Service Corporation International (SCI) 10-Q 30 Apr 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 28, 2015
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-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		202,086,499

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues	$748,117	$745,495
Costs and expenses	-570,168	-579,433
Gross profits	177,949	166,062
General and administrative expenses	-35,055	-55,830
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	-1,779	-2,812
Operating income	141,115	107,420
Interest expense	-42,939	-44,996
Other (expense) income, net	-58	1,534
Income before income taxes	98,118	63,958
Provision for income taxes	-36,653	-22,707
Net income	61,465	41,391
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	140
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	61,465	41,251
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-90	-289
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$61,375	$41,102
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$0.30	$0.19
Basic weighted average number of shares	203,510	212,838
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$0.30	$0.19
Diluted weighted average number of shares	207,752	217,231
Dividends declared per share	$0.10	$0.08

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat1

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$61,465	$41,391
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-22,633	-11,200
Comprehensive income	38,832	30,191
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-74	-315
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$38,758	$29,876

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat2

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Statement (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$217,129	$177,335
Receivables, net	108,394	109,050
Inventories, net	30,181	29,697
Other	54,234	80,774
Total current assets	409,938	396,856
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,831,365	1,843,023
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	2,336,364	2,306,669
Cemetery property, at cost	1,740,380	1,739,216
Property and equipment, net	1,845,506	1,861,403
Goodwill, net	1,811,067	1,810,853
Deferred charges and other assets	626,356	624,248
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,357,401	1,341,376
Total assets	11,958,377	11,923,644
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	459,788	453,042
Current maturities of long-term debt	90,960	90,931
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	90,960	90,931
Income taxes	37,274	8,035
Total current liabilities	588,022	552,008
Long-term debt	2,962,676	2,963,794
Deferred preneed funeral revenues	544,290	540,164
Deferred preneed cemetery revenues	1,082,968	1,062,381
Deferred tax liability	440,257	448,824
Other liabilities	496,510	502,553
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	3,157,920	3,148,884
Care trusts’ corpus	1,344,178	1,327,658
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 206,586,471 and 205,458,331 shares issued, respectively, and 202,910,352 and 204,866,770 shares outstanding, respectively	202,910	204,867
Capital in excess of par value	1,165,894	1,186,304
Accumulated deficit	-72,771	-81,859
Accumulated other comprehensive income	36,797	59,414
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,332,830	1,368,726
Noncontrolling interests	8,726	8,652
Total equity	1,341,556	1,377,378
Total liabilities and equity	$11,958,377	$11,923,644

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat3

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	206,586,471	205,458,331
Common stock, shares outstanding	202,910,352	204,866,770

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat4

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$61,465	$41,391
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	-140
Depreciation and amortization	34,041	36,020
Amortization of intangible assets	8,150	10,080
Amortization of cemetery property	11,632	11,339
Amortization of loan costs	2,422	1,844
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,690	2,155
Provision for deferred income taxes	-6,624	10,124
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	1,779	2,812
Share-based compensation	4,023	3,130
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	-5,511	-6,744
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Decrease in receivables	-2,894	-4,227
Increase (decrease) in other assets	5,894	-986
Decrease in payables and other liabilities	54,847	6,644
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
Decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	13,760	14,279
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue	6,729	-963
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	-21,748	-14,768
Effect of cemetery production and deliveries:
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	-7,252	2,160
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue	22,375	19,421
(Decrease) increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	2,994	-6,262
Other	0	1,539
Net cash provided by operating activities	188,772	127,887
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	0	-961
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	188,772	128,848
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-28,298	-24,917
Acquisitions	-30,616	-779
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment, net	3,901	2,694
Other	2,841	-12,225
Net cash used in investing activities	-52,172	-35,587
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0	-360
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	-52,172	-35,227
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	15,000	110,000
Payments of debt	-15,071	-7,579
Early Repayment of Senior Debt	0	-167,093
Principal payments on capital leases	-7,380	-7,231
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	9,445	7,915
Excess tax benefits from share based awards	5,511	6,744
Purchase of Company common stock	-73,180	-1,053
Payments of dividends	-20,461	-17,080
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0	-15,000
Bank overdrafts and other	-6,819	3,762
Net cash used in financing activities	-92,955	-86,615
Change in cash from discontinued operations	0	1,323
Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents	-3,851	-1,931
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	39,794	5,077
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	177,335	141,584
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$217,129	$146,661

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat5

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity Statement (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,424,378	$212,327	($10)	$1,259,348	($145,876)	$88,441	$10,148
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	30,191	0	0	0	41,102	-11,226	315
Dividends declared on common stock	-17,080	0	0	-17,080	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	3,130	0	0	3,130	0	0	0
Stock option exercises	8,676	964	0	7,712	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	344	0	-344	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	-1,814	0	-106	-589	-1,119	0	0
Cancellation of Company Stock	0	-42,000	42,000	0	0	0	0
Tax Benefits Related to Share-Based Awards	6,744	0	0	6,744	0	0	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	-15,000	0	0	-7,441	0	0	-7,559
Noncontrolling interest payment	-135	0	0	0	0	0	-135
Other	106	13	0	93	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2014	1,439,196	213,606	-74	1,251,573	-105,893	77,215	2,769
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014	1,377,378	205,458	-591	1,186,304	-81,859	59,414	8,652
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	38,832	0	0	0	61,375	-22,617	74
Dividends declared on common stock	-20,461	0	0	-20,461	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	4,023	0	0	4,023	0	0	0
Stock option exercises	9,445	873	0	8,572	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	254	0	-254	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	-73,180	0	-3,085	-17,808	-52,287	0	0
Cancellation of Company Stock	3,084,558
Tax Benefits Related to Share-Based Awards	5,511	0	0	5,511	0	0	0
Other	8	1	0	7	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2015	$1,341,556	$206,586	($3,676)	$1,165,894	($72,771)	$36,797	$8,726

Unaudited_Condensed_Consolidat6

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Dividends declared per share	$0.10	$0.08

Nature_of_Operations_Notes

Nature of Operations (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Nature of Operations [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	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 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	Our unaudited condensed 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. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.
	Reclassifications
	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 in the Preparation of Financial Statements
	The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
	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 goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables generally 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 goods 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 service or goods 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 governs 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 customers exceeds 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.
	Discontinued Operations
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended the "Presentation of Financial Statements" and "Property, Plant, and Equipment" accounting standards 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. We adopted this amendment effective January 1, 2015 with no impact on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	Revenue Recognition
	In May 2014, the FASB issued the “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” accounting standard, which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in the “Revenue Recognition” accounting standard and most industry-specific guidance. This amendment 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. It 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 new standard requires the deferral of direct incremental selling costs to the period in which the underlying revenue is recognized. The amendments 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.
	Consolidation
	In February 2015, the FASB amended the "Consolidation" accounting standard to revise the consolidation model for limited partnerships, variable interest entities, and certain investment funds. Further, the amendment provides guidance on how fee arrangements and related parties should be considered when determining whether to consolidate variable interest entities. As a result of this amendment, all legal entities are required to be reevaluated to determine if they should be consolidated. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2016 and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows.
	Debt Issuance Costs
	In April 2015, the FASB amended the "Interest-Imputation of Interest" accounting standard to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs on the balance sheet. Currently, debt issuance costs are included in Other current assets and Deferred charges and other assets on our consolidated balance sheet. The amendment requires that these costs instead be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of Current maturities of long-term debt and Long-term debt, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. This change does not impact the manner in which the debt issuance costs are expensed over the life of the debt. The change in presentation is effective for us on January 1, 2016. As of March 31, 2015, the effect of this amendment would have been to reduce Other current assets and Current maturities of long-term debt by $9.3 million and to reduce Deferred charges and other assets and Long-term debt by $37.4 million. As of December 31, 2014 the effect of this amendment would have been to reduce Other current assets and Current maturities of long-term debt by $9.2 million and to reduce Deferred charges and other assets and Long-term debt by $39.7 million.
	Cloud Computing Arrangements
	In April 2015, the FASB amended the "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software" accounting standard to provide guidance on whether a cloud computing arrangement contains a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then we should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, we should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2016 and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Not

Preneed Funeral Activities (Notes) (Funeral)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Funeral
Preneed Funeral Activities	Preneed Funeral Activities
	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 as defined in the "Consolidation" accounting standard. In accordance with this standard, 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 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 unaudited condensed 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:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	29,995			$	27,923
	Withdrawals	$	45,444			$	43,737
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	$	104,231			$	61,485
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	$	82,320			$	64,051
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	4,349			$	16,101
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	(4,735	)		$	(1,474	)
	The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,218,591			$	1,205,747
	Cash and cash equivalents	126,391				162,229
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	265,059				260,899
	Trust investments	1,610,041				1,628,875
	Receivables from customers	270,933				262,700
	Unearned finance charge	(11,992		)		(11,054		)
		1,868,982				1,880,521
	Allowance for cancellation	(37,617		)		(37,498		)
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$	1,831,365			$	1,843,023
	The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 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.
		March 31, 2015
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
								Gains				Losses				Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2		$	82,111			$	1,132			$	(99	)		$	83,144
	Canadian government	2		77,971				856				(356		)		78,471
	Corporate	2		24,044				673				(121		)		24,596
	Residential mortgage-backed	2		1,476				32				(15		)		1,493
	Asset-backed	2		5				—				—				5
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2		2,205				131				(62		)		2,274
	Common stock:
	United States	1		369,115				31,162				(10,822		)		389,455
	Canada	1		13,832				3,960				(738		)		17,054
	Other international	1		35,885				2,637				(2,436		)		36,086
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1		318,059				5,747				(7,309		)		316,497
	Fixed income	1		233,082				2,726				(4,659		)		231,149
	Private equity	3		33,031				4,180				(6,168		)		31,043
	Other	3		6,305				1,341				(322		)		7,324
	Trust investments			$	1,197,121			$	54,577			$	(33,107	)		$	1,218,591
		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
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements 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 fair value measurements 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 market 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. A significant increase (decrease) in the discount rates 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 fair value measurements hierarchy.
As of March 31, 2015, the funeral merchandise and service trusts' unfunded commitment for private equity and other investments was $40.3 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, due to the nature of the investments in this category, 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:
	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2015								March 31, 2014
	Private Equity				Other				Private Equity				Other
	(In thousands)
Fair value, beginning balance	$	28,325			$	5,706			$	26,885			$	1,803
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	3,476				1,952				(470		)		2,036
Net realized losses included in Other (expense) income, net(2)	(17		)		(8		)		(8		)		—
Purchases	—				—				1,887				—
Contributions	540				251				467				—
Distributions	(1,281		)		(577		)		(1,247		)		—
Fair value, ending balance	$	31,043			$	7,324			$	27,514			$	3,839
__________________________________________
-1	All unrealized gains (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 (expense) income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, 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 2045. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2015 are estimated as follows:
	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	112,864
Due in one to five years	32,324
Due in five to ten years	30,115
Thereafter	12,406
	$	187,709
Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues. 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 in the period in which they are earned. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments was $14.4 million and $16.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 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 three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded a $0.5 million and a $0.3 million impairment charge, respectively, 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 remaining 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 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, are shown in the following tables:
	March 31, 2015
	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	$	10,060			$	(57	)		$	4,790			$	(42	)		$	14,850	$	(99	)
Canadian government	229				(1		)		12,890				(355		)		13,119		(356		)
Corporate	4,491				(37		)		2,629				(84		)		7,120		(121		)
Residential mortgage-backed	267				(2		)		241				(13		)		508		(15		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	78				(62		)		—				—				78		(62		)
Common stock:
United States	137,804				(10,822		)		367				—				138,171		(10,822		)
Canada	2,558				(501		)		860				(237		)		3,418		(738		)
Other international	14,324				(2,436		)		2				—				14,326		(2,436		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	104,675				(6,175		)		11,172				(1,134		)		115,847		(7,309		)
Fixed income	36,130				(4,334		)		10,995				(325		)		47,125		(4,659		)
Private equity	—				—				15,380				(6,168		)		15,380		(6,168		)
Other	—				—				1,303				(322		)		1,303		(322		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	310,616			$	(24,427	)		$	60,629			$	(8,680	)		$	371,245	$	(33,107	)
	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	$	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	)

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_No

Preneed Cemetery Activities (Notes) (Cemetery)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Cemetery
Preneed Cemetery Activities	Preneed Cemetery Activities
	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 as defined in the "Consolidation" accounting standard. In accordance with this standard, 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 unaudited condensed 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:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	35,161			$	28,271
	Withdrawals	$	31,226			$	34,348
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	$	106,937			$	98,758
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	$	99,262			$	92,317
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	7,135			$	25,532
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	(7,028	)		$	(2,299	)
	The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,433,749			$	1,404,298
	Cash and cash equivalents	122,280				122,355
	Trust investments	1,556,029				1,526,653
	Receivables from customers	883,518				881,082
	Unearned finance charges	(32,044		)		(31,524		)
		2,407,503				2,376,211
	Allowance for cancellation	(71,139		)		(69,542		)
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$	2,336,364			$	2,306,669
	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 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.
		March 31, 2015
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
								Gains				Losses				Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2		$	62,247			$	1,347			$	(54	)		$	63,540
	Canadian government	2		19,950				585				(114		)		20,421
	Corporate	2		7,204				124				(76		)		7,252
	Residential mortgage-backed	2		131				3				(1		)		133
	Asset-backed	2		169				18				—				187
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2		7				1				—				8
	Common stock:
	United States	1		550,508				42,709				(17,833		)		575,384
	Canada	1		11,136				5,101				(701		)		15,536
	Other international	1		52,609				3,858				(3,746		)		52,721
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1		348,259				6,516				(7,133		)		347,642
	Fixed income	1		319,702				3,442				(6,449		)		316,695
	Private equity	3		28,910				5,568				(3,185		)		31,293
	Other	3		2,662				571				(296		)		2,937
	Trust investments			$	1,403,494			$	69,843			$	(39,588	)		$	1,433,749
		31-Dec-14
		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
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements 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 fair value measurements 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 market 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. 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 fair value measurements hierarchy.
As of March 31, 2015, the cemetery merchandise and service trusts' unfunded commitment for private equity and other investments was $41.6 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, due to the nature of the investments in this category, 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:
	Three Months Ended
	31-Mar-15								31-Mar-14
	Private Equity				Other				Private Equity				Other
	(In thousands)
Fair value, beginning balance	$	29,344			$	1,197			$	26,844			$	1,245
Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,724				2,077				1,487				9
Net realized losses included in Other (expense) income, net(2)	(17		)		(8		)		(8		)		(1		)
Contributions	562				266				499				—
Distributions	(1,320		)		(595		)		(1,303		)		—
Fair value, ending balance	$	31,293			$	2,937			$	27,519			$	1,253
__________________________________________
-1	All unrealized gains 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 (expense) income, net for our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, 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 2045. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2015 are estimated as follows:
	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	13,190
Due in one to five years	40,020
Due in five to ten years	21,780
Thereafter	16,543
	$	91,533
Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues. 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 in the period in which they are earned. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments was $12.1 million and $11.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 Preneed cemetery 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 cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded a $0.5 million and a $0.3 million impairment charge, respectively, 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 remaining 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 as of March 31, 2015 are shown in the following tables:
	March 31, 2015
	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	$	12,955			$	(53	)		$	14			$	(1	)		$	12,969	$	(54	)
Canadian government	1,263				(3		)		3,146				(111		)		4,409		(114		)
Corporate	175				(3		)		3,381				(73		)		3,556		(76		)
Residential mortgage-backed	29				—				21				(1		)		50		(1		)
Equity securities:
Common stock:
United States	215,891				(17,833		)		—				—				215,891		(17,833		)
Canada	2,573				(326		)		552				(375		)		3,125		(701		)
Other international	21,396				(3,746		)		—				—				21,396		(3,746		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	213,762				(7,126		)		69				(7		)		213,831		(7,133		)
Fixed income	39,290				(5,955		)		15,036				(494		)		54,326		(6,449		)
Private equity	—				—				7,397				(3,185		)		7,397		(3,185		)
Other	—				—				654				(296		)		654		(296		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	507,334			$	(35,045	)		$	30,270			$	(4,543	)		$	537,604	$	(39,588	)
	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	)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts (Notes) (Cemetery Perpetual Care)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Cemetery Perpetual Care
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 as defined in the "Consolidation" accounting standard. In accordance with this standard, 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 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 trusts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	9,253		$	11,837
	Withdrawals	$	13,158		$	5,885
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	$	101,660		$	38,895
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	$	53,765		$	30,072
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	398		$	5,045
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	(129	)	$	(337	)
	The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,253,601			$	1,192,966
	Cash and cash equivalents	103,800				148,410
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,357,401			$	1,341,376
	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery perpetual care trust investments recorded at fair value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 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.
		March 31, 2015
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
								Gains				Losses				Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2		$	788			$	38			$	(4	)		$	822
	Canadian government	2		28,631				965				(199		)		29,397
	Corporate	2		14,003				372				(139		)		14,236
	Residential mortgage-backed	2		970				18				(6		)		982
	Asset-backed	2		666				10				(8		)		668
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2		5,329				65				(164		)		5,230
	Common stock:
	United States	1		233,757				12,144				(8,864		)		237,037
	Canada	1		7,148				2,773				(457		)		9,464
	Other international	1		12,581				219				(1,063		)		11,737
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1		17,658				3,211				(267		)		20,602
	Fixed income	1		884,376				7,121				(10,102		)		881,395
	Private equity	3		34,024				1,439				(7,240		)		28,223
	Other	3		13,188				1,539				(919		)		13,808
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments			$	1,253,119			$	29,914			$	(29,432	)		$	1,253,601
		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
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements 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 fair value measurements 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 market 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. 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 fair value measurements hierarchy.
As of March 31, 2015, the cemetery perpetual care trusts' unfunded commitment for 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, due to the nature of the investments in this category, 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:
	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2015								March 31, 2014
	Private Equity				Other				Private Equity				Other
	(In thousands)
Fair value, beginning balance	$	23,908			$	12,088			$	19,779			$	11,590
Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	3,917				1,195				727				128
Net realized losses included in Other (expense) income, net(2)	(12		)		(15		)		(12		)		(6		)
Sales	—				—				(17		)		—
Contributions	495				648				694				—
Distributions	(85		)		(108		)		(365		)		—
Fair value, ending balance	$	28,223			$	13,808			$	20,806			$	11,712
__________________________________________
-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 (expense) income, net for our cemetery perpetual care trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, 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 2045. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2015 are estimated as follows:
	Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	18,620
Due in one to five years	19,101
Due in five to ten years	7,488
Thereafter	896
	$	46,105
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. Recognized trust fund income related to these trust investments was $13.4 million and $13.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 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 three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded a $0.5 million impairment charge for other-than-temporary declines in fair value related to unrealized losses on certain investments. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 was no 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 remaining 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 are shown in the following tables.
	March 31, 2015
	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	$	436			$	(3	)		$	68			$	(1	)		$	504	$	(4	)
Canadian government	2,103				(6		)		4,952				(193		)		7,055		(199		)
Corporate	1,013				(22		)		5,360				(117		)		6,373		(139		)
Residential mortgage-backed	160				(1		)		213				(5		)		373		(6		)
Asset-backed	371				(8		)		—				—				371		(8		)
Equity securities:
Preferred stock	3,234				(164		)		54				—				3,288		(164		)
Common stock:
United States	134,139				(8,864		)		152				—				134,291		(8,864		)
Canada	1,175				(160		)		701				(297		)		1,876		(457		)
Other international	8,550				(1,063		)		—				—				8,550		(1,063		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,649				(253		)		185				(14		)		2,834		(267		)
Fixed income	345,809				(10,054		)		2,045				(48		)		347,854		(10,102		)
Private equity	—				—				10,092				(7,240		)		10,092		(7,240		)
Other	—				—				4,380				(919		)		4,380		(919		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	499,639			$	(20,598	)		$	28,202			$	(8,834	)		$	527,841	$	(29,432	)
	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	$	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	)

Deferred_Preneed_Funeral_and_C

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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	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 in accordance with the "Consolidation" accounting standard. Although the standard requires the consolidation of 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, and 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 unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are detailed below.
		March 31, 2015									December 31, 2014
		Preneed			Preneed			Total			Preneed			Preneed			Total
		Funeral			Cemetery						Funeral			Cemetery
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments	$	1,610,041		$	1,556,029		$	3,166,070		$	1,628,875		$	1,526,653		$	3,155,528
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,860		)	(5,290		)	(8,150		)	(2,487		)	(4,157		)	(6,644		)
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,607,181		$	1,550,739		$	3,157,920		$	1,626,388		$	1,522,496		$	3,148,884
	Care Trusts’ Corpus
	The Care trusts’ corpus reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet represents the cemetery perpetual care trusts, including the related accrued expenses.
	The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are detailed below.
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,357,401		$	1,341,376
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(13,223		)	(13,718		)
	Care trusts’ corpus	$	1,344,178		$	1,327,658
	Other (Expense) Income, Net
	The components of Other (expense) income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Funeral			Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net			Total
		Trusts			Trusts			Care Trusts
					(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	4,349		$	7,135		$	398		$	—		$	11,882
	Realized losses	(4,735		)	(7,028		)	(129		)	—			(11,892		)
	Impairment charges	(471		)	(520		)	(512		)	—			(1,503		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	4,062			3,516			10,545			—			18,123
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(5,827		)	(8,515		)	(6,273		)	—			(20,615		)
	Net trust investment (loss) income	(2,622		)	(5,412		)	4,029			—			(4,005		)
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	2,622			5,412			(4,029		)	—			4,005
	Other (expense) income, net	—			—			—			(58		)	(58		)
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(58	)	$	(58	)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Funeral			Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net			Total
		Trusts			Trusts			Care Trusts
					(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	16,101		$	25,532		$	5,045		$	—		$	46,678
	Realized losses	(1,474		)	(2,299		)	(337		)	—			(4,110		)
	Impairment charges	(251		)	(339		)	(40		)	—			(630		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	5,574			2,495			14,062			—			22,131
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(4,467		)	(4,815		)	(6,023		)	—			(15,305		)
	Net trust investment income	15,483			20,574			12,707			—			48,764
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(15,483		)	(20,574		)	(12,707		)	—			(48,764		)
	Other (expense) income, net	—			—			—			1,534			1,534
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,534		$	1,534

Income_Taxes_Notes

Income Taxes (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. Our effective tax rate was 37.4% and 35.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is primarily due to the benefits associated with the Stewart acquisition coupled with state legislative changes partially offset by an increase in our liability related to unrecognized tax benefits. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is above the 35% federal statutory tax rate primarily due to state tax expense partially offset by foreign earnings taxed at lower rates.
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	As of March 31, 2015, the gross amount of our unrecognized tax benefits was $191.7 million and the gross amount of our accrued interest was $48.5 million. Additional interest expense of $0.9 million was accrued during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, are settled. While we have effectively concluded our 2003 through 2005 tax years with respect to our affiliate SCI Funeral & Cemetery Purchasing Cooperative, Inc., 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. The outcome of each of these audits cannot be predicted at this time. It is reasonably possible that the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease over the next twelve months either because we prevail on positions or because the tax authorities prevail. 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.

Debt_Notes

Debt (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure	Debt
	Debt as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	$	197,377		$	197,377
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			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			550,000
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
	Term Loan due July 2018	355,000			370,000
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	250,000			235,000
	Obligations under capital leases	179,824			181,002
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050	4,187			4,251
	Unamortized discounts and other, net	(2,752		)	(2,905		)
	Total debt	3,053,636			3,054,725
	Less: current maturities of debt	(90,960		)	(90,931		)
	Total long-term debt	$	2,962,676		$	2,963,794
	Current maturities of debt at March 31, 2015 primarily comprise our capital leases and amounts due under our term loan. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 5.21% at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Approximately 75% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 we made a scheduled payment on our Term Loan due July 2018 of $15.0 million and borrowed $15.0 million on our bank credit facility. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we made payments totaling $167.1 million to extinguish our Senior Convertible Notes and a $7.5 million scheduled payment on our Term Loan due July 2018.
	Bank Credit Agreement
	The Company has a $500 million bank credit facility due July 2018 with a syndicate of banks, including a sublimit of $175 million for letters of credit.
	As of March 31, 2015, we have $250.0 million in 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. We pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.35% at March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, we have $218.4 million in borrowing capacity under the bank credit facility.
	Capital Leases
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we acquired $7.3 million and $10.7 million, respectively, of capital leases, primarily related to transportation equipment. We made aggregate principal payments of $7.4 million and $7.2 million on our capital lease obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Credit_Risk_and_Fair_Value_of_

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments	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 fair values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts are impracticable to estimate because of the lack of a trading market and the diverse number of individual contracts with varying terms.
	The fair value of our debt instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	$	207,246	$	208,075
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	320,665		320,043
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	289,063		277,538
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	204,000		201,700
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	177,750		174,375
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	449,225		437,750
	5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024	573,447		558,250
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	231,800		220,890
	Term Loan due July 2018	355,000		370,000
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	250,000		235,000
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,187		4,277
	Total fair value of debt instruments	$	3,062,383	$	3,007,898
	The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 2 of the fair value measurements hierarchy. The bank credit agreement and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the fair value measurements 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. An increase (decrease) in the inputs results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments.

ShareBased_Compensation_Notes

Share-Based Compensation (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments	Share-Based Compensation
	Stock Benefit Plans
	We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options. This model uses a range of assumptions related to volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the expected life, and the dividend yield. The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
			Three Months Ended
	Assumptions		March 31, 2015
	Dividend yield		1.8	%
	Expected volatility		23.3	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.3	%
	Expected holding period (in years)		4
	Stock Options
	The following table sets forth stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	12,107,106			$	11.63
	Granted	2,036,010			$	23
	Exercised	(873,169	)		$	10.92
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015	13,269,947			$	13.41
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015	9,059,704			$	10.49
	As of March 31, 2015, the unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options of $14.2 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years.
	Restricted Shares
	Restricted share activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was as follows:
		Restricted			Weighted-Average
		shares			Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2014	1,319,260			$	13.39
	Granted	253,791			$	23
	Vested	(987,684	)		$	12.35
	Nonvested restricted shares at March 31, 2015	585,367			$	19.32
	As of March 31, 2015, the unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted shares of $10.5 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

Equity_Notes

Equity (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure	Equity
	(All shares reported in whole numbers)
	Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
		Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Currency			Gains and			Other
		Translation			Losses			Comprehensive
		Adjustment						Income
					(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	59,414		$	—		$	59,414
	Activity in 2015	(22,617		)	—			(22,617		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			50,667			50,667
	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	—			(50,667		)	(50,667		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	36,797		$	—		$	36,797
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	88,441		$	—		$	88,441
	Activity in 2014	(11,226		)	—			(11,226		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			17,039			17,039
	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	—			(17,039		)	(17,039		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	77,215		$	—		$	77,215
	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 foreign currency translation adjustment in Accumulated other comprehensive income.
	Share Repurchases
	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 stock repurchase program. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we repurchased 3,084,558 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $73.2 million, which is an average cost per share of $23.74. After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $167.1 million at March 31, 2015.
	Subsequent to March 31, 2015, we repurchased 841,500 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $22.7 million, which is an average cost per share of $26.96. After these second quarter repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program is approximately $144.4 million.

Segment_Reporting_Notes

Segment Reporting (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 the United States and Canada, in both of which we conduct both funeral and cemetery operations.
	Our reportable segment information is as follows:
		Funeral				Cemetery				Reportable
										Segments
		(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Revenues from external customers:
	2015	$	507,656			$	240,461			$	748,117
	2014	$	509,045			$	236,450			$	745,495
	Gross profits:
	2015	$	124,679			$	53,270			$	177,949
	2014	$	119,220			$	46,842			$	166,062
	The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Gross profits from reportable segments	$	177,949		$	166,062
	General and administrative expenses	(35,055		)	(55,830		)
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(1,779		)	(2,812		)
	Operating income	141,115			107,420
	Interest expense	(42,939		)	(44,996		)
	Other expense (income), net	(58		)	1,534
	Income before income taxes	$	98,118		$	63,958
	Our geographic area information is as follows:
		United			Canada			Total
		States
					(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Revenues from external customers:
	2015	$	700,452		$	47,665		$	748,117
	2014	$	694,369		$	51,126		$	745,495

Supplementary_Information_Note

Supplementary Information (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplementary Information [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block]	Supplementary Information
	Revenues and Costs and Expenses
	The detail of certain income statement accounts as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Property and merchandise revenues:
	Funeral	$	160,898		$	164,176
	Cemetery	161,280			155,392
	Total property and merchandise revenues	322,178			319,568
	Services revenues:
	Funeral	313,886			310,105
	Cemetery	71,541			71,383
	Total services revenues	385,427			381,488
	Other revenues	40,512			44,439
	Total revenues	$	748,117		$	745,495
	Property and merchandise costs and expenses:
	Funeral	$	79,158		$	81,455
	Cemetery	69,023			69,537
	Total cost of property and merchandise	148,181			150,992
	Services costs and expenses:
	Funeral	154,972			158,533
	Cemetery	34,133			37,038
	Total cost of services	189,105			195,571
	Overhead and other expense	232,882			232,870
	Total costs and expenses	$	570,168		$	579,433
	Non-Cash Investing and Financing Transactions
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2015				2014
			(In thousands)
	Options exercised by attestation		$	—			$	761
	Shares repurchased		$	—			$	(761	)
	Net change in capital expenditure accrual		$	(3,547	)		$	(1,483	)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure	Commitments and Contingencies
	Insurance Loss Reserves
	We purchase comprehensive general liability, morticians’ and cemetery professional liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage structured with high deductibles. This high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we have self-insurance reserves of $75.1 million and $74.0 million, respectively.
	Litigation
	We are a party to various litigation matters, investigations, and proceedings. Some of the more frequent ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business is 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 Samborsky 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.

Earnings_Per_Share_Notes

Earnings Per Share (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	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 shares that then shared in our earnings.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands, except per
		share amounts)
	Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
	Net income:
	Net income — basic	$	61,375	$	41,102
	After tax interest on convertible debt	12		13
	Net income — diluted	$	61,387	$	41,115
	Weighted average shares (denominator):
	Weighted average shares — basic	203,510		212,838
	Stock options	4,121		4,272
	Convertible debt	121		121
	Weighted average shares — diluted	207,752		217,231
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.3	$	0.19
	Diluted	$	0.3	$	0.19
	Earnings per share from discontinued operations were less than $0.005; therefore, net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders per share is the same as net income per share in the table above.
	The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes outstanding stock options in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented. Total options not included in the computation of dilutive earnings per share are 1.1 million shares and 2.7 million shares for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

DivestitureRelated_Activities_

Divestiture-Related Activities (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure	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 Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net, which comprise the following for the three months ended March 31, :
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Gains on divestitures, net	$	1,913		$	1,927
	Impairment losses	(3,692		)	(4,739		)
		$	(1,779	)	$	(2,812	)

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy	Our funeral merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the "Consolidation" accounting standard. In accordance with this standard, 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 5 and 6 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.
	Our cemetery merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities as defined in the "Consolidation" accounting standard. In accordance with this standard, 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 as defined in the "Consolidation" accounting standard. In accordance with this standard, 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 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.
Funeral and Cemetery cash flow	Cash flows from preneed funeral contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Cash flows from preneed cemetery contracts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
	Cash flows from cemetery perpetual care trusts are presented as operating cash flows in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue	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 or the service is performed.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements 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 fair value measurements 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 market 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. A significant increase (decrease) in the discount rates 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
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements 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 fair value measurements 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 market 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. 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 fair value measurements hierarchy.
	Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements 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 fair value measurements 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 market 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. 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 fair value measurements hierarchy.
	The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 2 of the fair value measurements hierarchy. The bank credit agreement and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the fair value measurements 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	Earnings from all our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in funeral revenues when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues. 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 in the period in which they are earned.
	Earnings from all our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenues when the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenues. 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 in the period in which they are earned.
	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.
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy	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 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.
	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 Preneed cemetery 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 cemetery receipts held in trust. See Note 7 for further information related to our Deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust.
	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.
Earnings Per Share, Policy	The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes outstanding stock options in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented.
	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 shares that then shared in our earnings.
Segment Reporting, Policy	Our operations are both product based and geographically based, and the reportable operating segments presented below include our funeral and cemetery operations.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy	We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model for estimating the fair value of our stock options.
Consolidation, Policy	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	Our unaudited condensed 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. Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and any other adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair statement of our results for these periods. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in a manner consistent with the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year period.
	Reclassifications
	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	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
	The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy	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 goods and services, the preneed funeral and cemetery receivables are offset by a comparable deferred revenue amount. These receivables generally 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 goods 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 service or goods 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 governs 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 customers exceeds 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.

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Tab

Preneed Funeral Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2015 are shown in the following tables:
		March 31, 2015
		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	$	12,955			$	(53	)		$	14			$	(1	)		$	12,969	$	(54	)
	Canadian government	1,263				(3		)		3,146				(111		)		4,409		(114		)
	Corporate	175				(3		)		3,381				(73		)		3,556		(76		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	29				—				21				(1		)		50		(1		)
	Equity securities:
	Common stock:
	United States	215,891				(17,833		)		—				—				215,891		(17,833		)
	Canada	2,573				(326		)		552				(375		)		3,125		(701		)
	Other international	21,396				(3,746		)		—				—				21,396		(3,746		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	213,762				(7,126		)		69				(7		)		213,831		(7,133		)
	Fixed income	39,290				(5,955		)		15,036				(494		)		54,326		(6,449		)
	Private equity	—				—				7,397				(3,185		)		7,397		(3,185		)
	Other	—				—				654				(296		)		654		(296		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	507,334			$	(35,045	)		$	30,270			$	(4,543	)		$	537,604	$	(39,588	)
		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	)
	Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses are shown in the following tables.
		March 31, 2015
		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	$	436			$	(3	)		$	68			$	(1	)		$	504	$	(4	)
	Canadian government	2,103				(6		)		4,952				(193		)		7,055		(199		)
	Corporate	1,013				(22		)		5,360				(117		)		6,373		(139		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	160				(1		)		213				(5		)		373		(6		)
	Asset-backed	371				(8		)		—				—				371		(8		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	3,234				(164		)		54				—				3,288		(164		)
	Common stock:
	United States	134,139				(8,864		)		152				—				134,291		(8,864		)
	Canada	1,175				(160		)		701				(297		)		1,876		(457		)
	Other international	8,550				(1,063		)		—				—				8,550		(1,063		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,649				(253		)		185				(14		)		2,834		(267		)
Fixed income	345,809				(10,054		)		2,045				(48		)		347,854		(10,102		)
Private equity	—				—				10,092				(7,240		)		10,092		(7,240		)
Other	—				—				4,380				(919		)		4,380		(919		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	499,639			$	(20,598	)		$	28,202			$	(8,834	)		$	527,841	$	(29,432	)
	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	$	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	)
Funeral
Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]
Investment related activities	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed funeral merchandise and service trusts:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	29,995			$	27,923
	Withdrawals	$	45,444			$	43,737
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	$	104,231			$	61,485
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	$	82,320			$	64,051
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	4,349			$	16,101
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	(4,735	)		$	(1,474	)
Long-term receivable and investment components	The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,218,591			$	1,205,747
	Cash and cash equivalents	126,391				162,229
	Insurance-backed fixed income securities	265,059				260,899
	Trust investments	1,610,041				1,628,875
	Receivables from customers	270,933				262,700
	Unearned finance charge	(11,992		)		(11,054		)
		1,868,982				1,880,521
	Allowance for cancellation	(37,617		)		(37,498		)
	Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	$	1,831,365			$	1,843,023
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	The cost and market values associated with our funeral merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 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.
		March 31, 2015
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
								Gains				Losses				Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2		$	82,111			$	1,132			$	(99	)		$	83,144
	Canadian government	2		77,971				856				(356		)		78,471
	Corporate	2		24,044				673				(121		)		24,596
	Residential mortgage-backed	2		1,476				32				(15		)		1,493
	Asset-backed	2		5				—				—				5
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2		2,205				131				(62		)		2,274
	Common stock:
	United States	1		369,115				31,162				(10,822		)		389,455
	Canada	1		13,832				3,960				(738		)		17,054
	Other international	1		35,885				2,637				(2,436		)		36,086
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1		318,059				5,747				(7,309		)		316,497
	Fixed income	1		233,082				2,726				(4,659		)		231,149
	Private equity	3		33,031				4,180				(6,168		)		31,043
	Other	3		6,305				1,341				(322		)		7,324
	Trust investments			$	1,197,121			$	54,577			$	(33,107	)		$	1,218,591
		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
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The change in our market-based funeral merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015								March 31, 2014
		Private Equity				Other				Private Equity				Other
		(In thousands)
	Fair value, beginning balance	$	28,325			$	5,706			$	26,885			$	1,803
	Net unrealized gains (losses) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	3,476				1,952				(470		)		2,036
	Net realized losses included in Other (expense) income, net(2)	(17		)		(8		)		(8		)		—
	Purchases	—				—				1,887				—
	Contributions	540				251				467				—
	Distributions	(1,281		)		(577		)		(1,247		)		—
	Fair value, ending balance	$	31,043			$	7,324			$	27,514			$	3,839
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2045. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2015 are estimated as follows:
		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	112,864
	Due in one to five years	32,324
	Due in five to ten years	30,115
	Thereafter	12,406
		$	187,709
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	Our funeral merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, are shown in the following tables:
		March 31, 2015
		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	$	10,060			$	(57	)		$	4,790			$	(42	)		$	14,850	$	(99	)
	Canadian government	229				(1		)		12,890				(355		)		13,119		(356		)
	Corporate	4,491				(37		)		2,629				(84		)		7,120		(121		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	267				(2		)		241				(13		)		508		(15		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	78				(62		)		—				—				78		(62		)
	Common stock:
	United States	137,804				(10,822		)		367				—				138,171		(10,822		)
	Canada	2,558				(501		)		860				(237		)		3,418		(738		)
	Other international	14,324				(2,436		)		2				—				14,326		(2,436		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	104,675				(6,175		)		11,172				(1,134		)		115,847		(7,309		)
	Fixed income	36,130				(4,334		)		10,995				(325		)		47,125		(4,659		)
	Private equity	—				—				15,380				(6,168		)		15,380		(6,168		)
	Other	—				—				1,303				(322		)		1,303		(322		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	310,616			$	(24,427	)		$	60,629			$	(8,680	)		$	371,245	$	(33,107	)
		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	$	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	)

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Ta

Preneed Cemetery Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2015 are shown in the following tables:
		March 31, 2015
		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	$	12,955			$	(53	)		$	14			$	(1	)		$	12,969	$	(54	)
	Canadian government	1,263				(3		)		3,146				(111		)		4,409		(114		)
	Corporate	175				(3		)		3,381				(73		)		3,556		(76		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	29				—				21				(1		)		50		(1		)
	Equity securities:
	Common stock:
	United States	215,891				(17,833		)		—				—				215,891		(17,833		)
	Canada	2,573				(326		)		552				(375		)		3,125		(701		)
	Other international	21,396				(3,746		)		—				—				21,396		(3,746		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	213,762				(7,126		)		69				(7		)		213,831		(7,133		)
	Fixed income	39,290				(5,955		)		15,036				(494		)		54,326		(6,449		)
	Private equity	—				—				7,397				(3,185		)		7,397		(3,185		)
	Other	—				—				654				(296		)		654		(296		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	507,334			$	(35,045	)		$	30,270			$	(4,543	)		$	537,604	$	(39,588	)
		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	)
	Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses are shown in the following tables.
		March 31, 2015
		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	$	436			$	(3	)		$	68			$	(1	)		$	504	$	(4	)
	Canadian government	2,103				(6		)		4,952				(193		)		7,055		(199		)
	Corporate	1,013				(22		)		5,360				(117		)		6,373		(139		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	160				(1		)		213				(5		)		373		(6		)
	Asset-backed	371				(8		)		—				—				371		(8		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	3,234				(164		)		54				—				3,288		(164		)
	Common stock:
	United States	134,139				(8,864		)		152				—				134,291		(8,864		)
	Canada	1,175				(160		)		701				(297		)		1,876		(457		)
	Other international	8,550				(1,063		)		—				—				8,550		(1,063		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,649				(253		)		185				(14		)		2,834		(267		)
Fixed income	345,809				(10,054		)		2,045				(48		)		347,854		(10,102		)
Private equity	—				—				10,092				(7,240		)		10,092		(7,240		)
Other	—				—				4,380				(919		)		4,380		(919		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	499,639			$	(20,598	)		$	28,202			$	(8,834	)		$	527,841	$	(29,432	)
	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	$	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	)
Cemetery
Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]
Investment related activities	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our preneed cemetery merchandise and service trusts:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	35,161			$	28,271
	Withdrawals	$	31,226			$	34,348
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	$	106,937			$	98,758
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	$	99,262			$	92,317
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	7,135			$	25,532
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	(7,028	)		$	(2,299	)
Long-term receivable and investment components	The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,433,749			$	1,404,298
	Cash and cash equivalents	122,280				122,355
	Trust investments	1,556,029				1,526,653
	Receivables from customers	883,518				881,082
	Unearned finance charges	(32,044		)		(31,524		)
		2,407,503				2,376,211
	Allowance for cancellation	(71,139		)		(69,542		)
	Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$	2,336,364			$	2,306,669
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	The cost and market values associated with our cemetery merchandise and service trust investments recorded at fair value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 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.
		March 31, 2015
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
								Gains				Losses				Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2		$	62,247			$	1,347			$	(54	)		$	63,540
	Canadian government	2		19,950				585				(114		)		20,421
	Corporate	2		7,204				124				(76		)		7,252
	Residential mortgage-backed	2		131				3				(1		)		133
	Asset-backed	2		169				18				—				187
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2		7				1				—				8
	Common stock:
	United States	1		550,508				42,709				(17,833		)		575,384
	Canada	1		11,136				5,101				(701		)		15,536
	Other international	1		52,609				3,858				(3,746		)		52,721
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1		348,259				6,516				(7,133		)		347,642
	Fixed income	1		319,702				3,442				(6,449		)		316,695
	Private equity	3		28,910				5,568				(3,185		)		31,293
	Other	3		2,662				571				(296		)		2,937
	Trust investments			$	1,403,494			$	69,843			$	(39,588	)		$	1,433,749
		31-Dec-14
		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
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The change in our market-based cemetery merchandise and service trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar-15								31-Mar-14
		Private Equity				Other				Private Equity				Other
		(In thousands)
	Fair value, beginning balance	$	29,344			$	1,197			$	26,844			$	1,245
	Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	2,724				2,077				1,487				9
	Net realized losses included in Other (expense) income, net(2)	(17		)		(8		)		(8		)		(1		)
	Contributions	562				266				499				—
	Distributions	(1,320		)		(595		)		(1,303		)		—
	Fair value, ending balance	$	31,293			$	2,937			$	27,519			$	1,253
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2045. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2015 are estimated as follows:
		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	13,190
	Due in one to five years	40,020
	Due in five to ten years	21,780
	Thereafter	16,543
		$	91,533

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts1

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Line Items]
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	Our cemetery merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2015 are shown in the following tables:
		March 31, 2015
		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	$	12,955			$	(53	)		$	14			$	(1	)		$	12,969	$	(54	)
	Canadian government	1,263				(3		)		3,146				(111		)		4,409		(114		)
	Corporate	175				(3		)		3,381				(73		)		3,556		(76		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	29				—				21				(1		)		50		(1		)
	Equity securities:
	Common stock:
	United States	215,891				(17,833		)		—				—				215,891		(17,833		)
	Canada	2,573				(326		)		552				(375		)		3,125		(701		)
	Other international	21,396				(3,746		)		—				—				21,396		(3,746		)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	213,762				(7,126		)		69				(7		)		213,831		(7,133		)
	Fixed income	39,290				(5,955		)		15,036				(494		)		54,326		(6,449		)
	Private equity	—				—				7,397				(3,185		)		7,397		(3,185		)
	Other	—				—				654				(296		)		654		(296		)
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	507,334			$	(35,045	)		$	30,270			$	(4,543	)		$	537,604	$	(39,588	)
		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	)
	Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated fair values, and the duration of unrealized losses are shown in the following tables.
		March 31, 2015
		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	$	436			$	(3	)		$	68			$	(1	)		$	504	$	(4	)
	Canadian government	2,103				(6		)		4,952				(193		)		7,055		(199		)
	Corporate	1,013				(22		)		5,360				(117		)		6,373		(139		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	160				(1		)		213				(5		)		373		(6		)
	Asset-backed	371				(8		)		—				—				371		(8		)
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	3,234				(164		)		54				—				3,288		(164		)
	Common stock:
	United States	134,139				(8,864		)		152				—				134,291		(8,864		)
	Canada	1,175				(160		)		701				(297		)		1,876		(457		)
	Other international	8,550				(1,063		)		—				—				8,550		(1,063		)
Mutual funds:
Equity	2,649				(253		)		185				(14		)		2,834		(267		)
Fixed income	345,809				(10,054		)		2,045				(48		)		347,854		(10,102		)
Private equity	—				—				10,092				(7,240		)		10,092		(7,240		)
Other	—				—				4,380				(919		)		4,380		(919		)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	499,639			$	(20,598	)		$	28,202			$	(8,834	)		$	527,841	$	(29,432	)
	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	$	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	)
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments [Line Items]
Investment related activities	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our cemetery perpetual care trusts:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Deposits	$	9,253		$	11,837
	Withdrawals	$	13,158		$	5,885
	Purchases of available-for-sale securities	$	101,660		$	38,895
	Sales of available-for-sale securities	$	53,765		$	30,072
	Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	398		$	5,045
	Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$	(129	)	$	(337	)
Long-term receivable and investment components	The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments, at fair value	$	1,253,601			$	1,192,966
	Cash and cash equivalents	103,800				148,410
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,357,401			$	1,341,376
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation
		March 31, 2015
		Fair Value Hierarchy Level		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
								Gains				Losses				Value
								(In thousands)
	Fixed income securities:
	U.S. Treasury	2		$	788			$	38			$	(4	)		$	822
	Canadian government	2		28,631				965				(199		)		29,397
	Corporate	2		14,003				372				(139		)		14,236
	Residential mortgage-backed	2		970				18				(6		)		982
	Asset-backed	2		666				10				(8		)		668
	Equity securities:
	Preferred stock	2		5,329				65				(164		)		5,230
	Common stock:
	United States	1		233,757				12,144				(8,864		)		237,037
	Canada	1		7,148				2,773				(457		)		9,464
	Other international	1		12,581				219				(1,063		)		11,737
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	1		17,658				3,211				(267		)		20,602
	Fixed income	1		884,376				7,121				(10,102		)		881,395
	Private equity	3		34,024				1,439				(7,240		)		28,223
	Other	3		13,188				1,539				(919		)		13,808
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments			$	1,253,119			$	29,914			$	(29,432	)		$	1,253,601
		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
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The change in our market-based cemetery perpetual care trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015								March 31, 2014
		Private Equity				Other				Private Equity				Other
		(In thousands)
	Fair value, beginning balance	$	23,908			$	12,088			$	19,779			$	11,590
	Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income(1)	3,917				1,195				727				128
	Net realized losses included in Other (expense) income, net(2)	(12		)		(15		)		(12		)		(6		)
	Sales	—				—				(17		)		—
	Contributions	495				648				694				—
	Distributions	(85		)		(108		)		(365		)		—
	Fair value, ending balance	$	28,223			$	13,808			$	20,806			$	11,712
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2015 to 2045. Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2015 are estimated as follows:
		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	18,620
	Due in one to five years	19,101
	Due in five to ten years	7,488
	Thereafter	896
		$	46,105

Deferred_Preneed_Funeral_and_C1

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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	The components of Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are detailed below.
		March 31, 2015									December 31, 2014
		Preneed			Preneed			Total			Preneed			Preneed			Total
		Funeral			Cemetery						Funeral			Cemetery
		(In thousands)
	Trust investments	$	1,610,041		$	1,556,029		$	3,166,070		$	1,628,875		$	1,526,653		$	3,155,528
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(2,860		)	(5,290		)	(8,150		)	(2,487		)	(4,157		)	(6,644		)
	Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	$	1,607,181		$	1,550,739		$	3,157,920		$	1,626,388		$	1,522,496		$	3,148,884
Schedule of Care Trust Corpus' Components	The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are detailed below.
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$	1,357,401		$	1,341,376
	Accrued trust operating payables and other	(13,223		)	(13,718		)
	Care trusts’ corpus	$	1,344,178		$	1,327,658
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income, by Component	The components of Other (expense) income, net in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are detailed below. See Notes 4, 5, and 6 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts.
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
		Funeral			Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net			Total
		Trusts			Trusts			Care Trusts
					(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	4,349		$	7,135		$	398		$	—		$	11,882
	Realized losses	(4,735		)	(7,028		)	(129		)	—			(11,892		)
	Impairment charges	(471		)	(520		)	(512		)	—			(1,503		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	4,062			3,516			10,545			—			18,123
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(5,827		)	(8,515		)	(6,273		)	—			(20,615		)
	Net trust investment (loss) income	(2,622		)	(5,412		)	4,029			—			(4,005		)
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	2,622			5,412			(4,029		)	—			4,005
	Other (expense) income, net	—			—			—			(58		)	(58		)
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(58	)	$	(58	)
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		Funeral			Cemetery			Cemetery Perpetual			Other, Net			Total
		Trusts			Trusts			Care Trusts
					(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	16,101		$	25,532		$	5,045		$	—		$	46,678
	Realized losses	(1,474		)	(2,299		)	(337		)	—			(4,110		)
	Impairment charges	(251		)	(339		)	(40		)	—			(630		)
	Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	5,574			2,495			14,062			—			22,131
	Trust expenses and income taxes	(4,467		)	(4,815		)	(6,023		)	—			(15,305		)
	Net trust investment income	15,483			20,574			12,707			—			48,764
	Reclassification to deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus	(15,483		)	(20,574		)	(12,707		)	—			(48,764		)
	Other (expense) income, net	—			—			—			1,534			1,534
	Total other (expense) income, net	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,534		$	1,534

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Debt as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	$	197,377		$	197,377
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	295,000			295,000
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	250,000			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			550,000
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	200,000			200,000
	Term Loan due July 2018	355,000			370,000
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	250,000			235,000
	Obligations under capital leases	179,824			181,002
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050	4,187			4,251
	Unamortized discounts and other, net	(2,752		)	(2,905		)
	Total debt	3,053,636			3,054,725
	Less: current maturities of debt	(90,960		)	(90,931		)
	Total long-term debt	$	2,962,676		$	2,963,794

Credit_Risk_and_Fair_Value_of_1

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure	The fair value of our debt instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
	6.75% Senior Notes due April 2016	$	207,246	$	208,075
	7.0% Senior Notes due June 2017	320,665		320,043
	7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018	289,063		277,538
	4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020	204,000		201,700
	8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021	177,750		174,375
	5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022	449,225		437,750
	5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024	573,447		558,250
	7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027	231,800		220,890
	Term Loan due July 2018	355,000		370,000
	Bank credit facility due July 2018	250,000		235,000
	Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,187		4,277
	Total fair value of debt instruments	$	3,062,383	$	3,007,898

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair values of our stock options are calculated using the following weighted average assumptions for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
			Three Months Ended
	Assumptions		March 31, 2015
	Dividend yield		1.8	%
	Expected volatility		23.3	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.3	%
	Expected holding period (in years)		4
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	The following table sets forth stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Options			Weighted-Average
					Exercise Price
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	12,107,106			$	11.63
	Granted	2,036,010			$	23
	Exercised	(873,169	)		$	10.92
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015	13,269,947			$	13.41
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015	9,059,704			$	10.49
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	Restricted share activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was as follows:
		Restricted			Weighted-Average
		shares			Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Nonvested restricted shares at December 31, 2014	1,319,260			$	13.39
	Granted	253,791			$	23
	Vested	(987,684	)		$	12.35
	Nonvested restricted shares at March 31, 2015	585,367			$	19.32

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
		Foreign			Unrealized			Accumulated
		Currency			Gains and			Other
		Translation			Losses			Comprehensive
		Adjustment						Income
					(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	59,414		$	—		$	59,414
	Activity in 2015	(22,617		)	—			(22,617		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			50,667			50,667
	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	—			(50,667		)	(50,667		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	36,797		$	—		$	36,797
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	88,441		$	—		$	88,441
	Activity in 2014	(11,226		)	—			(11,226		)
	Increase in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			17,039			17,039
	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	—			(17,039		)	(17,039		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	77,215		$	—		$	77,215

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Our reportable segment information is as follows:
		Funeral				Cemetery				Reportable
										Segments
		(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Revenues from external customers:
	2015	$	507,656			$	240,461			$	748,117
	2014	$	509,045			$	236,450			$	745,495
	Gross profits:
	2015	$	124,679			$	53,270			$	177,949
	2014	$	119,220			$	46,842			$	166,062
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	The following table reconciles gross profits from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Gross profits from reportable segments	$	177,949		$	166,062
	General and administrative expenses	(35,055		)	(55,830		)
	Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(1,779		)	(2,812		)
	Operating income	141,115			107,420
	Interest expense	(42,939		)	(44,996		)
	Other expense (income), net	(58		)	1,534
	Income before income taxes	$	98,118		$	63,958
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]	Our geographic area information is as follows:
		United			Canada			Total
		States
					(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Revenues from external customers:
	2015	$	700,452		$	47,665		$	748,117
	2014	$	694,369		$	51,126		$	745,495

Supplementary_Information_Tabl

Supplementary Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplementary Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Product Information [Table Text Block]	The detail of certain income statement accounts as presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Property and merchandise revenues:
	Funeral	$	160,898	$	164,176
	Cemetery	161,280		155,392
	Total property and merchandise revenues	322,178		319,568
	Services revenues:
	Funeral	313,886		310,105
	Cemetery	71,541		71,383
	Total services revenues	385,427		381,488
	Other revenues	40,512		44,439
	Total revenues	$	748,117	$	745,495
	Property and merchandise costs and expenses:
	Funeral	$	79,158	$	81,455
	Cemetery	69,023		69,537
	Total cost of property and merchandise	148,181		150,992
	Services costs and expenses:
	Funeral	154,972		158,533
	Cemetery	34,133		37,038
	Total cost of services	189,105		195,571
	Overhead and other expense	232,882		232,870
	Total costs and expenses	$	570,168	$	579,433

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations is presented below:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands, except per
		share amounts)
	Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
	Net income:
	Net income — basic	$	61,375	$	41,102
	After tax interest on convertible debt	12		13
	Net income — diluted	$	61,387	$	41,115
	Weighted average shares (denominator):
	Weighted average shares — basic	203,510		212,838
	Stock options	4,121		4,272
	Convertible debt	121		121
	Weighted average shares — diluted	207,752		217,231
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.3	$	0.19
	Diluted	$	0.3	$	0.19

DivestitureRelated_Activities_1

Divestiture-Related Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]
Gains (Losses) on Divestitures and Impairment Charges	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 Losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net, which comprise the following for the three months ended March 31, :
		Three Months Ended
		31-Mar
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Gains on divestitures, net	$	1,913		$	1,927
	Impairment losses	(3,692		)	(4,739		)
		$	(1,779	)	$	(2,812	)

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Inv

Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$11,882	$46,678
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-11,892	-4,110
Funeral
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	310,616		534,435
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-24,427		-26,801
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	60,629		73,436
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	33,107		40,439
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	371,245		607,871
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-33,107		-40,439
Deposits	29,995	27,923
Withdrawals	45,444	43,737
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	104,231	61,485
Sales of available-for-sale securities	82,320	64,051
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,349	16,101
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-4,735	-1,474
Preferred Stock Securities | Funeral
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	78		26
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-62		-113
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	78		26
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-62		-113
Other Investments | Funeral
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0		5
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0		11
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,303		464
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,303		469
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($322)		($104)

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lon

Preneed Funeral Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$1,831,365	$1,843,023
Funeral
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,218,591	1,205,747
Cash and cash equivalents	126,391	162,229
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	265,059	260,899
Trust investments	1,610,041	1,628,875
Receivables from customers	270,933	262,700
Unearned finance charges	-11,992	-11,054
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	1,868,982	1,880,521
Allowance for cancellation	-37,617	-37,498
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$1,831,365	$1,843,023

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Sch

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Funeral, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$1,197,121	$1,213,128
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	54,577	33,058
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	33,107	40,439
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,218,591	1,205,747
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	82,111	85,775
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,132	468
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	99	455
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	83,144	85,788
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	77,971	90,430
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	856	449
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	356	874
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	78,471	90,005
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	24,044	24,765
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	673	423
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	121	126
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	24,596	25,062
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,476	1,325
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	32	29
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	15	12
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,493	1,342
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5	6
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	5	6
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Preferred Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,205	2,503
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	131	113
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	62	113
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,274	2,503
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	369,115	377,441
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	31,162	18,533
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	10,822	7,405
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	389,455	388,569
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	13,832	14,708
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,960	4,292
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	738	895
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	17,054	18,105
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	35,885	38,035
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,637	1,175
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	2,436	1,560
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	36,086	37,650
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	318,059	308,548
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,747	3,332
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	7,309	15,901
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	316,497	295,979
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	233,082	229,414
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,726	869
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	4,659	3,576
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	231,149	226,707
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Private Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	33,031	35,094
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,180	2,649
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	6,168	9,418
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	31,043	28,325
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Other Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,305	5,084
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,341	726
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	322	104
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$7,324	$5,706

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Lev

Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Funeral, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Private Equity Funds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$28,325		$26,885
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,476	[1]	-470	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-17	[2]	-8	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	0		1,887
Contributions	540		467
Distributions and other	-1,281		-1,247
Fair market value, ending balance	31,043		27,514
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	5,706		1,803
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,952	[1]	2,036	[1]
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-8	[2]	0	[2]
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	0		0
Contributions	251		0
Distributions and other	-577		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$7,324		$3,839
[1]	All unrealized gains (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 (expense) income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, 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, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Funeral
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$112,864
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	32,324
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	30,115
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	12,406
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$187,709

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Sch1

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (Funeral, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$310,616	$534,435
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-24,427	-26,801
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	60,629	73,436
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-8,680	-13,638
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	371,245	607,871
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	33,107	40,439
US Treasury Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	10,060	32,243
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-57	-412
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,790	4,978
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-42	-43
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	14,850	37,221
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	99	455
Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	229	2,894
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-1	-52
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	12,890	14,904
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-355	-822
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	13,119	17,798
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	356	874
Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,491	4,988
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-37	-56
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,629	2,420
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-84	-70
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,120	7,408
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	121	126
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	267	217
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2	-10
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	241	106
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-13	-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	508	323
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	15	12
Preferred Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	78	26
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-62	-113
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	78	26
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	62	113
US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	137,804	126,527
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-10,822	-7,403
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	367	438
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	138,171	126,965
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	10,822	7,405
Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,558	1,752
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-501	-379
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	860	1,085
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-237	-516
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,418	2,837
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	738	895
Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	14,324	19,593
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-2,436	-1,557
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	14,326	19,595
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	2,436	1,560
Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	104,675	233,827
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-6,175	-13,219
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	11,172	23,717
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1,134	-2,682
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	115,847	257,544
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	7,309	15,901
Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	36,130	112,160
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4,334	-3,128
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	10,995	11,452
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-325	-448
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	47,125	123,612
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	4,659	3,576
Private Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	203
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-461
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	15,380	13,870
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-6,168	-8,957
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	15,380	14,073
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	6,168	9,418
Other Investments
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	11
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,303	464
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-322	-93
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,303	469
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$322	$104

Preneed_Funeral_Activities_Pre

Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$1,503,000	$630,000
Funeral
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	40,300,000
Investment Earnings, Net	14,400,000	16,100,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$471,000	$251,000
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	2 years
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	10 years

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_In

Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$11,882	$46,678
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-11,892	-4,110
Cemetery
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	35,161	28,271
Withdrawals	31,226	34,348
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	106,937	98,758
Sales of available-for-sale securities	99,262	92,317
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	7,135	25,532
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	($7,028)	($2,299)

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Lo

Preneed Cemetery Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$2,336,364	$2,306,669
Cemetery
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,433,749	1,404,298
Cash and cash equivalents	122,280	122,355
Trust investments	1,556,029	1,526,653
Receivables from customers	883,518	881,082
Unearned finance charges	-32,044	-31,524
Preneed cemetary receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	2,407,503	2,376,211
Allowance for cancellation	-71,139	-69,542
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$2,336,364	$2,306,669

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Sc

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$1,403,494	$1,411,166
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	69,843	38,316
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	39,588	45,184
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,433,749	1,404,298
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	62,247	63,447
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,347	257
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	54	605
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	63,540	63,099
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	19,950	21,687
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	585	261
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	114	134
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	20,421	21,814
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7,204	8,725
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	124	122
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	76	116
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	7,252	8,731
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	131	111
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	1	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	133	113
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	169	170
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	18	16
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	187	186
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Preferred Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7	10
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	8	11
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	550,508	557,955
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	42,709	22,746
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	17,833	11,706
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	575,384	568,995
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	11,136	10,962
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,101	5,011
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	701	841
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	15,536	15,132
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	52,609	55,632
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,858	1,605
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	3,746	2,395
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	52,721	54,842
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	348,259	344,443
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	6,516	4,244
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	7,133	18,430
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	347,642	330,257
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	319,702	314,600
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,442	679
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	6,449	4,702
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	316,695	310,577
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Private Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,910	32,342
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,568	3,185
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	3,185	6,183
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	31,293	29,344
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Other Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,662	1,082
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	571	186
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	296	71
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$2,937	$1,197

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Le

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Private Equity Funds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$29,344	$26,844
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,724	1,487
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-17	-8
Contributions	562	499
Distributions and other	1,320	1,303
Fair market value, ending balance	31,293	27,519
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,197	1,245
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,077	9
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	-8	-1
Contributions	266	0
Distributions and other	595	0
Fair market value, ending balance	$2,937	$1,253

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_In1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cemetery
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$13,190
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	40,020
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	21,780
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	16,543
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$91,533

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Sc1

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (Cemetery, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$507,334	$732,387
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-35,045	37,625
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	30,270	32,624
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-4,543	7,559
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	537,604	765,011
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	39,588	45,184
US Treasury Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	12,955	45,072
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-53	-605
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	14	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	12,969	45,072
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-54	605
Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,263	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-3	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,146	4,858
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-111	-134
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,409	4,858
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-114	134
Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	175	2,017
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-3	-61
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,381	1,936
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-73	-55
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,556	3,953
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-76	116
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	29	33
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	21	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	50	33
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-1	1
US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	215,891	192,015
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-17,833	-11,706
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	585
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	215,891	192,600
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	17,833	11,706
Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,573	2,069
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-326	-319
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	552	778
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-375	-522
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,125	2,847
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-701	841
Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	21,396	28,308
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-3,746	-2,395
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	21,396	28,308
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	3,746	2,395
Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	213,762	303,211
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-7,126	-18,329
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	69	1,577
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-7	-101
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	213,831	304,788
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	7,133	18,430
Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	39,290	159,572
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-5,955	-4,106
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	15,036	15,113
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-494	-596
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	54,326	174,685
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-6,449	4,702
Private Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	88
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-100
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,397	7,518
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-3,185	-6,083
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,397	7,606
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-3,185	6,183
Other Investments
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	654	259
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-296	-68
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	654	261
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	($296)	($71)

Preneed_Cemetery_Activities_Pr

Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetery Activities, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$1,503,000	$630,000
Cemetery
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	41,600,000
Investment Earnings, Net	12,100,000	11,500,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$520,000	$339,000
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	2 years
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	10 years

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts2

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investment Related Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$11,882	$46,678
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-11,892	-4,110
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	9,253	11,837
Withdrawals	13,158	5,885
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	101,660	38,895
Sales of available-for-sale securities	53,765	30,072
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	398	5,045
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	($129)	($337)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts3

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$1,357,401	$1,341,376
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	499,639	708,011
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	20,598	-20,990
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	28,202	35,581
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	8,834	-13,031
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	527,841	743,592
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-29,432	-34,021
Trust investments, at market	1,253,601	1,192,966
Restricted Cash	103,800	148,410
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,357,401	1,341,376
Asset-backed Securities | Cemetery Perpetual Care
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	371	373
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-8	-4
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, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	371	373
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($8)	($4)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts4

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$1,253,119	$1,207,563
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	29,914	19,424
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-29,432	-34,021
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,253,601	1,192,966
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	788	794
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	38	40
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-4	-4
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	822	830
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,631	31,993
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	965	442
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-199	-233
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	29,397	32,202
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	14,003	16,762
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	372	344
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-139	-210
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	14,236	16,896
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	970	910
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	18	15
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-6	-6
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	982	919
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	666	661
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	10	10
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	8	-4
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	668	667
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Preferred Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,329	4,439
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	65	60
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-164	-12
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	5,230	4,487
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	233,757	225,129
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	12,144	9,340
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-8,864	-4,881
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	237,037	229,588
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7,148	7,419
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,773	2,737
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-457	-596
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	9,464	9,560
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	12,581	8,102
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	219	90
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,063	-399
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	11,737	7,793
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	17,658	17,310
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,211	3,264
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-267	-93
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	20,602	20,481
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	884,376	846,230
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	7,121	1,580
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-10,102	-14,263
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	881,395	833,547
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Private Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	34,024	34,288
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,439	408
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-7,240	-10,788
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	28,223	23,908
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Other Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	13,188	13,526
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,539	1,094
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-919	-2,532
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$13,808	$12,088

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts5

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 Activities (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Private Equity Funds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$23,908		$19,779
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,917	[1]	727	[1]
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	-12	[2]	-12	[2]
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	0		-17
Contributions	495		694
Distributions and other	-85		-365
Fair market value, ending balance	28,223		20,806
Other Investments
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	12,088		11,590
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,195	[1]	128	[1]
Net realized gains (losses) included in Other income, net(2)	-15	[2]	-6	[2]
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	0		0
Contributions	648		0
Distributions and other	-108		0
Fair market value, ending balance	$13,808		$11,712
[1]	All unrealized gains (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 (expense) income, net for our funeral merchandise and service trust investments are attributable to our preneed customers and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other (expense) income, 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.

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts6

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investments Classifed by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$18,620
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	19,101
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	7,488
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	896
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$46,105

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts7

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (Cemetery Perpetual Care, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$499,639	$708,011
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	20,598	-20,990
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	28,202	35,581
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-8,834	13,031
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	527,841	743,592
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-29,432	-34,021
US Treasury Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	436	497
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-3	-4
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	68	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	504	497
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-4	-4
Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,103	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-6	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,952	7,825
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-193	-233
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,055	7,825
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-199	-233
Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,013	4,656
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-22	-108
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,360	3,198
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-117	-102
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	6,373	7,854
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-139	-210
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	160	256
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-1	-5
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	213	69
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-5	-1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	373	325
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-6	-6
Asset-backed Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	371	373
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-8	-4
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	371	373
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-8	-4
Preferred Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,234	2,224
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-164	-11
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	54	49
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	3,288	2,273
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-164	-12
US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	134,139	100,370
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-8,864	-4,803
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	152	419
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	-78
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	134,291	100,789
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-8,864	-4,881
Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,175	2,418
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-160	-244
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	701	757
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-297	-352
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,876	3,175
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-457	-596
Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	8,550	4,444
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-1,063	-399
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	8,550	4,444
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-1,063	-399
Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,649	2,601
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-253	-85
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	185	153
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-14	-8
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,834	2,754
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-267	-93
Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	345,809	576,890
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-10,054	-14,177
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,045	2,581
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-48	-86
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	347,854	579,471
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-10,102	-14,263
Private Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	9,213
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-798
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	10,092	14,254
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-7,240	-9,990
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	10,092	23,467
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-7,240	-10,788
Other Investments
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	4,069
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	-352
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,380	6,276
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-919	-2,180
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,380	10,345
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($919)	($2,532)

Cemetery_Perpetual_Care_Trusts8

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts, Textuals (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	($1,503,000)	($630,000)
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	8,900,000
Investment Earnings, Net	13,400,000	13,300,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	($512,000)	($40,000)
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	2 years
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	10 years

Deferred_Preneed_Funeral_and_C2

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	$3,166,070		$3,155,528
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-8,150		-6,644
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	3,157,920		3,148,884
Care trusts’ corpus	1,344,178		1,327,658
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	11,882	46,678
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-11,892	-4,110
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	-1,503	-630
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	18,123	22,131
Trust expenses and income taxes	-20,615	-15,305
Net trust investment income	-4,005	48,764
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	4,005	-48,764
Other income, net	-58	1,534
Total other income, net	-58	1,534
Funeral
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,610,041		1,628,875
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-2,860		-2,487
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,607,181		1,626,388
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	4,349	16,101
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-4,735	-1,474
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	-471	-251
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	4,062	5,574
Trust expenses and income taxes	-5,827	-4,467
Net trust investment income	-2,622	15,483
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	2,622	-15,483
Other income, net	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0
Cemetery
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,556,029		1,526,653
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-5,290		-4,157
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust	1,550,739		1,522,496
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	7,135	25,532
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-7,028	-2,299
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	-520	-339
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	3,516	2,495
Trust expenses and income taxes	-8,515	-4,815
Net trust investment income	-5,412	20,574
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	5,412	-20,574
Other income, net	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Accrued trust operating payables and other	-13,223		-13,718
Care trusts' corpus, excluding accrued expenses	1,357,401		1,341,376
Care trusts’ corpus	1,344,178		1,327,658
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	398	5,045
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	-129	-337
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	-512	-40
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	10,545	14,062
Trust expenses and income taxes	-6,273	-6,023
Net trust investment income	4,029	12,707
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	-4,029	-12,707
Other income, net	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	0	0
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	0	0
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	0	0
Trust expenses and income taxes	0	0
Net trust investment income	0	0
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	0	0
Other income, net	-58	1,534
Total other income, net	($58)	$1,534

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	37.40%	35.50%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	35.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$191.70
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	48.5
Unrecognized tax benefits, reduction of accrued interest	$0.90

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent	$355,000	$370,000
Bank credit facility due March 2016	250,000	235,000
Total debt	3,053,636	3,054,725
Less current maturities	-90,960	-90,931
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current	-90,960	-90,931
Total long-term debt	2,962,676	2,963,794
Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	-2,752	-2,905
Unsecured Debt | April 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	197,377	197,377
Unsecured Debt | June 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	295,000	295,000
Unsecured Debt | October 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	250,000	250,000
Unsecured Debt | November 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	200,000	200,000
Unsecured Debt | November 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	150,000	150,000
Unsecured Debt | January 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	425,000	425,000
Unsecured Debt | May 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	550,000	550,000
Unsecured Debt | April 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	200,000	200,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016	250,000	235,000
Capital Lease Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Obligations under capital leases	179,824	181,002
Mortgages
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	$4,187	$4,251

Debt_Narratives_Details

Debt Narratives (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.21%		5.21%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	75.00%		75.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$500,000,000
Long-term Line of Credit	355,000,000		370,000,000
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	175,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	250,000,000		235,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	31,600,000
Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	7,400,000	7,200,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.35%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	218,400,000
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	15,000,000
Early Repayment of Senior Debt	0	167,093,000
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	7,380,000	7,231,000
Repayments of Debt	15,000,000	7,500,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt	15,071,000	7,579,000
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred	$7,300,000	$10,700,000

Credit_Risk_and_Fair_Value_of_2

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank credit facility due March 2016	$250,000	$235,000
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	4,187	4,277
Total fair value of debt instruments	3,062,383	3,007,898
Apr-16
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	207,246	208,075
Jun-17
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	320,665	320,043
Oct-18
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	289,063	277,538
Nov-20
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	204,000	201,700
Nov-21
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	177,750	174,375
Jan-22
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	449,225	437,750
May-24
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	573,447	558,250
Apr-27
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	231,800	220,890
Jul-18
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	$355,000	$370,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Exercised	0	761,000
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend yield	1.80%
Expected volatility	23.30%
Risk-free interest rate	1.30%
Expected holding period	4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at beginning of period	12,107,106
Options outstanding at beginning of period, weighted average exercise price	11.63
Granted	2,036,010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	23
Exercised	873,169
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	10.92
Options outstanding at end of period	13,269,947
Options outstanding at end of period, weighted average exercise price	13.41
Options exercisable at March 31, 2012	9,059,704
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	10.49
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period	1,319,260
Nonvested restricted shares at beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value	13.39
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	253,791
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	23
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period	-987,684
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	12.35
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period	585,367
Nonvested restricted shares at end of period, weighted average grant date fair value	19.32

ShareBased_Compensation_Narrat

Share-Based Compensation Narratives (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock Options
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$14.20
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 7 months
Restricted Stock
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$10.50
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 2 months

Equity_Components_of_Accumulat

Equity Components of Accumulated Other Comrehensive income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$59,414
Activity in 2014	38,832	30,191
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax	0	0
Balance at end of period	36,797
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	59,414	88,441
Activity in 2014	-22,617	-11,226
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax	50,667	-17,039
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	-50,667	-17,039
Balance at end of period	36,797	77,215
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	59,414	88,441
Activity in 2014		-11,226
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	0	0
Balance at end of period	36,797	77,215
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0	0
Activity in 2014	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax	50,667	17,039
Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus’, net of taxes	-50,667	-17,039
Balance at end of period	$0	$0

Equity_Narratives_Details

Equity Narratives (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Dividends declared per share	$0.10	$0.08
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	3,084,558	0
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	$73.20
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$23.74
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	167.1
Subsequent Event [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired			841,500
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method			22.7
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share			$26.96
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount				$144.40

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$748,117	$745,495
Gross Profit	177,949	166,062
General and administrative expenses	-35,055	-55,830
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	-1,779	-2,812
Operating income	141,115	107,420
Interest expense	-42,939	-44,996
Other income (expense), net	-58	1,534
Income before income taxes	98,118	63,958
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	700,452	694,369
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	47,665	51,126
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	507,656	509,045
Gross Profit	124,679	119,220
Other income (expense), net	0	0
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	240,461	236,450
Gross Profit	53,270	46,842
Other income (expense), net	$0	$0

Supplementary_Information_Deta

Supplementary Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	$322,178	$319,568
Total services revenues	385,427	381,488
Other revenues	40,512	44,439
Total revenues	748,117	745,495
Total cost of merchandise	148,181	150,992
Total cost of services	189,105	195,571
Overhead and other expenses	232,882	232,870
Total costs and expenses	570,168	579,433
Options exercised by attestation	0	761,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	0	761,000
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	-3,547	-1,483
Funeral
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	160,898	164,176
Total services revenues	313,886	310,105
Total revenues	507,656	509,045
Total cost of merchandise	79,158	81,455
Total cost of services	154,972	158,533
Cemetery
Product Information [Line Items]
Total merchandise revenues	161,280	155,392
Total services revenues	71,541	71,383
Total revenues	240,461	236,450
Total cost of merchandise	69,023	69,537
Total cost of services	$34,133	$37,038

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Self Insurance Reserve	$75.10	$74

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,100,000	2,700,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$61,375	$41,102
After tax interest on convertible debt	12	13
Net income — diluted	$61,387	$41,115
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	-203,510,000	-212,838,000
Stock options	4,121,000	4,272,000
Convertible debt	121,000	121,000
Weighted average shares — diluted	207,752,000	217,231,000
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$0.30	$0.19
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$0.30	$0.19

Earnings_Per_Share_Narratives_

Earnings Per Share Narratives (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	$0
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1.1	2.7

DivestitureRelated_Activities_2

Divestiture-Related Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal	$1,913	$1,927
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Loss (Gain) on Write-down	-3,692	-4,739
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	-1,779	-2,812
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$0	($140)