Service Corporation International (SCI) 10-Q 26 Oct 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 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	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		187,470,180

Unaudited Condensed Consolidate

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations Statement - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 731,346	$ 721,467	$ 2,282,298	$ 2,222,083
Costs and expenses	(581,644)	(580,722)	(1,771,986)	(1,756,425)
Operating profit	149,702	140,745	510,312	465,658
General and administrative expenses	(39,213)	(26,916)	(122,307)	(102,668)
(Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(143)	557	5,545	(30,432)
Hurricane Expenses, Net of Insurance Proceeds	(1,290)	0	(1,290)	0
Operating income	109,056	114,386	392,260	332,558
Interest expense	(42,754)	(39,508)	(125,473)	(121,988)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(25)	0	(22,503)
Other income (expense), net	276	110	(165)	(697)
Income before income taxes	66,578	74,963	266,622	187,370
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(10,437)	(27,422)	32,830	(76,482)
Net Income	56,141	47,541	299,452	110,888
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	23	186	(105)	(96)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 56,164	$ 47,727	$ 299,347	$ 110,792
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 0.30	$ 0.25	$ 1.59	$ 0.57
Basic weighted average number of shares	187,435	193,274	187,761	193,999
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 0.29	$ 0.24	$ 1.56	$ 0.56
Diluted weighted average number of shares	192,243	196,567	192,417	197,175
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.15	$ 0.13	$ 0.43	$ 0.38

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat3

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 56,141	$ 47,541	$ 299,452	$ 110,888
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	16,580	(5,018)	30,185	18,116
Total comprehensive income	72,721	42,523	329,637	129,004
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	14	189	(121)	(102)
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 72,735	$ 42,712	$ 329,516	$ 128,902

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat4

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 267,956	$ 194,986
Receivables, net	77,426	98,455
Inventories	27,161	26,431
Other	32,340	34,524
Total current assets	404,883	354,396
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	4,677,585	4,305,165
Cemetery property	1,792,843	1,776,935
Property and equipment, net	1,859,408	1,827,587
Goodwill	1,807,816	1,799,081
Deferred charges and other assets	592,462	567,520
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,490,201	1,407,465
Total assets	12,625,198	12,038,149
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	494,020	439,936
Current maturities of long-term debt	76,314	89,974
Income taxes payable	9,395	7,960
Total current liabilities	579,729	537,870
Long-term debt	3,292,816	3,196,616
Deferred revenue	1,796,756	1,731,417
Deferred tax liability	451,273	454,638
Other liabilities	375,504	510,322
Deferred receipts held in trust	3,399,644	3,103,796
Care trusts’ corpus	1,490,525	1,408,243
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Equity:
Common stock, $1 per share par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 198,538,478 and 195,403,644 shares issued, respectively, and 187,746,443 and 189,405,244 shares outstanding, respectively	187,746	189,405
Capital in excess of par value	971,131	990,203
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	33,140	(103,387)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	46,661	16,492
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,238,678	1,092,713
Noncontrolling interests	273	2,534
Total equity	1,238,951	1,095,247
Total liabilities and equity	$ 12,625,198	$ 12,038,149

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat5

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 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	198,538,478	195,403,644
Common stock, shares outstanding	187,746,443	189,405,244

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat6

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 299,452	$ 110,888
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	22,503
Premiums paid on early extinguishment of debt	0	20,524
Depreciation and amortization	113,641	109,531
Amortization of intangibles	20,923	22,210
Amortization of cemetery property	46,533	42,573
Amortization of loan costs	4,344	4,406
Provision for doubtful accounts	6,846	4,048
Benefit from deferred income taxes	(148,465)	(11,421)
(Gains) losses on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(5,545)	30,432
Share-based compensation	10,719	10,199
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards	0	(11,512)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Decrease in receivables	12,568	11,447
Increase in other assets	(15,683)	(7,660)
Increase in payables and other liabilities	66,455	37,565
Effect of preneed production and maturities:
Increase in preneed receivables, net and trust investments	(58,631)	(48,837)
Increase in deferred revenue	37,438	67,977
Decrease in deferred receipts held in trust	(981)	(15,315)
Net cash provided by operating activities	389,614	358,510
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(141,652)	(131,195)
Acquisitions	(49,635)	(66,109)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	12,547	13,044
Net withdrawals of restricted funds and other	175	5,120
Net cash used in investing activities	(178,565)	(179,140)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	120,000	1,035,000
Debt issuance costs	0	(5,232)
Payments of debt	(26,376)	(27,632)
Early extinguishment of debt	0	(875,110)
Principal payments on capital leases	40,509	25,220
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	30,672	16,029
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards	0	11,512
Purchase of Company common stock	(148,818)	(192,991)
Payments of dividends	(80,711)	(73,665)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	4,580	1,961
Bank overdrafts and other	2,790	(1,066)
Net cash used in financing activities	(147,532)	(140,336)
Effect of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents	9,453	3,938
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	72,970	42,972
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	194,986	$ 134,599
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 267,956

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat7

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity Statement - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 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	329,637	0	0	0	299,347	30,169	121
Dividends declared on common stock	80,711	0	0	(37,011)	(43,700)	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	10,719	0	0	10,719	0	0	0
Stock option exercises	(30,672)	(2,476)	0	(28,196)	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	207	0	207	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(148,818)	0	(4,794)	(24,904)	(119,120)	0	0
Noncontrolling Interest Payments	(60)	0	0	0	0	0	(60)
Noncontrolling Interest purchases	(4,580)	0	0	(2,258)		0	(2,322)
Other	6,845	452	0	6,393	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 1,238,951	$ 198,538	$ (10,792)	$ 971,131	$ 33,140	$ 46,661	$ 273

Unaudited Condensed Consolidat8

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.15	$ 0.13	$ 0.43	$ 0.38

Nature of Operations (Notes)

Nature of Operations (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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, travel protection, 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, and burial openings and closings, are sold at our cemeteries.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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. The Company has two reportable segments: Funeral and Cemetery. See Note 8 for further detail on the Company's segments. 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 be included in income tax benefit or expense in the statement of operations 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was a reduction to our provision for income taxes of $7.6 million and $16.9 million , respectively. 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 our adoption did not materially impact our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which replaces 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. We intend to implement the standard with the modified retrospective approach, which recognizes the cumulative effect of adoption recognized on that date. We established a cross-functional team and analyzed the impact on our contract portfolio by reviewing our revenue streams and our current policies and procedures to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard to our contracts. The implementation team reports findings and progress of the project to management on a frequent basis. Through this process, we have identified appropriate changes to our processes, systems, and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. In the first nine months of 2017, we made significant progress towards completing our evaluation of the potential changes from adopting the new standard on our future reporting and disclosures. We also made progress on our contract reviews and policy amendments, including developing a process for the systemic application of the standard to existing undelivered performance obligations at adoption. Additionally, we began making programming changes to our point of sale system to accommodate recognition and disclosure under the new standard. During the third quarter, we began testing these changes to ensure the updated system functions as intended. Finally, we have identified and begun designing additional controls around new processes that will be implemented upon adoption of the new standard. We cannot determine the cumulative effect prior to adoption as the delivery of the performance obligations is not under our control. We do not know which services will be performed or merchandise will be delivered on existing contracts during the fourth quarter of 2017. We have not fully determined the ongoing financial impact of the new standard to our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. However, we have concluded that the standard will impact the manner in which we recognize a) certain nonrefundable up-front fees and b) 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 recognized by specific identification based on the delivery of the respective goods and services. Additionally, we believe the amounts due from customers for undelivered performance obligations on cancelable preneed contracts represent contract assets, which are required to be netted with deferred revenue, instead of preneed receivables on our consolidated balance sheet. 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 at 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. We will continue to defer the recognition of this income until we provide the related service or deliver the related merchandise. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018, and we do not expect a material 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 support 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 in the process of reviewing our existing leases, have selected a software solution, and are assessing process changes as a result of the new guidance. 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 guidance requires these presentation changes to be made retrospectively to all consolidated statements of cash flows presented after the new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018. 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 have an 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 on the consolidated statement of operations. The guidance requires these presentation changes to be made retrospectively to all consolidated statements of operations presented after the new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018. We intend to apply the practical expedient of reclassifying the amounts previously disclosed as "total net periodic benefit cost" in Note 14 of our 2016 Form 10-K from operating income to other income. Adoption is not expected to have an impact on our results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Stock Compensation In May 2017, the FASB amended "Stock Compensation" to clarify which changes in terms and conditions of share-based awards require accounting for as modifications. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018 and is not expected to have an impact on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows.

Preneed Activities (Notes)

Preneed Activities (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Preneed Activities	3. Preneed Activities Preneed receivables, net and trust investments The components of Preneed receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Preneed funeral receivables $ 331,917 $ 312,556 Preneed cemetery receivables 1,099,795 1,038,592 Preneed receivables from customers 1,431,712 1,351,148 Unearned finance charge (45,751 ) (45,989 ) Allowance for cancellation (108,635 ) (104,740 ) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,277,326 $ 1,200,419 Trust investments, at market $ 4,343,081 $ 3,936,908 Cash held in trust 282,594 304,055 Assets associated with businesses held for sale (2,680 ) — Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 267,465 271,248 Trust investments 4,890,460 4,512,211 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,490,201 ) (1,407,465 ) Preneed trust investments $ 3,400,259 $ 3,104,746 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 4,677,585 $ 4,305,165 The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our trusts: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) (In thousands) Deposits $ 86,028 $ 82,286 $ 277,286 $ 243,957 Withdrawals $ 99,872 $ 90,156 $ 297,595 $ 260,199 Purchases of available-for-sale securities $ 886,732 $ 500,577 $ 1,792,190 $ 1,142,873 Sales of available-for-sale securities $ 509,675 $ 490,945 $ 1,742,860 $ 1,092,912 The costs and values associated with trust investments recorded at fair value at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts. September 30, 2017 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 24,704 $ 25 $ (12 ) $ 24,717 Canadian government 2 84,387 182 (904 ) 83,665 Corporate 2 16,720 374 (139 ) 16,955 Residential mortgage-backed 2 427 16 (1 ) 442 Asset-backed 2 317 18 (7 ) 328 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 8,127 166 (159 ) 8,134 Common stock: United States 1 1,184,510 213,024 (22,703 ) 1,374,831 Canada 1 33,167 11,612 (942 ) 43,837 Other international 1 57,114 13,546 (1,137 ) 69,523 Mutual funds: Equity 1 607,088 56,277 (6,304 ) 657,061 Fixed income 1 1,218,188 17,273 (23,794 ) 1,211,667 Other 3 6,369 2,513 (47 ) 8,835 Trust investments, at fair value 3,241,118 315,026 (56,149 ) 3,499,995 Fixed income commingled funds 653,105 1,103 (6,095 ) 648,113 Private equity 191,815 16,009 (12,851 ) 194,973 Trust investments, at net asset value 844,920 17,112 (18,946 ) 843,086 Trust investments, at market $ 4,086,038 $ 332,138 $ (75,095 ) $ 4,343,081 December 31, 2016 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 145,315 $ 884 $ (838 ) $ 145,361 Canadian government 2 79,141 409 (222 ) 79,328 Corporate 2 18,934 295 (227 ) 19,002 Residential mortgage-backed 2 333 1 (1 ) 333 Asset-backed 2 448 16 (31 ) 433 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 2,907 83 (156 ) 2,834 Common stock: United States 1 1,107,942 151,146 (35,542 ) 1,223,546 Canada 1 25,708 10,030 (455 ) 35,283 Other international 1 83,238 4,995 (10,632 ) 77,601 Mutual funds: Equity 1 688,120 19,962 (56,857 ) 651,225 Fixed income 1 875,615 6,203 (46,219 ) 835,599 Other 3 4,712 2,468 (17 ) 7,163 Trust investments, at fair value 3,032,413 196,492 (151,197 ) 3,077,708 Fixed income commingled funds 692,434 8,524 (12,234 ) 688,724 Private equity 175,881 9,812 (15,217 ) 170,476 Trust investments, at net asset value 868,315 18,336 (27,451 ) 859,200 Trust investments, at market $ 3,900,728 $ 214,828 $ (178,648 ) $ 3,936,908 As of September 30, 2017 , our unfunded commitment for our private equity and other investments was $153.3 million which, if called, would be funded by the assets of the trusts. The change in our market-based trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 7,924 $ 8,553 $ 7,163 $ 8,177 Net unrealized (loss) gain included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (1) (116 ) 117 694 486 Purchases 1,881 36 1,909 61 Sales (854 ) (1,309 ) (931 ) (1,327 ) Fair value, ending balance $ 8,835 $ 7,397 $ 8,835 $ 7,397 (1) All net unrealized (losses) gains recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income for our trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Accumulated other comprehensive income to Deferred receipts held in trust and Care trusts' corpus . Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2017 to 2040 . Maturities of fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) at September 30, 2017 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 73,050 Due in one to five years 50,496 Due in five to ten years 2,175 Thereafter 386 $ 126,107 Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments was $ 39.1 million and $ 35.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to these trust investments was $ 122.6 million and $ 116.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. We have determined that the unrealized losses in our trust investments are considered temporary in nature, as the unrealized losses were due to temporary fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. The investments are diversified across multiple industry segments using a balanced allocation strategy to minimize long-term risk. We believe that none of the securities are other-than-temporarily impaired based on our analysis of the investments. Our analysis included a review of the portfolio holdings and discussions with the individual money managers as to the sector exposures, credit ratings, and the severity and duration of the unrealized losses. Our trust investment unrealized losses, their associated values, and the duration of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, are shown in the following tables: September 30, 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 $ 5,372 $ (12 ) $ — $ — $ 5,372 $ (12 ) Canadian government 24,819 (596 ) 3,536 (308 ) 28,355 (904 ) Corporate 3,695 (49 ) 3,676 (90 ) 7,371 (139 ) Residential mortgage-backed 202 (1 ) — — 202 (1 ) Asset-backed — — 23 (7 ) 23 (7 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 2,936 (123 ) 259 (36 ) 3,195 (159 ) Common stock: United States 232,604 (22,023 ) 23,507 (680 ) 256,111 (22,703 ) Canada 4,345 (510 ) 3,022 (432 ) 7,367 (942 ) Other international 7,911 (494 ) 5,700 (643 ) 13,611 (1,137 ) Mutual funds: Equity 25,057 (2,402 ) 17,439 (3,902 ) 42,496 (6,304 ) Fixed income 79,805 (827 ) 292,789 (22,967 ) 372,594 (23,794 ) Other 190 (2 ) 1,279 (45 ) 1,469 (47 ) Trust investments, at fair value 386,936 (27,039 ) 351,230 (29,110 ) 738,166 (56,149 ) Fixed income commingled funds 347,260 (1,496 ) 176,493 (4,599 ) 523,753 (6,095 ) Private equity 4,067 (599 ) 71,881 (12,252 ) 75,948 (12,851 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 351,327 (2,095 ) 248,374 (16,851 ) 599,701 (18,946 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 738,263 $ (29,134 ) $ 599,604 $ (45,961 ) $ 1,337,867 $ (75,095 ) 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 $ 41,409 $ (838 ) $ — $ — $ 41,409 $ (838 ) Canadian government 2,913 (31 ) 3,344 (191 ) 6,257 (222 ) Corporate 2,107 (22 ) 6,162 (205 ) 8,269 (227 ) Residential mortgage-backed 303 (1 ) — — 303 (1 ) Asset-backed 28 (22 ) 156 (9 ) 184 (31 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 971 (53 ) 515 (103 ) 1,486 (156 ) Common stock: United States 271,433 (23,168 ) 50,923 (12,374 ) 322,356 (35,542 ) Canada 3,318 (383 ) 1,078 (72 ) 4,396 (455 ) Other international 19,274 (4,139 ) 24,525 (6,493 ) 43,799 (10,632 ) Mutual funds: Equity 234,714 (9,825 ) 276,504 (47,032 ) 511,218 (56,857 ) Fixed income 323,917 (5,941 ) 425,614 (40,278 ) 749,531 (46,219 ) Other 26 (2 ) 1,160 (15 ) 1,186 (17 ) Trust investments, at fair value 900,413 (44,425 ) 789,981 (106,772 ) 1,690,394 (151,197 ) Fixed income commingled funds 473,550 (11,714 ) 20,587 (520 ) 494,137 (12,234 ) Private equity 22,677 (750 ) 73,100 (14,467 ) 95,777 (15,217 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 496,227 (12,464 ) 93,687 (14,987 ) 589,914 (27,451 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 1,396,640 $ (56,889 ) $ 883,668 $ (121,759 ) $ 2,280,308 $ (178,648 )

Income Taxes (Notes)

Income Taxes (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 15.7% and 36.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Our effective tax rate was a benefit of 12.3% and expense of 40.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 on the settlement of employee share-based awards. The higher effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 as the result of non-deductible goodwill related to funeral home divestitures. Unrecognized Tax Benefits As of September 30, 2017 , the total amount of our unrecognized tax benefits was $79.5 million and the total amount of our accrued interest was $8.5 million . In March 2017, we received from the IRS Office of Appeals the fully executed Form 870-AD for the years 1999-2005, which 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 an income tax benefit for the matters that were effectively settled with an increase in our taxes payable of $40.5 million . In June 2017 , we made $34.2 million in settlement payments and associated interest to the IRS. 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure	Debt Debt as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows: September 30, 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 647,500 673,750 Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 470,000 350,000 Obligations under capital leases 191,627 208,758 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 6,134 3,753 Unamortized premiums, net 7,673 8,313 Unamortized debt issuance costs (28,804 ) (32,984 ) Total debt 3,369,130 3,286,590 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (76,314 ) (89,974 ) Total long-term debt $ 3,292,816 $ 3,196,616 Current maturities of debt at September 30, 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 4.80% and 4.68% at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Approximately 62% and 63% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , we paid $101.7 million and $98.8 million in cash interest, respectively. Bank Credit Agreement As of September 30, 2017 , we have $470.0 million of outstanding borrowings under our Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 ; $647.5 million of outstanding borrowings under our Term Loan due March 2021 ; and issued $33.4 million of letters of credit. The bank credit agreement 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 September 30, 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 September 30, 2017 . As of September 30, 2017 , we have $196.6 million in borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Facility. Debt Issuances and Additions For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , we drew $120.0 million on our Bank Credit Facility to make required payments on our term loan, to fund our IRS settlement payments, and for general corporate purposes. Debt Extinguishments and Reductions During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , we made aggregate principal debt payments of $26.4 million , including $26.3 million for scheduled payments towards our Term Loan.

Credit Risk and Fair Value of F

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) 7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018 $ 264,375 $ 272,353 4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020 202,750 205,000 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 177,563 175,500 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022 436,726 444,614 5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024 907,205 884,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 240,200 231,590 Term Loan due March 2021 647,500 673,750 Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 470,000 350,000 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 6,134 3,753 Total fair value of debt instruments $ 3,352,453 $ 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 30,169 — 30,169 Net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes — 142,958 142,958 Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes — (142,958 ) (142,958 ) Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 46,661 $ — $ 46,661 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 , we repurchased 4,793,635 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $148.8 million , which is an average cost per share of $31.04 . After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $219.4 million at September 30, 2017 .

Segment Reporting (Notes)

Segment Reporting (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 437,529 $ 293,817 $ 731,346 2016 $ 445,501 $ 275,966 $ 721,467 Operating profit: 2017 $ 70,118 $ 79,584 $ 149,702 2016 $ 74,543 $ 66,202 $ 140,745 Nine Months Ended September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 1,395,167 $ 887,131 $ 2,282,298 2016 $ 1,404,794 $ 817,289 $ 2,222,083 Operating profit: 2017 $ 274,802 $ 235,510 $ 510,312 2016 $ 271,186 $ 194,472 $ 465,658 The following table reconciles operating profit from reportable segments to our consolidated income before income taxes: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Operating profit from reportable segments $ 149,702 $ 140,745 $ 510,312 $ 465,658 General and administrative expenses (39,213 ) (26,916 ) (122,307 ) (102,668 ) (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net (143 ) 557 5,545 (30,432 ) Hurricane expense, net (1,290 ) — (1,290 ) — Operating income 109,056 114,386 392,260 332,558 Interest expense (42,754 ) (39,508 ) (125,473 ) (121,988 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt — (25 ) — (22,503 ) Other expense, net 276 110 (165 ) (697 ) Income before income taxes $ 66,578 $ 74,963 $ 266,622 $ 187,370 Our geographic area information is as follows: United States Canada Total (In thousands) Three months ended September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 685,186 $ 46,160 $ 731,346 2016 $ 681,769 $ 39,698 $ 721,467 Nine Months Ended September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 2,140,796 $ 141,502 $ 2,282,298 2016 $ 2,098,091 $ 123,992 $ 2,222,083

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , we have self-insurance reserves of $84.7 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, Romano, and Horton 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. In July 2017, the arbitrator entered an award rejecting the plantiffs' claims, ruling that they did not sue the correct party. 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 the U.S. 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 misclassifying 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. Felicia Horton, an individual and on behalf of other aggrieved employees v. SCI Direct, Inc., et al; Case No. 37-2016-00039356-CU-OE-CTL; in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Diego. This lawsuit was filed in November 2016 on behalf of the plaintiff who worked as an independent sales representative of our subsidiary in California. In addition, this lawsuit asserts claims under California Private Attorney General Act (“PAGA”) provisions on behalf of other similarly situated California persons. The lawsuit alleges causes of action and seeks damages and relief similar to those in the Romano case described above. The attorneys in the Horton case have also filed additional lawsuits alleging individual and PAGA claims similar to those alleged in the Horton case. The additional lawsuits are styled Jandy Quismundo v. SCI Direct, Inc., et al; Case No. 37-2017-00031825-CU-OE-CTL; in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Diego, and Jaime Kallweit v. SCI Direct, Inc., et al; Case No. 37-2017-00037186-CU-OE-CTL; The Superior Court for the State of California for the County of San Diego. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, in the lawsuits. 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 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 appealed the dismissal. We cannot quantify our ultimate liability, if any, for the payment of damages. Operational Claims. We are named a defendant in various lawsuits alleging operational claims, including but not limited to the Allard lawsuit described below. 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. The parties reached a settlement of the lawsuit as reported in our Form 8-K filed on August 30, 2017. The settlement agreement is subject to court approval and notice to the class. The financial terms of the settlement call for SCI Direct to pay $15.0 million , of which $3.5 million will be paid by its insurer. 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	10. 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Net income: Net income — basic $ 56,164 $ 47,727 $ 299,347 $ 110,792 After tax interest on convertible debt 13 13 38 35 Net income — diluted $ 56,177 $ 47,740 $ 299,385 $ 110,827 Weighted average shares (denominator): Weighted average shares — basic 187,435 193,274 187,761 193,999 Stock options 4,575 3,154 4,448 3,049 Restricted stock units 112 18 87 6 Convertible debt 121 121 121 121 Weighted average shares — diluted 192,243 196,567 192,417 197,175 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.30 $ 0.25 $ 1.59 $ 0.57 Diluted $ 0.29 $ 0.24 $ 1.56 $ 0.56 The computation of diluted EPS excludes outstanding stock options and restricted stock units in certain periods in which the inclusion of such options or restricted stock units would be anti-dilutive in the periods presented. Total options and restricted stock units not included in the computation of dilutive EPS are as follows (in shares): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) Antidilutive options — 551 878 936 Antidilutive restricted stock units — — — 2 Total common stock equivalents excluded from computation — 551 878 938

Divestiture-Related Activities

Divestiture-Related Activities (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net, which consist of the following: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) (Losses) gains on divestitures, net $ (62 ) $ 864 $ 22,611 $ 2,974 Impairment losses (81 ) (307 ) (17,066 ) (33,406 ) (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net $ (143 ) $ 557 $ 5,545 $ (30,432 )

Summary of Significant Accoun20

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy	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.
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 be included in income tax benefit or expense in the statement of operations 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was a reduction to our provision for income taxes of $7.6 million and $16.9 million , respectively. 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 our adoption did not materially impact our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, or cash flows. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which replaces 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. We intend to implement the standard with the modified retrospective approach, which recognizes the cumulative effect of adoption recognized on that date. We established a cross-functional team and analyzed the impact on our contract portfolio by reviewing our revenue streams and our current policies and procedures to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard to our contracts. The implementation team reports findings and progress of the project to management on a frequent basis. Through this process, we have identified appropriate changes to our processes, systems, and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. In the first nine months of 2017, we made significant progress towards completing our evaluation of the potential changes from adopting the new standard on our future reporting and disclosures. We also made progress on our contract reviews and policy amendments, including developing a process for the systemic application of the standard to existing undelivered performance obligations at adoption. Additionally, we began making programming changes to our point of sale system to accommodate recognition and disclosure under the new standard. During the third quarter, we began testing these changes to ensure the updated system functions as intended. Finally, we have identified and begun designing additional controls around new processes that will be implemented upon adoption of the new standard. We cannot determine the cumulative effect prior to adoption as the delivery of the performance obligations is not under our control. We do not know which services will be performed or merchandise will be delivered on existing contracts during the fourth quarter of 2017. We have not fully determined the ongoing financial impact of the new standard to our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. However, we have concluded that the standard will impact the manner in which we recognize a) certain nonrefundable up-front fees and b) 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 recognized by specific identification based on the delivery of the respective goods and services. Additionally, we believe the amounts due from customers for undelivered performance obligations on cancelable preneed contracts represent contract assets, which are required to be netted with deferred revenue, instead of preneed receivables on our consolidated balance sheet. 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 at 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. We will continue to defer the recognition of this income until we provide the related service or deliver the related merchandise. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018, and we do not expect a material 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 support 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 in the process of reviewing our existing leases, have selected a software solution, and are assessing process changes as a result of the new guidance. 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 guidance requires these presentation changes to be made retrospectively to all consolidated statements of cash flows presented after the new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018. 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 have an 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 on the consolidated statement of operations. The guidance requires these presentation changes to be made retrospectively to all consolidated statements of operations presented after the new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018. We intend to apply the practical expedient of reclassifying the amounts previously disclosed as "total net periodic benefit cost" in Note 14 of our 2016 Form 10-K from operating income to other income. Adoption is not expected to have an impact on our results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows. Stock Compensation In May 2017, the FASB amended "Stock Compensation" to clarify which changes in terms and conditions of share-based awards require accounting for as modifications. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018 and is not expected to have an impact on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position, and cash flows.

Preneed Activities (Tables)

Preneed Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Long-term receivable and investment components	September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Preneed funeral receivables $ 331,917 $ 312,556 Preneed cemetery receivables 1,099,795 1,038,592 Preneed receivables from customers 1,431,712 1,351,148 Unearned finance charge (45,751 ) (45,989 ) Allowance for cancellation (108,635 ) (104,740 ) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,277,326 $ 1,200,419 Trust investments, at market $ 4,343,081 $ 3,936,908 Cash held in trust 282,594 304,055 Assets associated with businesses held for sale (2,680 ) — Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 267,465 271,248 Trust investments 4,890,460 4,512,211 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,490,201 ) (1,407,465 ) Preneed trust investments $ 3,400,259 $ 3,104,746 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 4,677,585 $ 4,305,165
Investment related activities	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) (In thousands) Deposits $ 86,028 $ 82,286 $ 277,286 $ 243,957 Withdrawals $ 99,872 $ 90,156 $ 297,595 $ 260,199 Purchases of available-for-sale securities $ 886,732 $ 500,577 $ 1,792,190 $ 1,142,873 Sales of available-for-sale securities $ 509,675 $ 490,945 $ 1,742,860 $ 1,092,912
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	September 30, 2017 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 24,704 $ 25 $ (12 ) $ 24,717 Canadian government 2 84,387 182 (904 ) 83,665 Corporate 2 16,720 374 (139 ) 16,955 Residential mortgage-backed 2 427 16 (1 ) 442 Asset-backed 2 317 18 (7 ) 328 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 8,127 166 (159 ) 8,134 Common stock: United States 1 1,184,510 213,024 (22,703 ) 1,374,831 Canada 1 33,167 11,612 (942 ) 43,837 Other international 1 57,114 13,546 (1,137 ) 69,523 Mutual funds: Equity 1 607,088 56,277 (6,304 ) 657,061 Fixed income 1 1,218,188 17,273 (23,794 ) 1,211,667 Other 3 6,369 2,513 (47 ) 8,835 Trust investments, at fair value 3,241,118 315,026 (56,149 ) 3,499,995 Fixed income commingled funds 653,105 1,103 (6,095 ) 648,113 Private equity 191,815 16,009 (12,851 ) 194,973 Trust investments, at net asset value 844,920 17,112 (18,946 ) 843,086 Trust investments, at market $ 4,086,038 $ 332,138 $ (75,095 ) $ 4,343,081 December 31, 2016 Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 145,315 $ 884 $ (838 ) $ 145,361 Canadian government 2 79,141 409 (222 ) 79,328 Corporate 2 18,934 295 (227 ) 19,002 Residential mortgage-backed 2 333 1 (1 ) 333 Asset-backed 2 448 16 (31 ) 433 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 2,907 83 (156 ) 2,834 Common stock: United States 1 1,107,942 151,146 (35,542 ) 1,223,546 Canada 1 25,708 10,030 (455 ) 35,283 Other international 1 83,238 4,995 (10,632 ) 77,601 Mutual funds: Equity 1 688,120 19,962 (56,857 ) 651,225 Fixed income 1 875,615 6,203 (46,219 ) 835,599 Other 3 4,712 2,468 (17 ) 7,163 Trust investments, at fair value 3,032,413 196,492 (151,197 ) 3,077,708 Fixed income commingled funds 692,434 8,524 (12,234 ) 688,724 Private equity 175,881 9,812 (15,217 ) 170,476 Trust investments, at net asset value 868,315 18,336 (27,451 ) 859,200 Trust investments, at market $ 3,900,728 $ 214,828 $ (178,648 ) $ 3,936,908
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 73,050 Due in one to five years 50,496 Due in five to ten years 2,175 Thereafter 386 $ 126,107
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 7,924 $ 8,553 $ 7,163 $ 8,177 Net unrealized (loss) gain included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (1) (116 ) 117 694 486 Purchases 1,881 36 1,909 61 Sales (854 ) (1,309 ) (931 ) (1,327 ) Fair value, ending balance $ 8,835 $ 7,397 $ 8,835 $ 7,397
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	September 30, 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 $ 5,372 $ (12 ) $ — $ — $ 5,372 $ (12 ) Canadian government 24,819 (596 ) 3,536 (308 ) 28,355 (904 ) Corporate 3,695 (49 ) 3,676 (90 ) 7,371 (139 ) Residential mortgage-backed 202 (1 ) — — 202 (1 ) Asset-backed — — 23 (7 ) 23 (7 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 2,936 (123 ) 259 (36 ) 3,195 (159 ) Common stock: United States 232,604 (22,023 ) 23,507 (680 ) 256,111 (22,703 ) Canada 4,345 (510 ) 3,022 (432 ) 7,367 (942 ) Other international 7,911 (494 ) 5,700 (643 ) 13,611 (1,137 ) Mutual funds: Equity 25,057 (2,402 ) 17,439 (3,902 ) 42,496 (6,304 ) Fixed income 79,805 (827 ) 292,789 (22,967 ) 372,594 (23,794 ) Other 190 (2 ) 1,279 (45 ) 1,469 (47 ) Trust investments, at fair value 386,936 (27,039 ) 351,230 (29,110 ) 738,166 (56,149 ) Fixed income commingled funds 347,260 (1,496 ) 176,493 (4,599 ) 523,753 (6,095 ) Private equity 4,067 (599 ) 71,881 (12,252 ) 75,948 (12,851 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 351,327 (2,095 ) 248,374 (16,851 ) 599,701 (18,946 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 738,263 $ (29,134 ) $ 599,604 $ (45,961 ) $ 1,337,867 $ (75,095 ) 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 $ 41,409 $ (838 ) $ — $ — $ 41,409 $ (838 ) Canadian government 2,913 (31 ) 3,344 (191 ) 6,257 (222 ) Corporate 2,107 (22 ) 6,162 (205 ) 8,269 (227 ) Residential mortgage-backed 303 (1 ) — — 303 (1 ) Asset-backed 28 (22 ) 156 (9 ) 184 (31 ) Equity securities: Preferred stock 971 (53 ) 515 (103 ) 1,486 (156 ) Common stock: United States 271,433 (23,168 ) 50,923 (12,374 ) 322,356 (35,542 ) Canada 3,318 (383 ) 1,078 (72 ) 4,396 (455 ) Other international 19,274 (4,139 ) 24,525 (6,493 ) 43,799 (10,632 ) Mutual funds: Equity 234,714 (9,825 ) 276,504 (47,032 ) 511,218 (56,857 ) Fixed income 323,917 (5,941 ) 425,614 (40,278 ) 749,531 (46,219 ) Other 26 (2 ) 1,160 (15 ) 1,186 (17 ) Trust investments, at fair value 900,413 (44,425 ) 789,981 (106,772 ) 1,690,394 (151,197 ) Fixed income commingled funds 473,550 (11,714 ) 20,587 (520 ) 494,137 (12,234 ) Private equity 22,677 (750 ) 73,100 (14,467 ) 95,777 (15,217 ) Trust investments, at net asset value 496,227 (12,464 ) 93,687 (14,987 ) 589,914 (27,451 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 1,396,640 $ (56,889 ) $ 883,668 $ (121,759 ) $ 2,280,308 $ (178,648 )

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Debt as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows: September 30, 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 647,500 673,750 Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 470,000 350,000 Obligations under capital leases 191,627 208,758 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 6,134 3,753 Unamortized premiums, net 7,673 8,313 Unamortized debt issuance costs (28,804 ) (32,984 ) Total debt 3,369,130 3,286,590 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (76,314 ) (89,974 ) Total long-term debt $ 3,292,816 $ 3,196,616

Credit Risk and Fair Value of23

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure	The fair value of our debt instruments at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) 7.625% Senior Notes due October 2018 $ 264,375 $ 272,353 4.5% Senior Notes due November 2020 202,750 205,000 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 177,563 175,500 5.375% Senior Notes due January 2022 436,726 444,614 5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024 907,205 884,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 240,200 231,590 Term Loan due March 2021 647,500 673,750 Bank Credit Facility due March 2021 470,000 350,000 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 6,134 3,753 Total fair value of debt instruments $ 3,352,453 $ 3,240,560

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 30,169 — 30,169 Net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes — 142,958 142,958 Reclassification of net unrealized gain activity attributable to the Deferred receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes — (142,958 ) (142,958 ) Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 46,661 $ — $ 46,661

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 437,529 $ 293,817 $ 731,346 2016 $ 445,501 $ 275,966 $ 721,467 Operating profit: 2017 $ 70,118 $ 79,584 $ 149,702 2016 $ 74,543 $ 66,202 $ 140,745 Nine Months Ended September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 1,395,167 $ 887,131 $ 2,282,298 2016 $ 1,404,794 $ 817,289 $ 2,222,083 Operating profit: 2017 $ 274,802 $ 235,510 $ 510,312 2016 $ 271,186 $ 194,472 $ 465,658
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 Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Operating profit from reportable segments $ 149,702 $ 140,745 $ 510,312 $ 465,658 General and administrative expenses (39,213 ) (26,916 ) (122,307 ) (102,668 ) (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net (143 ) 557 5,545 (30,432 ) Hurricane expense, net (1,290 ) — (1,290 ) — Operating income 109,056 114,386 392,260 332,558 Interest expense (42,754 ) (39,508 ) (125,473 ) (121,988 ) Loss on early extinguishment of debt — (25 ) — (22,503 ) Other expense, net 276 110 (165 ) (697 ) Income before income taxes $ 66,578 $ 74,963 $ 266,622 $ 187,370
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 September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 685,186 $ 46,160 $ 731,346 2016 $ 681,769 $ 39,698 $ 721,467 Nine Months Ended September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2017 $ 2,140,796 $ 141,502 $ 2,282,298 2016 $ 2,098,091 $ 123,992 $ 2,222,083

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Net income: Net income — basic $ 56,164 $ 47,727 $ 299,347 $ 110,792 After tax interest on convertible debt 13 13 38 35 Net income — diluted $ 56,177 $ 47,740 $ 299,385 $ 110,827 Weighted average shares (denominator): Weighted average shares — basic 187,435 193,274 187,761 193,999 Stock options 4,575 3,154 4,448 3,049 Restricted stock units 112 18 87 6 Convertible debt 121 121 121 121 Weighted average shares — diluted 192,243 196,567 192,417 197,175 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.30 $ 0.25 $ 1.59 $ 0.57 Diluted $ 0.29 $ 0.24 $ 1.56 $ 0.56
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) Antidilutive options — 551 878 936 Antidilutive restricted stock units — — — 2 Total common stock equivalents excluded from computation — 551 878 938

Divestiture-Related Activitie27

Divestiture-Related Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]
Gains (Losses) on Divestitures and Impairment Charges	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 (In thousands) (Losses) gains on divestitures, net $ (62 ) $ 864 $ 22,611 $ 2,974 Impairment losses (81 ) (307 ) (17,066 ) (33,406 ) (Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net $ (143 ) $ 557 $ 5,545 $ (30,432 )

Summary of Significant Accoun28

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Net Income	$ 7.6	$ 16.9

Preneed Activities Investment R

Preneed Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Investment related activities [Line Items]
Deposits	$ 86,028	$ 82,286	$ 277,286	$ 243,957
Withdrawals	99,872	90,156	297,595	260,199
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	886,732	500,577	1,792,190	1,142,873
Sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 509,675	$ 490,945	$ 1,742,860	$ 1,092,912

Preneed Activities Long-term Re

Preneed Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Receivables from customers	$ 1,431,712	$ 1,351,148
Unearned finance charges	(45,751)	(45,989)
Allowance for cancellation	(108,635)	(104,740)
Preneed Receivables	1,277,326	1,200,419
Trust investments, at market	4,343,081	3,936,908
Cash Held In Trust	282,594	304,055
Assets associated with businesses held for sale	(2,680)	0
Insurance-backed fixed income securities	267,465	271,248
Trust investments	4,890,460	4,512,211
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	(1,490,201)	(1,407,465)
Preneed trust investments	3,400,259	3,104,746
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	4,677,585	4,305,165
Funeral
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Receivables from customers	331,917	312,556
Cemetery
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Receivables from customers	$ 1,099,795	$ 1,038,592

Preneed Activities Schedule of

Preneed Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$ 3,241,118	$ 3,032,413
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	315,026	196,492
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(56,149)	(151,197)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	3,499,995	3,077,708
Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	844,920	868,315
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	17,112	18,336
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(18,946)	(27,451)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	843,086	859,200
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	4,086,038	3,900,728
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	332,138	214,828
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(75,095)	(178,648)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	4,343,081	3,936,908
Fixed Income Commingled funds [Member] | Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	653,105	692,434
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	1,103	8,524
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(6,095)	(12,234)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	648,113	688,724
Private Equity Funds | Reported at net asset value
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	191,815	175,881
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	16,009	9,812
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(12,851)	(15,217)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	194,973	170,476
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | US Treasury Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	24,704	145,315
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	25	884
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(12)	(838)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	24,717	145,361
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Foreign Government Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	84,387	79,141
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	182	409
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(904)	(222)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	83,665	79,328
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	16,720	18,934
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	374	295
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(139)	(227)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	16,955	19,002
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	427	333
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	16	1
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(1)	(1)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	442	333
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	317	448
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	18	16
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(7)	(31)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	328	433
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Preferred Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	8,127	2,907
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	166	83
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(159)	(156)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	8,134	2,834
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | US Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	1,184,510	1,107,942
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	213,024	151,146
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(22,703)	(35,542)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,374,831	1,223,546
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Canada Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	33,167	25,708
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	11,612	10,030
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(942)	(455)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	43,837	35,283
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Other International Common Stock Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	57,114	83,238
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	13,546	4,995
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(1,137)	(10,632)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	69,523	77,601
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Equity Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	607,088	688,120
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	56,277	19,962
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(6,304)	(56,857)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	657,061	651,225
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Fixed Income Funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	1,218,188	875,615
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	17,273	6,203
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(23,794)	(46,219)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,211,667	835,599
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Other Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	6,369	4,712
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,513	2,468
Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(47)	(17)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 8,835	$ 7,163

Preneed Activities Level 3 Acti

Preneed Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income			$ 142,958
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 7,924	$ 8,553	7,163	$ 8,177
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in Accumulated other comprehensive income	(116)	117	694	486
Purchases	1,881	36	1,909	61
Sales	(854)	(1,309)	(931)	(1,327)
Fair market value, ending balance	$ 8,835	$ 7,397	$ 8,835	$ 7,397

Preneed Activities Investments

Preneed Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Investments Classified By Contractual Maturity Date [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	$ 73,050
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	50,496
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	2,175
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	386
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Total, Fair Value	$ 126,107

Preneed Activities Schedule o34

Preneed Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
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	$ 738,263	$ 1,396,640
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(29,134)	(56,889)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	599,604	883,668
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(45,961)	(121,759)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,337,867	2,280,308
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(75,095)	(178,648)
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	351,327	496,227
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(2,095)	(12,464)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	248,374	93,687
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(16,851)	(14,987)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	599,701	589,914
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(18,946)	(27,451)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	386,936	900,413
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(27,039)	(44,425)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	351,230	789,981
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(29,110)	(106,772)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	738,166	1,690,394
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(56,149)	(151,197)
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	5,372	41,409
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(12)	(838)
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	5,372	41,409
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(12)	(838)
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	24,819	2,913
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(596)	(31)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,536	3,344
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(308)	(191)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	28,355	6,257
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(904)	(222)
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	3,695	2,107
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(49)	(22)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,676	6,162
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(90)	(205)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,371	8,269
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(139)	(227)
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	202	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	202	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	0	28
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	(22)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	23	156
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(7)	(9)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	23	184
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(7)	(31)
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	2,936	971
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(123)	(53)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	259	515
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(36)	(103)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,195	1,486
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(159)	(156)
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	232,604	271,433
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(22,023)	(23,168)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	23,507	50,923
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(680)	(12,374)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	256,111	322,356
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(22,703)	(35,542)
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	4,345	3,318
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(510)	(383)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,022	1,078
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(432)	(72)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,367	4,396
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(942)	(455)
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	7,911	19,274
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(494)	(4,139)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,700	24,525
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(643)	(6,493)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	13,611	43,799
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(1,137)	(10,632)
Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	25,057	234,714
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(2,402)	(9,825)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	17,439	276,504
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(3,902)	(47,032)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	42,496	511,218
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(6,304)	(56,857)
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	79,805	323,917
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(827)	(5,941)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	292,789	425,614
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(22,967)	(40,278)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	372,594	749,531
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(23,794)	(46,219)
Other Investments
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	190	26
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(2)	(2)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,279	1,160
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(45)	(15)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,469	1,186
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(47)	(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	347,260	473,550
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(1,496)	(11,714)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	176,493	20,587
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(4,599)	(520)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	523,753	494,137
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		(12,234)
Fixed Income Commingled funds [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(6,095)
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	4,067	22,677
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(599)	(750)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	71,881	73,100
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(12,252)	(14,467)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	75,948	95,777
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss		$ (15,217)
Private Equity Funds
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ (12,851)

Preneed Activities Preneed Acti

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Unfunded Commitments	$ 153.3		$ 153.3
Investment Earnings, Net	$ 39.1	$ 35.7	$ 122.6	$ 116.2

Income Taxes Narrative (Details

Income Taxes Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	15.70%	36.60%	(12.30%)	40.80%
Federal Statutory Tax Rate			35.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 79.5		$ 79.5
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	8.5		8.5
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
Payments for Other Taxes	$ 34.2

Debt (Details)

Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt	$ 26,400
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	33,400
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	120,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(28,804)	$ (32,984)
Total debt	3,369,130	3,286,590
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt	(76,314)	(89,974)
Total long-term debt	3,292,816	3,196,616
March 2,021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loan	647,500	673,750
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	470,000
Bank Credit Facility	470,000	350,000
Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	7,673	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	191,627	208,758
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes and other debt	$ 6,134	$ 3,753

Debt Narratives (Details)

Debt Narratives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.80%		4.80%		4.68%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	62.00%		62.00%		63.00%
Interest Paid			$ 101,700	$ 98,800
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 33,400		$ 33,400
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.30%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	196,600		$ 196,600
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net			120,000
Repayments of Debt			26,400
Repayments of Long-term Debt			26,376	27,632
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	0	$ (25)	0	(22,503)
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations			40,509	$ 25,220
March 2,021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	470,000		470,000		$ 350,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	470,000		470,000
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt			26,300
Unsecured Debt | May 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 850,000		$ 850,000		$ 850,000

Credit Risk and Fair Value of39

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fair value of debt instruments	$ 3,352,453	$ 3,240,560
October 2,018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	264,375	272,353
November 2,020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	202,750	205,000
November 2,021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	177,563	175,500
January 2,022
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	436,726	444,614
May 2,024
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	907,205	884,000
April 2,027
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	240,200	231,590
March 2,021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank Credit Facility	470,000	350,000
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	647,500	673,750
Mortgages [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 6,134	$ 3,753

Equity Components of Accumulate

Equity Components of Accumulated Other Comrehensive income (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired | shares	4,793,635
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	$ 148,800
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share | $ / shares	$ 31.04
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 16,492
Activity	329,637
Change in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	142,958
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	(142,958)
Balance at end of period	46,661
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Activity	30,169
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	16,492
Activity	30,169
Balance at end of period	46,661
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0
Change in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	142,958
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	(142,958)
Balance at end of period	$ 0

Equity Narratives (Details)

Equity Narratives (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired			4,793,635
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method			$ 148,800
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share			$ 31.04
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		$ 219,400	$ 219,400
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		$ 4,600	$ 4,580	$ 1,961
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired		11.00%	11.00%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	390,063
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	$ 13,400
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$ 34.39
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 206,000

Segment Reporting (Details)

Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	$ 731,346	$ 721,467	$ 2,282,298	$ 2,222,083
Gross Profit	149,702	140,745	510,312	465,658
General and administrative expenses	(39,213)	(26,916)	(122,307)	(102,668)
Losses (gains) on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(143)	557	5,545	(30,432)
Hurricane Expenses, Net of Insurance Proceeds	(1,290)	0	(1,290)	0
Operating income	109,056	114,386	392,260	332,558
Interest expense	(42,754)	(39,508)	(125,473)	(121,988)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	(25)	0	(22,503)
Other income (expense), net	276	110	(165)	(697)
Income before income taxes	66,578	74,963	266,622	187,370
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	685,186	681,769	2,140,796	2,098,091
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	46,160	39,698	141,502	123,992
Funeral
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	437,529	445,501	1,395,167	1,404,794
Gross Profit	70,118	74,543	274,802	271,186
Cemetery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	293,817	275,966	887,131	817,289
Gross Profit	$ 79,584	$ 66,202	$ 235,510	$ 194,472

Commitments and Contingencies43

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Self Insurance Reserve	$ (84,700)	$ (78,000)
Litigation Settlement, Expense	15,000
Insurance Settlements Receivable	$ 3,500
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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	551	878	938
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 56,164	$ 47,727	$ 299,347	$ 110,792
After tax interest on convertible debt	13	13	38	35
Net income — diluted	$ 56,177	$ 47,740	$ 299,385	$ 110,827
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	(187,435)	(193,274)	(187,761)	(193,999)
Convertible debt	121	121	121	121
Weighted average shares — diluted	192,243	196,567	192,417	197,175
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 0.30	$ 0.25	$ 1.59	$ 0.57
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 0.29	$ 0.24	$ 1.56	$ 0.56
Equity Option [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Stock options	4,575	3,154	4,448	3,049
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Stock options	112	18	87	6
Equity Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	551	878	936
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0	0	2

Divestiture-Related Activitie45

Divestiture-Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Divestiture-Related Activities [Abstract]
(Losses) gains on divestitures, net	$ (62)	$ 864	$ 22,611	$ 2,974
Impairment losses	(81)	(307)	(17,066)	33,406
(Losses) gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	$ (143)	$ 557	$ 5,545	$ (30,432)