Service Corporation International (SCI) 10-Q 4 May 21 2021 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page Details

Cover Page Details - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Type	10-Q
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Entity File Number	1-6402-1
Entity Registrant Name	SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-1488375
Entity Address, Address Line One	1929 Allen Parkway
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77019
City Area Code	(713)
Local Phone Number	522-5141
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock ($1 par value)
Trading Symbol	SCI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	168,837,094
Subsequent Event [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		168,141,372

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SERVICE CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL
Entity Central Index Key	0000089089
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Shell Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	168,837,094
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Consolidated Statement of Opera

Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Product Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,077,981	$ 802,965
Costs of revenue	(700,474)	(623,921)
Gross profit	377,507	179,044
Corporate general and administrative expenses	(36,733)	(31,813)
Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	1,266	4,545
Operating income	342,040	151,776
Interest expense	(35,812)	(44,351)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	(139)
Other income (expense), net	341	(1,247)
Income before income taxes	306,569	106,039
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(77,614)	(24,038)
Net income	228,955	82,001
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(76)	(60)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 228,879	$ 81,941
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 1.35	$ 0.45
Basic weighted average number of shares	169,918	180,854
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 1.33	$ 0.45
Diluted weighted average number of shares	172,367	183,585
Dividends declared per share	$ 210	$ 190
Product [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 554,591	$ 377,883
Costs of revenue	(251,692)	(196,448)
Service [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Revenue	463,859	367,528
Costs of revenue	(202,978)	(197,524)
Product and Service, Other [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Revenue	59,531	57,554
Costs of revenue	$ (245,804)	$ (229,949)

Consolidated Statement of Compr

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 228,955	$ 82,001
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,005	(31,202)
Total comprehensive income	233,960	50,799
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(76)	(58)
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 233,884	$ 50,741

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 243,726	$ 230,857
Receivables, net	89,590	92,939
Inventories	25,945	23,929
Other	28,224	28,427
Total current assets	387,485	376,152
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(6,498)	(6,031)
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	5,549,121	5,345,720
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(6,297)	(6,902)
Cemetery property	1,865,261	1,879,340
Property and equipment, net	2,136,826	2,133,664
Goodwill	1,882,513	1,880,007
Deferred charges and other assets	1,085,326	1,080,053
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(20,037)	(19,204)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,881,728	1,820,489
Total assets	14,788,260	14,515,425
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	550,072	575,948
Current maturities of long-term debt	217,062	228,352
Income taxes payable	74,648	11,634
Total current liabilities	841,782	815,934
Long-term debt	3,439,102	3,514,182
Deferred preneed revenue	1,501,574	1,488,909
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent	438,263	437,308
Other liabilities	423,065	420,039
Deferred receipts held in trust	4,422,331	4,272,382
Care trusts’ corpus	1,871,483	1,814,050
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Equity:
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	168,837	170,717
Capital in excess of par value	975,232	981,934
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	662,271	560,731
Accumulated other comprehensive income	44,371	39,366
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,850,711	1,752,748
Noncontrolling interests	(51)	(127)
Total equity	1,850,660	1,752,621
Total liabilities and equity	$ 14,788,260	$ 14,515,425
Common stock, par or stated value per share	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued	175,051,063	174,792,272
Common stock, shares outstanding	168,837,094	170,717,236

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	$ (6,297)	$ (6,902)

Consolidated Statement of Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income	$ 228,955	$ 82,001
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	139
Depreciation and amortization	39,558	37,912
Amortization of intangibles	5,335	5,257
Amortization of cemetery property	28,929	13,924
Amortization of loan costs	1,526	1,276
Provision for expected credit losses	3,824	3,197
Provision for deferred income taxes	553	4,233
Share-based compensation	3,500	3,406
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	(1,266)	(4,545)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable	2,525	2,460
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets	(12,204)	(10,549)
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities	(43,046)	4,832
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
(Increase) decrease in preneed receivables, net and trust investments	(66,194)	19,134
Increase in deferred revenue, net	19,660	12,908
Decrease in deferred receipts held in trust	141	(7,027)
Net cash provided by operating activities	297,606	179,992
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(42,274)	(52,275)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	(1,160)	(26,349)
Payments for (Proceeds from) Deposits on Real Estate Acquisitions	(5,608)	(2,114)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	4,045	11,324
Payment to Acquire Life Insurance Policy, Investing Activities	(18)	(3,770)
Proceeds from Life Insurance Policy	0	3,519
Net cash used in investing activities	(45,015)	(69,665)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	20,000	75,000
Early payments of debt	(100,000)	(25,792)
Repayments of Unsecured Debt	(9,023)	(8,222)
Principal payments on finance leases	(6,652)	(10,254)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,282	15,126
Purchase of Company common stock	(106,135)	(123,102)
Payments of dividends	(35,568)	(34,414)
Bank overdrafts and other	(7,932)	1,575
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(243,028)	(110,083)
Effect of foreign currency	1,412	(8,249)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	10,975	(8,005)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	$ 249,585	$ 234,615

Consolidated Statement of Equit

Consolidated Statement of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 1,823,255	$ 185,101	$ (3,916)	$ 1,010,361	$ 601,903	$ 29,864	$ (58)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	50,799	0	0	0	81,941	(31,200)	58
Dividends, Common Stock	$ (34,414)	0	0	0	34,414	0	0
Dividends declared per share	$ 190
Stock option exercises	$ 15,126	789	0	14,337	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	168	0	(168)	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	3,406	0	0	3,406	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(123,102)	0	(2,901)	(16,202)	(103,999)	0	0
Other	(1,095)	0	0	(1,095)	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2020	1,751,093	186,058	(6,817)	1,010,639	562,549	(1,336)	0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) | Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]	17,118	0	0	0	17,118	0	0
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020	1,752,621	$ 174,792	$ (4,075)	$ 981,934	$ 560,731	$ 39,366	$ (127)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	$ 233,960
Dividends declared per share	$ 210
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired	0	(3,000)	(3,000)	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 1,850,660	$ 175,051	$ (6,214)	$ 975,232	$ 662,271	$ 44,371	$ (51)

Preneed Activities Preneed Acti

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Receivables Net and Trust Invesments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Investments	$ 6,306,011	$ 6,096,244
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,144,875	1,089,169
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	5,345,720
Deposits to trust	120,283
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	5,549,121
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,881,728	1,820,489
Deferred Discounts, Finance Charges and Interest Included in Receivables	(30,627)	(33,986)
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,124,838	1,069,965
Preneed Accounts Receivable Gross	1,175,502	1,123,155
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(20,037)	(19,204)
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	166,261
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	451,630
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	241,996
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	143,308
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	80,548
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	61,132
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Not Past Due	1,072,387
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	72,488
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	946
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(1,774)
Effect of Foreign Exchange on Allowance for Credit Loss	(5)
Financial Asset, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	29,234
Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	19,968
Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	5,945
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	17,341
Funeral [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	137,954	129,878
Deferred Discounts, Finance Charges and Interest Included in Receivables	(13,339)	(14,018)
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	126,504	118,938
Preneed Accounts Receivable Gross	151,293	143,896
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(11,450)	(10,940)
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	24,115
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	52,370
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	32,855
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	11,182
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	5,300
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	12,132
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Not Past Due	114,223
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	23,731
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	857
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(1,366)
Effect of Foreign Exchange on Allowance for Credit Loss	(1)
Funeral [Member] | Financial Asset, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	3,608
Funeral [Member] | Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	2,047
Funeral [Member] | Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	1,623
Funeral [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	16,453
Cemetery [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,006,921	959,291
Deferred Discounts, Finance Charges and Interest Included in Receivables	(17,288)	(19,968)
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	998,334	951,027
Preneed Accounts Receivable Gross	1,024,209	979,259
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(8,587)	$ (8,264)
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	142,146
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	399,260
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	209,141
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	132,126
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	75,248
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	49,000
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Not Past Due	958,164
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	48,757
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	89
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(408)
Effect of Foreign Exchange on Allowance for Credit Loss	(4)
Cemetery [Member] | Financial Asset, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	25,626
Cemetery [Member] | Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	17,921
Cemetery [Member] | Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	4,322
Cemetery [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due	$ 888

Preneed Activities Preneed Ac_2

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 5,923,905	$ 4,644,206	$ 5,761,291	$ 5,306,479
Net preneed contract sales	313,483	238,471
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	(441)	12,743
Net investment (losses) earnings	146,160	(665,127)
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(10,387)	(2,555)
Recognized Revenue From Backlog	(156,461)	(121,611)
Recognized Revenue From Current Period	(133,633)	(107,821)
Change in cancellation allowance	113	1,095
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ 3,780	$ (17,468)

Nature of Operations Level 1 (N

Nature of Operations Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Nature of Operations [Abstract]
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	Nature of Operations Service Corporation International (SCI) is a holding company and all operations are conducted by its subsidiaries. We are North America’s largest provider of deathcare products and services, with a network of funeral service locations and cemeteries operating in the United States and Canada. Our funeral service and cemetery operations consist of funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and 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. We strive to offer families exceptional service in planning life celebrations and personalized remembrances. 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 interments, are sold at our cemeteries.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Our unaudited condensed consolidated 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. We have retained the specialized industry accounting principles when consolidating the trusts. Our trusts are variable interest entities, for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Although we consolidate the trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, us, or our customers. The customers are the legal beneficiaries of these trusts; therefore, their interests in these trusts represent a liability to us. 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, 2020, 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 in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The components of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 243,726 $ 230,857 Restricted cash (1) Included in Other current assets 3,678 5,573 Included in Deferred charges and other assets, net 2,181 2,180 Total restricted cash 5,859 7,753 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 249,585 $ 238,610 (1) Restricted cash in both periods primarily consists of proceeds from divestitures deposited into escrow accounts under IRS code section 1031 and collateralized obligations under certain insurance policies. Receivables, net The components of Receivables, net in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows: March 31, 2021 Atneed Funeral Atneed Cemetery Miscellaneous Current Portion of Notes Total (In thousands) Receivables $ 51,387 $ 24,664 $ 19,273 $ 764 $ 96,088 Reserve for credit losses (3,974) (2,203) 132 (453) (6,498) Receivables, net $ 47,413 $ 22,461 $ 19,405 $ 311 $ 89,590 December 31, 2020 Atneed Funeral Atneed Cemetery Miscellaneous Current Portion of Notes Total (In thousands) Receivables $ 56,745 $ 22,559 $ 18,545 $ 1,121 $ 98,970 Reserve for credit losses (3,752) (1,933) 144 (490) (6,031) Receivables, net $ 52,993 $ 20,626 $ 18,689 $ 631 $ 92,939 Additionally, included in Deferred charges and other assets, net were long-term miscellaneous receivables, net and notes receivable, net as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Notes receivable $ 11,018 $ 12,389 Reserve for credit losses (5,315) (5,957) Notes receivable, net $ 5,703 $ 6,432 Long-term miscellaneous receivables $ 6,673 $ 6,515 Reserve for credit losses (982) (945) Long-term miscellaneous receivables, net $ 5,691 $ 5,570 The following table summarizes the activity in our reserve for credit losses by portfolio segment, excluding preneed receivables which are presented in Note 3, for the three months ended March 31, 2021: January 1, 2021 Provision for Expected Credit Losses Write Offs Recoveries Effect of Foreign Currency March 31, 2021 (In thousands) Trade receivables: Funeral $ (3,752) $ (1,526) $ 1,655 $ (366) $ 15 $ (3,974) Cemetery (1,933) (514) 237 — 7 (2,203) Total reserve for credit losses on trade receivables $ (5,685) $ (2,040) $ 1,892 $ (366) $ 22 $ (6,177) Miscellaneous receivables: Current $ 144 $ (12) $ — $ — $ — $ 132 Long-term (945) (37) — — — (982) Total reserve for credit losses on miscellaneous receivables $ (801) $ (49) $ — $ — $ — $ (850) Notes receivable $ (6,447) $ 37 $ 642 $ — $ — $ (5,768) At March 31, 2021, the amortized cost basis of our miscellaneous and notes receivables by year of origination was as follows: 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Prior Revolving Line of Credit Total (In thousands) Miscellaneous receivables: Current $ 17,784 $ 588 $ 529 $ 289 $ 73 $ 9 $ — $ 19,272 Long-term 1,020 2,109 2,192 1,007 306 39 — 6,673 Total miscellaneous receivables $ 18,804 $ 2,697 $ 2,721 $ 1,296 $ 379 $ 48 $ — $ 25,945 Notes receivable $ — $ — $ — $ 177 $ — $ 5,526 $ 6,079 $ 11,782 At March 31, 2021, the payment status of our miscellaneous and notes receivables was as follows: Past Due <30 Days 30-90 Days 90-180 Days >180 Days Total Current Total (In thousands) Miscellaneous receivables: Current $ — $ 106 $ 71 $ 40 $ 217 $ 19,055 $ 19,272 Long-term — — — — — 6,673 6,673 Total miscellaneous receivables $ — $ 106 $ 71 $ 40 $ 217 $ 25,728 $ 25,945 Notes receivable $ 2 $ 4 $ 3 $ 1,117 $ 1,126 $ 10,656 $ 11,782 Recently Issued Accounting Standards Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued "Reference Rate Reform" to provide optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. These amendments are effective immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. We currently have no hedging relationships and are evaluating our contracts and the optional expedients provided by the new standard.

Preneed Activities Level 1 (Not

Preneed Activities Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Preneed Activities Text Block	Preneed Activities Preneed receivables, net and trust investments The components of Preneed receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,124,838 $ 1,069,965 Trust investments, at market 6,062,704 5,851,188 Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 243,307 245,056 Trust investments 6,306,011 6,096,244 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,881,728) (1,820,489) Preneed trust investments 4,424,283 4,275,755 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 5,549,121 $ 5,345,720 Preneed receivables, net comprised the following: March 31, 2021 Funeral Cemetery Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables $ 151,293 $ 1,024,209 $ 1,175,502 Unearned finance charges (13,339) (17,288) (30,627) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost 137,954 1,006,921 1,144,875 Reserve for credit losses (11,450) (8,587) (20,037) Preneed receivables, net $ 126,504 $ 998,334 $ 1,124,838 December 31, 2020 Funeral Cemetery Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables $ 143,896 $ 979,259 $ 1,123,155 Unearned finance charges (14,018) (19,968) (33,986) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost 129,878 959,291 1,089,169 Reserve for credit losses (10,940) (8,264) (19,204) Preneed receivables, net $ 118,938 $ 951,027 $ 1,069,965 At March 31, 2021, the amortized cost basis of our preneed receivables by year of origination was as follows: 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Prior Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost: Funeral $ 24,115 $ 52,370 $ 32,855 $ 11,182 $ 5,300 $ 12,132 $ 137,954 Cemetery 142,146 399,260 209,141 132,126 75,248 49,000 1,006,921 Total preneed receivables, at amortized cost $ 166,261 $ 451,630 $ 241,996 $ 143,308 $ 80,548 $ 61,132 $ 1,144,875 At March 31, 2021, the payment status of our preneed receivables was as follows: Past Due <30 Days 30-90 Days 90-180 Days >180 Days Total Current Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost: Funeral $ 3,608 $ 2,047 $ 1,623 $ 16,453 $ 23,731 $ 114,223 $ 137,954 Cemetery 25,626 17,921 4,322 888 48,757 958,164 1,006,921 Total preneed receivables, at amortized cost $ 29,234 $ 19,968 $ 5,945 $ 17,341 $ 72,488 $ 1,072,387 $ 1,144,875 The following table summarizes the activity for the reserve for credit losses on preneed receivables for the three months ended March 31, 2021: January 1, 2021 Provision for Expected Credit Losses Write Offs Effect of Foreign Currency March 31, 2021 (In thousands) Funeral $ (10,940) $ (1,366) $ 857 $ (1) $ (11,450) Cemetery (8,264) (408) 89 (4) (8,587) Total reserve for credit losses on preneed receivables $ (19,204) $ (1,774) $ 946 $ (5) $ (20,037) The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our trusts: Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Deposits $ 120,283 $ 105,553 Withdrawals $ 112,580 $ 114,592 Purchases of securities $ 431,801 $ 434,367 Sales of securities $ 427,503 $ 334,140 Realized gains from sales of securities (1) $ 130,187 $ 52,157 Realized losses from sales of securities (1) $ (16,168) $ (85,402) (1) All realized gains and losses are recognized in Other income (expense), net for our trust investments and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus. The cost and market values associated with trust investments recorded at market value are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts. March 31, 2021 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Unrealized Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 46,312 $ 1,197 $ (374) $ 47,135 Canadian government 2 29,396 45 (4) 29,437 Corporate 2 1,445 10 (15) 1,440 Residential mortgage-backed 2 1,072 77 (5) 1,144 Asset-backed 2 283 2 (17) 268 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,378 54 (5) 1,427 Common stock: United States 1 1,538,711 590,244 (35,351) 2,093,604 Canada 1 41,103 14,098 (2,165) 53,036 Other international 1 102,439 40,452 (2,430) 140,461 Mutual funds: Equity 1 800,930 125,413 (5,679) 920,664 Fixed income 1 1,048,187 18,413 (13,254) 1,053,346 Other 3 187 2 — 189 Trust investments, at fair value 3,611,443 790,007 (59,299) 4,342,151 Commingled funds Fixed income 660,474 26,441 (2,329) 684,586 Equity 278,866 100,757 (93) 379,530 Money market funds 326,518 — — 326,518 Private equity 270,786 67,134 (8,001) 329,919 Trust investments, at net asset value 1,536,644 194,332 (10,423) 1,720,553 Trust investments, at market $ 5,148,087 $ 984,339 $ (69,722) $ 6,062,704 December 31, 2020 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Unrealized Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 44,907 $ 1,566 $ (272) $ 46,201 Canadian government 2 30,210 51 (157) 30,104 Corporate 2 1,669 14 (8) 1,675 Residential mortgage-backed 2 2,438 131 — 2,569 Asset-backed 2 174 3 (5) 172 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 358 — (24) 334 Common stock: United States 1 1,500,125 503,757 (54,748) 1,949,134 Canada 1 35,016 10,915 (1,823) 44,108 Other international 1 110,775 39,837 (1,831) 148,781 Mutual funds: Equity 1 821,406 95,155 (10,437) 906,124 Fixed income 1 1,022,409 35,872 (19,298) 1,038,983 Other 3 188 2 — 190 Trust investments, at fair value 3,569,675 687,303 (88,603) 4,168,375 Commingled funds Fixed income 657,219 37,474 (173) 694,520 Equity 283,329 97,704 — 381,033 Money market funds 330,745 — — 330,745 Private equity 217,953 68,846 (10,284) 276,515 Trust investments, at net asset value 1,489,246 204,024 (10,457) 1,682,813 Trust investments, at market $ 5,058,921 $ 891,327 $ (99,060) $ 5,851,188 Our private equity investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, due to the nature of the investments in this category, distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. The funds' managers have not communicated the timing of any liquidations. The change in our market-based trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 190 $ 8,218 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Other income (expense), net (1) (1) (974) Purchases — 10 Sales — (25) Transfers — (6,811) Fair value, ending balance $ 189 $ 418 (1) All net realized and unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Other income (expense), net for our trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred receipts held in trust and Care trusts' corpus . Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2021 to 2040. Maturities of fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) at March 31, 2021 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 47,498 Due in one to five years 24,382 Due in five to ten years 7,313 Thereafter 231 Total estimated maturities of fixed income securities $ 79,424 Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our preneed trust investments was $45.0 million and $32.2 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our cemetery perpetual care trust investments was $20.8 million and $19.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Trust fund income is up significantly compared to the prior year due to higher investment returns and from the increase in services performed. Deferred revenue, net Deferred revenue, net represents future revenue, including distributed trust investment earnings associated with unperformed trust-funded preneed contracts that are not held in trust accounts. Future revenue and net trust investment earnings that are held in trust accounts are included in Deferred receipts held in trust . The components of Deferred revenue, net in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Deferred revenue $ 2,151,333 $ 2,127,878 Amounts due from customers for unfulfilled performance obligations on cancelable preneed contracts (649,759) (638,969) Deferred revenue, net $ 1,501,574 $ 1,488,909 The following table summarizes the activity for our contract liabilities, which are reflected in Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust : Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Beginning balance — Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust $ 5,761,291 $ 5,306,479 Net preneed contract sales 313,483 238,471 (Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net (441) 12,743 Net investment (losses) gains (1) 146,160 (665,127) Recognized revenue from backlog (2) (156,461) (121,611) Recognized revenue from current period sales (133,633) (107,821) Change in amounts due on unfulfilled performance obligations (10,387) (2,555) Change in cancellation reserve 113 1,095 Effect of foreign currency and other 3,780 (17,468) Ending balance — Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust $ 5,923,905 $ 4,644,206 (1) Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains. (2) Includes current year trust fund income through the date of performance.

Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)

Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [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 25.3% and 22.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily due to the lower excess tax benefits recognized on the settlement of employee share-based awards. Unrecognized Tax Benefits As of March 31, 2021, the total amount of our unrecognized tax benefits was $1.4 million and the total amount of our accrued interest was $0.7 million.

Debt Level 1 (Notes)

Debt Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Debt The components of Debt are: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 $ 150,000 $ 150,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 152,710 152,710 4.625% Senior Notes due December 2027 550,000 550,000 5.125% Senior Notes due June 2029 750,000 750,000 3.375% Senior Notes due August 2030 850,000 850,000 Term Loan due May 2024 593,125 601,250 Bank Credit Facility due May 2024 445,000 525,000 Obligations under finance leases 150,277 148,864 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 50,872 51,766 Unamortized premiums and discounts, net (229) (317) Unamortized debt issuance costs (35,591) (36,739) Total debt 3,656,164 3,742,534 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (217,062) (228,352) Total long-term debt $ 3,439,102 $ 3,514,182 Current maturities of debt at March 31, 2021 include amounts due under our term loan, 2021 senior notes, mortgage notes and other debt, and finance lease payments due within the next year as well as the portion of unamortized premiums and discounts and debt issuance costs expected to be recognized in the next twelve months. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 3.66% and 3.62% at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Approximately 68% and 66% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we paid $20.1 million and $10.1 million in cash interest, respectively. The increase over the prior year is due to the timing of interest payments due for the 3.375% Senior Notes due August 2030. Bank Credit Facility The Bank Credit Facility provides us with flexibility for working capital, if needed, and is guaranteed by a majority of our domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guaranty is a guaranty of payment of the outstanding amount of the total lending commitment, including letters of credit. The bank credit agreement contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. As of March 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. We issued $34.0 million of letters of credit and pay a quarterly fee on the unused commitment, which was 0.15% at March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, we had $521.0 million in borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Facility. Debt Issuances and Additions During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, we drew $20.0 million and $75.0 million on our Bank Credit Facility for general corporate purposes, respectively. Debt Extinguishments and Reductions During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we made aggregate debt payments of $109.0 million for scheduled and early extinguishment payments including: • $100.0 million in aggregate principal of our Bank Credit Facility due May 2024; • $8.1 million in aggregate principal of our Term Loan due May 2024; • $0.9 million in other debt. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we made aggregate debt payments of $34.0 million for scheduled and early extinguishment payments including: • $25.0 million in aggregate principal of our Bank Credit Facility due May 2024; • $8.1 million in aggregate principal of our Term Loan due May 2024; • $0.7 million in aggregate principal of 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 repurchased on the open market; • $0.1 million of premiums paid on early extinguishment; and • $0.1 million in other debt. Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a loss of $0.1 million recorded in Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Credit Risk and Fair Value of F

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Text Block]	Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value Estimates The fair value estimates of the following financial instruments have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade payables approximate the fair values of those instruments due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The carrying values of receivables on preneed funeral and cemetery contracts approximate fair value due to the large number of diverse individual contracts with varying terms. The fair value of our debt instruments at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 $ 156,255 $ 159,000 7.5% Notes due April 2027 184,936 185,639 4.625% Senior Notes due December 2027 581,796 590,700 5.125% Senior Notes due June 2029 806,167 840,368 3.375% Senior Notes due August 2030 830,705 883,099 Term Loan due May 2024 593,125 601,250 Bank Credit Facility due May 2024 445,000 525,000 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 49,841 51,659 Total fair value of debt instruments $ 3,647,825 $ 3,836,715 The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 2 of the fair value measurements hierarchy. The Term Loan, Bank Credit Facility, and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the fair value measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements. An increase (decrease) in the inputs results in a directionally opposite change in the fair value of the instruments.

Commitments and Contingencies L

Commitments and Contingencies Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies Insurance Loss Reserves We purchase comprehensive general liability, morticians and cemetery professional liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage structured with high deductibles. The high-deductible insurance program means we are primarily self-insured for claims and associated costs and losses covered by these policies. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had self-insurance reserves of $97.0 million and $92.8 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, or if we determine an amount for which we would be willing to settle the matter to avoid further costs and risk, 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 as a defendant in various lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state laws regulating wage and hour pay, including but not limited to the Fredeen lawsuit described below. Lisa Fredeen, an aggrieved employee and on behalf of other aggrieved employees v. California Cemetery and Funeral Services, LLC, et al; Case No. BC706930 ; in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. This lawsuit was filed against SCI subsidiaries on May 18, 2018 and purports to be brought on behalf of the defendants' current and former non-exempt California employees during the four years preceding the filing of the complaint. This lawsuit asserts numerous claims for alleged wage and hour pay violations under the California Labor Code and the California Private Attorneys General Act. The plaintiff seeks unpaid wages, compensatory and punitive damages, civil penalties, attorneys’ fees and costs, and interest. Given the nature of this lawsuit, we are unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or ranges of loss, if any. 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, Louisiana. This case was filed as a class action in June 2013 against an SCI 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. Given the nature of this lawsuit, we are unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or ranges of loss, if any. Operational Claims . We are named a defendant in various lawsuits alleging operational claims, including but not limited to the State of California and Taylor lawsuits described below. The People of the State of California v. Service Corporation International, a Texas corporation, SCI Direct, Inc. a Florida Corporation, S.E. Acquisition of California, Inc., a California corporation dba Neptune Society of Northern California, Neptune Management Corp., a California corporation, Trident Society, Inc. a California corporation, and Does 1 through 100, inclusive, Case No. RG 19045103; in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of Alameda. In July 2019, we received a letter from the Attorney General, State of California, Department of Justice (“CAAG") alleging that the allocation of prices among certain of our cremation service contracts and cremation merchandise contracts, and the related preneed trust funding, violates section 7735 of the California Business and Professions Code and that provisions of these same contracts constitute false advertising and deceptive sales practices in violation of California consumer protection laws. On November 21, 2019, we filed a complaint, S.E. Combined Services of California, Inc., a California Corporation dba Neptune Society of Northern California, Neptune Management Corp. a California Corporation, and Trident Society, Inc. v. Xavier Becerra, Attorney General of the State of California, and Does 1-50, Case No. 34-2019-00269617; in the Sacramento County Superior Court seeking declaratory relief holding, in general, that our practices, methods, and documentation utilized in the sale of preneed funeral goods and services are in all respects compliant with California law. On December 2, 2019, the CAAG filed the complaint, referenced above, seeking permanent injunction from making false statements and engaging in unfair competition, a placement of funds into preneed trusts, civil penalties, customer refunds, attorneys’ fees, and costs. We believe our contracts comply with applicable laws. Given the nature of this lawsuit, we are unable to estimate a reasonably possible loss or range of loss, if any. Nancy Taylor, on behalf of herself and others similarly situated v. Service Corporation International and others, Case No. 20-cv-60709 ; in the United States District Court Southern District of Florida Fort Lauderdale Division. This case was filed in April 2020 as a Florida class action alleging that the allocation of prices among certain of our cremation service contracts and cremation merchandise contracts, and the related preneed trust funding, and the failure to disclose commissions paid and sales practices associated with the sale of third-party travel protection plans, violate the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and constitute unjust enrichment. Plaintiff seeks refunds, general, actual, compensatory and exemplary damages, civil penalties, interest, and attorney fees. Given the nature of this lawsuit, we are unable to estimate a reasonably possible loss or range of loss, if any. Unclaimed Property Audit We received notices from two third-party auditors representing the unclaimed property departments of certain states regarding certain preneed funeral and cemetery contracts. The states claim that such contracts are subject to the states’ unclaimed property or escheatment laws and generally assert that all or a portion of the trusted preneed funds are escheatable if the beneficiary and/or purchaser is deceased or presumed deceased and no services or merchandise have been provided. We have reserved all of our rights, claims, and defenses. Given the nature of this matter, we are unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or ranges of loss, if any. Other Potential Contingencies In October 2018, we received a letter from the Illinois Office of the Comptroller claiming that our subsidiary improperly withdrew a total of $13.6 million from perpetual care trusts covering 24 of our cemeteries in Illinois. We believe these withdrawals were entirely proper for the ongoing care of those cemeteries under Illinois law. 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.

Equity Level 1 (Notes)

Equity Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Equity (All shares reported in whole numbers) Share Repurchase Program Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our share repurchase program. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we repurchased 2,141,798 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $106.2 million, which is an average cost per share of $49.58. After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under the share repurchase program was $126.8 million at March 31, 2021. Subsequent to March 31, 2021, we repurchased 695,722 shares for $36.2 million at an average cost per share of $52.03. After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under the share repurchase program is $90.6 million.

Segment Reporting Level 1 (Note

Segment Reporting Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
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, including disaggregated revenue, was as follows and includes a reconciliation of gross profit to our consolidated income before income taxes. Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Revenue from customers: Funeral revenue: Atneed revenue $ 338,070 $ 264,788 Matured preneed revenue 190,189 163,583 Core funeral revenue 528,259 428,371 Non-funeral home revenue 19,729 14,451 Recognized preneed revenue 41,749 32,800 Other revenue 29,701 29,274 Total funeral revenue 619,438 504,896 Cemetery revenue: Atneed revenue 124,621 85,043 Recognized preneed property revenue 218,274 116,082 Recognized preneed merchandise and services revenue 85,818 68,664 Core cemetery revenue 428,713 269,789 Other revenue 29,830 28,280 Total cemetery revenue 458,543 298,069 Total revenue from customers $ 1,077,981 $ 802,965 Gross profit: Funeral gross profit $ 190,745 $ 103,576 Cemetery gross profit 186,762 75,468 Gross profit from reportable segments 377,507 179,044 Corporate general and administrative expenses (36,733) (31,813) Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net 1,266 4,545 Operating income 342,040 151,776 Interest expense (35,812) (44,351) Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net — (139) Other income (expense), net 341 (1,247) Income before income taxes $ 306,569 $ 106,039 Our geographic area information was as follows: United States Canada Total (In thousands) Three months ended March 31, Revenue from external customers: 2021 $ 1,019,970 $ 58,011 $ 1,077,981 2020 $ 759,272 $ 43,693 $ 802,965

Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Not

Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted (EPS) reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that shared in our earnings. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted EPS is presented below: Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Net income — basic and diluted $ 228,879 $ 81,941 Weighted average shares: Weighted average shares — basic 169,918 180,854 Stock options 2,390 2,675 Restricted share units 59 56 Weighted average shares — diluted $ 172,367 $ 183,585 Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.35 $ 0.45 Diluted $ 1.33 $ 0.45 The computation of diluted EPS excludes outstanding stock options and restricted share units in certain periods in which the inclusion of such equity awards would be antidilutive to the periods presented. Total antidilutive options and restricted stock units not currently included in the computation of diluted earnings per share are as follows (in shares): Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Antidilutive options 1,276 1,228 Antidilutive restricted share units — 31

Acquisition Level 1 (Notes)

Acquisition Level 1 (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	Acquisitions We spent $1.2 million and $26.3 million, for several business acquisitions, and $5.6 million and $2.1 million, for several real estate acquisitions during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Divestiture-Related Activities As divestitures occur in the normal course of business, gains or losses on the sale of such locations are recognized in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations line item Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net , which comprised the following: Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Gains on divestitures, net $ 1,326 $ 7,629 Impairment losses (60) (3,084) Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net $ 1,266 $ 4,545

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Service Corporation International and all subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Our unaudited condensed consolidated 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. We have retained the specialized industry accounting principles when consolidating the trusts. Our trusts are variable interest entities, for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary as we absorb a majority of the losses and returns associated with these trusts. Although we consolidate the trusts, it does not change the legal relationships among the trusts, us, or our customers. The customers are the legal beneficiaries of these trusts; therefore, their interests in these trusts represent a liability to us. 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, 2020, 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 [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]	Receivables, net The components of Receivables, net in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows: March 31, 2021 Atneed Funeral Atneed Cemetery Miscellaneous Current Portion of Notes Total (In thousands) Receivables $ 51,387 $ 24,664 $ 19,273 $ 764 $ 96,088 Reserve for credit losses (3,974) (2,203) 132 (453) (6,498) Receivables, net $ 47,413 $ 22,461 $ 19,405 $ 311 $ 89,590 December 31, 2020 Atneed Funeral Atneed Cemetery Miscellaneous Current Portion of Notes Total (In thousands) Receivables $ 56,745 $ 22,559 $ 18,545 $ 1,121 $ 98,970 Reserve for credit losses (3,752) (1,933) 144 (490) (6,031) Receivables, net $ 52,993 $ 20,626 $ 18,689 $ 631 $ 92,939 Additionally, included in Deferred charges and other assets, net were long-term miscellaneous receivables, net and notes receivable, net as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Notes receivable $ 11,018 $ 12,389 Reserve for credit losses (5,315) (5,957) Notes receivable, net $ 5,703 $ 6,432 Long-term miscellaneous receivables $ 6,673 $ 6,515 Reserve for credit losses (982) (945) Long-term miscellaneous receivables, net $ 5,691 $ 5,570 The following table summarizes the activity in our reserve for credit losses by portfolio segment, excluding preneed receivables which are presented in Note 3, for the three months ended March 31, 2021: January 1, 2021 Provision for Expected Credit Losses Write Offs Recoveries Effect of Foreign Currency March 31, 2021 (In thousands) Trade receivables: Funeral $ (3,752) $ (1,526) $ 1,655 $ (366) $ 15 $ (3,974) Cemetery (1,933) (514) 237 — 7 (2,203) Total reserve for credit losses on trade receivables $ (5,685) $ (2,040) $ 1,892 $ (366) $ 22 $ (6,177) Miscellaneous receivables: Current $ 144 $ (12) $ — $ — $ — $ 132 Long-term (945) (37) — — — (982) Total reserve for credit losses on miscellaneous receivables $ (801) $ (49) $ — $ — $ — $ (850) Notes receivable $ (6,447) $ 37 $ 642 $ — $ — $ (5,768) At March 31, 2021, the amortized cost basis of our miscellaneous and notes receivables by year of origination was as follows: 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Prior Revolving Line of Credit Total (In thousands) Miscellaneous receivables: Current $ 17,784 $ 588 $ 529 $ 289 $ 73 $ 9 $ — $ 19,272 Long-term 1,020 2,109 2,192 1,007 306 39 — 6,673 Total miscellaneous receivables $ 18,804 $ 2,697 $ 2,721 $ 1,296 $ 379 $ 48 $ — $ 25,945 Notes receivable $ — $ — $ — $ 177 $ — $ 5,526 $ 6,079 $ 11,782 At March 31, 2021, the payment status of our miscellaneous and notes receivables was as follows: Past Due <30 Days 30-90 Days 90-180 Days >180 Days Total Current Total (In thousands) Miscellaneous receivables: Current $ — $ 106 $ 71 $ 40 $ 217 $ 19,055 $ 19,272 Long-term — — — — — 6,673 6,673 Total miscellaneous receivables $ — $ 106 $ 71 $ 40 $ 217 $ 25,728 $ 25,945 Notes receivable $ 2 $ 4 $ 3 $ 1,117 $ 1,126 $ 10,656 $ 11,782
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The fair values of our long-term, fixed rate loans were estimated using market prices for those loans, and therefore they are classified within Level 2 of the fair value measurements hierarchy. The Term Loan, Bank Credit Facility, and the mortgage and other debt are classified within Level 3 of the fair value measurements hierarchy. The fair values of these instruments have been estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued "Reference Rate Reform" to provide optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. These amendments are effective immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. We currently have no hedging relationships and are evaluating our contracts and the optional expedients provided by the new standard.

Preneed Activities Level 3 (Tab

Preneed Activities Level 3 (Tables) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Investment related activities [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Deposits $ 120,283 $ 105,553 Withdrawals $ 112,580 $ 114,592 Purchases of securities $ 431,801 $ 434,367 Sales of securities $ 427,503 $ 334,140 Realized gains from sales of securities (1) $ 130,187 $ 52,157 Realized losses from sales of securities (1) $ (16,168) $ (85,402)
Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]	March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,124,838 $ 1,069,965 Trust investments, at market 6,062,704 5,851,188 Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 243,307 245,056 Trust investments 6,306,011 6,096,244 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,881,728) (1,820,489) Preneed trust investments 4,424,283 4,275,755 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 5,549,121 $ 5,345,720 Preneed receivables, net comprised the following: March 31, 2021 Funeral Cemetery Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables $ 151,293 $ 1,024,209 $ 1,175,502 Unearned finance charges (13,339) (17,288) (30,627) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost 137,954 1,006,921 1,144,875 Reserve for credit losses (11,450) (8,587) (20,037) Preneed receivables, net $ 126,504 $ 998,334 $ 1,124,838 December 31, 2020 Funeral Cemetery Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables $ 143,896 $ 979,259 $ 1,123,155 Unearned finance charges (14,018) (19,968) (33,986) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost 129,878 959,291 1,089,169 Reserve for credit losses (10,940) (8,264) (19,204) Preneed receivables, net $ 118,938 $ 951,027 $ 1,069,965
Preneed Funeral Receivables, Net and Trust Investments [Table Text Block]	The components of Preneed receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,124,838 $ 1,069,965 Trust investments, at market 6,062,704 5,851,188 Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 243,307 245,056 Trust investments 6,306,011 6,096,244 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,881,728) (1,820,489) Preneed trust investments 4,424,283 4,275,755 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 5,549,121 $ 5,345,720
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	March 31, 2021 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Unrealized Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 46,312 $ 1,197 $ (374) $ 47,135 Canadian government 2 29,396 45 (4) 29,437 Corporate 2 1,445 10 (15) 1,440 Residential mortgage-backed 2 1,072 77 (5) 1,144 Asset-backed 2 283 2 (17) 268 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,378 54 (5) 1,427 Common stock: United States 1 1,538,711 590,244 (35,351) 2,093,604 Canada 1 41,103 14,098 (2,165) 53,036 Other international 1 102,439 40,452 (2,430) 140,461 Mutual funds: Equity 1 800,930 125,413 (5,679) 920,664 Fixed income 1 1,048,187 18,413 (13,254) 1,053,346 Other 3 187 2 — 189 Trust investments, at fair value 3,611,443 790,007 (59,299) 4,342,151 Commingled funds Fixed income 660,474 26,441 (2,329) 684,586 Equity 278,866 100,757 (93) 379,530 Money market funds 326,518 — — 326,518 Private equity 270,786 67,134 (8,001) 329,919 Trust investments, at net asset value 1,536,644 194,332 (10,423) 1,720,553 Trust investments, at market $ 5,148,087 $ 984,339 $ (69,722) $ 6,062,704	December 31, 2020 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Unrealized Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 44,907 $ 1,566 $ (272) $ 46,201 Canadian government 2 30,210 51 (157) 30,104 Corporate 2 1,669 14 (8) 1,675 Residential mortgage-backed 2 2,438 131 — 2,569 Asset-backed 2 174 3 (5) 172 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 358 — (24) 334 Common stock: United States 1 1,500,125 503,757 (54,748) 1,949,134 Canada 1 35,016 10,915 (1,823) 44,108 Other international 1 110,775 39,837 (1,831) 148,781 Mutual funds: Equity 1 821,406 95,155 (10,437) 906,124 Fixed income 1 1,022,409 35,872 (19,298) 1,038,983 Other 3 188 2 — 190 Trust investments, at fair value 3,569,675 687,303 (88,603) 4,168,375 Commingled funds Fixed income 657,219 37,474 (173) 694,520 Equity 283,329 97,704 — 381,033 Money market funds 330,745 — — 330,745 Private equity 217,953 68,846 (10,284) 276,515 Trust investments, at net asset value 1,489,246 204,024 (10,457) 1,682,813 Trust investments, at market $ 5,058,921 $ 891,327 $ (99,060) $ 5,851,188
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The change in our market-based trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 190 $ 8,218 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Other income (expense), net (1) (1) (974) Purchases — 10 Sales — (25) Transfers — (6,811) Fair value, ending balance $ 189 $ 418 (1) All net realized and unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Other income (expense), net for our trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred receipts held in trust and Care trusts' corpus
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 190 $ 8,218 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Other income (expense), net (1) (1) (974) Purchases — 10 Sales — (25) Transfers — (6,811) Fair value, ending balance $ 189 $ 418
Preneed Activities Text Block	Preneed Activities Preneed receivables, net and trust investments The components of Preneed receivables, net and trust investments in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,124,838 $ 1,069,965 Trust investments, at market 6,062,704 5,851,188 Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 243,307 245,056 Trust investments 6,306,011 6,096,244 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,881,728) (1,820,489) Preneed trust investments 4,424,283 4,275,755 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 5,549,121 $ 5,345,720 Preneed receivables, net comprised the following: March 31, 2021 Funeral Cemetery Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables $ 151,293 $ 1,024,209 $ 1,175,502 Unearned finance charges (13,339) (17,288) (30,627) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost 137,954 1,006,921 1,144,875 Reserve for credit losses (11,450) (8,587) (20,037) Preneed receivables, net $ 126,504 $ 998,334 $ 1,124,838 December 31, 2020 Funeral Cemetery Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables $ 143,896 $ 979,259 $ 1,123,155 Unearned finance charges (14,018) (19,968) (33,986) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost 129,878 959,291 1,089,169 Reserve for credit losses (10,940) (8,264) (19,204) Preneed receivables, net $ 118,938 $ 951,027 $ 1,069,965 At March 31, 2021, the amortized cost basis of our preneed receivables by year of origination was as follows: 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Prior Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost: Funeral $ 24,115 $ 52,370 $ 32,855 $ 11,182 $ 5,300 $ 12,132 $ 137,954 Cemetery 142,146 399,260 209,141 132,126 75,248 49,000 1,006,921 Total preneed receivables, at amortized cost $ 166,261 $ 451,630 $ 241,996 $ 143,308 $ 80,548 $ 61,132 $ 1,144,875 At March 31, 2021, the payment status of our preneed receivables was as follows: Past Due <30 Days 30-90 Days 90-180 Days >180 Days Total Current Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost: Funeral $ 3,608 $ 2,047 $ 1,623 $ 16,453 $ 23,731 $ 114,223 $ 137,954 Cemetery 25,626 17,921 4,322 888 48,757 958,164 1,006,921 Total preneed receivables, at amortized cost $ 29,234 $ 19,968 $ 5,945 $ 17,341 $ 72,488 $ 1,072,387 $ 1,144,875 The following table summarizes the activity for the reserve for credit losses on preneed receivables for the three months ended March 31, 2021: January 1, 2021 Provision for Expected Credit Losses Write Offs Effect of Foreign Currency March 31, 2021 (In thousands) Funeral $ (10,940) $ (1,366) $ 857 $ (1) $ (11,450) Cemetery (8,264) (408) 89 (4) (8,587) Total reserve for credit losses on preneed receivables $ (19,204) $ (1,774) $ 946 $ (5) $ (20,037) The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our trusts: Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Deposits $ 120,283 $ 105,553 Withdrawals $ 112,580 $ 114,592 Purchases of securities $ 431,801 $ 434,367 Sales of securities $ 427,503 $ 334,140 Realized gains from sales of securities (1) $ 130,187 $ 52,157 Realized losses from sales of securities (1) $ (16,168) $ (85,402) (1) All realized gains and losses are recognized in Other income (expense), net for our trust investments and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus. The cost and market values associated with trust investments recorded at market value are detailed below. Cost reflects the investment (net of redemptions) of control holders in the trusts. Fair value represents the value of the underlying securities held by the trusts. March 31, 2021 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Unrealized Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 46,312 $ 1,197 $ (374) $ 47,135 Canadian government 2 29,396 45 (4) 29,437 Corporate 2 1,445 10 (15) 1,440 Residential mortgage-backed 2 1,072 77 (5) 1,144 Asset-backed 2 283 2 (17) 268 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 1,378 54 (5) 1,427 Common stock: United States 1 1,538,711 590,244 (35,351) 2,093,604 Canada 1 41,103 14,098 (2,165) 53,036 Other international 1 102,439 40,452 (2,430) 140,461 Mutual funds: Equity 1 800,930 125,413 (5,679) 920,664 Fixed income 1 1,048,187 18,413 (13,254) 1,053,346 Other 3 187 2 — 189 Trust investments, at fair value 3,611,443 790,007 (59,299) 4,342,151 Commingled funds Fixed income 660,474 26,441 (2,329) 684,586 Equity 278,866 100,757 (93) 379,530 Money market funds 326,518 — — 326,518 Private equity 270,786 67,134 (8,001) 329,919 Trust investments, at net asset value 1,536,644 194,332 (10,423) 1,720,553 Trust investments, at market $ 5,148,087 $ 984,339 $ (69,722) $ 6,062,704 December 31, 2020 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Unrealized Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 44,907 $ 1,566 $ (272) $ 46,201 Canadian government 2 30,210 51 (157) 30,104 Corporate 2 1,669 14 (8) 1,675 Residential mortgage-backed 2 2,438 131 — 2,569 Asset-backed 2 174 3 (5) 172 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 358 — (24) 334 Common stock: United States 1 1,500,125 503,757 (54,748) 1,949,134 Canada 1 35,016 10,915 (1,823) 44,108 Other international 1 110,775 39,837 (1,831) 148,781 Mutual funds: Equity 1 821,406 95,155 (10,437) 906,124 Fixed income 1 1,022,409 35,872 (19,298) 1,038,983 Other 3 188 2 — 190 Trust investments, at fair value 3,569,675 687,303 (88,603) 4,168,375 Commingled funds Fixed income 657,219 37,474 (173) 694,520 Equity 283,329 97,704 — 381,033 Money market funds 330,745 — — 330,745 Private equity 217,953 68,846 (10,284) 276,515 Trust investments, at net asset value 1,489,246 204,024 (10,457) 1,682,813 Trust investments, at market $ 5,058,921 $ 891,327 $ (99,060) $ 5,851,188 Our private equity investments include several funds that invest in limited partnerships, distressed debt, real estate, and mezzanine financing. These investments can never be redeemed by the funds. Instead, due to the nature of the investments in this category, distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. The funds' managers have not communicated the timing of any liquidations. The change in our market-based trust investments with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (in thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 190 $ 8,218 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in Other income (expense), net (1) (1) (974) Purchases — 10 Sales — (25) Transfers — (6,811) Fair value, ending balance $ 189 $ 418 (1) All net realized and unrealized gains (losses) recognized in Other income (expense), net for our trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income (expense), net to Deferred receipts held in trust and Care trusts' corpus . Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2021 to 2040. Maturities of fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) at March 31, 2021 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 47,498 Due in one to five years 24,382 Due in five to ten years 7,313 Thereafter 231 Total estimated maturities of fixed income securities $ 79,424 Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our preneed trust investments was $45.0 million and $32.2 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our cemetery perpetual care trust investments was $20.8 million and $19.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Trust fund income is up significantly compared to the prior year due to higher investment returns and from the increase in services performed. Deferred revenue, net Deferred revenue, net represents future revenue, including distributed trust investment earnings associated with unperformed trust-funded preneed contracts that are not held in trust accounts. Future revenue and net trust investment earnings that are held in trust accounts are included in Deferred receipts held in trust . The components of Deferred revenue, net in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Deferred revenue $ 2,151,333 $ 2,127,878 Amounts due from customers for unfulfilled performance obligations on cancelable preneed contracts (649,759) (638,969) Deferred revenue, net $ 1,501,574 $ 1,488,909 The following table summarizes the activity for our contract liabilities, which are reflected in Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust : Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Beginning balance — Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust $ 5,761,291 $ 5,306,479 Net preneed contract sales 313,483 238,471 (Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net (441) 12,743 Net investment (losses) gains (1) 146,160 (665,127) Recognized revenue from backlog (2) (156,461) (121,611) Recognized revenue from current period sales (133,633) (107,821) Change in amounts due on unfulfilled performance obligations (10,387) (2,555) Change in cancellation reserve 113 1,095 Effect of foreign currency and other 3,780 (17,468) Ending balance — Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust $ 5,923,905 $ 4,644,206 (1) Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains. (2) Includes current year trust fund income through the date of performance.
Deferred Preneed Funeral Revenues [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the activity for our contract liabilities, which are reflected in Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust : Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Beginning balance — Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust $ 5,761,291 $ 5,306,479 Net preneed contract sales 313,483 238,471 (Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net (441) 12,743 Net investment (losses) gains (1) 146,160 (665,127) Recognized revenue from backlog (2) (156,461) (121,611) Recognized revenue from current period sales (133,633) (107,821) Change in amounts due on unfulfilled performance obligations (10,387) (2,555) Change in cancellation reserve 113 1,095 Effect of foreign currency and other 3,780 (17,468) Ending balance — Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust $ 5,923,905 $ 4,644,206 (1) Includes both realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains.
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	$ 1,124,838		$ 1,069,965
Assets Held-in-trust	6,062,704		5,851,188
Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other [Line Items]	243,307		245,056
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	$ (1,881,728)		$ (1,820,489)
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	Maturity dates of our fixed income securities range from 2021 to 2040. Maturities of fixed income securities (excluding mutual funds) at March 31, 2021 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 47,498 Due in one to five years 24,382 Due in five to ten years 7,313 Thereafter 231 Total estimated maturities of fixed income securities $ 79,424

Debt Level 3 (Tables)

Debt Level 3 (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 $ 150,000 $ 150,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 152,710 152,710 4.625% Senior Notes due December 2027 550,000 550,000 5.125% Senior Notes due June 2029 750,000 750,000 3.375% Senior Notes due August 2030 850,000 850,000 Term Loan due May 2024 593,125 601,250 Bank Credit Facility due May 2024 445,000 525,000 Obligations under finance leases 150,277 148,864 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 50,872 51,766 Unamortized premiums and discounts, net (229) (317) Unamortized debt issuance costs (35,591) (36,739) Total debt 3,656,164 3,742,534 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (217,062) (228,352) Total long-term debt $ 3,439,102 $ 3,514,182

Credit Risk and Fair Value of_2

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 3 (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Table Text Block]	The fair value of our debt instruments at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows: March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 $ 156,255 $ 159,000 7.5% Notes due April 2027 184,936 185,639 4.625% Senior Notes due December 2027 581,796 590,700 5.125% Senior Notes due June 2029 806,167 840,368 3.375% Senior Notes due August 2030 830,705 883,099 Term Loan due May 2024 593,125 601,250 Bank Credit Facility due May 2024 445,000 525,000 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 49,841 51,659 Total fair value of debt instruments $ 3,647,825 $ 3,836,715

Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tabl

Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Revenue from customers: Funeral revenue: Atneed revenue $ 338,070 $ 264,788 Matured preneed revenue 190,189 163,583 Core funeral revenue 528,259 428,371 Non-funeral home revenue 19,729 14,451 Recognized preneed revenue 41,749 32,800 Other revenue 29,701 29,274 Total funeral revenue 619,438 504,896 Cemetery revenue: Atneed revenue 124,621 85,043 Recognized preneed property revenue 218,274 116,082 Recognized preneed merchandise and services revenue 85,818 68,664 Core cemetery revenue 428,713 269,789 Other revenue 29,830 28,280 Total cemetery revenue 458,543 298,069 Total revenue from customers $ 1,077,981 $ 802,965 Gross profit: Funeral gross profit $ 190,745 $ 103,576 Cemetery gross profit 186,762 75,468 Gross profit from reportable segments 377,507 179,044 Corporate general and administrative expenses (36,733) (31,813) Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net 1,266 4,545 Operating income 342,040 151,776 Interest expense (35,812) (44,351) Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net — (139) Other income (expense), net 341 (1,247) Income before income taxes $ 306,569 $ 106,039
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]	Our geographic area information was as follows: United States Canada Total (In thousands) Three months ended March 31, Revenue from external customers: 2021 $ 1,019,970 $ 58,011 $ 1,077,981 2020 $ 759,272 $ 43,693 $ 802,965

Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tab

Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted EPS is presented below: Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Net income — basic and diluted $ 228,879 $ 81,941 Weighted average shares: Weighted average shares — basic 169,918 180,854 Stock options 2,390 2,675 Restricted share units 59 56 Weighted average shares — diluted $ 172,367 $ 183,585 Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.35 $ 0.45 Diluted $ 1.33 $ 0.45
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Antidilutive options 1,276 1,228 Antidilutive restricted share units — 31

Acquisition Level 3 (Tables)

Acquisition Level 3 (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Gains (Losses) on Divestitures and Impairment Charges [Table Text Block]	Three months ended March 31, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Gains on divestitures, net $ 1,326 $ 7,629 Impairment losses (60) (3,084) Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net $ 1,266 $ 4,545

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Textuals (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	$ 6,297,000		$ 6,902,000
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	96,088,000		98,970,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	5,859,000		7,753,000
Restricted Cash, Current	3,678,000		5,573,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	89,590,000		92,939,000
Amortization of cemetery property	28,929,000	$ 13,924,000
Depreciation	39,558,000	$ 37,912,000
Other Assets, Current	28,224,000		28,427,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	6,498,000		6,031,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(20,037,000)		(19,204,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	946,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(6,297,000)		(6,902,000)
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(6,177,000)		(5,685,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(2,040,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	(366,000)
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	22,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	1,892,000
Notes Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	5,315,000		5,957,000
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	11,782,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(5,768,000)		(6,447,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	37,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	0
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	642,000
Financing Receivable, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	177,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	5,526,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(5,315,000)		(5,957,000)
Revolving Line of Credit	6,079,000
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	1,126,000
Financing Receivable, Not Past Due	10,656,000
Notes Receivable [Member] | Financial Asset, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	2,000
Notes Receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	4,000
Notes Receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	3,000
Notes Receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	1,117,000
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	982,000		945,000
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	25,945,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(850,000)		(801,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(49,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	0
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	0
Financing Receivable, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	18,804,000
Financing Receivable, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	2,697,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	2,721,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	1,296,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	379,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	48,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(982,000)		(945,000)
Revolving Line of Credit	0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	217,000
Financing Receivable, Not Past Due	25,728,000
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financial Asset, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	0
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	106,000
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	71,000
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	40,000
Funeral [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(11,450,000)		(10,940,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	857,000
Funeral [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	51,387,000		56,745,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	47,413,000		52,993,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	3,974,000		3,752,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(3,974,000)		(3,752,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(1,526,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	(366,000)
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	15,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	1,655,000
Other Accounts Receivable Current [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	19,273,000		18,545,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	19,405,000		18,689,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(132,000)		(144,000)
Current [Member] | Notes Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	764,000		1,121,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	311,000		631,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	453,000		490,000
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	19,272,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	132,000		144,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(12,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	0
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	0
Financing Receivable, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	17,784,000
Financing Receivable, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	588,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	529,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	289,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	73,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	9,000
Revolving Line of Credit	0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	217,000
Financing Receivable, Not Past Due	19,055,000
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financial Asset, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	0
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	106,000
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	71,000
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	40,000
Long Term [Member] | Notes Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	5,703,000		6,432,000
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	11,018,000		12,389,000
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	5,691,000		5,570,000
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	6,673,000		6,515,000
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	6,673,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(982,000)		(945,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(37,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	0
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	0
Financing Receivable, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	1,020,000
Financing Receivable, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	2,109,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	2,192,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	1,007,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	306,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	39,000
Revolving Line of Credit	0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	0
Financing Receivable, Not Past Due	6,673,000
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financial Asset, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	0
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	0
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	0
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Past Due	0
Cemetery [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(8,587,000)		(8,264,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	89,000
Cemetery [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	24,664,000		22,559,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	22,461,000		20,626,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	2,203,000		1,933,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(2,203,000)		$ (1,933,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(514,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	0
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	7,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	$ 237,000

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,077,981	$ 802,965
Gross profit	377,507	179,044
Costs of revenue	(700,474)	(623,921)
Corporate general and administrative expenses	(36,733)	(31,813)
Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	1,266	4,545
Operating income	342,040	151,776
Interest expense	(35,812)	(44,351)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	139
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	341	(1,247)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	306,569	106,039
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(77,614)	(24,038)
Net income	228,955	82,001
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(76)	(60)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 228,879	$ 81,941
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 1.35	$ 0.45
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 1.33	$ 0.45
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	$ (10,387)	$ (2,555)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(6,297)		$ (6,902)
Notes Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	$ (5,315)		$ (5,957)

Preneed Activities Investment R

Preneed Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Deposits to trust	$ 120,283	$ 105,553
Withdrawals	112,580	114,592
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	431,801	434,367
Sales of available-for-sale securities	427,503	334,140
Realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	130,187	52,157
Realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ (16,168)	$ (85,402)

Preneed Activities Preneed Ac_3

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments [Abstract]
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	$ 5,549,121		$ 5,345,720
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(10,387)	$ (2,555)
Amounts Due for Unfulfilled Performance Obligations	$ (649,759)		$ (638,969)

Preneed Activities Long-term Re

Preneed Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	$ 5,549,121	$ 5,345,720
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	(1,881,728)	(1,820,489)
Preneed trust investments	4,424,283	4,275,755
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	5,549,121	5,345,720
Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other [Line Items]	243,307	245,056
Investments	6,306,011	6,096,244
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,124,838	1,069,965
Assets Held-in-trust	6,062,704	5,851,188
Funeral [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	126,504	118,938
Cemetery [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	$ 998,334	$ 951,027

Preneed Activities Schedule of

Preneed Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 3,611,443
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	790,007
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(59,299)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	4,342,151
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis		$ 3,569,675
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains		687,303
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(88,603)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value		4,168,375
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	46,312	44,907
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,197	1,566
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(374)	(272)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	47,135	46,201
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	29,396	30,210
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	45	51
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(4)	(157)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	29,437	30,104
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,445	1,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	10	14
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(15)	(8)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,440	1,675
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,072	2,438
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	77	131
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(5)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,144	2,569
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	283	174
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(17)	(5)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	268	172
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,378	358
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	54	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(5)	(24)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,427	334
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,538,711	1,500,125
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	590,244	503,757
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(35,351)	(54,748)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	2,093,604	1,949,134
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	41,103	35,016
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	14,098	10,915
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,165)	(1,823)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	53,036	44,108
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	102,439	110,775
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	40,452	39,837
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,430)	(1,831)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	140,461	148,781
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	800,930	821,406
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	125,413	95,155
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(5,679)	(10,437)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	920,664	906,124
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,048,187	1,022,409
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	18,413	35,872
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(13,254)	(19,298)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,053,346	1,038,983
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	187	188
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	189	190
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,536,644
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	194,332
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(10,423)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	1,720,553
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Commingled funds - Fixed inc [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	660,474	657,219
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	26,441	37,474
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,329)	(173)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	684,586	694,520
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Commingled funds - Equity [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	278,866	283,329
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	100,757	97,704
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(93)	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	379,530	381,033
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	326,518	330,745
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	326,518	330,745
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	270,786	217,953
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	67,134	68,846
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(8,001)	(10,284)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	329,919	276,515
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Reported At Net Asset Value [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis		1,489,246
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains		204,024
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		(10,457)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value		1,682,813
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,148,087	5,058,921
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	984,339	891,327
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(69,722)	(99,060)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value	$ 6,062,704	$ 5,851,188

Preneed Activities Level 3 Acti

Preneed Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - Other Investments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 190	$ 8,218
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	(1)	(974)
Purchases	0	10
Sales	0	(25)
Fair market value, ending balance	189	418
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	$ 0	$ (6,811)

Preneed Activities Investments

Preneed Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	$ 47,498
Due in one to five years	24,382
Due in five to ten years	7,313
Thereafter	231
Total	$ 79,424

Preneed Activities Preneed Ac_4

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Revenue Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Deferred revenue, Gross	$ 2,151,333	$ 2,127,878
Deferred Revenue	1,501,574	1,488,909
Amounts Due for Unfulfilled Performance Obligations	$ 649,759	$ 638,969

Preneed Activities Preneed Ac_5

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Investment Earnings, Net	$ 45	$ 32.2
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, maximum	2040
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, minimum	2021
ECF Investment Earnings, Net	$ 20.8	$ 19.5

Income Taxes Income Taxes Level

Income Taxes Income Taxes Level 4-Detail 1 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Total effective tax rate	25.30%	22.70%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 1.4
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	$ 0.7

Debt Level 4 (Details)

Debt Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payments on capital leases	$ 6,652	$ 10,254
Repayments of Debt	109,000	34,000
Repayments of Other Debt	900	100
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	(139)
Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent	593,125		$ 601,250
Total debt	3,656,164		3,742,534
Current maturities of long-term debt	(217,062)		(228,352)
Less current maturities	217,062		228,352
Total long-term debt	$ 3,439,102		$ 3,514,182
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.66%		3.62%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	68.00%		66.00%
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 34,000
Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities	20,100	10,100
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	(35,591)		$ (36,739)
Bank credit facility	445,000		525,000
Redemption Premium		100
January 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank credit facility	445,000		525,000
April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		700
Term Loan December 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		$ 8,100
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	(229)		(317)
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	150,000		150,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	152,710		152,710
Unsecured Debt [Member] | December 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	550,000		550,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	750,000		750,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | August 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	850,000		850,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Obligations under capital leases	150,277		148,864
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	$ 50,872		$ 51,766

Debt Debt, Textuals (Details)

Debt Debt, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.66%		3.62%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	68.00%		66.00%
Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent	$ 593,125		$ 601,250
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 445,000		525,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.15%
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 34,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	521,000
Principal payments on capital leases	6,652	$ 10,254
Repayments of Other Debt	900	100
Repayments of Debt	109,000	34,000
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	(139)
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	3,647,825		3,836,715
Redemption Premium		100
Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities	20,100	10,100
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	20,000	75,000
April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		700
January 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	445,000		525,000
May 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	8,100
Bank Credit Facility 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	100,000	$ 25,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	150,000		150,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	152,710		152,710
Unsecured Debt [Member] | December 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	550,000		550,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | August 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	850,000		850,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 750,000		$ 750,000

Credit Risk and Fair Value of_3

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank credit facility	$ 445,000	$ 525,000
Notes Payable	49,841	51,659
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	3,647,825	3,836,715
November 2021 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	156,255	159,000
January 2022 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank credit facility	445,000	525,000
Term Loan	593,125	601,250
April 2027 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	184,936	185,639
December 2027 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	581,796	590,700
June 2029 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	806,167	840,368
August 2030
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 830,705	$ 883,099

Commitments and Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Self Insurance Reserve	$ 97	$ 92.8
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 13.6

Equity Textuals (Details)

Equity Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	May 03, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2021
Common stock, shares, issued		175,051,063	174,792,272
Common stock, shares outstanding		168,837,094	170,717,236
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		2,141,798
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method		$ 106,200
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share		$ 49.58
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		$ 126,800
Dividends declared per share		$ 210		$ 190
Payments of Dividends, Common Stock		$ 35,568		$ 34,414
Subsequent Event [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	695,722
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	$ 36,200
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$ 52.03
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount					$ 90,600

Segment Reporting Level 4 (Deta

Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	$ 2,181		$ 2,180
Revenues	1,077,981	$ 802,965
Interest expense	(35,812)	(44,351)
Depreciation and amortization	39,558	37,912
Amortization of intangibles	5,335	5,257
Amortization of cemetery property	28,929	13,924
Total assets	14,788,260		$ 14,515,425
Capital expenditures	42,274	52,275
Gross profits from reportable segments	377,507	179,044
Corporate general and administrative expenses	(36,733)	(31,813)
Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	1,266	4,545
Operating income	342,040	151,776
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	(139)
Other income (expense), net	341	(1,247)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	306,569	106,039
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,019,970	759,272
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	58,011	43,693
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	619,438	504,896
Gross profits from reportable segments	190,745	103,576
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	458,543	298,069
Gross profits from reportable segments	186,762	75,468
Funeral Atneed Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	338,070	264,788
Funeral Matured Preneed Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	190,189	163,583
Funeral Core Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	528,259	428,371
Non-funeral Home Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	19,729	14,451
Funeral Recognized Preneed Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	41,749	32,800
Funeral Other Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	29,701	29,274
Cemetery Atneed Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	124,621	85,043
Cemetery Recognized Preneed Property Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	218,274	116,082
Cemetery Recognized Preneed Merchandise And Service Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	85,818	68,664
Cemetery Core Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	428,713	269,789
Cemetery Other Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 29,830	$ 28,280

Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Det

Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 228,879	$ 81,941
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	169,918	180,854
Weighted average shares — diluted	172,367	183,585
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 1.35	$ 0.45
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 1.33	$ 0.45
Revenues	$ 1,077,981	$ 802,965
Stock Options [Member]
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Share based compensation	2,390	2,675
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,276,000	1,228,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Share based compensation	59	56
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	31,000

Acquisition, Textuals (Details)

Acquisition, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Acquisitions [Abstract]
(Losses) gains on divestitures	$ 1,326	$ 7,629
Impairment losses	(60)	(3,084)
Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	1,266	4,545
Payments for (Proceeds from) Deposits on Real Estate Acquisitions	5,608	2,114
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$ (1,160)	$ (26,349)

Uncategorized Items - sci-20210

Label	Element	Value
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	$ 106,217,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	2,364,000
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	3,500,000
Dividends, Common Stock	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock	35,568,000
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	238,610,000
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	242,620,000
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	0
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	76,000
Dividends, Common Stock	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock	0
Treasury Stock [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	2,142,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	0
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	0
Dividends, Common Stock	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock	0
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	0
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	5,005,000
Dividends, Common Stock	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock	0
Common Stock [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures	163,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	99,000
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	0
Dividends, Common Stock	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock	0
Retained Earnings [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	91,771,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	0
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	228,879,000
Dividends, Common Stock	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock	35,568,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	12,304,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures	(163,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised	2,265,000
APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	3,500,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	0
Dividends, Common Stock	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock	$ 0