Service Corporation International (SCI) 10-Q 27 Apr 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 25, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Service Corp International
Entity Central Index Key	89,089
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		187,991,167

Unaudited Condensed Consolidate

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Statement - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 777,710	$ 749,219
Costs and expenses	(600,545)	(586,296)
Operating profit	177,165	162,923
General and administrative expenses	(42,504)	(38,904)
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	4,935	(347)
Operating income	139,596	123,672
Interest expense	(40,636)	(43,082)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(581)
Other expense, net	(434)	(242)
Income before income taxes	98,526	79,767
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	76,223	(32,313)
Net Income	174,749	47,454
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(47)	(9)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 174,702	$ 47,445
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 0.93	$ 0.24
Basic weighted average number of shares	188,260	194,924
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 0.91	$ 0.24
Diluted weighted average number of shares	192,867	198,030
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.13	$ 0.12

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat3

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 174,749	$ 47,454
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,164	22,716
Total comprehensive income	177,913	70,170
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(47)	(18)
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 177,866	$ 70,152

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat4

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 238,254	$ 194,986
Receivables, net	86,946	98,455
Inventories	27,375	26,431
Other	38,182	34,524
Total current assets	390,757	354,396
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	1,862,655	1,817,445
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	2,581,745	2,487,720
Cemetery property	1,782,731	1,776,935
Property and equipment, net	1,810,347	1,827,587
Goodwill	1,805,590	1,799,081
Deferred charges and other assets	584,406	567,520
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,440,935	1,407,465
Total assets	12,259,166	12,038,149
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	477,002	439,936
Current maturities of long-term debt	63,606	89,974
Income taxes payable	72,382	7,960
Total current liabilities	612,990	537,870
Long-term debt	3,224,653	3,196,616
Deferred preneed funeral revenue	580,676	581,280
Deferred preneed cemetery revenue	1,180,388	1,150,137
Deferred tax liability	446,086	454,638
Other liabilities	362,338	510,322
Deferred preneed receipts held in trust	3,226,020	3,103,796
Care trusts’ corpus	1,442,265	1,408,243
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Equity:
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 196,761,485 and 195,403,644 shares issued, respectively, and 187,949,951 and 189,405,244 shares outstanding, respectively	187,950	189,405
Capital in excess of par value	968,194	990,203
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	5,369	(103,387)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	19,656	16,492
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,181,169	1,092,713
Noncontrolling interests	2,581	2,534
Total equity	1,183,750	1,095,247
Total liabilities and equity	$ 12,259,166	$ 12,038,149

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat5

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	196,761,485	195,403,644
Common stock, shares outstanding	187,949,951	189,405,244

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat6

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 174,749	$ 47,454
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	581
Depreciation and amortization	38,043	35,834
Amortization of intangible assets	6,844	7,667
Amortization of cemetery property	13,881	13,599
Amortization of loan costs	1,433	1,615
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,484	538
Benefit from deferred income taxes	(149,585)	(1,291)
(Gain) loss on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(4,935)	347
Share-based compensation	3,633	3,067
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards	0	(2,258)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Decrease in receivables	10,959	9,340
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(4,858)	1,598
Increase in payables and other liabilities	86,596	56,062
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
(Increase) decrease in preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments	(790)	3,146
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral revenue	(3,198)	(599)
Decrease in deferred preneed funeral receipts held in trust	(5,263)	(10,273)
Effect of cemetery production and deliveries:
Increase in preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	(9,453)	(7,869)
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery revenue	26,599	22,286
Increase in deferred preneed cemetery receipts held in trust	1,244	3,918
Net cash provided by operating activities	188,383	184,762
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(40,150)	(41,708)
Acquisitions	(19,327)	(56)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	3,148	10,164
Net withdrawals of restricted funds	0	5,120
Net cash used in investing activities	(56,329)	(26,480)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	35,000	590,000
Debt issuance costs	0	(5,035)
Payments of debt	(8,787)	(10,054)
Early extinguishment of debt	0	(580,483)
Principal payments on capital leases	21,055	8,156
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	15,261	3,133
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards	0	2,258
Purchase of Company common stock	(83,460)	(54,632)
Payments of dividends	(24,433)	(23,324)
Bank overdrafts and other	(2,096)	1,369
Net cash used in financing activities	(89,570)	(84,924)
Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents	784	5,548
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	43,268	78,906
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	194,986	134,599
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 238,254	$ 213,505

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat7

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity Statement - 3 months ended Mar. 31, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 1,095,247	$ 195,403	$ (5,998)	$ 990,203	$ (103,387)	$ 16,492	$ 2,534
Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	177,913	0	0	0	174,702	3,164	47
Dividends declared on common stock	(24,433)	0	0	(24,433)	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	3,633	0	0	3,633	0	0	0
Stock option exercises	15,261	1,122	0	14,139	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	209	0	(209)	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(83,460)	0	(2,813)	(14,701)	(65,946)	0	0
Other	(411)	27	0	(438)	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 1,183,750	$ 196,761	$ (8,811)	$ 968,194	$ 5,369	$ 19,656	$ 2,581

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat8

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.13	$ 0.12

Nature of Operations (Notes)

Nature of Operations (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Nature of Operations [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	1. 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 and cemetery operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and other related businesses, which enable us to serve a wide array of customer needs. We sell cemetery property and funeral and cemetery merchandise and services at the time of need and on a preneed basis. Funeral service locations provide all professional services relating to funerals and cremations, including the use of funeral facilities and motor vehicles, arranging and directing services, removal, preparation, embalming, cremations, memorialization, and catering. Funeral merchandise, including burial caskets and related accessories, urns and other cremation receptacles, outer burial containers, flowers, online and video tributes, stationery products, casket and cremation memorialization products, and other ancillary merchandise, is sold at funeral service locations. Our cemeteries provide cemetery property interment rights, including developed lots, lawn crypts, mausoleum spaces, niches, and other cremation memorialization and interment options. Cemetery merchandise and services, including memorial markers and bases, outer burial containers, flowers and floral placement, other ancillary merchandise, graveside services, merchandise installation, travel protection, and burial openings and closings, are sold at our cemeteries.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 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, 2016 , unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed 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 to Prior Period Financial Statements and Adjustments 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, 2016 . These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017 Stock Compensation In March 2016, the FASB amended "Stock Compensation", modifying certain aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions,which requires the tax effects related to share-based payments to be recorded through the income statement, simplifies the accounting requirements for forfeitures and employers' tax withholding requirements, and modifies the presentation of certain items on the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires the tax effect related to the settlement of share-based awards in income tax benefit or expense in the statements of earnings rather than in additional paid-in-capital. This guidance also eliminates the requirement to reclassify excess tax benefits from operating activities to financing activities within the statement of cash flows. We adopted the new guidance in the first quarter of 2017, as required, and the impact of the restricted stock deliveries and option exercises in the first quarter of 2017 was a reduction to our adjusted provision for income taxes of $6.4 million . Prior periods have not been retrospectively adjusted for adoption of this guidance. The remaining amendments to this standard, as noted above, are either not applicable or do not change our current accounting practices and thus do not impact our consolidated financial statements, including our consolidated statement of cash flows. Inventory In July 2015, the FASB amended "Inventory" to state that an entity using an inventory method other than last-in, first out ("LIFO") or the retail inventory method should measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The new guidance clarifies that net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2017 and adoption did not materially impact our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance. During 2016, the FASB made several amendments to the new standard that clarified guidance on several matters, including principal vs. agent considerations, identifying performance obligations, sales taxes, and licensing. The new standard, as amended, requires that we recognize revenue in the amount to which we expect to be entitled for delivery of promised goods and services to our customers. The new standard will also result in enhanced revenue-related disclosures, including any significant judgments and changes in judgments. Additionally, the new standard requires the deferral of incremental selling costs to the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The new standard will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2018 and we intend to implement the standard with the modified retrospective approach, which recognizes the cumulative effect of application recognized on that date. We have not fully determined the impact on the new standard on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. However, we believe the standard primarily impacts the manner in which we recognize certain nonrefundable up-front fees and incremental costs to acquire new preneed funeral trust contracts and preneed and atneed cemetery contracts (i.e., selling costs). The nonrefundable fees will be deferred and recognized as revenue when the related goods and services are delivered to the customer. The incremental selling costs will be deferred and amortized by specific identification to the delivery of the related goods and services. We will continue to expense costs to acquire new preneed funeral insurance contracts in the period incurred. The insurance contracts are not, and will not be, reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheet because they do not represent assets or liabilities as we have no claim to the insurance proceeds until the contract is fulfilled and no obligation under the contract until the benefits are assigned to us after the time of need. Financial Instruments In January 2016, the FASB amended "Financial Instruments" to provide additional guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and liabilities. The amendment requires investments in equity instruments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in net income. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018, and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. In June 2016, the FASB amended "Financial Instruments" to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on debt instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. This amendment replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in the current standard with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2020, and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Leases In February 2016, the FASB amended "Leases" to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. Under the new standard, an entity will be required to recognize lease assets and liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. In addition, the new standard offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor, and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This new standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2019. We are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Cash Flow In August and November 2016, the FASB amended "Statement of Cash Flows" to clarify guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. Additionally, the guidance requires that the statement of cash flows reflects changes in restricted cash in addition to cash and cash equivalents. Amended guidance includes clarification on debt prepayment and extinguishment costs, contingent consideration in business combinations, proceeds from insurance claims, and premium payments on company-owned life insurance. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018, and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated statement of cash flows. Goodwill In January 2017, the FASB amended "Goodwill" to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. Amended guidance eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, impairment is defined as the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, up to the total amount of goodwill. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2020, and is not expected to impact on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Retirement Plans In March 2017, the FASB amended "Retirement Plans" to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost by requiring the classification of interest costs and actuarial gains and losses separately from operating income. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018, and we are evaluating the impact on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows.

Preneed Funeral Activities (Not

Preneed Funeral Activities (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 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 revenue into Deferred preneed receipts held in trust. Amounts are withdrawn from the trusts after the contract obligations are performed. Cash flows from preneed 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 revenue until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with these preneed merchandise and service trusts: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deposits $ 34,976 $ 27,708 Withdrawals $ 42,123 $ 35,170 Purchases of available-for-sale securities $ 90,952 $ 109,522 Sales of available-for-sale securities $ 89,412 $ 99,493 The components of Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Trust investments, at market $ 1,199,453 $ 1,152,752 Cash and cash equivalents 115,914 122,517 Insurance-backed fixed income securities 270,348 271,248 Trust investments 1,585,715 1,546,517 Receivables from customers 319,456 312,556 Unearned finance charge (13,233 ) (12,562 ) 1,891,938 1,846,511 Allowance for cancellation (29,283 ) (29,066 ) Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments $ 1,862,655 $ 1,817,445 The costs and values associated with trust investments measured at market at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts. March 31, 2017 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 72,835 $ 405 $ (372 ) $ 72,868 Canadian government 2 53,740 254 (59 ) 53,935 Corporate 2 11,874 193 (71 ) 11,996 Residential mortgage-backed 2 172 17 — 189 Asset-backed 2 52 — (1 ) 51 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,425 112 (54 ) 1,483 Common stock: United States 1 332,089 62,224 (5,017 ) 389,296 Canada 1 11,593 2,966 (441 ) 14,118 Other international 1 23,513 2,212 (2,439 ) 23,286 Mutual funds: Equity 1 320,086 15,302 (12,428 ) 322,960 Fixed income 1 94,756 1,332 (6,782 ) 89,306 Other 3 4,017 1,448 (30 ) 5,435 Trust investments, at fair value 926,152 86,465 (27,694 ) 984,923 Fixed income commingled funds 174,432 4,608 (1,131 ) 177,909 Private equity 36,430 3,150 (2,959 ) 36,621 Trust investments, at net asset value 210,862 7,758 (4,090 ) 214,530 Trust investments, at market $ 1,137,014 $ 94,223 $ (31,784 ) $ 1,199,453 December 31, 2016 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 75,245 $ 317 $ (557 ) $ 75,005 Canadian government 2 55,752 272 (42 ) 55,982 Corporate 2 12,702 177 (92 ) 12,787 Residential mortgage-backed 2 29 1 — 30 Asset-backed 2 58 — (3 ) 55 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,428 81 (39 ) 1,470 Common stock: United States 1 334,854 49,785 (11,525 ) 373,114 Canada 1 11,853 2,592 (263 ) 14,182 Other international 1 25,761 1,824 (3,167 ) 24,418 Mutual funds: Equity 1 313,132 7,780 (26,842 ) 294,070 Fixed income 1 92,760 1,344 (7,368 ) 86,736 Other 3 4,079 1,214 (17 ) 5,276 Trust investments, at fair value 927,653 65,387 (49,915 ) 943,125 Fixed income commingled funds 168,959 3,177 (1,167 ) 170,969 Private equity 40,892 2,956 (5,190 ) 38,658 Trust investments, at net asset value 209,851 6,133 (6,357 ) 209,627 Trust investments, at market $ 1,137,504 $ 71,520 $ (56,272 ) $ 1,152,752 Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, valuations are reviewed quarterly by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors. 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, ratings, and tax-exempt status. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. The valuation of other investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. Fixed income commingled funds and private equity investments are measured at net asset value. Fixed income commingled funds are redeemable for net asset value with two weeks' notice. Our private equity 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. As of March 31, 2017 , our unfunded commitment for our private equity investments was $44.0 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. The change in our trust investments measured at fair value with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 5,276 $ 4,756 Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (1) 221 55 Distributions and other (62 ) — Fair value, ending balance $ 5,435 $ 4,811 (1) All net unrealized gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our 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 receipts held in trust . See Note 6 for further information related to our Deferred preneed receipts held in trust . Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2017 to 2041 . Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2017 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 71,410 Due in one to five years 26,461 Due in five to ten years 33,537 Thereafter 7,631 $ 139,039 Earnings from all our merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in revenue when merchandise is delivered or a service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenue. 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 revenue in the period in which they are earned. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments was $14.3 million and $12.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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, 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, net, which reduces Deferred preneed receipts held in trust . See Note 6 for further information related to our Deferred preneed receipts held in trust . We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our 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 merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, are shown in the following tables: March 31, 2017 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury $ 24,169 $ (372 ) $ — $ — $ 24,169 $ (372 ) Canadian government 4,011 (45 ) 173 (14 ) 4,184 (59 ) Corporate 1,383 (15 ) 2,564 (56 ) 3,947 (71 ) Asset-backed — — 51 (1 ) 51 (1 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 112 (29 ) 95 (25 ) 207 (54 ) Common stock: United States 58,091 (5,017 ) 13,858 — 71,949 (5,017 ) Canada 3,353 (430 ) 124 (11 ) 3,477 (441 ) Other international 3,846 (357 ) 7,567 (2,082 ) 11,413 (2,439 ) Mutual funds: Equity 25,972 (1,954 ) 132,756 (10,474 ) 158,728 (12,428 ) Fixed income 26,910 (447 ) 30,967 (6,335 ) 57,877 (6,782 ) Other — — 1,400 (30 ) 1,400 (30 ) Trust investments, at fair value 147,847 (8,666 ) 189,555 (19,028 ) 337,402 (27,694 ) Fixed income commingled funds 72,487 (467 ) 18,383 (664 ) 90,870 (1,131 ) Private equity 28 (17 ) 20,373 (2,942 ) 20,401 (2,959 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 72,515 (484 ) 38,756 (3,606 ) 111,271 (4,090 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 220,362 $ (9,150 ) $ 228,311 $ (22,634 ) $ 448,673 $ (31,784 ) December 31, 2016 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury $ 25,996 $ (557 ) $ — $ — $ 25,996 $ (557 ) Canadian government 2,847 (30 ) 191 (12 ) 3,038 (42 ) Corporate 1,710 (15 ) 3,560 (77 ) 5,270 (92 ) Residential mortgage-backed — — 55 (3 ) 55 (3 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 125 (17 ) 98 (22 ) 223 (39 ) Common stock: United States 87,059 (8,149 ) 14,939 (3,376 ) 101,998 (11,525 ) Canada 2,832 (254 ) 482 (9 ) 3,314 (263 ) Other international 5,390 (1,301 ) 7,368 (1,866 ) 12,758 (3,167 ) Mutual funds: Equity 108,109 (5,080 ) 127,273 (21,762 ) 235,382 (26,842 ) Fixed income 34,120 (817 ) 31,654 (6,551 ) 65,774 (7,368 ) Other 26 (2 ) 1,160 (15 ) 1,186 (17 ) Trust investments, at fair value 268,214 (16,222 ) 186,780 (33,693 ) 454,994 (49,915 ) Fixed income commingled funds 75,041 (687 ) 17,656 (480 ) 92,697 (1,167 ) Private equity 693 (481 ) 22,812 (4,709 ) 23,505 (5,190 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 75,734 (1,168 ) 40,468 (5,189 ) 116,202 (6,357 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 343,948 $ (17,390 ) $ 227,248 $ (38,882 ) $ 571,196 $ (56,272 )

Preneed Cemetery Activities (No

Preneed Cemetery Activities (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 3 and 5 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 revenue into Deferred preneed 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 revenue until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with these preneed merchandise and service trusts: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deposits $ 39,522 $ 36,998 Withdrawals $ 38,534 $ 32,411 Purchases of available-for-sale securities $ 398,813 $ 131,851 Sales of available-for-sale securities $ 384,538 $ 118,581 The components of Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Trust investments, at market $ 1,534,024 $ 1,435,083 Cash and cash equivalents 107,287 123,146 Trust investments 1,641,311 1,558,229 Receivables from customers 1,049,235 1,038,592 Unearned finance charges (33,055 ) (33,427 ) 2,657,491 2,563,394 Allowance for cancellation (75,746 ) (75,674 ) Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments $ 2,581,745 $ 2,487,720 The costs and values associated with the trust investments measured at market at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Value represents the market value of the underlying securities held by the trusts. March 31, 2017 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 7,450 $ 10 $ (6 ) $ 7,454 Canadian government 2 9,052 10 (84 ) 8,978 Corporate 2 1,587 15 (40 ) 1,562 Asset-backed 2 169 16 — 185 Equity securities: Common stock: United States 1 542,523 76,165 (11,907 ) 606,781 Canada 1 8,897 5,188 (60 ) 14,025 Other international 1 33,081 3,542 (2,550 ) 34,073 Mutual funds: Equity 1 372,427 17,328 (13,079 ) 376,676 Fixed income 1 264,979 2,959 (10,310 ) 257,628 Trust investments, at fair value 1,240,165 105,233 (38,036 ) 1,307,362 Fixed income commingled funds 181,054 5,100 (293 ) 185,861 Private equity 41,393 4,962 (5,554 ) 40,801 Trust investments, at net asset value 222,447 10,062 (5,847 ) 226,662 Trust investments, at market $ 1,462,612 $ 115,295 $ (43,883 ) $ 1,534,024 December 31, 2016 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 70,070 $ 567 $ (281 ) $ 70,356 Canadian government 2 9,109 49 (66 ) 9,092 Corporate 2 1,596 18 (34 ) 1,580 Asset-backed 2 170 13 — 183 Equity securities: Common stock: United States 1 539,445 72,682 (21,680 ) 590,447 Canada 1 9,027 4,807 (84 ) 13,750 Other international 1 42,870 3,023 (5,229 ) 40,664 Mutual funds: Equity 1 356,079 7,812 (29,603 ) 334,288 Fixed income 1 94,383 1,535 (9,854 ) 86,064 Trust investments, at fair value 1,122,749 90,506 (66,831 ) 1,146,424 Fixed income commingled funds 245,813 5,347 (1,681 ) 249,479 Private equity 37,881 4,616 (3,317 ) 39,180 Trust investments, at net asset value 283,694 9,963 (4,998 ) 288,659 Trust investments, at market $ 1,406,443 $ 100,469 $ (71,829 ) $ 1,435,083 Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, valuations are reviewed quarterly by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the trusts 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, ratings, and tax-exempt status. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. The valuation of other investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. Fixed income commingled funds and private equity investments are measured at net asset value. Fixed income commingled funds are redeemable for net asset value with two weeks notice. Our private equity 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. As of March 31, 2017 , our unfunded commitment for our private equity investments was $49.7 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. The change in our trust investments measured at fair value with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 1,504 Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (1) (207 ) Fair value, ending balance $ 1,297 (1) All net unrealized losses recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our 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 receipts held in trust . See Note 6 for further information related to our Deferred preneed receipts held in trust . Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2017 to 2023 . Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2017 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 3,306 Due in one to five years 14,675 Due in five to ten years 198 $ 18,179 Earnings from all our merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current revenue when merchandise is delivered or a service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenue. 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 revenue in the period in which they are earned. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments was $12.6 million and $9.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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, 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, net, which reduces Deferred preneed receipts held in trust . See Note 6 for further information related to our Deferred preneed receipts held in trust . We have determined that the remaining unrealized losses in our 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 merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated values and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, are shown in the following tables: March 31, 2017 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury $ 4,542 $ (6 ) $ — $ — $ 4,542 $ (6 ) Canadian government 1,416 (10 ) 1,184 (74 ) 2,600 (84 ) Corporate — — 731 (40 ) 731 (40 ) Equity securities: Common stock: United States 132,638 (8,635 ) 11,759 (3,272 ) 144,397 (11,907 ) Canada 420 (44 ) 861 (16 ) 1,281 (60 ) Other international 5,703 (524 ) 7,754 (2,026 ) 13,457 (2,550 ) Mutual funds: Equity 12,921 (846 ) 150,724 (12,233 ) 163,645 (13,079 ) Fixed income 26,620 (445 ) 45,679 (9,865 ) 72,299 (10,310 ) Trust investments, at fair value 184,260 (10,510 ) 218,692 (27,526 ) 402,952 (38,036 ) Fixed income commingled funds 97,530 (293 ) — — 97,530 (293 ) Private equity — — 16,420 (5,554 ) 16,420 (5,554 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 97,530 (293 ) 16,420 (5,554 ) 113,950 (5,847 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 281,790 $ (10,803 ) $ 235,112 $ (33,080 ) $ 516,902 $ (43,883 ) December 31, 2016 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury $ 15,413 $ (281 ) $ — $ — $ 15,413 $ (281 ) Canadian government — — 1,192 (66 ) 1,192 (66 ) Corporate — — 736 (34 ) 736 (34 ) Equity securities: Common stock: United States 149,530 (13,680 ) 23,010 (8,000 ) 172,540 (21,680 ) Canada 408 (82 ) 38 (2 ) 446 (84 ) Other international 9,707 (2,330 ) 11,442 (2,899 ) 21,149 (5,229 ) Mutual funds: Equity 125,728 (4,728 ) 146,332 (24,875 ) 272,060 (29,603 ) Fixed income 26,566 (446 ) 45,337 (9,408 ) 71,903 (9,854 ) Trust investments, at fair value 327,352 (21,547 ) 228,087 (45,284 ) 555,439 (66,831 ) Fixed income commingled funds 133,164 (1,681 ) — — 133,164 (1,681 ) Private equity 558 (1 ) 16,769 (3,316 ) 17,327 (3,317 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 133,722 (1,682 ) 16,769 (3,316 ) 150,491 (4,998 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 461,074 $ (23,229 ) $ 244,856 $ (48,600 ) $ 705,930 $ (71,829 )

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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. 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 3 and 4 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, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deposits $ 9,989 $ 9,813 Withdrawals $ 12,425 $ 16,294 Purchases of available-for-sale securities $ 27,266 $ 48,476 Sales of available-for-sale securities $ 13,975 $ 33,522 The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Trust investments, at market $ 1,378,853 $ 1,349,073 Cash and cash equivalents 62,082 58,392 Cemetery perpetual care trust investments $ 1,440,935 $ 1,407,465 The costs and values associated with trust investments, at market at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Value represents the value of the underlying securities or cash held by the trusts. March 31, 2017 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 10 $ — $ — $ 10 Canadian government 2 14,085 16 (142 ) 13,959 Corporate 2 4,503 98 (107 ) 4,494 Residential mortgage-backed 2 251 1 (1 ) 251 Asset-backed 2 112 3 (15 ) 100 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,469 18 (89 ) 1,398 Common stock: United States 1 243,197 39,567 (4,899 ) 277,865 Canada 1 4,863 2,875 (90 ) 7,648 Other international 1 10,655 275 (936 ) 9,994 Mutual funds: Equity 1 15,484 3,808 (258 ) 19,034 Fixed income 1 692,627 3,948 (20,870 ) 675,705 Other 3 622 1,256 — 1,878 Trust investments, at fair value 987,878 51,865 (27,407 ) 1,012,336 Fixed income commingled funds 278,935 — (8,967 ) 269,968 Private equity 100,496 2,938 (6,885 ) 96,549 Trust investments, at net asset value 379,431 2,938 (15,852 ) 366,517 Trust investments, at market $ 1,367,309 $ 54,803 $ (43,259 ) $ 1,378,853 December 31, 2016 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: Canadian government 2 $ 14,280 $ 88 $ (114 ) $ 14,254 Corporate 2 4,636 100 (101 ) 4,635 Residential mortgage-backed 2 304 — (1 ) 303 Asset-backed 2 220 3 (28 ) 195 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,479 2 (117 ) 1,364 Common stock: United States 1 233,643 28,679 (2,337 ) 259,985 Canada 1 4,828 2,631 (108 ) 7,351 Other international 1 14,607 148 (2,236 ) 12,519 Mutual funds: Equity 1 18,909 4,370 (412 ) 22,867 Fixed income 1 688,472 3,324 (28,997 ) 662,799 Other 3 633 1,254 — 1,887 Trust investments, at fair value 982,011 40,599 (34,451 ) 988,159 Fixed income commingled funds 277,662 — (9,386 ) 268,276 Private equity 97,108 2,240 (6,710 ) 92,638 Trust investments, at net asset value 374,770 2,240 (16,096 ) 360,914 Trust investments, at market $ 1,356,781 $ 42,839 $ (50,547 ) $ 1,349,073 Valuation policies and procedures are determined by our Trust Services department, which reports to our Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, valuations are reviewed quarterly by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the trusts 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, ratings, and tax-exempt status. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. The valuation of other investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. These securities are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. Private equity investments are measured at net asset value. Our private equity 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. As of March 31, 2017 , our unfunded commitment for our private equity investments was $27.2 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. The change in our trust investments measured at fair value with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Fair market value, beginning balance $ 1,887 $ 1,902 Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (1) 2 (19 ) Distributions and other (11 ) — Fair market value, ending balance $ 1,878 $ 1,883 (1) All net unrealized losses 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 6 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus . Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2017 to 2040 . Maturities of fixed income securities at March 31, 2017 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 1,795 Due in one to five years 16,719 Due in five to ten years 105 Thereafter 195 $ 18,814 Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenue to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenue. Recognized trust fund income related to these trust investments was $11.3 million and $18.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments . These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other expense, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus . See Note 6 for further information related to our Care trusts’ corpus . 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 values and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, are shown in the following tables: March 31, 2017 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: Canadian government $ 1,501 $ (14 ) $ 1,943 $ (128 ) $ 3,444 $ (142 ) Corporate 628 (13 ) 1,453 (94 ) 2,081 (107 ) Residential mortgage-backed 203 (1 ) — — 203 (1 ) Asset-backed 41 (10 ) 10 (5 ) 51 (15 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 367 (6 ) 416 (83 ) 783 (89 ) Common stock: United States 28,989 (2,332 ) 10,246 (2,567 ) 39,235 (4,899 ) Canada 129 (24 ) 757 (66 ) 886 (90 ) Other international 4,547 (66 ) 2,663 (870 ) 7,210 (936 ) Mutual funds: Equity 399 (27 ) 1,941 (231 ) 2,340 (258 ) Fixed income 266,649 (1,819 ) 342,090 (19,051 ) 608,739 (20,870 ) Trust investments, at fair value 303,453 (4,312 ) 361,519 (23,095 ) 664,972 (27,407 ) Fixed income commingled funds 269,968 (8,967 ) — — 269,968 (8,967 ) Private equity 924 (31 ) 34,880 (6,854 ) 35,804 (6,885 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 270,892 (8,998 ) 34,880 (6,854 ) 305,772 (15,852 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 574,345 $ (13,310 ) $ 396,399 $ (29,949 ) $ 970,744 $ (43,259 ) December 31, 2016 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: Canadian government $ 66 $ (1 ) $ 1,961 $ (113 ) $ 2,027 $ (114 ) Corporate 397 (7 ) 1,866 (94 ) 2,263 (101 ) Residential mortgage-backed 303 (1 ) — — 303 (1 ) Asset-backed 28 (22 ) 101 (6 ) 129 (28 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 846 (36 ) 417 (81 ) 1,263 (117 ) Common stock: United States 34,844 (1,339 ) 12,974 (998 ) 47,818 (2,337 ) Canada 78 (47 ) 558 (61 ) 636 (108 ) Other international 4,177 (508 ) 5,715 (1,728 ) 9,892 (2,236 ) Mutual funds: Equity 877 (17 ) 2,899 (395 ) 3,776 (412 ) Fixed income 263,231 (4,678 ) 348,623 (24,319 ) 611,854 (28,997 ) Trust investments, at fair value 304,847 (6,656 ) 375,114 (27,795 ) 679,961 (34,451 ) Fixed income commingled funds 265,345 (9,346 ) 2,931 (40 ) 268,276 (9,386 ) Private equity 21,426 (268 ) 33,519 (6,442 ) 54,945 (6,710 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 286,771 (9,614 ) 36,450 (6,482 ) 323,221 (16,096 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 591,618 $ (16,270 ) $ 411,564 $ (34,277 ) $ 1,003,182 $ (50,547 )

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Ce

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts’ Corpus Deferred preneed receipts held in trust We consolidate the merchandise and service trusts associated with our preneed activities. Although the consolidation of the merchandise and service trusts is required by accounting standards, 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 receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are detailed below. March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Preneed Funeral Preneed Cemetery Total Preneed Funeral Preneed Cemetery Total (In thousands) Trust investments $ 1,585,715 $ 1,641,311 $ 3,227,026 $ 1,546,517 $ 1,558,229 $ 3,104,746 Accrued trust operating payables and other (605 ) (401 ) (1,006 ) (589 ) (361 ) (950 ) Deferred preneed receipts held in trust $ 1,585,110 $ 1,640,910 $ 3,226,020 $ 1,545,928 $ 1,557,868 $ 3,103,796 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are detailed below. March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Cemetery perpetual care trust investments $ 1,440,935 $ 1,407,465 Accrued trust deferred taxes, operating payables, and other 1,330 778 Care trusts’ corpus $ 1,442,265 $ 1,408,243 Other expense, net The components of Other expense, net in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are detailed below. See Notes 3, 4, and 5 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts. Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Funeral Trusts Cemetery Trusts Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Other, Net Total (In thousands) Realized gains $ 11,561 $ 40,029 $ 843 $ — $ 52,433 Realized losses (5,544 ) (14,261 ) (1,969 ) — (21,774 ) Impairment charges (4,267 ) (765 ) (7 ) — (5,039 ) Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income 2,810 7,773 12,576 — 23,159 Trust expenses and income taxes (4,109 ) (11,075 ) (5,170 ) — (20,354 ) Net trust investment (loss) income 451 21,701 6,273 — 28,425 Reclassification to deferred preneed receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus (451 ) (21,701 ) (6,273 ) — (28,425 ) Other expense, net — — — (434 ) (434 ) Total other expense, net $ — $ — $ — $ (434 ) $ (434 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Funeral Trusts Cemetery Trusts Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Other, Net Total (In thousands) Realized gains $ 6,824 $ 6,246 $ 1,494 $ — $ 14,564 Realized losses (19,651 ) (22,853 ) (1,616 ) — (44,120 ) Impairment charges (1,118 ) (2,049 ) (115 ) — (3,282 ) Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income 2,773 2,360 12,990 — 18,123 Trust expenses and income taxes (4,442 ) (4,853 ) (5,757 ) — (15,052 ) Net trust investment (loss) income (15,614 ) (21,149 ) 6,996 — (29,767 ) Reclassification to deferred preneed receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus 15,614 21,149 (6,996 ) — 29,767 Other expense, net — — — (242 ) (242 ) Total other expense, net $ — $ — $ — $ (242 ) $ (242 )

Income Taxes (Notes)

Income Taxes (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 statutes of limitation, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. Our effective tax rate was a benefit of 77.4% and expense of 40.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is lower than the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to the recent IRS tax settlement discussed below and a result of tax benefits recognized during the quarter on the settlement of employee share-based awards in accordance with a revised accounting standard for share-based compensation. Unrecognized Tax Benefits As of March 31, 2017, the total amount of our unrecognized tax benefits was $79.5 million and the total amount of our accrued interest was $7.3 million . We reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to resolve the issues under audit with respect to tax years 1999 through 2005 . In March 2017, we received from the IRS Office of Appeals the fully executed Form 870-AD, which, subject to finalization of computations, effectively settles the issues under audit for those years. As a result of this resolution, we recognized a reduction in our unrecognized tax benefits of $143.0 million of which $102.5 million was recognized as income tax benefit for the matters that were effectively settled with an increase in our taxes payable of $40.5 million . We remain under audit for years 2006 and 2007 as a result of carryback claims. In addition, we are under audit by various state jurisdictions for years 2000 through 2015 . There are currently no federal or provincial audits in Canada. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly decrease over the next 12 months. However, due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of completion and possible outcomes on the outstanding audits, a current estimate of the range of decrease that may occur within the next 12 months cannot be made.

Debt (Notes)

Debt (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure	Debt Debt as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) 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 850,000 850,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 200,000 200,000 Term Loan due March 2021 665,000 673,750 Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 385,000 350,000 Obligations under capital leases 183,043 208,758 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 3,722 3,753 Unamortized premiums, net 8,102 8,313 Unamortized debt issuance costs (31,608 ) (32,984 ) Total debt 3,288,259 3,286,590 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (63,606 ) (89,974 ) Total long-term debt $ 3,224,653 $ 3,196,616 Current maturities of debt at March 31, 2017 include amounts due under our Term Loan, mortgage notes and other debt, and capital leases within the next year. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 4.75% and 4.68% at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Approximately 63% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , we paid $20.0 million and $15.9 million in cash interest, respectively. Bank Credit Agreement As of March 31, 2017 , we have $385.0 million of outstanding borrowings under our Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 ; $665.0 million of outstanding borrowings under our Term Loan due March 2021 ; and have issued $32.7 million of letters of credit. The bank credit agreement due March 2021 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 agreement contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. As of March 31, 2017 , we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. We pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.30% at March 31, 2017 . As of March 31, 2017 , we have $282.3 million in borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Facility. Debt Issuances and Additions In January 2017 , we drew $25.0 million and in March 2017 we drew $10.0 million on our Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 to make required payments on our Term Loan due March 2021 and for general corporate purposes. Debt Extinguishments and Reductions During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , we made aggregate principal debt payments of $8.8 million for scheduled payments towards our Term Loan due March 2021 .

Credit Risk and Fair Value of F

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments	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 value of receivables on preneed 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) 7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018 $ 270,000 $ 272,353 4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020 202,500 205,000 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 174,708 175,500 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022 440,938 444,614 5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024 882,003 884,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 230,532 231,590 Term Loan due March 2021 665,000 673,750 Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 385,000 350,000 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 3,721 3,753 Total fair value of debt instruments $ 3,254,402 $ 3,240,560 The fair value 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 Term Loan, Bank Credit Facility agreement, and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the fair value measurements hierarchy. The fair value of these instruments has been estimated using a 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.

Equity (Notes)

Equity (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure	Equity (All shares reported in whole numbers) Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrealized Gains and Losses Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 16,492 $ — $ 16,492 Activity in 2017 3,164 — 3,164 Net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes — 69,351 69,351 Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes — (69,351 ) (69,351 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 19,656 $ — $ 19,656 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 6,164 $ — $ 6,164 Activity in 2016 22,707 — 22,707 Net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes — 17,985 17,985 Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus , net of taxes — (17,985 ) (17,985 ) Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 28,871 $ — $ 28,871 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, 2017 , we repurchased 2,813,134 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $83.5 million , which is an average cost per share of $29.67 . After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $284.8 million at March 31, 2017 .

Segment Reporting (Notes)

Segment Reporting (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, where 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, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 498,764 $ 278,946 $ 777,710 2016 $ 492,189 $ 257,030 $ 749,219 Operating profit: 2017 $ 112,607 $ 64,558 $ 177,165 2016 $ 107,211 $ 55,712 $ 162,923 The following table reconciles operating profit from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 Operating profit from reportable segments $ 177,165 $ 162,923 General and administrative expenses (42,504 ) (38,904 ) Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net 4,935 (347 ) Operating income 139,596 123,672 Interest expense (40,636 ) (43,082 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt — (581 ) Other expense, net (434 ) (242 ) Income before income taxes $ 98,526 $ 79,767 Our geographic area information is as follows: United States Canada Total (In thousands) Three months ended March 31, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 727,240 $ 50,470 $ 777,710 2016 $ 708,887 $ 40,332 $ 749,219

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 all of which are structured with high deductibles. The high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , we have self-insurance reserves of $78.6 million and $78.0 million , respectively. Litigation and Regulatory Matters We are a party to various litigation and regulatory matters, investigations, and proceedings. Some of the more frequent routine litigations incidental to our business are based on burial practices claims and employment related matters, including discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour laws and regulations. For each of our outstanding legal matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, and the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves in the matters 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 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, Vasquez, and Romano lawsuits 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. The claims have been sent to arbitration. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit. Adrian Mercedes Vasquez, an individual and on behalf of others similarly situated, v. California Cemetery and Funeral Services, LLC, et al; Case No. BC58837; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. This lawsuit was filed in July 2015 against SCI subsidiaries and purports to be brought on behalf of current and former non-exempt California employees of defendants during the four years preceding the filing of the complaint. The plaintiff alleges numerous causes of action for alleged wage and hour pay violations. The plaintiff seeks unpaid wages, compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, interest, and injunctive relief. The claims have been ordered to arbitration, with the arbitrator to determine whether the claims will proceed as a class or individual claims. In addition, the plaintiff filed an unfair labor practice charge against defendants with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that by enforcing a mandatory arbitration provision, defendants allegedly violated the National Labor Relations Act. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit. Nicole Romano, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. SCI Direct, Inc., et al; Case No. BC656654; in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles. This lawsuit was filed in April 2017 against an SCI subsidiary and purports to have been brought on behalf of persons who worked as independent sales representatives in California during the four years preceding the filing of the complaint. The plaintiff alleges numerous causes of action for alleged wage and hour pay violations, including mis-classifying the independent sales representatives as independent contractors instead of employees. The plaintiff seeks unpaid wages, compulsory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, interest and injunctive relief. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in the lawsuit. Claims Regarding Acquisition of Stewart Enterprises . We are involved in the following lawsuit. 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 has continued against our subsidiary Stewart Enterprises and its former individual directors. However, in October 2016, the court entered a judgment dismissing all of plaintiffs’ claims. Plaintiffs have filed documents indicating that they are appealing the dismissal. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of damages. Operational Claims. We are subject to the following lawsuit. Linda Allard, on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated v. SCI Direct, Inc., Case No 16-1033; In the United States District Court, Middle District of Tennessee. This case was filed in June 2016 as a class action under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”). Plaintiff alleges she received telemarketing telephone calls that were made with a prerecorded voice or made by an automatic telephone dialing system in violation of the Act. Plaintiff seeks actual and statutory damages, as well as attorney’s fees and costs. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this lawsuit. Unclaimed Property Audit. We are involved in the following matter. We received notices from a third party auditor representing unclaimed property departments of 36 states regarding preneed funeral and cemetery contracts that were not funded by the purchase and assignment of the proceeds of insurance policies. The auditor claims that we are subject to the laws of those states concerning escheatment of unclaimed funds. The auditor seeks escheatment of funds from the portion of such contracts for which it claims that we will probably not be required to provide services or merchandise in the future. No actual audits have commenced at this time. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in this matter. The ultimate outcome of the matters described above cannot be determined at this time. We intend to vigorously defend all of the above matters; 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, 2017
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, 2017 2016 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Net income: Net income — basic $ 174,702 $ 47,445 After tax interest on convertible debt 12 12 Net income — diluted $ 174,714 $ 47,457 Weighted average shares (denominator): Weighted average shares — basic 188,260 194,924 Stock options 4,425 2,985 Restricted stock units 61 — Convertible debt 121 121 Weighted average shares — diluted 192,867 198,030 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.93 $ 0.24 Diluted $ 0.91 $ 0.24

Divestiture-Related Activities

Divestiture-Related Activities (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 assets are recognized in the income statement line item Gains ( losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net, which consist of the following: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Gains on divestitures, net $ 16,751 $ 1,426 Impairment losses (11,816 ) (1,773 ) Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net $ 4,935 $ (347 )

Summary of Significant Accoun23

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy	Our merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Our trust investments detailed in Notes 4 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. Our merchandise and service trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 3 and 5 are also accounted for as variable interest entities. Our cemetery perpetual care trusts are variable interest entities. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts, as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. The trust investments detailed in Notes 3 and 4 are also accounted for as variable interest entities.
Funeral and Cemetery cash flow	Cash flows from preneed 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 revenue until the merchandise is delivered or the service is performed. These earnings are recorded in Deferred preneed cemetery revenue 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, ratings, and tax-exempt status. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. The valuation of other investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. These funds are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities held by the trusts 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, ratings, and tax-exempt status. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. The valuation of other investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. 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 held by the trusts 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, ratings, and tax-exempt status. These securities are classified as Level 2 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. The valuation of other investments requires management judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of such assets. These securities are classified as Level 3 investments pursuant to the fair value measurements hierarchy. The fair value 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 Term Loan, Bank Credit Facility agreement, and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the fair value measurements hierarchy. The fair value of these instruments has been estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.
Revenue Recognition, Policy	Earnings from all our merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in revenue when merchandise is delivered or a service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenue. 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 revenue in the period in which they are earned. Earnings from all our merchandise and service trust investments are recognized in current revenue when merchandise is delivered or a service is performed. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenue. 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 revenue in the period in which they are earned. Distributable earnings from these cemetery perpetual care trust investments are recognized in current cemetery revenue to the extent we incur qualifying cemetery maintenance costs. Fees charged by our wholly-owned registered investment advisor are also included in current revenue.
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, 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, net, which reduces Deferred preneed 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, 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, net, which reduces Deferred preneed receipts held in trust . See Note 6 for further information related to our Deferred preneed 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, net and a decrease to Cemetery perpetual care trust investments . These investment losses, if any, are offset by the corresponding reclassification in Other expense, net, which reduces Care trusts’ corpus .
Earnings Per Share, Policy	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. 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, 2017 2016 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Net income: Net income — basic $ 174,702 $ 47,445 After tax interest on convertible debt 12 12 Net income — diluted $ 174,714 $ 47,457 Weighted average shares (denominator): Weighted average shares — basic 188,260 194,924 Stock options 4,425 2,985 Restricted stock units 61 — Convertible debt 121 121 Weighted average shares — diluted 192,867 198,030 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.93 $ 0.24 Diluted $ 0.91 $ 0.24
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.
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 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, 2016 , unless otherwise disclosed herein, and should be read in conjunction therewith. The accompanying year-end condensed 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.
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, 2016 . These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017 Stock Compensation In March 2016, the FASB amended "Stock Compensation", modifying certain aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions,which requires the tax effects related to share-based payments to be recorded through the income statement, simplifies the accounting requirements for forfeitures and employers' tax withholding requirements, and modifies the presentation of certain items on the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires the tax effect related to the settlement of share-based awards in income tax benefit or expense in the statements of earnings rather than in additional paid-in-capital. This guidance also eliminates the requirement to reclassify excess tax benefits from operating activities to financing activities within the statement of cash flows. We adopted the new guidance in the first quarter of 2017, as required, and the impact of the restricted stock deliveries and option exercises in the first quarter of 2017 was a reduction to our adjusted provision for income taxes of $6.4 million . Prior periods have not been retrospectively adjusted for adoption of this guidance. The remaining amendments to this standard, as noted above, are either not applicable or do not change our current accounting practices and thus do not impact our consolidated financial statements, including our consolidated statement of cash flows. Inventory In July 2015, the FASB amended "Inventory" to state that an entity using an inventory method other than last-in, first out ("LIFO") or the retail inventory method should measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The new guidance clarifies that net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2017 and adoption did not materially impact our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance. During 2016, the FASB made several amendments to the new standard that clarified guidance on several matters, including principal vs. agent considerations, identifying performance obligations, sales taxes, and licensing. The new standard, as amended, requires that we recognize revenue in the amount to which we expect to be entitled for delivery of promised goods and services to our customers. The new standard will also result in enhanced revenue-related disclosures, including any significant judgments and changes in judgments. Additionally, the new standard requires the deferral of incremental selling costs to the period in which the related revenue is recognized. The new standard will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2018 and we intend to implement the standard with the modified retrospective approach, which recognizes the cumulative effect of application recognized on that date. We have not fully determined the impact on the new standard on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. However, we believe the standard primarily impacts the manner in which we recognize certain nonrefundable up-front fees and incremental costs to acquire new preneed funeral trust contracts and preneed and atneed cemetery contracts (i.e., selling costs). The nonrefundable fees will be deferred and recognized as revenue when the related goods and services are delivered to the customer. The incremental selling costs will be deferred and amortized by specific identification to the delivery of the related goods and services. We will continue to expense costs to acquire new preneed funeral insurance contracts in the period incurred. The insurance contracts are not, and will not be, reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheet because they do not represent assets or liabilities as we have no claim to the insurance proceeds until the contract is fulfilled and no obligation under the contract until the benefits are assigned to us after the time of need. Financial Instruments In January 2016, the FASB amended "Financial Instruments" to provide additional guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial assets and liabilities. The amendment requires investments in equity instruments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in net income. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018, and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. In June 2016, the FASB amended "Financial Instruments" to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on debt instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. This amendment replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in the current standard with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2020, and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Leases In February 2016, the FASB amended "Leases" to increase transparency and comparability among organizations. Under the new standard, an entity will be required to recognize lease assets and liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. In addition, the new standard offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor, and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This new standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2019. We are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Cash Flow In August and November 2016, the FASB amended "Statement of Cash Flows" to clarify guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments. Additionally, the guidance requires that the statement of cash flows reflects changes in restricted cash in addition to cash and cash equivalents. Amended guidance includes clarification on debt prepayment and extinguishment costs, contingent consideration in business combinations, proceeds from insurance claims, and premium payments on company-owned life insurance. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018, and we are still evaluating the impact of adoption on our consolidated statement of cash flows. Goodwill In January 2017, the FASB amended "Goodwill" to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. Amended guidance eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, impairment is defined as the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, up to the total amount of goodwill. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2020, and is not expected to impact on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Retirement Plans In March 2017, the FASB amended "Retirement Plans" to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost by requiring the classification of interest costs and actuarial gains and losses separately from operating income. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018, and we are evaluating the impact on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows.

Preneed Funeral Activities (Tab

Preneed Funeral Activities (Tables) - Funeral	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Preneed funeral receivables net and trust investments [Line Items]
Investment related activities	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with these preneed merchandise and service trusts: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deposits $ 34,976 $ 27,708 Withdrawals $ 42,123 $ 35,170 Purchases of available-for-sale securities $ 90,952 $ 109,522 Sales of available-for-sale securities $ 89,412 $ 99,493
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, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Trust investments, at market $ 1,199,453 $ 1,152,752 Cash and cash equivalents 115,914 122,517 Insurance-backed fixed income securities 270,348 271,248 Trust investments 1,585,715 1,546,517 Receivables from customers 319,456 312,556 Unearned finance charge (13,233 ) (12,562 ) 1,891,938 1,846,511 Allowance for cancellation (29,283 ) (29,066 ) Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments $ 1,862,655 $ 1,817,445
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	The costs and values associated with trust investments measured at market at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts. March 31, 2017 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 72,835 $ 405 $ (372 ) $ 72,868 Canadian government 2 53,740 254 (59 ) 53,935 Corporate 2 11,874 193 (71 ) 11,996 Residential mortgage-backed 2 172 17 — 189 Asset-backed 2 52 — (1 ) 51 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,425 112 (54 ) 1,483 Common stock: United States 1 332,089 62,224 (5,017 ) 389,296 Canada 1 11,593 2,966 (441 ) 14,118 Other international 1 23,513 2,212 (2,439 ) 23,286 Mutual funds: Equity 1 320,086 15,302 (12,428 ) 322,960 Fixed income 1 94,756 1,332 (6,782 ) 89,306 Other 3 4,017 1,448 (30 ) 5,435 Trust investments, at fair value 926,152 86,465 (27,694 ) 984,923 Fixed income commingled funds 174,432 4,608 (1,131 ) 177,909 Private equity 36,430 3,150 (2,959 ) 36,621 Trust investments, at net asset value 210,862 7,758 (4,090 ) 214,530 Trust investments, at market $ 1,137,014 $ 94,223 $ (31,784 ) $ 1,199,453 December 31, 2016 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 75,245 $ 317 $ (557 ) $ 75,005 Canadian government 2 55,752 272 (42 ) 55,982 Corporate 2 12,702 177 (92 ) 12,787 Residential mortgage-backed 2 29 1 — 30 Asset-backed 2 58 — (3 ) 55 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,428 81 (39 ) 1,470 Common stock: United States 1 334,854 49,785 (11,525 ) 373,114 Canada 1 11,853 2,592 (263 ) 14,182 Other international 1 25,761 1,824 (3,167 ) 24,418 Mutual funds: Equity 1 313,132 7,780 (26,842 ) 294,070 Fixed income 1 92,760 1,344 (7,368 ) 86,736 Other 3 4,079 1,214 (17 ) 5,276 Trust investments, at fair value 927,653 65,387 (49,915 ) 943,125 Fixed income commingled funds 168,959 3,177 (1,167 ) 170,969 Private equity 40,892 2,956 (5,190 ) 38,658 Trust investments, at net asset value 209,851 6,133 (6,357 ) 209,627 Trust investments, at market $ 1,137,504 $ 71,520 $ (56,272 ) $ 1,152,752
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The change in our trust investments measured at fair value with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 5,276 $ 4,756 Net unrealized gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (1) 221 55 Distributions and other (62 ) — Fair value, ending balance $ 5,435 $ 4,811
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2017 to 2041 . Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2017 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 71,410 Due in one to five years 26,461 Due in five to ten years 33,537 Thereafter 7,631 $ 139,039
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	Our merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, are shown in the following tables: March 31, 2017 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury $ 24,169 $ (372 ) $ — $ — $ 24,169 $ (372 ) Canadian government 4,011 (45 ) 173 (14 ) 4,184 (59 ) Corporate 1,383 (15 ) 2,564 (56 ) 3,947 (71 ) Asset-backed — — 51 (1 ) 51 (1 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 112 (29 ) 95 (25 ) 207 (54 ) Common stock: United States 58,091 (5,017 ) 13,858 — 71,949 (5,017 ) Canada 3,353 (430 ) 124 (11 ) 3,477 (441 ) Other international 3,846 (357 ) 7,567 (2,082 ) 11,413 (2,439 ) Mutual funds: Equity 25,972 (1,954 ) 132,756 (10,474 ) 158,728 (12,428 ) Fixed income 26,910 (447 ) 30,967 (6,335 ) 57,877 (6,782 ) Other — — 1,400 (30 ) 1,400 (30 ) Trust investments, at fair value 147,847 (8,666 ) 189,555 (19,028 ) 337,402 (27,694 ) Fixed income commingled funds 72,487 (467 ) 18,383 (664 ) 90,870 (1,131 ) Private equity 28 (17 ) 20,373 (2,942 ) 20,401 (2,959 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 72,515 (484 ) 38,756 (3,606 ) 111,271 (4,090 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 220,362 $ (9,150 ) $ 228,311 $ (22,634 ) $ 448,673 $ (31,784 ) December 31, 2016 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury $ 25,996 $ (557 ) $ — $ — $ 25,996 $ (557 ) Canadian government 2,847 (30 ) 191 (12 ) 3,038 (42 ) Corporate 1,710 (15 ) 3,560 (77 ) 5,270 (92 ) Residential mortgage-backed — — 55 (3 ) 55 (3 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 125 (17 ) 98 (22 ) 223 (39 ) Common stock: United States 87,059 (8,149 ) 14,939 (3,376 ) 101,998 (11,525 ) Canada 2,832 (254 ) 482 (9 ) 3,314 (263 ) Other international 5,390 (1,301 ) 7,368 (1,866 ) 12,758 (3,167 ) Mutual funds: Equity 108,109 (5,080 ) 127,273 (21,762 ) 235,382 (26,842 ) Fixed income 34,120 (817 ) 31,654 (6,551 ) 65,774 (7,368 ) Other 26 (2 ) 1,160 (15 ) 1,186 (17 ) Trust investments, at fair value 268,214 (16,222 ) 186,780 (33,693 ) 454,994 (49,915 ) Fixed income commingled funds 75,041 (687 ) 17,656 (480 ) 92,697 (1,167 ) Private equity 693 (481 ) 22,812 (4,709 ) 23,505 (5,190 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 75,734 (1,168 ) 40,468 (5,189 ) 116,202 (6,357 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 343,948 $ (17,390 ) $ 227,248 $ (38,882 ) $ 571,196 $ (56,272 )

Preneed Cemetery Activities (Ta

Preneed Cemetery Activities (Tables) - Cemetery	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Preneed Cemetery Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Line Items]
Investment related activities	The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with these preneed merchandise and service trusts: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deposits $ 39,522 $ 36,998 Withdrawals $ 38,534 $ 32,411 Purchases of available-for-sale securities $ 398,813 $ 131,851 Sales of available-for-sale securities $ 384,538 $ 118,581
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, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Trust investments, at market $ 1,534,024 $ 1,435,083 Cash and cash equivalents 107,287 123,146 Trust investments 1,641,311 1,558,229 Receivables from customers 1,049,235 1,038,592 Unearned finance charges (33,055 ) (33,427 ) 2,657,491 2,563,394 Allowance for cancellation (75,746 ) (75,674 ) Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments $ 2,581,745 $ 2,487,720
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	March 31, 2017 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 7,450 $ 10 $ (6 ) $ 7,454 Canadian government 2 9,052 10 (84 ) 8,978 Corporate 2 1,587 15 (40 ) 1,562 Asset-backed 2 169 16 — 185 Equity securities: Common stock: United States 1 542,523 76,165 (11,907 ) 606,781 Canada 1 8,897 5,188 (60 ) 14,025 Other international 1 33,081 3,542 (2,550 ) 34,073 Mutual funds: Equity 1 372,427 17,328 (13,079 ) 376,676 Fixed income 1 264,979 2,959 (10,310 ) 257,628 Trust investments, at fair value 1,240,165 105,233 (38,036 ) 1,307,362 Fixed income commingled funds 181,054 5,100 (293 ) 185,861 Private equity 41,393 4,962 (5,554 ) 40,801 Trust investments, at net asset value 222,447 10,062 (5,847 ) 226,662 Trust investments, at market $ 1,462,612 $ 115,295 $ (43,883 ) $ 1,534,024 December 31, 2016 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 70,070 $ 567 $ (281 ) $ 70,356 Canadian government 2 9,109 49 (66 ) 9,092 Corporate 2 1,596 18 (34 ) 1,580 Asset-backed 2 170 13 — 183 Equity securities: Common stock: United States 1 539,445 72,682 (21,680 ) 590,447 Canada 1 9,027 4,807 (84 ) 13,750 Other international 1 42,870 3,023 (5,229 ) 40,664 Mutual funds: Equity 1 356,079 7,812 (29,603 ) 334,288 Fixed income 1 94,383 1,535 (9,854 ) 86,064 Trust investments, at fair value 1,122,749 90,506 (66,831 ) 1,146,424 Fixed income commingled funds 245,813 5,347 (1,681 ) 249,479 Private equity 37,881 4,616 (3,317 ) 39,180 Trust investments, at net asset value 283,694 9,963 (4,998 ) 288,659 Trust investments, at market $ 1,406,443 $ 100,469 $ (71,829 ) $ 1,435,083
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The change in our trust investments measured at fair value with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 1,504 Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (1) (207 ) Fair value, ending balance $ 1,297
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2017 to 2023 . Maturities of fixed income securities, excluding mutual funds, at March 31, 2017 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 3,306 Due in one to five years 14,675 Due in five to ten years 198 $ 18,179
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	Our merchandise and service trust investment unrealized losses, their associated values and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, are shown in the following tables: March 31, 2017 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury $ 4,542 $ (6 ) $ — $ — $ 4,542 $ (6 ) Canadian government 1,416 (10 ) 1,184 (74 ) 2,600 (84 ) Corporate — — 731 (40 ) 731 (40 ) Equity securities: Common stock: United States 132,638 (8,635 ) 11,759 (3,272 ) 144,397 (11,907 ) Canada 420 (44 ) 861 (16 ) 1,281 (60 ) Other international 5,703 (524 ) 7,754 (2,026 ) 13,457 (2,550 ) Mutual funds: Equity 12,921 (846 ) 150,724 (12,233 ) 163,645 (13,079 ) Fixed income 26,620 (445 ) 45,679 (9,865 ) 72,299 (10,310 ) Trust investments, at fair value 184,260 (10,510 ) 218,692 (27,526 ) 402,952 (38,036 ) Fixed income commingled funds 97,530 (293 ) — — 97,530 (293 ) Private equity — — 16,420 (5,554 ) 16,420 (5,554 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 97,530 (293 ) 16,420 (5,554 ) 113,950 (5,847 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 281,790 $ (10,803 ) $ 235,112 $ (33,080 ) $ 516,902 $ (43,883 ) December 31, 2016 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury $ 15,413 $ (281 ) $ — $ — $ 15,413 $ (281 ) Canadian government — — 1,192 (66 ) 1,192 (66 ) Corporate — — 736 (34 ) 736 (34 ) Equity securities: Common stock: United States 149,530 (13,680 ) 23,010 (8,000 ) 172,540 (21,680 ) Canada 408 (82 ) 38 (2 ) 446 (84 ) Other international 9,707 (2,330 ) 11,442 (2,899 ) 21,149 (5,229 ) Mutual funds: Equity 125,728 (4,728 ) 146,332 (24,875 ) 272,060 (29,603 ) Fixed income 26,566 (446 ) 45,337 (9,408 ) 71,903 (9,854 ) Trust investments, at fair value 327,352 (21,547 ) 228,087 (45,284 ) 555,439 (66,831 ) Fixed income commingled funds 133,164 (1,681 ) — — 133,164 (1,681 ) Private equity 558 (1 ) 16,769 (3,316 ) 17,327 (3,317 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 133,722 (1,682 ) 16,769 (3,316 ) 150,491 (4,998 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 461,074 $ (23,229 ) $ 244,856 $ (48,600 ) $ 705,930 $ (71,829 )

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust26

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts (Tables) - Cemetery Perpetual Care	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deposits $ 9,989 $ 9,813 Withdrawals $ 12,425 $ 16,294 Purchases of available-for-sale securities $ 27,266 $ 48,476 Sales of available-for-sale securities $ 13,975 $ 33,522
Long-term receivable and investment components	The components of Cemetery perpetual care trust investments in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Trust investments, at market $ 1,378,853 $ 1,349,073 Cash and cash equivalents 62,082 58,392 Cemetery perpetual care trust investments $ 1,440,935 $ 1,407,465
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	March 31, 2017 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 10 $ — $ — $ 10 Canadian government 2 14,085 16 (142 ) 13,959 Corporate 2 4,503 98 (107 ) 4,494 Residential mortgage-backed 2 251 1 (1 ) 251 Asset-backed 2 112 3 (15 ) 100 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,469 18 (89 ) 1,398 Common stock: United States 1 243,197 39,567 (4,899 ) 277,865 Canada 1 4,863 2,875 (90 ) 7,648 Other international 1 10,655 275 (936 ) 9,994 Mutual funds: Equity 1 15,484 3,808 (258 ) 19,034 Fixed income 1 692,627 3,948 (20,870 ) 675,705 Other 3 622 1,256 — 1,878 Trust investments, at fair value 987,878 51,865 (27,407 ) 1,012,336 Fixed income commingled funds 278,935 — (8,967 ) 269,968 Private equity 100,496 2,938 (6,885 ) 96,549 Trust investments, at net asset value 379,431 2,938 (15,852 ) 366,517 Trust investments, at market $ 1,367,309 $ 54,803 $ (43,259 ) $ 1,378,853 December 31, 2016 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: Canadian government 2 $ 14,280 $ 88 $ (114 ) $ 14,254 Corporate 2 4,636 100 (101 ) 4,635 Residential mortgage-backed 2 304 — (1 ) 303 Asset-backed 2 220 3 (28 ) 195 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,479 2 (117 ) 1,364 Common stock: United States 1 233,643 28,679 (2,337 ) 259,985 Canada 1 4,828 2,631 (108 ) 7,351 Other international 1 14,607 148 (2,236 ) 12,519 Mutual funds: Equity 1 18,909 4,370 (412 ) 22,867 Fixed income 1 688,472 3,324 (28,997 ) 662,799 Other 3 633 1,254 — 1,887 Trust investments, at fair value 982,011 40,599 (34,451 ) 988,159 Fixed income commingled funds 277,662 — (9,386 ) 268,276 Private equity 97,108 2,240 (6,710 ) 92,638 Trust investments, at net asset value 374,770 2,240 (16,096 ) 360,914 Trust investments, at market $ 1,356,781 $ 42,839 $ (50,547 ) $ 1,349,073
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The change in our trust investments measured at fair value with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Fair market value, beginning balance $ 1,887 $ 1,902 Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (1) 2 (19 ) Distributions and other (11 ) — Fair market value, ending balance $ 1,878 $ 1,883
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2017 to 2040 . Maturities of fixed income securities at March 31, 2017 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 1,795 Due in one to five years 16,719 Due in five to ten years 105 Thereafter 195 $ 18,814
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	Our cemetery perpetual care trust investment unrealized losses, their associated values and the duration of unrealized losses as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, are shown in the following tables: March 31, 2017 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: Canadian government $ 1,501 $ (14 ) $ 1,943 $ (128 ) $ 3,444 $ (142 ) Corporate 628 (13 ) 1,453 (94 ) 2,081 (107 ) Residential mortgage-backed 203 (1 ) — — 203 (1 ) Asset-backed 41 (10 ) 10 (5 ) 51 (15 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 367 (6 ) 416 (83 ) 783 (89 ) Common stock: United States 28,989 (2,332 ) 10,246 (2,567 ) 39,235 (4,899 ) Canada 129 (24 ) 757 (66 ) 886 (90 ) Other international 4,547 (66 ) 2,663 (870 ) 7,210 (936 ) Mutual funds: Equity 399 (27 ) 1,941 (231 ) 2,340 (258 ) Fixed income 266,649 (1,819 ) 342,090 (19,051 ) 608,739 (20,870 ) Trust investments, at fair value 303,453 (4,312 ) 361,519 (23,095 ) 664,972 (27,407 ) Fixed income commingled funds 269,968 (8,967 ) — — 269,968 (8,967 ) Private equity 924 (31 ) 34,880 (6,854 ) 35,804 (6,885 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 270,892 (8,998 ) 34,880 (6,854 ) 305,772 (15,852 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 574,345 $ (13,310 ) $ 396,399 $ (29,949 ) $ 970,744 $ (43,259 ) December 31, 2016 In Loss Position Less Than 12 Months In Loss Position Greater Than 12 Months Total Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Fixed income securities: Canadian government $ 66 $ (1 ) $ 1,961 $ (113 ) $ 2,027 $ (114 ) Corporate 397 (7 ) 1,866 (94 ) 2,263 (101 ) Residential mortgage-backed 303 (1 ) — — 303 (1 ) Asset-backed 28 (22 ) 101 (6 ) 129 (28 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 846 (36 ) 417 (81 ) 1,263 (117 ) Common stock: United States 34,844 (1,339 ) 12,974 (998 ) 47,818 (2,337 ) Canada 78 (47 ) 558 (61 ) 636 (108 ) Other international 4,177 (508 ) 5,715 (1,728 ) 9,892 (2,236 ) Mutual funds: Equity 877 (17 ) 2,899 (395 ) 3,776 (412 ) Fixed income 263,231 (4,678 ) 348,623 (24,319 ) 611,854 (28,997 ) Trust investments, at fair value 304,847 (6,656 ) 375,114 (27,795 ) 679,961 (34,451 ) Fixed income commingled funds 265,345 (9,346 ) 2,931 (40 ) 268,276 (9,386 ) Private equity 21,426 (268 ) 33,519 (6,442 ) 54,945 (6,710 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 286,771 (9,614 ) 36,450 (6,482 ) 323,221 (16,096 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 591,618 $ (16,270 ) $ 411,564 $ (34,277 ) $ 1,003,182 $ (50,547 )

Deferred Preneed Funeral and 27

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 receipts held in trust in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are detailed below. March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Preneed Funeral Preneed Cemetery Total Preneed Funeral Preneed Cemetery Total (In thousands) Trust investments $ 1,585,715 $ 1,641,311 $ 3,227,026 $ 1,546,517 $ 1,558,229 $ 3,104,746 Accrued trust operating payables and other (605 ) (401 ) (1,006 ) (589 ) (361 ) (950 ) Deferred preneed receipts held in trust $ 1,585,110 $ 1,640,910 $ 3,226,020 $ 1,545,928 $ 1,557,868 $ 3,103,796
Schedule of Care Trust Corpus' Components	The components of Care trusts’ corpus in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are detailed below. March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Cemetery perpetual care trust investments $ 1,440,935 $ 1,407,465 Accrued trust deferred taxes, operating payables, and other 1,330 778 Care trusts’ corpus $ 1,442,265 $ 1,408,243
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income, by Component	The components of Other expense, net in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are detailed below. See Notes 3, 4, and 5 for further discussion of the amounts related to the funeral, cemetery, and cemetery perpetual care trusts. Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Funeral Trusts Cemetery Trusts Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Other, Net Total (In thousands) Realized gains $ 11,561 $ 40,029 $ 843 $ — $ 52,433 Realized losses (5,544 ) (14,261 ) (1,969 ) — (21,774 ) Impairment charges (4,267 ) (765 ) (7 ) — (5,039 ) Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income 2,810 7,773 12,576 — 23,159 Trust expenses and income taxes (4,109 ) (11,075 ) (5,170 ) — (20,354 ) Net trust investment (loss) income 451 21,701 6,273 — 28,425 Reclassification to deferred preneed receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus (451 ) (21,701 ) (6,273 ) — (28,425 ) Other expense, net — — — (434 ) (434 ) Total other expense, net $ — $ — $ — $ (434 ) $ (434 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Funeral Trusts Cemetery Trusts Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Other, Net Total (In thousands) Realized gains $ 6,824 $ 6,246 $ 1,494 $ — $ 14,564 Realized losses (19,651 ) (22,853 ) (1,616 ) — (44,120 ) Impairment charges (1,118 ) (2,049 ) (115 ) — (3,282 ) Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income 2,773 2,360 12,990 — 18,123 Trust expenses and income taxes (4,442 ) (4,853 ) (5,757 ) — (15,052 ) Net trust investment (loss) income (15,614 ) (21,149 ) 6,996 — (29,767 ) Reclassification to deferred preneed receipts held in trust and care trusts’ corpus 15,614 21,149 (6,996 ) — 29,767 Other expense, net — — — (242 ) (242 ) Total other expense, net $ — $ — $ — $ (242 ) $ (242 )

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Debt as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) 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 850,000 850,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 200,000 200,000 Term Loan due March 2021 665,000 673,750 Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 385,000 350,000 Obligations under capital leases 183,043 208,758 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 3,722 3,753 Unamortized premiums, net 8,102 8,313 Unamortized debt issuance costs (31,608 ) (32,984 ) Total debt 3,288,259 3,286,590 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (63,606 ) (89,974 ) Total long-term debt $ 3,224,653 $ 3,196,616

Credit Risk and Fair Value of29

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure	The fair value of our debt instruments at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) 7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018 $ 270,000 $ 272,353 4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020 202,500 205,000 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 174,708 175,500 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022 440,938 444,614 5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024 882,003 884,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 230,532 231,590 Term Loan due March 2021 665,000 673,750 Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 385,000 350,000 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 3,721 3,753 Total fair value of debt instruments $ 3,254,402 $ 3,240,560

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrealized Gains and Losses Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 16,492 $ — $ 16,492 Activity in 2017 3,164 — 3,164 Net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes — 69,351 69,351 Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred preneed receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes — (69,351 ) (69,351 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 19,656 $ — $ 19,656 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 6,164 $ — $ 6,164 Activity in 2016 22,707 — 22,707 Net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes — 17,985 17,985 Reclassification of net unrealized gains activity attributable to the Deferred preneed receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus , net of taxes — (17,985 ) (17,985 ) Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 28,871 $ — $ 28,871

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 498,764 $ 278,946 $ 777,710 2016 $ 492,189 $ 257,030 $ 749,219 Operating profit: 2017 $ 112,607 $ 64,558 $ 177,165 2016 $ 107,211 $ 55,712 $ 162,923
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	The following table reconciles operating profit from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes: Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 Operating profit from reportable segments $ 177,165 $ 162,923 General and administrative expenses (42,504 ) (38,904 ) Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net 4,935 (347 ) Operating income 139,596 123,672 Interest expense (40,636 ) (43,082 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt — (581 ) Other expense, net (434 ) (242 ) Income before income taxes $ 98,526 $ 79,767
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 States Canada Total (In thousands) Three months ended March 31, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 727,240 $ 50,470 $ 777,710 2016 $ 708,887 $ 40,332 $ 749,219

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, 2017 2016 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Net income: Net income — basic $ 174,702 $ 47,445 After tax interest on convertible debt 12 12 Net income — diluted $ 174,714 $ 47,457 Weighted average shares (denominator): Weighted average shares — basic 188,260 194,924 Stock options 4,425 2,985 Restricted stock units 61 — Convertible debt 121 121 Weighted average shares — diluted 192,867 198,030 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.93 $ 0.24 Diluted $ 0.91 $ 0.24

Divestiture-Related Activitie33

Divestiture-Related Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]
Gains (Losses) on Divestitures and Impairment Charges	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Gains on divestitures, net $ 16,751 $ 1,426 Impairment losses (11,816 ) (1,773 ) Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net $ 4,935 $ (347 )

Summary of Significant Accoun34

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Net Income	$ 6.4

Preneed Funeral Activities Inve

Preneed Funeral Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) - Funeral - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	$ 34,976	$ 27,708
Withdrawals	42,123	35,170
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	90,952	109,522
Sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 89,412	$ 99,493

Preneed Funeral Activities Long

Preneed Funeral Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,862,655	$ 1,817,445
Funeral
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,199,453	1,152,752
Cash and cash equivalents	115,914	122,517
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	270,348	271,248
Trust investments	1,585,715	1,546,517
Receivables from customers	319,456	312,556
Unearned finance charges	(13,233)	(12,562)
Preneed funeral receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	1,891,938	1,846,511
Allowance for cancellation	(29,283)	(29,066)
Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	$ 1,862,655	$ 1,817,445

Preneed Funeral Activities Sche

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - Funeral - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1,137,014	$ 1,137,504
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	94,223	71,520
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(31,784)	(56,272)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,199,453	1,152,752
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	926,152	927,653
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	86,465	65,387
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(27,694)	(49,915)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	984,923	943,125
Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	210,862	209,851
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	7,758	6,133
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(4,090)	(6,357)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	214,530	209,627
Private Equity Funds | Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	36,430	40,892
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	3,150	2,956
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(2,959)	(5,190)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	36,621	38,658
Fixed Income Commingled funds [Member] | Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	174,432	168,959
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	4,608	3,177
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	1,131	(1,167)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	177,909	170,969
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	72,835	75,245
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	405	317
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(372)	(557)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	72,868	75,005
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	53,740	55,752
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	254	272
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(59)	(42)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	53,935	55,982
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	11,874	12,702
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	193	177
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(71)	(92)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	11,996	12,787
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	172	29
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	17	1
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	189	30
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	52	58
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	0
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(1)	(3)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	51	55
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Preferred Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	1,425	1,428
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	112	81
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(54)	(39)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,483	1,470
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	332,089	334,854
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	62,224	49,785
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(5,017)	(11,525)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	389,296	373,114
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	11,593	11,853
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,966	2,592
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(441)	(263)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	14,118	14,182
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	23,513	25,761
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,212	1,824
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(2,439)	(3,167)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	23,286	24,418
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	320,086	313,132
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	15,302	7,780
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(12,428)	(26,842)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	322,960	294,070
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	94,756	92,760
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1,332	1,344
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(6,782)	(7,368)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	89,306	86,736
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Other Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	4,017	4,079
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1,448	1,214
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(30)	(17)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 5,435	$ 5,276

Preneed Funeral Activities Leve

Preneed Funeral Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	$ (62)	$ 0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	69,351	17,985
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	(62)	0
Other Investments | Funeral
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	5,276	4,756
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	221	55
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 5,435	$ 4,811

Preneed Funeral Activities In39

Preneed Funeral Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) - Funeral $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 71,410
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	26,461
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	33,537
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	7,631
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 139,039

Preneed Funeral Activities Sc40

Preneed Funeral Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) - Funeral - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 220,362	$ 343,948
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(9,150)	(17,390)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	228,311	227,248
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(22,634)	(38,882)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	448,673	571,196
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(31,784)	(56,272)
Reported at net asset value
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	72,515	75,734
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(484)	(1,168)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	38,756	40,468
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(3,606)	(5,189)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	111,271	116,202
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(4,090)	(6,357)
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	147,847	268,214
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(8,666)	(16,222)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	189,555	186,780
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(19,028)	(33,693)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	337,402	454,994
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(27,694)	(49,915)
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	24,169	25,996
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(372)	(557)
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	24,169	25,996
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(372)	(557)
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	4,011	2,847
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(45)	(30)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	173	191
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(14)	(12)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,184	3,038
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(59)	(42)
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	1,383	1,710
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(15)	(15)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,564	3,560
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(56)	(77)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,947	5,270
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(71)	(92)
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		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		55
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		(3)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		55
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		(3)
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	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	51
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	51
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(1)
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	112	125
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(29)	(17)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	95	98
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(25)	(22)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	207	223
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(54)	(39)
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	58,091	87,059
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(5,017)	(8,149)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	13,858	14,939
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	(3,376)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	71,949	101,998
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(5,017)	(11,525)
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	3,353	2,832
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(430)	(254)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	124	482
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(11)	(9)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,477	3,314
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(441)	(263)
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	3,846	5,390
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(357)	(1,301)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,567	7,368
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(2,082)	(1,866)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	11,413	12,758
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(2,439)	(3,167)
Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	25,972	108,109
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(1,954)	(5,080)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	132,756	127,273
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(10,474)	(21,762)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	158,728	235,382
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(12,428)	(26,842)
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	26,910	34,120
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(447)	(817)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	30,967	31,654
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(6,335)	(6,551)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	57,877	65,774
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(6,782)	(7,368)
Private Equity Funds | Reported at net asset value
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	28	693
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(17)	(481)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	20,373	22,812
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(2,942)	(4,709)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	20,401	23,505
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(2,959)	(5,190)
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	26
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,400	1,160
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(30)	(15)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,400	1,186
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(30)	17
Fixed Income Commingled funds [Member] | Reported at net asset value
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	72,487	75,041
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(467)	(687)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	18,383	17,656
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(664)	(480)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	90,870	92,697
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ (1,131)	$ (1,167)

Preneed Funeral Activities Pren

Preneed Funeral Activities Preneed Funeral Activities, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	$ 27,200
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	5,039	$ 3,282
Funeral
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	44,000
Investment Earnings, Net	14,300	12,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 4,267	$ 1,118
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	2 years
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	10 years

Preneed Cemetery Activities Inv

Preneed Cemetery Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 52,433	$ 14,564
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(21,774)	(44,120)
Cemetery
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	39,522	36,998
Withdrawals	38,534	32,411
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	398,813	131,851
Sales of available-for-sale securities	384,538	118,581
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	40,029	6,246
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (14,261)	$ (22,853)

Preneed Cemetery Activities Lon

Preneed Cemetery Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 2,581,745	$ 2,487,720
Cemetery
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,534,024	1,435,083
Cash and cash equivalents	107,287	123,146
Trust investments	1,641,311	1,558,229
Receivables from customers	1,049,235	1,038,592
Unearned finance charges	(33,055)	(33,427)
Preneed cemetary receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	2,657,491	2,563,394
Allowance for cancellation	(75,746)	(75,674)
Preneed cemetery receivables, net and trust investments	$ 2,581,745	$ 2,487,720

Preneed Cemetery Activities Sch

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - Cemetery - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1,462,612	$ 1,406,443
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	115,295	100,469
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(43,883)	(71,829)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,534,024	1,435,083
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	7,450	70,070
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	10	567
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(6)	(281)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	7,454	70,356
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	9,052	9,109
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	10	49
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(84)	(66)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	8,978	9,092
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	1,587	1,596
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	15	18
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(40)	(34)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,562	1,580
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	169	170
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	16	13
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	185	183
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	542,523	539,445
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	76,165	72,682
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(11,907)	(21,680)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	606,781	590,447
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	8,897	9,027
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	5,188	4,807
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(60)	(84)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	14,025	13,750
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	33,081	42,870
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	3,542	3,023
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(2,550)	(5,229)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	34,073	40,664
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	372,427	356,079
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	17,328	7,812
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(13,079)	(29,603)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	376,676	334,288
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	264,979	94,383
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,959	1,535
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(10,310)	(9,854)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	257,628	86,064
Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	222,447	283,694
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	10,062	9,963
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(5,847)	(4,998)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	226,662	288,659
Reported at net asset value | Private Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	41,393	37,881
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	4,962	4,616
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(5,554)	(3,317)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	40,801	39,180
Reported at net asset value | Fixed Income Commingled funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	181,054	245,813
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	5,100	5,347
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	293	(1,681)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	185,861	249,479
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	1,240,165	1,122,749
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	105,233	90,506
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(38,036)	(66,831)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 1,307,362	$ 1,146,424

Preneed Cemetery Activities Lev

Preneed Cemetery Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 69,351	$ 17,985
Cemetery
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance		1,504
Net unrealized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive income		(207)
Fair market value, ending balance		$ 1,297

Preneed Cemetery Activities I46

Preneed Cemetery Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) - Cemetery $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 3,306
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	14,675
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	198
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 18,179

Preneed Cemetery Activities S47

Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) - Cemetery - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 281,790	$ 461,074
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(10,803)	(23,229)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	235,112	244,856
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(33,080)	(48,600)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	516,902	705,930
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(43,883)	(71,829)
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	4,542	15,413
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(6)	(281)
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	4,542	15,413
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	6	(281)
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	1,416	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(10)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,184	1,192
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(74)	(66)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,600	1,192
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(84)	(66)
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	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	731	736
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(40)	(34)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	731	736
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(40)	(34)
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	132,638	149,530
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(8,635)	(13,680)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	11,759	23,010
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(3,272)	(8,000)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	144,397	172,540
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(11,907)	(21,680)
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	420	408
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(44)	(82)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	861	38
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(16)	(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,281	446
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(60)	(84)
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	5,703	9,707
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(524)	(2,330)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,754	11,442
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(2,026)	(2,899)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	13,457	21,149
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(2,550)	(5,229)
Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	12,921	125,728
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(846)	(4,728)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	150,724	146,332
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(12,233)	(24,875)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	163,645	272,060
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(13,079)	(29,603)
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	26,620	26,566
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(445)	(446)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	45,679	45,337
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(9,865)	(9,408)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	72,299	71,903
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(10,310)	(9,854)
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	184,260	327,352
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(10,510)	(21,547)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	218,692	228,087
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(27,526)	(45,284)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	402,952	555,439
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(38,036)	(66,831)
Reported at net asset value
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	97,530	133,722
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(293)	(1,682)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	16,420	16,769
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(5,554)	(3,316)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	113,950	150,491
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(5,847)	(4,998)
Reported at net asset value | 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	558
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	16,420	16,769
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(5,554)	(3,316)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	16,420	17,327
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(5,554)	(3,317)
Reported at net asset value | Fixed Income Commingled funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	97,530	133,164
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(293)	(1,681)
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	97,530	133,164
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ (293)	$ (1,681)

Preneed Cemetery Activities Pre

Preneed Cemetery Activities Preneed Cemetery Activities, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	$ 27,200
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	5,039	$ 3,282
Cemetery
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	49,700
Investment Earnings, Net	12,600	9,700
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ 765	$ 2,049
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	2 years
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	10 years

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust49

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investment Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 52,433	$ 14,564
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(21,774)	(44,120)
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Deposits	9,989	9,813
Withdrawals	12,425	16,294
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	27,266	48,476
Sales of available-for-sale securities	13,975	33,522
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	843	1,494
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (1,969)	$ (1,616)

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust50

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$ 1,440,935	$ 1,407,465
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Trust investments, at market	1,378,853	1,349,073
Restricted Cash	62,082	58,392
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$ 1,440,935	$ 1,407,465

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust51

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - Cemetery Perpetual Care - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1,367,309	$ 1,356,781
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	54,803	42,839
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(43,259)	(50,547)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,378,853	1,349,073
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	987,878	982,011
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	51,865	40,599
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(27,407)	(34,451)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,012,336	988,159
Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	379,431	374,770
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,938	2,240
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(15,852)	(16,096)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	366,517	360,914
Private Equity Funds | Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	100,496	97,108
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,938	2,240
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(6,885)	(6,710)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	96,549	92,638
Fixed Income Commingled funds [Member] | Portion at Other than Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis		277,662
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		0
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax		9,386
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value		268,276
Fixed Income Commingled funds [Member] | Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	278,935
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(8,967)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	269,968
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	10
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	10
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	14,085	14,280
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	16	88
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(142)	(114)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	13,959	14,254
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	4,503	4,636
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	98	100
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(107)	(101)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	4,494	4,635
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	251	304
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1	0
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(1)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	251	303
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	112	220
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	3	3
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(15)	(28)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	100	195
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Preferred Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	1,469	1,479
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	18	2
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(89)	(117)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,398	1,364
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	243,197	233,643
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	39,567	28,679
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(4,899)	(2,337)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	277,865	259,985
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	4,863	4,828
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,875	2,631
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(90)	(108)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	7,648	7,351
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	10,655	14,607
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	275	148
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(936)	(2,236)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	9,994	12,519
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	15,484	18,909
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	3,808	4,370
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(258)	(412)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	19,034	22,867
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	692,627	688,472
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	3,948	3,324
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(20,870)	(28,997)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	675,705	662,799
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Other Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	622	633
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1,256	1,254
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 1,878	$ 1,887

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust52

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Level 3 Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 69,351	$ 17,985
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	(62)	0
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	1,887	1,902
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	2	(19)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	(11)	0
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 1,878	$ 1,883

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust53

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Investments Classifed by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) - Cemetery Perpetual Care $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 1,795
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	16,719
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	105
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	195
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 18,814

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust54

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) - Cemetery Perpetual Care - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 574,345	$ 591,618
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(13,310)	(16,270)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	396,399	411,564
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(29,949)	(34,277)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	970,744	1,003,182
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(43,259)	(50,547)
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	1,501	66
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(14)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,943	1,961
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(128)	(113)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,444	2,027
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(142)	(114)
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	628	397
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(13)	(7)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,453	1,866
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(94)	(94)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,081	2,263
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(107)	(101)
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	203	303
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(1)	(1)
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	203	303
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(1)	(1)
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	41	28
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(10)	(22)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	10	101
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(5)	(6)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	51	129
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(15)	(28)
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	367	846
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(6)	(36)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	416	417
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(83)	(81)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	783	1,263
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(89)	(117)
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	28,989	34,844
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(2,332)	(1,339)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	10,246	12,974
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(2,567)	(998)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	39,235	47,818
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(4,899)	(2,337)
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	129	78
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(24)	(47)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	757	558
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(66)	(61)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	886	636
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(90)	(108)
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	4,547	4,177
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(66)	(508)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,663	5,715
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(870)	(1,728)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,210	9,892
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(936)	(2,236)
Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	399	877
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(27)	(17)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,941	2,899
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(231)	(395)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,340	3,776
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(258)	(412)
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	266,649	263,231
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(1,819)	(4,678)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	342,090	348,623
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(19,051)	(24,319)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	608,739	611,854
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(20,870)	(28,997)
Reported at net asset value
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	270,892	286,771
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(8,998)	(9,614)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	34,880	36,450
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(6,854)	(6,482)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	305,772	323,221
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(15,852)	(16,096)
Reported at net asset value | 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	924	21,426
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(31)	(268)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	34,880	33,519
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(6,854)	(6,442)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	35,804	54,945
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(6,885)	(6,710)
Reported at net asset value | Fixed Income Commingled funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	269,968	265,345
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(8,967)	(9,346)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	2,931
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	(40)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	269,968	268,276
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(8,967)	(9,386)
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	303,453	304,847
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(4,312)	(6,656)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	361,519	375,114
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(23,095)	(27,795)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	664,972	679,961
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ (27,407)	$ (34,451)

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust55

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	$ 27,200
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	(5,039)	$ (3,282)
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Investment Earnings, Net	11,300	18,500
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	$ (7)	$ (115)
Underlying assets liquidation range, minimum	2 years
Underlying assets liquidation range, maximum	10 years

Deferred Preneed Funeral and 56

Deferred Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trusts' Corpus (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	$ 3,227,026		$ 3,104,746
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,006)		(950)
Deferred preneed receipts held in trust	3,226,020		3,103,796
Care trusts’ corpus	1,442,265		1,408,243
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	52,433	$ 14,564
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(21,774)	(44,120)
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	(5,039)	(3,282)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	23,159	18,123
Trust expenses and income taxes	(20,354)	(15,052)
Net trust investment income	(28,425)	(29,767)
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	(28,425)	29,767
Total other income, net	(434)	(242)
Funeral
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust, excluding accrued expenses	1,585,715		1,546,517
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(605)		(589)
Deferred preneed receipts held in trust	1,585,110		1,545,928
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	11,561	6,824
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(5,544)	(19,651)
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	(4,267)	(1,118)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	2,810	2,773
Trust expenses and income taxes	(4,109)	(4,442)
Net trust investment income	(451)	(15,614)
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	451	(15,614)
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	1,641,311		1,558,229
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(401)		(361)
Deferred preneed receipts held in trust	1,640,910		1,557,868
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	40,029	6,246
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(14,261)	(22,853)
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	(765)	(2,049)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	7,773	2,360
Trust expenses and income taxes	(11,075)	(4,853)
Net trust investment income	(21,701)	(21,149)
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	(21,701)	21,149
Other income, net	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Care trusts' corpus, excluding accrued expenses	1,440,935		1,407,465
Accrued trust operating payables and other	(1,330)		(778)
Care trusts’ corpus	1,442,265		$ 1,408,243
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	843	1,494
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	(1,969)	(1,616)
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	(7)	(115)
Interest, dividend, and other ordinary income	12,576	12,990
Trust expenses and income taxes	(5,170)	(5,757)
Net trust investment income	(6,273)	(6,996)
Investment Income, Nonoperating, Effect on Deferred Preneed Receipts Held in Trust and Care Trust Corpus'	(6,273)	(6,996)
Other income, net	0	0
Total other income, net	0	0
Other, Net
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	(434)	(242)
Total other income, net	$ (434)	$ (242)

Income Taxes Narrative (Details

Income Taxes Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	(77.40%)	40.50%
Federal Statutory Tax Rate	35.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 79.5
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	7.3
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)	143
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities	102.5
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities	$ 40.5

Debt (Details)

Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt	$ 8,800
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	32,700
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(31,608)	$ (32,984)
Total debt	3,288,259	3,286,590
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt	(63,606)	(89,974)
Total long-term debt	3,224,653	3,196,616
March 2,021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loan	665,000	673,750
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	385,000
Bank Credit Facility	385,000	350,000
Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	8,102	8,313
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	850,000	850,000
Unsecured Debt | April 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	200,000	200,000
Capital Lease Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Obligations under capital leases	183,043	208,758
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes and other debt	$ 3,722	$ 3,753

Debt Narratives (Details)

Debt Narratives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.80%		4.70%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	63.00%
Interest Paid	$ 20,000	$ 15,900
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 32,700
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.30%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$ 282,300
Repayments of Debt	8,800
Repayments of Long-term Debt	8,787	10,054
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	0	(581)
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	21,055	$ 8,156
March 2,021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	385,000		$ 350,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	385,000
January 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	25,000
March 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	10,000
Unsecured Debt | May 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 850,000		$ 850,000

Credit Risk and Fair Value of60

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fair value of debt instruments	$ 3,254,402	$ 3,240,560
October 2,018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	270,000	272,353
November 2,020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	202,500	205,000
November 2,021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	174,708	175,500
January 2,022
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	440,938	444,614
May 2,024
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	882,003	884,000
April 2,027
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	230,532	231,590
March 2,021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank Credit Facility	385,000	350,000
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	665,000	673,750
Mortgages [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 3,721	$ 3,753

Equity Components of Accumulate

Equity Components of Accumulated Other Comrehensive income (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	2,813,134
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	$ 83,500
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$ 29.67
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 16,492	$ 6,164
Activity	177,913
Change in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	69,351	17,985
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	(69,351)	(17,985)
Balance at end of period	19,656	28,871
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Activity	3,164	22,707
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	16,492	6,164
Activity	3,164	22,707
Balance at end of period	19,656	28,871
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0	0
Change in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	69,351	17,985
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	(69,351)	(17,985)
Balance at end of period	$ 0	$ 0

Equity Narratives (Details)

Equity Narratives (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		2,813,134
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method		$ 83.5
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share		$ 29.67
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		$ 284.8
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	362,260
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	$ 11.2
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$ 30.88
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 273.6

Segment Reporting (Details)

Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 777,710	$ 749,219
Gross Profit	177,165	162,923
General and administrative expenses	(42,504)	(38,904)
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	4,935	(347)
Operating income	139,596	123,672
Interest expense	(40,636)	(43,082)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(581)
Other income (expense), net	(434)	(242)
Income before income taxes	98,526	79,767
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	727,240	708,887
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	50,470	40,332
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	498,764	492,189
Gross Profit	112,607	107,211
Other income (expense), net	0	0
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	278,946	257,030
Gross Profit	64,558	55,712
Other income (expense), net	$ 0	$ 0

Commitments and Contingencies64

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Litigation Settlement [Line Items]
Self Insurance Reserve	$ 78.6	$ 78
Number Of States Involved In Litigation	36

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 174,702	$ 47,445
After tax interest on convertible debt	12	12
Net income — diluted	$ 174,714	$ 47,457
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	(188,260)	(194,924)
Convertible debt	121	121
Weighted average shares — diluted	192,867	198,030
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 0.93	$ 0.24
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 0.91	$ 0.24
Equity Option [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Stock options	4,425	2,985
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Stock options	61	0
Equity Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	898	1,886

Divestiture-Related Activitie66

Divestiture-Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]
Gains on divestitures, net	$ 16,751	$ 1,426
Impairment losses	(11,816)	(1,773)
Gains (losses) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	$ 4,935	$ (347)