
		Reportable			Corporate			Consolidated
		Segments
		(In thousands)
	2014
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,994,012		$	—		$	2,994,012
	Interest expense	$	5,224		$	172,347		$	177,571
	Depreciation and amortization	$	130,546		$	9,456		$	140,002
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	36,541		$	99		$	36,640
	Total assets	$	11,457,890		$	465,754		$	11,923,644
	Capital expenditures	$	131,198		$	13,301		$	144,499
	2013
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,550,466		$	—		$	2,550,466
	Interest expense	$	5,084		$	137,276		$	142,360
	Depreciation and amortization	$	115,972		$	6,263		$	122,235
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	21,835		$	24		$	21,859
	Total assets	$	12,269,671		$	563,929		$	12,833,600
	Capital expenditures	$	108,619		$	4,320		$	112,939
	2012
	Revenue from external customers	$	2,404,430		$	—		$	2,404,430
	Interest expense	$	4,686		$	130,382		$	135,068
	Depreciation and amortization	$	113,443		$	6,419		$	119,862
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	23,824		$	29		$	23,853
	Total assets	$	9,254,709		$	333,817		$	9,588,526
	Capital expenditures	$	101,833		$	13,488		$	115,321
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments shown above to our consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Gross profit from reportable segments	$	675,813		$	549,047		$	522,772
	General and administrative expenses	(184,877		)	(155,128		)	(121,891		)
	Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	116,613			(6,263		)	(1,511		)
	Operating income	607,549			387,656			399,370
	Interest expense	(177,571		)	(142,360		)	(135,068		)
	(Losses) gains on early extinguishment of debt, net	(29,158		)	468			(22,706		)
	Other income (expense), net	1,780			(558		)	3,687
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	402,600		$	245,206		$	245,283
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]	Our geographic area information was as follows:
		United States			Canada			Total
		(In thousands)
	2014
	Revenues from external customers	$	2,792,010		$	202,002		$	2,994,012
	Interest expense	$	177,245		$	326		$	177,571
	Depreciation and amortization	$	129,510		$	10,492		$	140,002
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	35,895		$	745		$	36,640
	Amortization of cemetery property	$	55,679		$	4,760		$	60,439
	Operating income	$	557,608		$	49,941		$	607,549
	Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	$	116,046		$	567		$	116,613
	Long-lived assets	$	5,717,850		$	300,515		$	6,018,365
	2013
	Revenues from external customers	$	2,334,667		$	215,799		$	2,550,466
	Interest expense	$	141,991		$	369		$	142,360
	Depreciation and amortization	$	111,210		$	11,025		$	122,235
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	20,846		$	1,013		$	21,859
	Amortization of cemetery property	$	42,972		$	5,372		$	48,344
	Operating income	$	331,143		$	56,513		$	387,656
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	$	(5,958	)	$	(305	)	$	(6,263	)
	Long-lived assets	$	5,793,719		$	329,785		$	6,123,504
	2012
	Revenues from external customers	$	2,191,532		$	212,898		$	2,404,430
	Interest expense	$	134,643		$	425		$	135,068
	Depreciation and amortization	$	108,411		$	11,451		$	119,862
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	22,433		$	1,420		$	23,853
	Amortization of cemetery property	$	39,803		$	5,173		$	44,976
	Operating income	$	346,289		$	53,081		$	399,370
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	$	(1,502	)	$	(9	)	$	(1,511	)
	Long-lived assets	$	4,484,911		$	359,882		$	4,844,793

Supplementary_Information_Leve1

Supplementary Information Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplementary Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Balance Sheet, Supplemental Disclosures	The detail of certain balance sheet accounts is as follows:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	132,743		$	101,952
	Commercial paper and temporary investments	44,592			39,632
		$	177,335		$	141,584
	Receivables, net:
	Notes receivable	$	8,381		$	1,140
	Atneed funeral receivables, net of allowances of $6,200 and $8,895, respectively	61,306			66,671
	Atneed cemetery receivables, net of allowances of $2,346 and $2,742, respectively	14,842			13,841
	Other	24,521			19,772
		$	109,050		$	101,424
	Other current assets:
	Income tax receivable	$	22,581		$	2,933
	Prepaid insurance	5,270			8,583
	Restricted cash	28,926			6,550
	Bond conversion asset	—			21,682
	Deferred debt issuance costs	9,180			9,082
	Other	13,644			14,916
		$	79,601		$	63,746
	Cemetery property:
	Undeveloped land	$	1,186,325		$	1,192,613
	Developed lots, lawn crypts, mausoleum spaces, cremation niches, and cremation memorialization property	552,891			559,656
		$	1,739,216		$	1,752,269
	Property and equipment:
	Land	$	603,509		$	610,339
	Buildings and improvements	1,783,171			1,779,584
	Operating equipment	500,511			500,721
	Leasehold improvements	50,862			25,642
	Capital leases	204,991			185,875
		3,143,044			3,102,161
	Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,163,921		)	(1,083,151		)
	Less: Accumulated amortization of capital leases	(117,720		)	(106,496		)
		$	1,861,403		$	1,912,514
	Deferred charges and other assets:
	Intangible assets, net	393,781			398,618
	Restricted cash	16,073			2,409
	Non-current deferred tax assets	18,778			22,249
	Notes receivable, net of allowances of $11,259 and $10,986, respectively	4,858			11,651
	Cash surrender value of insurance policies	102,856			90,177
	Other	81,200			107,896
		$	617,546		$	633,000
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	137,270		$	143,686
	Accrued compensation	86,880			104,464
	Accrued interest	30,133			36,583
	Accrued property taxes	14,346			14,395
	Self insurance reserves	73,991			77,962
	Bank overdraft	27,798			5,152
	Bond conversion liability	—			18,744
	Other accrued liabilities	82,610			81,853
		$	453,028		$	482,839
	Other liabilities:
	Accrued pension	$	35,614		$	35,629
	Deferred compensation	80,580			65,605
	Customer refund obligation reserve	60,019			59,826
	Tax liability	239,265			222,365
	Indemnification liability	236			442
	Payable to perpetual care fund	64,722			56,501
Other	15,129			50,870
	$	495,565		$	491,238
Schedule of Product Information [Table Text Block]	The detail of certain income statement accounts is as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Merchandise revenues:
	Funeral	$	616,992		$	584,438		$	552,308
	Cemetery	743,765			609,142			554,516
	Total merchandise revenues	1,360,757			1,193,580			1,106,824
	Services revenues:
	Funeral	1,167,386			989,613			965,226
	Cemetery	295,195			212,932			203,113
	Total services revenues	1,462,581			1,202,545			1,168,339
	Other revenues	170,674			154,341			129,267
	Total revenues	$	2,994,012		$	2,550,466		$	2,404,430
	Merchandise costs and expenses:
	Funeral	$	294,237		$	266,538		$	258,860
	Cemetery	317,690			254,065			234,031
	Total cost of merchandise	611,927			520,603			492,891
	Services costs and expenses:
	Funeral	635,096			548,554			520,243
	Cemetery	140,402			100,865			98,809
	Total cost of services	775,498			649,419			619,052
	Overhead and other expenses	930,774			831,397			769,715
	Total cost and expenses	$	2,318,199		$	2,001,419		$	1,881,658
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Cash interest payments for the three years ended December 31 (in thousands) were as follows:
	Payments in 2014	$	175,327
	Payments in 2013	$	125,022
	Payments in 2012	$	131,723
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Options exercised by attestation	$	761		$	3,004		$	—
	Shares repurchased	(761		)	$	(3,004	)	$	—

Earnings_Per_Share_Level_3_Tab

Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS for the three years ended December 31 is presented below:
		2014		2013		2012
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
	Income from continuing operations — basic	$	170,283	$	146,926	$	153,583
	After tax interest on convertible debt	51		51		51
	Income from continuing operations — diluted	$	170,334	$	146,977	$	153,634
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	2,186	$	406	$	262
	Net income — basic	$	172,469	$	147,332	$	153,845
	After tax interest on convertible debt	51		51		51
	Net income — diluted	$	172,520	$	147,383	$	153,896
	Weighted average shares:
	Weighted average shares — basic	210,741		211,811		215,712
	Stock options	3,338		4,082		3,233
	Convertible debt	121		121		121
	Weighted average shares — diluted	214,200		216,014		219,066
	Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
	Income from continuing operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.81	$	0.7	$	0.71
	Diluted	$	0.8	$	0.68	$	0.7
	Income from discontinued operations per share:
	Basic	$	0.01	$	—	$	—
	Diluted	$	0.01	$	—	$	—
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.82	$	0.7	$	0.71
	Diluted	$	0.81	$	0.68	$	0.7

Acquisition_Level_3_Tables

Acquisition Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Adjustments to Fair Value [Table Text Block]
		(In thousands)
	Decrease in the fair value of accounts receivable and other current assets	$	(10,900	)
	Increase in the fair value of cemetery property	2,674
	Decrease in property and equipment, net	(10,331		)
	Decrease in the fair value of preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	(9,570		)
	Decrease in the fair value of finite-lived intangible assets	(30,834		)
	Increase in the fair value of acquired assets held for sale	85,775
	Increase in the fair value of deferred charges and other assets	311
	Decrease in the fair value of deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trust	42,417
	Change in the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities held for sale	(89,198		)
	Decrease in the fair value of deferred income taxes	41,676
	Other	(17,250		)
	Total adjustment to goodwill	$	4,770
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the adjusted fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of December 23, 2013:
		(In thousands)
	Accounts receivable	$	11,119
	Other current assets	190,518
	Cemetery property	287,449
	Property and equipment, net	330,125
	Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	645,440
	Finite-lived intangible assets	75,444
	Indefinite-lived intangible assets	79,400
	Acquired assets held for sale	520,023
	Deferred charges and other assets	278,631
	Goodwill	573,808
	Total assets acquired	2,991,957
	Current liabilities	219,373
	Long-term debt	270,668
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	740,441
	Assumed liabilities held for sale	242,835
	Deferred income taxes	58,493
	Other liabilities	294,674
	Total liabilities assumed	1,826,484
	Noncontrolling interest	118
	Net assets acquired	$	1,165,355
Schedule of Finite and Indefinte-lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of a Business Comination [Table Text Block]	The identified intangible assets comprise the following:
		Useful life
		Minimum		Maximum	Fair Value
		(Years)			(In thousands)
	Preneed customer relationships related to insurance claims	10		20	$	28,500
	Other preneed customer relationships	10		14	20,502
	Selling and management agreements	10		40	5,900
	Covenants-not-to-compete	5		15	5,480
	Operating leases	26		34	5,912
	Tradenames	5		5	9,150
	Tradenames			Indefinite	77,900
	Licenses and permits			Indefinite	1,500
	Total intangible assets				$	154,844
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	The following unaudited pro forma summary presents financial information as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012:
		2013			2012
		(In thousands)
		(unaudited)
	Revenue	$	2,919,278		$	2,848,451
	Net income	$	203,916		$	135,010

Divestiture_Related_Activities1

Divestiture Related Activities Divestiture Related Activities Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]
		December 31,
		2013
		(in thousands)
	Current assets	$	4,750
	Property and equipment, net	116
	Deferred charges and other assets	2,375
	Total assets	$	7,241
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,728
	Deferred preneed funeral revenues	938
	Other long term liabilities	30
	Total liabilities	5,696
	Net assets of discontinued operations	$	1,545
Held for Sale, Net Assets [Table Text Block]
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Current assets	$	45		$	4,569
	Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	5,048			356,064
	Cemetery property	165			89,060
	Property and equipment, net	43			71,618
	Goodwill	88			190,976
	Deferred charges and other assets	74			27,440
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,284			88,169
	Total assets	$	6,747		$	827,896
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	14			4,390
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	5,677			424,780
	Care trusts' corpus	1,284			88,262
	Other long term liabilities	27			4,209
	Total liabilities	7,002			521,641
	Net assets held for sale	$	(255	)	$	306,255
Gains (Losses) on Divestitures and Impairment Charges [Table Text Block]	As divestitures occur in the normal course of business, gains or losses on the sale of such locations are recognized in the income statement line item Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net, which consist of the following for the years ended December 31:
		2014				2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Gains (losses) on divestitures, net	$	122,535			$	(3,350	)	$	639
	Impairment losses	(5,922		)		(2,913		)	(2,150		)
		$	116,613			$	(6,263	)	$	(1,511	)
Schedule of Income from Discontinued Operations [Table Text Block]
		Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,
		2014				2013			2012
		(In thousands)
	Revenues	$	1,613			$	5,907		$	6,051
	Costs and expenses	(1,471		)		(5,393		)	(5,609		)
	Gain on disposition	2,136				—			—
	Other expense, net	(2		)		(1		)	(42		)
	Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	2,276				513			400
	Provision for income taxes	(90		)		(107		)	(138		)
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	2,186			$	406		$	262

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Quart

Quarterly Financial Data Quarterly Financial Data Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	Quarterly financial data for 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		First			Second			Third			Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	2014
	Revenues	$	745,509		$	746,746		$	718,314		$	783,443
	Costs and expenses	$	(579,269	)	$	(590,882	)	$	(570,016	)	$	(578,032	)
	Gross profits	$	166,240		$	155,864		$	148,298		$	205,411
	Operating income	$	107,418		$	144,731		$	135,120		$	220,280
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes(1)	$	63,958		$	69,316		$	91,735		$	177,591
	Provision for income taxes	$	(22,707	)	$	(37,357	)	$	(74,934	)	$	(90,982	)
	Net income	$	41,391		$	31,781		$	17,685		$	87,949
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	(289	)	$	(5,859	)	$	(34	)	$	(155	)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	41,102		$	25,922		$	17,651		$	87,794
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share(2):
	Basic — EPS	$	0.19		$	0.12		$	0.08		$	0.42
	Diluted — EPS	$	0.19		$	0.12		$	0.08		$	0.42
	2013(3)
	Revenues	$	650,418		$	624,231		$	608,589		$	667,228
	Costs and expenses	$	(491,092	)	$	(498,248	)	$	(492,784	)	$	(519,296	)
	Gross profits	$	159,326		$	125,983		$	115,805		$	147,932
	Operating income	$	127,434		$	89,059		$	83,046		$	88,117
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes(1)	$	93,680		$	56,092		$	45,633		$	49,801
	Provision for income taxes	$	(35,290	)	$	(21,598	)	$	(18,407	)	$	(17,729	)
	Net income	$	58,722		$	34,435		$	27,394		$	32,037
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	(1,102	)	$	(820	)	$	(615	)	$	(2,719	)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	57,620		$	33,615		$	26,779		$	29,318
	Net income attributable to common stockholders per share(2):
	Basic — EPS	$	0.27		$	0.16		$	0.13		$	0.14
	Diluted — EPS	$	0.27		$	0.16		$	0.12		$	0.14
	_________________________________
	-1	Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.
	-2	Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.
	-3	See Note 2 for details related to the revision which was recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The revision reduced the provision for income taxes and increased net income attributable to common stockholders by $3.5 million and increased basic and diluted EPS by $0.02.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reclassification of debt		$30,000,000
Intangible Fair Value Inputs, Royalty Savings Rate, Low	0.01
Required percentage of sales price	0.00%
Amortization of cemetery property	60,439,000	48,344,000	44,976,000
Depreciation	140,002,000	122,235,000	119,862,000
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Growth Rate, Low End of the Range	1.90%
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Growth Rate, High End of the Range	6.30%
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	7.00%
Intangible Fair Value Inputs, Royalty Savings Rate	0.04
Intangibles Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	7.20%
Retirement of treasury shares	0	0	0
Funeral [Member]
Amortization of cemetery property	0	0	0
Depreciation	101,792,000	92,588,000	90,707,000
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Terminal Growth Rate	2.50%
Intangibles Fair Value Inputs, Terminal Growth Rate	2.50%
Cemetery [Member]
Amortization of cemetery property	60,439,000	48,344,000	44,976,000
Depreciation	$28,754,000	$23,384,000	$22,736,000
Goodwill Reporting Unit Fair Value Inputs, Terminal Growth Rate	2.90%
Intangibles Fair Value Inputs, Terminal Growth Rate	2.90%
Treasury Stock [Member]
Retirement of treasury shares	10,956	278	17,167
Minimum [Member]
Funeral home lease life	1 year
Transportation equipment lease life	1 year
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P7Y
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P3Y
Maximum [Member]
Funeral home lease life	40 years
Transportation equipment lease life	5 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P40Y
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P8Y
Maximum [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P10Y
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	2 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	20 years
Treasury Stock [Member]
Retirement of treasury shares	10,914

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Schedule of Revisions and Reclassifications - Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Provision for income taxes	$90,982		$74,934		$37,357		$22,707		$17,729	[1]	$18,407	[1]	$21,598	[1]	$35,290	[1]	($225,980)	($93,024)		($90,111)
Net income	87,949		17,685		31,781		41,391		32,037		27,394		34,435		58,722		178,806	152,588		155,434
Net income attributable to common stockholders	87,794		17,651		25,922		41,102		29,318	[1]	26,779	[1]	33,615	[1]	57,620	[1]	172,469	147,332		153,845
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$0.42	[2]	$0.08	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.19	[2]	$0.14	[2]	$0.13	[2]	$0.16	[2]	$0.27	[2]	$0.82			$0.71
Earnings per share, diluted	$0.42	[2]	$0.08	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.19	[2]	$0.14	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.16	[2]	$0.27	[2]	$0.81			$0.70
Financials as previously reported [Member]
Provision for income taxes																		-96,615		-91,548
Net income																		149,104	[3]	154,135	[3]
Net income attributable to common stockholders																		143,848		152,546
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic																		$0.68		$0.71
Earnings per share, diluted																		$0.67		$0.70
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Provision for income taxes																		3,484		1,299
Net income																		3,484	[3]	1,299	[3]
Net income attributable to common stockholders																		3,484		1,299
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic																		$0.02		$0
Earnings per share, diluted																		$0.01		$0
Reclassifications for purchase price adjustments and discontinued operations [Member]
Provision for income taxes																		107		138
Net income																		0	[3]	0	[3]
Net income attributable to common stockholders																		0		0
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic																		$0		$0
Earnings per share, diluted																		$0		$0
Financials as adjusted [Domain]
Provision for income taxes																		-93,024		-90,111
Net income																		152,588	[3]	155,434	[3]
Net income attributable to common stockholders																		$147,332		$153,845
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic																		$0.70		$0.71
Earnings per share, diluted																		$0.68		$0.70
[1]	See Note 2 for details related to the revision which was recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The revision reduced the provision for income taxes and increased net income attributable to common stockholders by $3.5 million and increased basic and diluted EPS by $0.02.
[2]	Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.
[3]	These revisions had no net impact on Net cash provided by operating, investing, or financing activities.

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Schedule of Revisions and Reclassifications - Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets	$1,128	$30,282
Assets, Current	396,856	379,096
Goodwill	1,810,853	1,825,721
Total assets	11,923,644	12,833,600
Current maturities of long-term debt	90,931	176,362
Income taxes	8,035	5,263
Liabilities, Current	552,008	673,582
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	2,963,794	3,125,548
Deferred tax liabilities	448,824	387,169
Other liabilities	495,565	491,238
Accumulated deficit	-81,859	-90,026
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,377,378	1,480,228	1,415,193	1,463,262
Liabilities and Equity	11,923,644	12,833,600
Financials as previously reported [Member]
Deferred tax assets		39,074
Assets, Current		393,747
Goodwill		1,922,102
Total assets		12,906,070
Current maturities of long-term debt		146,362
Income taxes		6,391
Liabilities, Current		642,584
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		3,155,548
Deferred tax liabilities		619,200
Other liabilities		430,393
Accumulated deficit		-145,876
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		1,424,378
Liabilities and Equity		12,906,070
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Deferred tax assets		-3,750
Assets, Current		-3,750
Goodwill		-91,016
Total assets		-94,766
Current maturities of long-term debt		30,000
Income taxes		-1,202
Liabilities, Current		28,798
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		-30,000
Deferred tax liabilities		-190,355
Other liabilities		40,941
Accumulated deficit		55,850
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		55,850
Liabilities and Equity		-94,766
Reclassifications for purchase price adjustments and discontinued operations [Member]
Deferred tax assets		-5,042
Assets, Current		-10,901
Goodwill		-5,365
Total assets		22,296
Current maturities of long-term debt		0
Income taxes		74
Liabilities, Current		2,200
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		0
Deferred tax liabilities		-41,676
Other liabilities		19,904
Accumulated deficit		0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		0
Liabilities and Equity		22,296
Financials as adjusted [Domain]
Deferred tax assets		30,282
Assets, Current		379,096
Goodwill		1,825,721
Total assets		12,833,600
Current maturities of long-term debt		176,362
Income taxes		5,263
Liabilities, Current		673,582
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		3,125,548
Deferred tax liabilities		387,169
Other liabilities		491,238
Accumulated deficit		-90,026
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		1,480,228
Liabilities and Equity		$12,833,600

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Schedule of Revisions and Reclassifications - Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Net income	$87,949	$17,685	$31,781	$41,391	$32,037	$27,394	$34,435	$58,722	$178,806	$152,588		$155,434
Provision for deferred income taxes									129,671	71,708		71,685
(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities									-12,038	-1,995		26,360
Financials as previously reported [Member]
Net income										149,104	[1]	154,135	[1]
Provision for deferred income taxes										74,100	[1]	72,984	[1]
(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities										-284	[1]	25,240	[1]
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Net income										3,484	[1]	1,299	[1]
Provision for deferred income taxes										-2,282	[1]	-1,299	[1]
(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities										-1,202	[1]	0	[1]
Reclassifications for purchase price adjustments and discontinued operations [Member]
Net income										0	[1]	0	[1]
Provision for deferred income taxes										-110	[1]	0	[1]
(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities										-509	[1]	1,120	[1]
Financials as adjusted [Domain]
Net income										152,588	[1]	155,434	[1]
Provision for deferred income taxes										71,708	[1]	71,685	[1]
(Decrease) increase in payables and other liabilities										($1,995)	[1]	$26,360	[1]
[1]	These revisions had no net impact on Net cash provided by operating, investing, or financing activities.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Inv

Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Funeral [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits to trust	$102,553	$82,168	$81,601
Withdrawals	131,352	125,914	100,635
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	1,238,257	393,169	563,628
Sales of available-for-sale securities	1,318,512	435,267	555,709
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	168,567	65,011	60,833
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	($113,748)	($9,732)	($21,454)

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lon

Preneed Funeral Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Current assets of discontinued operations	$0	($4,750)
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	102,856	90,177
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,843,023	1,870,243
Funeral [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,205,747	1,438,326
Cash and cash equivalents	162,229	128,217
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	-181,535
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	260,899	280,969
Trust investments	1,628,875	1,665,977
Receivables from customers	262,700	259,784
Unearned finance charge	-11,054	-10,179
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	1,880,521	1,915,582
Allowance for cancellation	-37,498	-45,339
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$1,843,023	$1,870,243	$1,536,257	$1,484,764

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Pre

Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Receivables Net and Trust Invesments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$1,843,023		$1,870,243
Funeral [Member]
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	1,870,243		1,536,257		1,484,764
Net preneed contract sales	247,994		192,712		124,962
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	-211,830		-170,921		-125,625
Deposits to trust	102,553		82,168		81,601
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	-19,203		271,395		6,021
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	22,480	[1]	125,986	[1]	84,611	[1]
Maturities and distributed earnings	-162,059		-153,446		-126,130
Change in cancellation allowance	7,644		-3,245		934
Effect of foreign currency and other	-14,799		-10,663		5,119
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$1,843,023		$1,870,243		$1,536,257
[1]	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Sch

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$1,213,128	$1,359,271
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	33,058	121,718
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-40,439	-42,663
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,205,747	1,438,326
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	85,775	111,824
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	468	1,299
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-455	-5,599
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	85,788	107,524
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	90,430	100,263
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	449	81
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-874	-1,113
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	90,005	99,231
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	24,765	64,579
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	423	3,515
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-126	-691
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	25,062	67,403
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,325	2,438
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	29	23
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-12	-33
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,342	2,428
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6	3,407
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	-10
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	6	3,397
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,503	30,485
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	113	754
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-113	-235
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,503	31,004
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	377,441	370,123
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	18,533	77,963
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-7,405	-2,928
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	388,569	445,158
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	14,708	27,710
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,292	4,346
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-895	-1,217
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	18,105	30,839
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	38,035	36,017
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,175	4,986
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,560	-198
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	37,650	40,805
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	308,548	260,686
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,332	22,530
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-15,901	-2,303
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	295,979	280,913
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	229,414	317,280
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	869	3,228
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-3,576	-19,577
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	226,707	300,931
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	35,094	32,909
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,649	2,702
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-9,418	-8,726
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	28,325	26,885
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,084	1,550
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	726	291
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-104	-33
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$5,706	$1,808

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lev2

Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance			$17,687
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)			15,420	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)			-48	[2]
Contributions			3,430
Distributions and other			-9,645
Fair market value, ending balance			26,844
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	26,885		17,879		15,986
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,242	[3]	13,429	[3]	-403	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-39	[4]	-43	[4]	-58	[4]
Purchases	0		1,188		0
Sales	0		0		9
Contributions	6,122		3,229		4,664
Distributions and other	-6,885		-9,245		-2,301
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	0		448		0
Fair market value, ending balance	28,325		26,885		17,879
Other Investments [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,808		744		912
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	826	[3]	1,442	[3]	-159	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-6	[4]	-3	[4]	-2	[4]
Purchases	3,214		0		0
Sales	0		0		0
Contributions	4		0		0
Distributions and other	-140		-393		-7
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	0		18		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$5,706		$1,808		$744
[1]	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[2]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[3]	All unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[4]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Inv1

Preneed Funeral Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Funeral [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Funeral [Member]
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$123,545
Due in one to five years	32,659
Due in five to ten years	29,426
Thereafter	16,573
Total	$202,203

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Sch1

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$534,435	$293,702
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-26,801	-12,519
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	73,436	115,135
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-13,638	-30,144
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	607,871	408,837
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-40,439	-42,663
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	32,243	29,008
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-412	-3,595
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,978	19,633
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-43	-2,004
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	37,221	48,641
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-455	-5,599
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,894	9,545
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-52	-120
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	14,904	18,981
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-822	-993
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	17,798	28,526
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-874	-1,113
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,988	21,525
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-56	-346
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,420	5,665
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-70	-345
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,408	27,190
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-126	-691
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	217	1,397
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-10	-25
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	106	174
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-2	-8
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	323	1,571
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-12	-33
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		5,588
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		-123
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		5,588
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		-123
Preferred Stock securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	26	14,182
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-113	-235
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	26	14,182
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-113	-235
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	192,015	46,189
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-11,706	-2,648
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	585	3,480
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-583
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	192,600	49,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-11,706	-3,231
US Common Stock Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	126,527	47,054
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-7,403	-2,153
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	438	3,374
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-2	-775
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	126,965	50,428
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-7,405	-2,928
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,069	1,568
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-319	-502
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	778	1,935
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-522	-433
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,847	3,503
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-841	-935
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,752	2,439
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-379	-576
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,085	1,992
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-516	-641
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,837	4,431
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-895	-1,217
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	28,308	4,332
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2,395	-124
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	700
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-76
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	28,308	5,032
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-2,395	-200
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	19,593	3,433
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-1,557	-138
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2	375
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-3	-60
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	19,595	3,808
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-1,560	-198
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	303,211	3,847
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-18,329	-54
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,577	14,430
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-101	-1,650
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	304,788	18,277
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-18,430	-1,704
Equity Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	233,827	16,383
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-13,219	-337
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	23,717	12,638
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-2,682	-1,966
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	257,544	29,021
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-15,901	-2,303
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	159,572	134,294
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4,106	-5,527
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	15,113	63,800
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-596	-28,122
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	174,685	198,094
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-4,702	-33,649
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	112,160	145,425
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-3,128	-4,984
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	11,452	38,774
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-448	-14,593
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	123,612	184,199
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-3,576	-19,577
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	88	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-100	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,518	6,589
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-6,083	-5,153
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,606	6,589
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-6,183	-5,153
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	203	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-461	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	13,870	13,002
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-8,957	-8,726
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	14,073	13,002
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-9,418	-8,726
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	259
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-68
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	261
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-71
Other Investments [Member] | Funeral [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-11
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	464
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-93
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	469
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($104)

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Pre1

Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities Deferred Preneed Funeral Revenues (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$540,164		$551,948
Funeral [Member]
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	551,948		535,136		573,477
Net preneed contract sales	198,195		144,202		103,341
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	-21,639		298,047		-4,491
Net investment (losses) earnings	24,256	[1]	126,428	[1]	83,788	[1]
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	-258,534		-200,680		-164,037
Change in cancellation allowance	21,272		-5,670		1,304
Change in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	26,131		-343,878		-61,068
Effect of foreign currency and other	-1,465		-1,637		2,822
Ending balance — Deferred preneed funeral revenues, net	$540,164		$551,948		$535,136
[1]	Includes both realized and unrealized investment earnings.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Pre2

Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Insurance Commissions and Fees	$123,000,000	$106,500,000	$94,000,000
Funeral [Member]
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, low end of the range	0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	20.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	10.00%
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	25,400,000
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	2 years
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	10 years
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, minimum	2015
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, maximum	2044
Investment Earnings, Net	62,800,000	48,500,000	38,700,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$41,846,000	$829,000	$781,000

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_In

Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cemetery [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits to trust	$129,581	$106,185	$98,130
Withdrawals	150,064	119,576	98,738
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	1,786,800	477,772	746,761
Sales of available-for-sale securities	1,842,417	498,852	700,091
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	271,507	101,337	87,665
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	($138,473)	($14,593)	($29,397)

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Lo

Preneed Cemetery Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Current assets of discontinued operations	$0	$4,750
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	102,856	90,177
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,843,023	1,870,243
Cemetery [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,404,298	1,549,182
Cash and cash equivalents	126,914	138,459
Current assets of discontinued operations	-4,571	-102,354
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	12	4
Trust investments	1,526,653	1,585,291
Receivables from customers	881,082	798,072
Unearned finance charge	-31,524	-29,561
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	2,376,211	2,353,802
Allowance for cancellation	-69,542	-61,454
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$2,306,669	$2,292,348

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Pr

Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetary Activities Receivables Net and Trust Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$2,306,669		$2,292,348
Cemetery [Member]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	2,292,348		1,826,835		1,595,940
Net preneed contract sales	688,336		562,433		501,654
Dispositions (acquisitions) of businesses, net	-10,898		190,870		1,124
Net undistributed investments (losses) earnings	-18,038	[1]	203,499	[1]	133,351	[1]
Cash receipts from customers, net of refunds	-615,489		-471,710		-417,965
Deposits to trust	129,581		106,185		98,130
Maturities, deliveries, and associated earnings	-150,064		-119,576		-98,738
Change in cancellation allowance	843		3,002		-3,481
Effect of foreign currency and other	-9,950		-9,190		16,820
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$2,306,669		$2,292,348		$1,826,835
[1]	Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) earnings

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Sc

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$1,411,166	$1,376,118
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	38,316	227,890
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-45,184	-54,826
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,404,298	1,549,182
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	63,447	113,293
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	257	1,714
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-605	-8,876
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	63,099	106,131
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	21,687	17,073
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	261	170
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-134	-261
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	21,814	16,982
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	8,725	48,838
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	122	5,262
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-116	-646
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	8,731	53,454
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	111	406
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	113	406
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	170	3,336
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	16	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	-13
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	186	3,323
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	10	16,654
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1	1,106
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	-123
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	11	17,637
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	557,955	423,524
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	22,746	147,258
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-11,706	-3,231
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	568,995	567,551
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	10,962	15,361
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,011	4,063
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-841	-935
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	15,132	18,489
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	55,632	44,017
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,605	10,079
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-2,395	-200
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	54,842	53,896
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	344,443	325,927
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,244	49,428
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-18,430	-1,704
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	330,257	373,651
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	314,600	337,986
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	679	5,236
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-4,702	-33,649
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	310,577	309,573
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	32,342	28,625
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,185	3,372
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-6,183	-5,153
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	29,344	26,844
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,082	1,078
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	186	200
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-71	-33
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$1,197	$1,245

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Le2

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Other Investments [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$1,245		$450		$436
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	-73	[1]	1,218	[1]	28	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-7	[2]	-5	[2]	-2	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	196		0		0
Contributions	4		0		0
Distributions and other	-168		-418		-12
Fair market value, ending balance	1,197		1,245		450
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance			17,687
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)			15,420	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)			-48	[2]
Contributions			3,430
Distributions and other			-9,645
Fair market value, ending balance			26,844
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	26,844		17,687		15,219
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	3,313	[1]			100	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-43	[2]			-64	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	0		0		0
Contributions	6,582				4,932
Distributions and other	-7,352				-2,500
Fair market value, ending balance	$29,344		$26,844		$17,687
[1]	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[2]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_In1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cemetery [Member]
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$13,302
Due in one to five years	36,354
Due in five to ten years	21,784
Thereafter	22,503
Total	$93,943

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Sc1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$732,387	$268,648
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-37,625	-15,577
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	32,624	122,313
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-7,559	-39,249
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	765,011	390,961
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-45,184	-54,826
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	45,072	44,995
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-605	-6,040
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	24,961
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-2,836
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	45,072	69,956
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-605	-8,876
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	9,424
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-120
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,858	3,066
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-134	-141
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,858	12,490
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-134	-261
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,017	15,019
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-61	-424
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,936	3,069
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-55	-222
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,953	18,088
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-116	-646
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	33	144
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-1	-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	33	144
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-1	-2
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		3,248
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		-13
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		3,248
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		-13
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		5,588
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		-123
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		5,588
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		-123
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	192,015	46,189
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-11,706	-2,648
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	585	3,480
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-583
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	192,600	49,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-11,706	-3,231
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,069	1,568
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-319	-502
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	778	1,935
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-522	-433
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,847	3,503
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-841	-935
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	28,308	4,332
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2,395	-124
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	700
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-76
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	28,308	5,032
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-2,395	-200
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	303,211	3,847
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-18,329	-54
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,577	14,430
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-101	-1,650
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	304,788	18,277
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-18,430	-1,704
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	159,572	134,294
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4,106	-5,527
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	15,113	63,800
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-596	-28,122
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	174,685	198,094
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-4,702	-33,649
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	88	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-100	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,518	6,589
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-6,083	-5,153
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,606	6,589
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-6,183	-5,153
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	259
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-68
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	261
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-71
Other Investments [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		283
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		-33
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		283
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		($33)

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_De

Preneed Cemetery Activities Deferred Preneed Cemetery Revenues (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$1,062,381		$1,016,275
Cemetery [Member]
Beginning balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	1,016,275		861,148		833,303
Net preneed and atneed deferred sales	531,768		396,264		380,887
(Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net	-25,071		212,624		1,089
Net investment (losses) earnings	-22,378	[1]	201,941	[1]	130,012	[1]
Recognized deferred preneed revenues	-493,739		-386,632		-363,072
Change in cancellation allowance	3,833		18,358		3,968
Change in deferred preneed cemetary receipts held in trust	55,636		-298,337		-133,612
Effect of foreign currency and other	-3,943		10,909		8,573
Ending balance — Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	$1,062,381		$1,016,275		$861,148
[1]	Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) earnings.

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Pr1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetery Activities, Textuals (Details) (Cemetery [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cemetery [Member]
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	20.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, low end of the range	0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	10.00%
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	$26,900,000
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	2 years
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	10 years
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, minimum	2015
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, maximum	2044
Investment Earnings, Net	48,200,000	39,000,000	27,700,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$60,040,000	$1,575,000	$824,000

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts2

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investment Related Activities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits to trust	$42,220	$26,501	$24,869
Withdrawals	46,981	33,557	33,177
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	1,306,314	139,439	252,021
Sales of available-for-sale securities	1,396,669	99,701	136,391
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	134,259	17,916	11,463
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	($51,093)	($2,738)	($6,595)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts3

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Current assets of discontinued operations	$0	($4,750)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,341,376	1,342,591
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,192,966	1,352,251
Cash and cash equivalents	149,694	78,509
Current assets of discontinued operations	-1,284	-88,169
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$1,341,376	$1,342,591

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts4

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$1,207,563	$1,266,428
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	19,424	101,437
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-34,021	-15,614
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,192,966	1,352,251
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	794	1,588
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	40	9
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-4	-14
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	830	1,583
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	31,993	28,487
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	442	301
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-233	-459
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	32,202	28,329
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	16,762	43,191
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	344	312
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-210	-263
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	16,896	43,240
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	910	4,256
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	15	14
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-6	-19
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	919	4,251
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	661	3,006
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	10	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-4	-11
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	667	3,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	4,439	25,946
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	60	192
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-12	-252
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	4,487	25,886
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	225,129	231,093
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	9,340	53,782
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-4,881	-2,087
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	229,588	282,788
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7,419	8,846
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,737	2,222
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-596	-623
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	9,560	10,445
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	8,102	20,671
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	90	1,319
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-399	-167
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	7,793	21,823
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	17,310	41,270
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,264	5,693
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-93	-35
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	20,481	46,928
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	846,230	819,244
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,580	35,963
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-14,263	-2,598
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	833,547	852,609
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	34,288	28,309
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	408	472
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-10,788	-9,002
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	23,908	19,779
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	13,526	10,521
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,094	1,153
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-2,532	-84
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$12,088	$11,590

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts5

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 Activities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance			$17,687
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)			15,420	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)			-48	[2]
Contributions			3,430
Distributions and other			-9,645
Fair market value, ending balance			26,844
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	19,779		11,122		10,849
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	1,216	[3]	6,897	[3]	1,648	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-70	[4]	-142	[4]	-162	[4]
Sales	0		0		-26
Contributions	10,461		3,706		4,171
Distributions and other	-7,478		-1,841		-5,358
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	0		37		0
Fair market value, ending balance	23,908		19,779		11,122
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	11,590		7,659		6,890
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,145	[3]	4,081	[3]	1,035	[3]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-44	[4]	-76	[4]	-43	[4]
Sales	-17		0		0
Contributions	0		0		0
Distributions and other	-1,586		-508		-223
Investments with significant unobservable inputs acquired	0		434		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$12,088		$11,590		$7,659
[1]	All unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[2]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust.
[3]	All unrealized gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.
[4]	All losses recognized in Other income (expense), net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Care trusts’ corpus. See Note 7 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus.

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts6

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investments Classifed by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	$18,602
Due in one to five years	23,463
Due in five to ten years	8,593
Thereafter	856
Total	$51,514

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts7

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$708,011	$268,166
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-20,990	-4,478
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	35,581	71,728
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-13,031	-11,136
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	743,592	339,894
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-34,021	-15,614
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	497	1,339
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4	-14
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	20
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	497	1,359
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-4	-14
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	15,777
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-214
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,825	5,131
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-233	-245
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,825	20,908
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-233	-459
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,656	22,530
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-108	-129
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,198	3,299
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-102	-134
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,854	25,829
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-210	-263
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	256	2,959
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-5	-18
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	69	10
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	325	2,969
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-6	-19
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	373	2,835
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4	-10
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	15
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	373	2,850
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-4	-11
Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		5,588
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		-123
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		5,588
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		-123
Preferred Stock securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,224	14,647
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-11	-245
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	49	44
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1	-7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,273	14,691
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-12	-252
US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	192,015	46,189
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-11,706	-2,648
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	585	3,480
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-583
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	192,600	49,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-11,706	-3,231
US Common Stock Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	100,370	23,820
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4,803	-1,561
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	419	3,253
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-78	-526
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	100,789	27,073
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-4,881	-2,087
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,069	1,568
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-319	-502
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	778	1,935
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-522	-433
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,847	3,503
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-841	-935
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,418	667
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-244	-129
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	757	1,794
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-352	-494
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,175	2,461
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-596	-623
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	28,308	4,332
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2,395	-124
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	700
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-76
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	28,308	5,032
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-2,395	-200
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,444	1,540
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-399	-54
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	524
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-113
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,444	2,064
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-399	-167
Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	303,211	3,847
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-18,329	-54
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,577	14,430
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-101	-1,650
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	304,788	18,277
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-18,430	-1,704
Equity Funds [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,601	390
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-85	-14
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	153	163
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-8	-21
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,754	553
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-93	-35
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	159,572	134,294
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4,106	-5,527
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	15,113	63,800
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-596	-28,122
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	174,685	198,094
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-4,702	-33,649
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	576,890	181,662
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-14,177	-2,090
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,581	28,494
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-86	-508
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	579,471	210,156
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-14,263	-2,598
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	88	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-100	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,518	6,589
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-6,083	-5,153
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,606	6,589
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-6,183	-5,153
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,213	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-798	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	14,254	19,242
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-9,990	-9,002
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	23,467	19,242
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-10,788	-9,002
Other Investments [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	259
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-68
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	261
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-71
Other Investments [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,069	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-352	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,276	9,739
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-2,180	-84
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	10,345	9,739
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($2,532)	($84)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts8

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Cemetry Perpetual Care Trusts, Textuals (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, low end of the range	0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, risk discount, high end of the range	20.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, low end of the range	0.00%
Fair Value, Measurement with unobservable inputs, liquidity discount, high end of the range	10.00%
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	$8,900,000
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	2 years
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	10 years
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, minimum	2015
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, maximum	2044
Investment Earnings, Net	72,400,000	44,100,000	44,700,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$8,072,000	$192,000	$760,000

Deferred_Preneed_Funeral_and_C2

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	$3,155,528	$3,251,268
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-6,644	-2,805
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	3,148,884	3,248,463
Care trusts’ corpus	1,327,658	1,340,930
Total other income, net	1,780	-558	3,687
Operating Segments [Member]
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	574,333	184,264	159,961
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-303,314	-27,063	-57,446
Impairment charges	-109,958	-2,596	-2,365
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	75,729	72,891	68,293
Trust expenses and income taxes	-58,004	-28,632	-25,429
Net trust investment income	178,786	198,864	143,014
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	-178,786	-198,864	-143,014
Other income, net	1,780	-558	3,687
Total other income, net	1,780	-558	3,687
Funeral [Member]
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,628,875	1,665,977
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-2,487	-1,108
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,626,388	1,664,869
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	168,567	65,011	60,833
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-113,748	-9,732	-21,454
Impairment charges	-41,846	-829	-781
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	22,668	24,912	17,017
Trust expenses and income taxes	-19,590	-11,371	-10,685
Net trust investment income	16,051	67,991	44,930
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	-16,051	-67,991	-44,930
Other income, net	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0
Cemetery [Member]
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,526,653	1,585,291
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-4,157	-1,697
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,522,496	1,583,594
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	271,507	101,337	87,665
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-138,473	-14,593	-29,397
Impairment charges	-60,040	-1,575	-824
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	17,597	20,527	17,244
Trust expenses and income taxes	-20,833	-14,633	-13,389
Net trust investment income	69,758	91,063	61,299
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	-69,758	-91,063	-61,299
Other income, net	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member]
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-13,718	-1,661
Care trusts' corpus, excluding accrued expenses	1,341,376	1,342,591
Care trusts’ corpus	1,327,658	1,340,930
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	134,259	17,916	11,463
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-51,093	-2,738	-6,595
Impairment charges	-8,072	-192	-760
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	35,464	27,452	34,032
Trust expenses and income taxes	-17,581	-2,628	-1,355
Net trust investment income	92,977	39,810	36,785
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	-92,977	-39,810	-36,785
Other income, net	0	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0	0
Corporate Elimination [Member]
Components of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0	0
Impairment charges	0	0	0
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	0	0	0
Trust expenses and income taxes	0	0	0
Net trust investment income	0	0	0
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	0	0	0
Other income, net	1,780	-558	3,687
Total other income, net	$1,780	($558)	$3,687

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$1,825,721	$1,291,394
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,825,721
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	3,530	576,861
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	-8,919	-33,871
Effect of foreign currency and other	-9,479	-8,663
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	-14,868	534,327
Goodwill, ending balance		1,825,721	1,291,394
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,810,853	1,825,721
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	382,948	398,962
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	220,682	227,119
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	162,266	171,843
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names	220,875	215,135
Other Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	10,640	11,640
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	231,515	226,775
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	393,781	398,618
Amortization of intangible assets	36,640	21,859	23,853
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	9,946
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	9,206
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	7,484
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	6,627
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	4,144
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	209,920	217,758
Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	148,351	151,427
Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	12,750	12,750
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	11,927	17,027
Funeral [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,526,011	1,248,316
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,526,011
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	292	318,202
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	-5,959	-31,844
Effect of foreign currency and other	-9,465	-8,663
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	-15,132	277,695
Goodwill, ending balance		1,526,011	1,248,316
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,510,879	1,526,011
Amortization of intangible assets	24,841	17,245	18,803
Cemetery [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	299,710	43,078
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	299,710
Increase in goodwill related to acquisitions	3,238	258,659
Reduction of goodwill related to divestitures	-2,960	-2,027
Effect of foreign currency and other	-14	0
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	264	256,632
Goodwill, ending balance		299,710	43,078
Goodwill, net, ending balance	299,974	299,710
Amortization of intangible assets	$11,700	$4,590	$5,021
Minimum [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years

Income_Taxes_Level_4_Details

Income Taxes Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Proceeds and Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation																	$2,700,000		$36,300,000
Impact of of certain tax items	2,700,000																2,700,000
United States																	360,800,000		199,374,000	210,830,000
Foreign																	41,800,000		45,832,000	34,453,000
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	177,591,000	[1]	91,735,000	[1]	69,316,000	[1]	63,958,000	[1]	49,801,000	[1]	45,633,000	[1]	56,092,000	[1]	93,680,000	[1]	402,600,000		245,206,000	245,283,000
United States																	67,511,000		2,207,000	3,752,000
Foreign																	10,859,000		12,445,000	8,638,000
State																	17,939,000		6,664,000	6,036,000
Total current income taxes																	96,309,000		21,316,000	18,426,000
United States																	108,514,000		64,355,000	60,699,000
Foreign																	-653,000		58,000	118,000
State																	21,810,000		7,295,000	10,868,000
Total deferred income taxes																	129,671,000		71,708,000	71,685,000
Total income taxes	-90,982,000		-74,934,000		-37,357,000		-22,707,000		-17,729,000	[2]	-18,407,000	[2]	-21,598,000	[2]	-35,290,000	[2]	225,980,000		93,024,000	90,111,000
Income Taxes Paid																	106,300,000		26,000,000	23,100,000
Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds																	600,000		500,000	1,500,000
Computed tax provision at the applicable federal statutory income tax rate																	140,910,000		86,002,000	85,988,000
State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefits																	25,736,000		8,221,000	11,007,000
Dividends received deduction and tax exempt interest																	-1,612,000		-592,000	-525,000
Foreign jurisdiction differences																	-4,424,000		-3,685,000	-3,409,000
Permanent differences associated with dispositions																	61,892,000		268,000	602,000
Changes in uncertain tax positions																	4,624,000		3,710,000	-479,000
Other																	-1,146,000		-900,000	-3,073,000
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations																	56.10%		37.90%	36.70%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Percent																	18.20%
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes																				3,100,000
Inventories and cemetery property, principally due to purchase accounting adjustments	-338,446,000								-368,650,000								-338,446,000		-368,650,000
Property and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation methods and purchase accounting adjustments	-183,332,000								-159,734,000								-183,332,000		-159,734,000
Intangibles	-309,271,000								-323,311,000								-309,271,000		-323,311,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Payables	-6,870,000								-35,103,000								-6,870,000		-35,103,000
Deferred tax liabilities	-837,919,000								-886,798,000								-837,919,000		-886,798,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards	181,092,000								252,272,000								181,092,000		252,272,000
Deferred revenue on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts, principally due to earnings from trust funds	262,202,000								305,504,000								262,202,000		305,504,000
Accrued liabilities	99,908,000								109,103,000								99,908,000		109,103,000
Deferred tax assets	543,202,000								666,879,000								543,202,000		666,879,000
Less: Valuation allowance	-134,201,000								-114,719,000								-134,201,000		-114,719,000
Net deferred income tax liability																	14,700,000
Deferred tax assets	1,128,000								30,282,000								1,128,000		30,282,000
Non-current deferred tax assets	18,778,000								22,249,000								18,778,000		22,249,000
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	-448,824,000								-387,169,000								-448,824,000		-387,169,000
Undistributed Earnings from Foreign Subsidiaries																	259,400,000		241,500,000
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance							177,830,000								184,899,000		177,830,000		184,899,000	197,223,000
Additions to tax positions related to the current year																	8,721,000		3,019,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions																	10,085,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Acquisition																			1,556,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions																	-1,075,000			-2,100,000
Additions to tax positions related to prior years																	-7,800,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions																	-2,325,000		-8,800,000	-10,224,000
Ending Balance	191,680,000								177,830,000								191,680,000		177,830,000	184,899,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	77,300,000								37,100,000								77,300,000		37,100,000	34,900,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	47,600,000								44,500,000								47,600,000		44,500,000	41,600,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases, Net																	13,800,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense																	3,100,000		3,000,000	200,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards	3,326,541,000																3,326,541,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year One																	80,429,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Two																	158,616,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Three																	243,893,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Four																	105,303,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Five Years and Thereafter																	2,738,300,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Unexpiring																	59,100,000
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount																	2,100,000
Net deferred income tax liability	-428,918,000								-334,638,000								-428,918,000		-334,638,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations																			-2,844,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards	3,587,000																3,587,000
Less: Valuation allowance	0																0
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	9,736,000																9,736,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year One																	0
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Two																	0
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Three																	0
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Four																	0
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Five Years and Thereafter																	9,736,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards	155,956,000	[3]															155,956,000	[3]
Less: Valuation allowance	-116,923,000	[3]															-116,923,000	[3]
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Additions to tax positions related to the current year																	7,700,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards	3,316,335,000																3,316,335,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year One																	80,429,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Two																	158,616,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Three																	243,893,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Four																	105,303,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Five Years and Thereafter																	2,728,094,000
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount																	21,500,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards	21,549,000																21,549,000
Less: Valuation allowance	-17,278,000																-17,278,000
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	470,000																470,000
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year One																	0
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Two																	0
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Three																	0
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Year Four																	0
Loss Carry Forwards, Expirations in Five Years and Thereafter																	470,000
Stewart [Domain]
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Statute expirations																	$1,556,000
[1]	Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.
[2]	See Note 2 for details related to the revision which was recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The revision reduced the provision for income taxes and increased net income attributable to common stockholders by $3.5 million and increased basic and diluted EPS by $0.02.
[3]	Presented net of Federal benefit

Debt_Level_4_Details

Debt Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	$110,000,000	$95,000,000
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations		29,380,000	26,280,000	25,760,000
Repayments of Debt		993,400,000	31,800,000	206,600,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt		230,561,000	90,466,000	607,000
Repayments of Other Debt		500,000	600,000
(Losses) gains on early extinguishment of debt, net		-29,158,000	468,000	-22,706,000
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost				1,300,000
Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent		370,000,000	600,000,000
Bank credit facility due March 2016			86,600,000
Total debt		3,054,725,000	3,301,910,000
Current maturities of long-term debt		91,584,000	153,738,000
Debt instrument, unamortized discount (premium), net, current portion		653,000	-22,624,000
Less current maturities		90,931,000	176,362,000
Total long-term debt		2,963,794,000	3,125,548,000
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		5.21%	5.25%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		75.00%	76.00%
2012		90,931,000
2013		223,449,000
2014		315,414,000
2015		858,277,000
2016		9,003,000
2017 and thereafter		1,557,651,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		500,000,000
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		31,600,000		175,000,000
Interest Paid		175,327,000	125,022,000	131,723,000
Payments in 2012		154,408,000
Payments in 2013		144,134,000
Payments in 2014		128,986,000
Payments in 2015		114,305,000
Payments in 2016		96,830,000
Payments in 2017 and thereafter		324,075,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium				21,400,000
July 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount			107,900,000
Repayments of Debt		86,400,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt		21,700,000
October 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				180,700,000
April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		136,500,000
July 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount			59,100,000
Repayments of Debt		45,000,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt		14,200,000
Convertible Debt			46,279,000
April 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		200,000,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt		9,100,000
May 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		250,000,000
July 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		230,000,000
Discount (premium) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount			167,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized pricing discounts and other		-2,905,000	42,084,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | February 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes			4,800,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | July 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible Debt		0	86,416,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		0	136,465,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		197,377,000	197,377,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | July 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible Debt		134,000	45,119,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		295,000,000	295,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | October 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		250,000,000	250,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		0	200,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | May 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		0	250,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		200,000,000	200,000,000	200,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		150,000,000	150,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | January 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		425,000,000	425,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		200,000,000	200,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | May 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		550,000,000	0
Unsecured Debt [Member] | July 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016		235,000,000	30,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Obligations under capital leases		181,002,000	189,697,000
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047		$4,117,000	$4,752,000

Debt_Debt_Textuals_Details

Debt Debt, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		5.21%	5.25%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate		75.00%	76.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$500,000,000
Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent		370,000,000	600,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	425,000,000
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses		6,900,000
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		31,600,000		175,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding			86,600,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.35%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		233,400,000
Principal payments on capital leases		-29,380,000	-26,280,000	-25,760,000
Repayments of Other Debt		500,000	600,000
Repayments of Debt		993,400,000	31,800,000	206,600,000
(Losses) gains on early extinguishment of debt, net		-29,158,000	468,000	-22,706,000
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost				1,300,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium				21,400,000
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred		35,700,000	40,100,000	78,900,000
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Finance Receivables Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value		7,400,000	7,600,000
Pledged Assets, Other, Not Separately Reported on Statement of Financial Position		1,700,000	2,100,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value		3,007,898,000	3,277,442,000
April 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		200,000,000
July 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount			107,900,000
Repayments of Debt		86,400,000
July 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount			59,100,000
Repayments of Debt		45,000,000
Convertible Debt			46,279,000
July 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		230,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments on capital leases			26,400,000
October 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				180,700,000
April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		136,500,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		0	200,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value		10,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | July 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible Debt		0	86,416,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value		21,700,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | July 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible Debt		134,000	45,119,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value		14,200,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | July 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		235,000,000	30,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | February 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes			4,800,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		0	136,465,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		197,377,000	197,377,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		295,000,000	295,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | October 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		250,000,000	250,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | May 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		200,000,000	200,000,000	200,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		150,000,000	150,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		200,000,000	200,000,000
Discount (premium) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount			$167,000,000

Credit_Risk_and_Fair_Value_of_2

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016		$86,600
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,117	4,752
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	3,007,898	3,277,442
May 2024 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	558,250	0
July 2014 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0	106,939
April 2015 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0	144,653
April 2016 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	208,075	214,904
July 2016 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	160	60,487
June 2017 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	320,043	333,259
October 2018 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	277,538	288,875
April 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0	210,000
May 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0	270,000
November 2020 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	201,700	192,610
November 2021 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	174,375	173,625
January 2022 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	437,750	431,588
April 2027 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	220,890	215,750
July 2018 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016	235,000	30,000
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	$370,000	$600,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$37,200,000	$28,400,000	$26,800,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	14,049,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	12,219,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	10,202,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	8,726,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	7,308,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	62,468,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	114,972,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	31,377,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	26,366,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	20,654,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	63,380,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	9,125,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	30,100,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	181,002,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Interest Included in Payments	-18,508,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Net Minimum Payments	162,494,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	7,199,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	5,028,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	4,492,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	3,822,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	3,431,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Six Years and Thereafter	5,053,000
Agreements, Future Payments Due	29,025,000
Self Insurance Reserve	74,000,000	78,000,000
Employment Agreement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	2,236,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	938,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	767,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	333,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	126,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Six Years and Thereafter	16,000
Agreements, Future Payments Due	4,416,000
Consulting Agreement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	587,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	218,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	103,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	75,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	69,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Six Years and Thereafter	38,000
Agreements, Future Payments Due	1,090,000
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in One Year	4,376,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Two Years	3,872,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Three Years	3,622,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Four Years	3,414,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Five Years	3,236,000
Agreements, Future Payments, Due in Six Years and Thereafter	4,999,000
Agreements, Future Payments Due	$23,519,000
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Management, consulting and non-compete agreement term	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Management, consulting and non-compete agreement term	10 years

Equity_Level_4_Details

Equity Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	1,974,053	11,424,446		15,294,567
Common stock, par or stated value per share		$1	$1
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share		$1
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$59,414,000	$88,441,000
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent		-32,096,000	-23,292,000	5,892,000
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments to discontinued operations		3,114,000	0	0
Balance at end of period		59,414,000	88,441,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	45,100,000	241,700,000		184,900,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$22.84	$21.15		$12.09
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		88,441,000	111,717,000	105,852,000
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent		-32,141,000	-23,276,000	5,865,000
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments to discontinued operations		3,114,000
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes		-166,570,000	-113,553,000	95,686,000
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity		166,570,000	113,553,000	-95,686,000
Balance at end of period		59,414,000	88,441,000	111,717,000
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		88,441,000	111,717,000	105,852,000
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent		-32,141,000	-23,276,000	5,865,000
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes		0	0	0
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity		0	0	0
Balance at end of period		59,414,000	88,441,000	111,717,000
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		0	0	0
Other comprehensive income attributable to parent		0		0
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustments to discontinued operations		0
Decrease in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes		-166,570,000	-113,553,000	95,686,000
Reclassification of net unrealized loss activity		166,570,000	113,553,000	-95,686,000
Balance at end of period		$0	$0	$0

Equity_Textuals_Details

Equity Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized		1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, shares authorized		500,000,000	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding		204,866,770	204,866,770	212,316,642
Treasury Stock, Shares		591,561	591,561	10,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	1,974,053		11,424,446		15,294,567
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	$45,100,000		$241,700,000		$184,900,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$22.84		$21.15		$12.09
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorization Increase			290,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		300,000,000	300,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		238,800,000	238,800,000
Dividends declared per share	$0.10	$0.09	$0.34	$0.27	$0.23
Payments of Dividends, Common Stock			71,517,000	57,229,000	60,296,000
Purchase of noncontrolling interest			$15,000,000	$23,333,000	$3,000,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Level_2

Share-Based Compensation Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	$13,127	$11,925	$10,983
Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation included in net income	7,368	4,689	4,092
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Exercised	-761,000,000	-3,004,000,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	66,368
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	12,107,106
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 6 months 29 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$11.62
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	7,673,557
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.17
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$4.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$8
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	2,784,838
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	2 years 7 months 4 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$6.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	2,784,838
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$6.01
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$8.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$12
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	4,871,490
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 9 months 28 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$10.43
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	4,228,505
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$10.32
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$12.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$16
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	1,996,328
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 0 months 0 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$15.20
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	660,214
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$15.08
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$16.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$20
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options	2,454,450
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	7 years 1 month 0 days
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$17.41
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options	0
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$0
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend yield	1.80%	1.90%	1.80%
Expected volatility	27.10%	35.20%	40.80%
Risk-free interest rate	1.10%	0.70%	0.80%
Expected holding period	4 years	4 years	5 years
Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	7,500	6,700	6,200
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at beginning of period	13,319,750
Options outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price	$9.84
Granted	2,495,850
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$17.41
Exercised	-3,642,126
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.10
Cancelled, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.52
Options outstanding at end of period	12,107,106	13,319,750
Options outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price	$11.63	$9.84
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011	12,107,106	13,319,750
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$11.63	$9.84
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	7,673,557
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.17
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total pretax employee share-based compensation expense included in net income	$5,700	$5,200	$4,900
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period	1,183,229
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$11.81
Granted	351,860
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$17.49
Vested	-207,659
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$11.26
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period	1,319,260	1,183,229
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period, weighted average grant date fair value	$13.39	$11.81
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	-8,170
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$14.67

ShareBased_Compensation_ShareB

Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Vesting rate	33.33%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	44,000,000
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	4,916,787	6,744,936
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	$31,600,000	$7,300,000	$16,300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	66,368
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	134,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value		103,800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$3.34	$3.68	$3.41
Fair Value of Stock Options Vested	6,814,000	5,997,000	5,088,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	42,048,000	8,855,000	20,333,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	32,376,000	6,309,000	18,389,000
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	13,127,000	11,925,000	10,983,000
Stock Options [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	7,500,000	6,700,000	6,200,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	8,800,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 3 months 30 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	5,700,000	5,200,000	4,900,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$6,500,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 3 months 23 days
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$4.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$8
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$8.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$12
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$12.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$16
Stock Option Plan Exercise Range 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$16.01
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$20

Retirement_Plans_Retirement_Pl1

Retirement Plans Retirement Plans Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Business Combinations and Acquisitions, Benefit Obligation	$0	$21,407,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data	0.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	1,293,000	780,000	1,109,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	2,401,000	-1,205,000	1,418,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	3,694,000	-425,000	2,527,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	37,499,000	28,674,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	1,293,000	780,000	1,109,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses	2,401,000	-856,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-4,273,000	-12,506,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	36,920,000	37,499,000	28,674,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	4,273,000	12,506,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-4,273,000	-12,506,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-36,920,000	-37,499,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	-36,920,000	-37,499,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	36,920,000	37,499,000
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities	-36,920,000	-37,499,000
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent	35,614,000	35,629,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Amount of Plan Participants' Future Benefits Covered by Insurance Contracts Issued by Employer or Related Parties	47,800,000	47,400,000
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance, Retirement Plans	37,000,000	35,800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	3.42%	3.66%	2.90%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	3.69%	2.90%	4.05%
2012	3,940,000
2013	3,768,000
2014	3,471,000
2015	3,264,000
2016	3,195,000
Years 2017 through 2021	11,771,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$26,800,000	$24,300,000	$23,100,000

Segment_Reporting_Level_4_Deta

Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers																	$2,994,012	$2,550,466	$2,404,430
Interest expense																	177,571	142,360	135,068
Depreciation and amortization																	140,002	122,235	119,862
Depreciation and amortization																	140,002	122,235	119,862
Amortization of intangible assets																	36,640	21,859	23,853
Amortization of cemetery property																	60,439	48,344	44,976
Total assets	11,923,644								12,833,600								11,923,644	12,833,600
Capital expenditures																	144,499	112,939	115,322
Gross profits from reportable segments	205,411		148,298		155,864		166,240		147,932		115,805		125,983		159,326		675,813	549,047	522,772
General and administrative expenses																	-184,877	-155,128	-121,891
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net																	116,613	-6,263	-1,511
Operating income	220,280		135,120		144,731		107,418		88,117		83,046		89,059		127,434		607,549	387,656	399,370
(Losses) gains on early extinguishment of debt, net																	-29,158	468	-22,706
Other income (expense), net																	1,780	-558	3,687
Income before income taxes	177,591	[1]	91,735	[1]	69,316	[1]	63,958	[1]	49,801	[1]	45,633	[1]	56,092	[1]	93,680	[1]	402,600	245,206	245,283
Long-lived assets																	6018365	6123504	4844793
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers																	2,792,010	2,334,667	2,191,532
Interest expense																	177,245	141,991	134,643
Depreciation and amortization																	129,510	111,210	108,411
Amortization of intangible assets																	35,895	20,846	22,433
Amortization of cemetery property																	55,679	42,972	39,803
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net																	-116,046	5,958	1,502
Operating income																	557,608	331,143	346,289
Long-lived assets																	5717849.77	5793719	4484911
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers																	202,002	215,799	212,898
Interest expense																	326	369	425
Depreciation and amortization																	10,492	11,025	11,451
Amortization of intangible assets																	745	1,013	1,420
Amortization of cemetery property																	4,760	5,372	5,173
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net																	-567	305	9
Operating income																	49,941	56,513	53,081
Long-lived assets																	300514.93	329785.08	359882
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers																	2,994,012	2,550,466	2,404,430
Interest expense																	5,224	5,084	4,686
Depreciation and amortization																	130,546	115,972	113,443
Depreciation and amortization																	130,546	115,972	113,443
Amortization of intangible assets																	36,541	21,835	23,824
Amortization of cemetery property																	60,439	48,344	44,976
Total assets	11,457,890								12,269,671								11,457,890	12,269,671	9,254,709
Capital expenditures																	131,198	108,619	101,833
Capital expenditures																	131,198	108,619	101,833
Gross profits from reportable segments																	675,813	549,047	522,772
Other income (expense), net																	1,780	-558	3,687
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers																	1,920,477	1,698,493	1,619,687
Interest expense																	4,714	4,736	4,302
Depreciation and amortization																	101,792	92,588	90,707
Amortization of intangible assets																	24,841	17,245	18,803
Amortization of cemetery property																	0	0	0
Total assets	5,209,177								5,675,371								5,209,177	5,675,371	4,477,259
Capital expenditures																	52,610	50,304	43,678
Gross profits from reportable segments																	403,938	349,791	347,359
Other income (expense), net																	0	0	0
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers																	1,073,535	851,973	784,743
Interest expense																	510	348	384
Depreciation and amortization																	28,754	23,384	22,736
Amortization of intangible assets																	11,700	4,590	5,021
Amortization of cemetery property																	60,439	48,344	44,976
Total assets	6,248,713								6,594,300								6,248,713	6,594,300	4,777,450
Capital expenditures																	78,588	58,315	58,155
Gross profits from reportable segments																	271,875	199,256	175,413
Other income (expense), net																	0	0	0
Corporate Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers																	0	0	0
Interest expense																	172,347	137,276	130,382
Depreciation and amortization																	9,456	6,263	6,419
Amortization of intangible assets																	99	24	29
Total assets	465,754								563,929								465,754	563,929	333,817
Capital expenditures																	13,301	4,320	13,488
Other income (expense), net																	1,780	-558	3,687
Consolidated Entities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers																	2,994,012	2,550,466	2,404,430
Interest expense																	177,571	142,360	135,068
Depreciation and amortization																	140,002	122,235	119,862
Amortization of intangible assets																	36,640	21,859	23,853
Total assets	11,923,644								12,833,600								11,923,644	12,833,600	9,588,526
Capital expenditures																	$144,499	$112,939	$115,321
[1]	Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.

Supplementary_Information_Leve2

Supplementary Information Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash	$132,743	$101,952
Commercial paper and temporary investments	44,592	39,632
Cash and cash equivalents	177,335	141,584	88,769	123,653
Receivables, net:
Notes receivable	8,381	1,140
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	2,346	2,742
Other	24,521	19,772
Receivables, net	109,050	101,424
Other current assets:
Income tax receivable	22,581	2,933
Prepaid insurance	5,270	8,583
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	28,926	6,550
Bond conversion asset	0	21,682
Deferred Finance Costs, Current, Net	9,180	9,082
Other Assets, Current	13,644	14,916
Other	79,601	63,746
Cemetery Property, Undeveloped Land	1,186,325	1,192,613
Cemetery Property, Developed	552,891	559,656
Cemetery property, at cost	1,739,216	1,752,269
Land	603,509	610,339
Buildings and Improvements, Gross	1,783,171	1,779,584
Machinery and Equipment, Gross	500,511	500,721
Leasehold Improvements, Gross	50,862	25,642
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	204,991	185,875
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	3,143,044	3,102,161
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	-1,163,921	-1,083,151
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Property, Plant, and Equipment Other, Accumulated Depreciation	-117,720	-106,496
Property and equipment, net	1,861,403	1,912,514
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	393,781	398,618
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	16,073	2,409
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent	18,778	22,249
Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent	4,858	11,651
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Noncurrent	11,259	10,986
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	81,200	107,896
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance	102,856	90,177
Accounts payable	137,270	143,686
Accrued compensation	86,880	104,464
Interest Payable, Current	30,133	36,583
Accrual for Taxes Other than Income Taxes, Current	14,346	14,395
Self Insurance Reserve, Current	73,991	77,962
Bank Overdrafts	27,798	5,152
Bond conversion liability	0	18,744
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current	82,610	81,853
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	453,028	482,839
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent	35,614	35,629
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent	80,580	65,605
Customer Funds	60,019	59,826
Tax liability	239,265	222,365
Indemnification Liability	236	442
Payable to ECF	64,722	56,501
Other Assets, Noncurrent	15,129	50,870
Total merchandise revenues	1,360,757	1,193,580	1,106,824
Total services revenues	1,462,581	1,202,545	1,168,339
Other revenues	170,674	154,341	129,267
Total revenues	2,994,012	2,550,466	2,404,430
Total cost of merchandise	611,927	520,603	492,891
Total cost of services	775,498	649,419	619,052
Overhead and other expenses	930,774	831,397	769,715
Total costs and expenses	2,318,199	2,001,419	1,881,658
Deferred charges and other assets	617,546	633,000
Other liabilities	495,565	491,238
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	761,000,000	3,004,000,000	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	761,000,000	3,004,000,000	0
Funeral [Member]
Receivables, net:
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	61,306	66,671
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	6,200	8,895
Other current assets:
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance	260,899	280,969
Total merchandise revenues	616,992	584,438	552,308
Total services revenues	1,167,386	989,613	965,226
Total revenues	1,920,477	1,698,493	1,619,687
Total cost of merchandise	294,237	266,538	258,860
Total cost of services	635,096	548,554	520,243
Cemetery [Member]
Receivables, net:
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	14,842	13,841
Other current assets:
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance	12	4
Total merchandise revenues	743,765	609,142	554,516
Total services revenues	295,195	212,932	203,113
Total revenues	1,073,535	851,973	784,743
Total cost of merchandise	317,690	254,065	234,031
Total cost of services	$140,402	$100,865	$98,809

Earnings_Per_Share_Level_4_Det

Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from discontinued operations per share, diluted																	$0.01	$0	$0
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders, basic																	$170,283,000	$146,926,000	$153,583,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	87,794,000		17,651,000		25,922,000		41,102,000		29,318,000	[1]	26,779,000	[1]	33,615,000	[1]	57,620,000	[1]	172,469,000	147,332,000	153,845,000
After tax interest on convertible debt																	51,000	51,000	51,000
Income from discontinued operations, net																	2,186,000	406,000	262,000
Net income — diluted																	172,520,000	147,383,000	153,896,000
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic																	-210,741,000	-211,811,000	-215,712,000
Stock options																	3,338,000	4,082,000	3,233,000
Convertible debt																	121,000	121,000	121,000
Weighted average shares — diluted																	214,200,000	216,014,000	219,066,000
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$0.42	[2]	$0.08	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.19	[2]	$0.14	[2]	$0.13	[2]	$0.16	[2]	$0.27	[2]	$0.82		$0.71
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$0.42	[2]	$0.08	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.19	[2]	$0.14	[2]	$0.12	[2]	$0.16	[2]	$0.27	[2]	$0.81		$0.70
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders, per share, basic																	$0.81	$0.70	$0.71
Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders, per share, diluted																	$0.80	$0.68	$0.70
Income from discontinued operations per share, basic																	$0.01	$0	$0
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount																	1,500,000	1,200,000	1,300,000
Scenario, Unspecified [Domain]
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic																		$0.70
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted																		$0.68
[1]	See Note 2 for details related to the revision which was recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The revision reduced the provision for income taxes and increased net income attributable to common stockholders by $3.5 million and increased basic and diluted EPS by $0.02.
[2]	Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.

Acquisition_Purchase_Price_All

Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 23, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names	220,875,000	$215,135,000
Accounts receivable			11,119,000
Other current assets			190,518,000
Cemetery property			287,449,000
Property and equipment, net			330,125,000
Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments			645,440,000
Finite-lived intangible assets			75,444,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets			79,400,000
Business combination, assets to be divested			520,023,000
Deferred charges and other assets			278,631,000
Goodwill	573,808,000			37,300,000
Total assets acquired			2,991,957,000
Current liabilities			219,373,000
Long-term debt			270,668,000
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts			740,441,000
Business combination, liabilities held for sale			242,835,000
Deferred tax liability			58,493,000
Other liabilities			294,674,000
Total liabilities assumed			1,826,484,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Business Combination			118,000
Net assets acquired			1,165,355,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	154,844,000			37,600,000
Cemetery [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Goodwill	258,213,600
Funeral [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Goodwill	315,594,000
Minimum [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	20 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Stewart [Domain]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Trade Names	77,900,000
Finite-Lived License Agreements, Gross	5,900,000
Finite-Lived Trade Names, Gross	9,150,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Off-market Lease, Favorable, Gross	5,912,000
Finite-Lived Noncompete Agreements, Gross	5,480,000
Finite-Lived Customer Lists, Gross	20,502,000
Finite-Lived Customer Relationships, Gross	28,500,000
Indefinite-Lived License Agreements	1,500,000
Stewart [Domain] | Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	10 years
Stewart [Domain] | Minimum [Member] | Customer Lists [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	10 years
Stewart [Domain] | Minimum [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	10 years
Stewart [Domain] | Minimum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Stewart [Domain] | Minimum [Member] | Leases, Acquired-in-Place, Market Adjustment [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	26 years
Stewart [Domain] | Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years
Stewart [Domain] | Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	20 years
Stewart [Domain] | Maximum [Member] | Customer Lists [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	14 years
Stewart [Domain] | Maximum [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	40 years
Stewart [Domain] | Maximum [Member] | Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	15 years
Stewart [Domain] | Maximum [Member] | Leases, Acquired-in-Place, Market Adjustment [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	34 years
Stewart [Domain] | Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life, Minimum	5 years

Business_Acquisition_Pro_Forma

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information (Details) (Stewart [Domain], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stewart [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue	$2,919,278	$2,848,451
Net income	$203,916	$135,010

Acquisition_Acquisition_Textua

Acquisition Acquisition, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 23, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 03, 2011
Change in estimated value of accounts receivable and other current assets	($10,900,000)
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price Per Share				$13.25
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	39,700,000
Amortization of Acquisition Costs	28,400,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net	573,808,000					37,300,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Noncurrent Assets, Receivables	140,000,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount	3,000,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue		11,400,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual		800,000
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired			10.00%		20.00%		70.00%
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Including Subsequent Acquisition, Percentage					90.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	1,500,000,000
Business Combination, Debt Assumed				331,500,000
Acquisition costs - period interest	11,300,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	154,844,000					37,600,000
Change in estimated valued of acquired cemetery property	2,674,000
Decrease in property and equipment, net	-10,331,000
Change in estimated value of preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	-9,570,000
Change in estimated valued of acquired finite lived intangible assets	-30,834,000
Change in estimated valued of assets held for sale	85,775,000
Change in value of deferred charges and other assets	311,000
Change in the estimated fair value of acquired deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trust	42,417,000
Change in value of acquired assets and liabilities held for sale	-89,198,000
Change in estimated value of deferred income taxes	41,676,000
Other changes in the estimated fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, net	-17,250,000
Total adjustment to the estimated amount of goodwill in a business combination	4,770,000
Cemetery [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net	258,213,600
Funeral [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net	315,594,000
Current [Member]
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Gross Contractual Amount	14,000,000
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Estimated Uncollectible	2,900,000
Noncurrent [Member]
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Gross Contractual Amount	170,300,000
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Estimated Uncollectible	$30,300,000

Divestiture_Related_Activities2

Divestiture Related Activities Divestitiure Related Activities Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue	$1,613,000	$5,907,000	$6,051,000
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	6,900,000
Current assets held for sale	45,000	4,569,000
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	4,750,000
Asset Impairment Charges	3,000,000
(Losses) gains on divestitures	122,535,000	-3,350,000	639,000
Impairment losses	-5,922,000	-2,913,000	-2,150,000
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	116,613,000	-6,263,000	-1,511,000
Preneed funeral and cemetery receivables and trust investments	5,048,000	356,064,000
Cemetery property	165,000	89,060,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Property, Plant and Equipment	43,000	71,618,000
Goodwill	88,000	190,976,000
Deferred charges and other assets, held for sale	74,000	27,440,000
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,284,000	88,169,000
Total assets	6,747,000	827,896,000
Current liabilities held for sale	14,000	4,390,000
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery revenues and deferred receipts held in trusts	5,677,000	424,780,000
Care trusts' corpus	1,284,000	88,262,000
Other long term liabilities	27,000	4,209,000
Total liabilities	7,002,000	521,641,000
Net assets held for sale	-255,000	306,255,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Property, Plant and Equipment, Noncurrent		116,000
Deferred charges and other assets, discontinued operations		2,375,000
Assets, disposal group, at carrying value		7,241,000
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	4,728,000
Deferred preneed funeral revenues, discontinued operations		938,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Liabilities		30,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities		5,696,000
Net assets of discontinued operations		1,545,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Costs and Expenses	-1,471,000	-5,393,000	-5,609,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	2,136,000	0	0
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Expense	-2,000	-1,000	-42,000
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	2,276,000	513,000	400,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Provision for Income Tax	-90,000	-107,000	-138,000
Income from discontinued operations, net	$2,186,000	$406,000	$262,000

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Quart1

Quarterly Financial Data Quarterly Financial Data Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenues	$783,443		$718,314		$746,746		$745,509		$667,228		$608,589		$624,231		$650,418		$2,994,012	$2,550,466	$2,404,430
Costs and expenses	-578,032		-570,016		-590,882		-579,269		-519,296		-492,784		-498,248		-491,092		-2,318,199	-2,001,419	-1,881,658
Gross profits	205,411		148,298		155,864		166,240		147,932		115,805		125,983		159,326		675,813	549,047	522,772
Operating income	220,280		135,120		144,731		107,418		88,117		83,046		89,059		127,434		607,549	387,656	399,370
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	177,591	[1]	91,735	[1]	69,316	[1]	63,958	[1]	49,801	[1]	45,633	[1]	56,092	[1]	93,680	[1]	402,600	245,206	245,283
Provision for income taxes	-90,982		-74,934		-37,357		-22,707		-17,729	[2]	-18,407	[2]	-21,598	[2]	-35,290	[2]	225,980	93,024	90,111
Net income	87,949		17,685		31,781		41,391		32,037		27,394		34,435		58,722		178,806	152,588	155,434
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-155		-34		-5,859		-289		-2,719		-615		-820		-1,102		-6,337	-5,256	-1,589
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$87,794		$17,651		$25,922		$41,102		$29,318	[2]	$26,779	[2]	$33,615	[2]	$57,620	[2]	$172,469	$147,332	$153,845
Basic — EPS	$0.42	[3]	$0.08	[3]	$0.12	[3]	$0.19	[3]	$0.14	[3]	$0.13	[3]	$0.16	[3]	$0.27	[3]	$0.82		$0.71
Earnings per share, diluted	$0.42	[3]	$0.08	[3]	$0.12	[3]	$0.19	[3]	$0.14	[3]	$0.12	[3]	$0.16	[3]	$0.27	[3]	$0.81		$0.70
[1]	Includes (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, as described in Note 20.
[2]	See Note 2 for details related to the revision which was recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The revision reduced the provision for income taxes and increased net income attributable to common stockholders by $3.5 million and increased basic and diluted EPS by $0.02.
[3]	Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarters’ net income per share may not equal the total computed for the year.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Account Level 4 (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Current [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	$11,637		$8,884		$9,172
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	7,376		7,874		9,705
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	55,573	[1]	54,774	[1]	38,123	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	-66,040	[2]	-59,895	[2]	-48,116	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	8,546		11,637		8,884
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Noncurrent [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	10,986		1,316		1,665
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	273	[1]	9,670	[1]	1	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	-350	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	11,259		10,986		1,316
Asset Allowance for Cancellation, Preneed Funeral and Preneed Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	106,793		83,642		78,564
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	2,950		4,498		4,549
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	-2,703	[1]	18,653	[1]	529	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	107,040		106,793		83,642
Revenue Allowance for Cancellation, Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	-149,288		-131,320		-136,004
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	0		0		0
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	24,258	[1]	-17,968	[1]	4,684	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	-125,030		-149,288		-131,320
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Beginning Balance	114,719		71,013		66,851
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (credited) to Cost and Expense	21,285		6,213		3,713
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged (Credited) to Other Accounts	-1,803	[1]	37,493	[1]	449	[1]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-Offs	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Ending Balance CLONE	$134,201		$114,719		$71,013
[1]	Primarily relates to acquisitions and dispositions of operations.
[2]	Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.