Service Corporation International (SCI) 10-Q 28 Oct 21 2021 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page Details

Cover Page Details - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Oct. 26, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Type	10-Q
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 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	166,080,826
Subsequent Event [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		164,911,877

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Shell Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	166,080,826
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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Product Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,034,372	$ 918,241	$ 3,099,888	$ 2,541,241
Costs of revenue	(701,353)	(654,585)	(2,120,649)	(1,879,774)
Gross profit	333,019	263,656	979,239	661,467
Corporate general and administrative expenses	(36,477)	(40,986)	(102,248)	(109,968)
Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	7,804	543	15,232	5,825
Operating income	304,346	223,213	892,223	557,324
Interest expense	(38,618)	(40,721)	(111,865)	(126,839)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	(18,278)	(5,226)	(18,428)
Other income (expense), net	8,218	629	9,214	548
Income before income taxes	273,946	164,843	784,346	412,605
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(64,003)	(37,351)	(187,659)	(97,559)
Net income	209,943	127,492	596,687	315,046
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(88)	(77)	(248)	(182)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 209,855	$ 127,415	$ 596,439	$ 314,864
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 1.25	$ 0.72	$ 3.54	$ 1.77
Basic weighted average number of shares	167,417	175,982	168,586	178,238
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 1.23	$ 0.72	$ 3.49	$ 1.74
Diluted weighted average number of shares	170,005	178,140	171,057	180,463
Dividends declared per share	$ 230
Product [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 532,722	$ 479,521	$ 1,607,090	$ 1,272,000
Costs of revenue	(248,957)	(230,568)	(748,716)	(634,118)
Service [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Revenue	432,458	382,466	1,287,934	1,104,793
Costs of revenue	(210,344)	(190,000)	(615,700)	(561,039)
Product and Service, Other [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Revenue	69,192	56,254	204,864	164,448
Costs of revenue	$ (242,052)	$ (234,017)	$ (756,233)	$ (684,617)

Consolidated Statement of Compr

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 209,943	$ 127,492	$ 596,687	$ 315,046
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(11,345)	7,870	594	(9,594)
Total comprehensive income	198,598	135,362	597,281	305,452
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(87)	(77)	(247)	(182)
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$ 198,511	$ 135,285	$ 597,034	$ 305,270

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 406,947	$ 230,857
Receivables, net	99,996	92,939
Inventories	24,646	23,929
Other	40,274	28,427
Total current assets	571,863	376,152
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(5,803)	(6,031)
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	5,823,805	5,345,720
Cemetery property	1,865,480	1,879,340
Property and equipment, net	2,160,717	2,133,664
Goodwill	1,884,189	1,880,007
Deferred charges and other assets	1,113,507	1,080,053
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(20,713)	(19,204)
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,950,630	1,820,489
Total assets	15,370,191	14,515,425
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	623,348	575,948
Current maturities of long-term debt	65,811	228,352
Income taxes payable	35,103	11,634
Total current liabilities	724,262	815,934
Long-term debt	3,759,974	3,514,182
Deferred preneed revenue	1,527,079	1,488,909
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent	429,491	437,308
Other liabilities	444,483	420,039
Deferred receipts held in trust	4,606,817	4,272,382
Care trusts’ corpus	1,936,190	1,814,050
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000
Common stock, par or stated value per share	$ 1
Common stock, shares outstanding	166,080,826	170,717,236
Equity:
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 166,081	$ 170,717
Capital in excess of par value	989,834	981,934
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	746,019	560,731
Accumulated other comprehensive income	39,961	39,366
Total common stockholders’ equity	1,941,895	1,752,748
Noncontrolling interests	0	(127)
Total equity	1,941,895	1,752,621
Total liabilities and equity	$ 15,370,191	$ 14,515,425
Common stock, shares, issued	176,391,170	174,792,272

Consolidated Statement of Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income	$ 596,687	$ 315,046
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	5,226	18,428
Depreciation and amortization	119,200	116,453
Amortization of intangibles	15,095	17,056
Amortization of cemetery property	75,394	56,854
Amortization of loan costs	4,736	3,971
Provision for expected credit losses	8,545	12,016
(Benefit from) provision for deferred income taxes	(8,125)	17,217
Share-based compensation	10,630	10,571
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	(15,232)	(5,825)
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable	(9,921)	(1,231)
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets	(39,681)	(24,262)
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities	(84,404)	(51,989)
Effect of preneed funeral production and maturities:
Increase in preneed receivables, net and trust investments	(246,867)	(89,220)
Increase in deferred revenue, net	92,991	65,982
Increase (decrease) in deferred receipts held in trust	37,280	(5,608)
Net cash provided by operating activities	730,362	559,437
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(177,767)	(155,597)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	(9,221)	(29,801)
Payments for (Proceeds from) Deposits on Real Estate Acquisitions	(15,642)	(51,434)
Proceeds from divestitures and sales of property and equipment	25,602	12,946
Payment to Acquire Life Insurance Policy, Investing Activities	(3,666)	(5,036)
Proceeds from Life Insurance Policy	0	3,519
Net cash used in investing activities	(180,694)	(225,403)
Cash flows from financing activities
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	13,640	14,501
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	820,000	1,495,000
Early payments and extinguishment of debt	(699,837)	(1,371,840)
Finance Lease, Principal Payments	25,421	30,612
Repayments of Unsecured Debt	(27,110)	(25,467)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	34,521	16,999
Purchase of Company common stock	(344,373)	(329,123)
Payments of dividends	(109,285)	(101,472)
Bank overdrafts and other	(3,497)	9,800
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(368,642)	(351,216)
Effect of foreign currency	(197)	(2,329)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	180,829	(19,511)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	$ 419,439	$ 223,109

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, 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	305,452
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	1,743,136	186,186	(11,951)	992,072	556,495	20,270	64
Balance at beginning 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]
Comprehensive income	119,291	0	0	0	105,508	13,736	47
Dividends, Common Stock	(33,719)	0	0	0	33,719	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	3,638	0	0	3,638	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(87,466)	0	(2,277)	(12,862)	(72,327)	0	0
Other	1,620	47	0	1,573	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	1,754,328	186,105	(9,094)	1,002,988	561,882	12,400	47
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) | Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]	(129)	0	0	0	(129)	0	0
Comprehensive income	135,362	0	0	0	127,415	7,870	77
Dividends, Common Stock	(33,339)	0	0	0	33,339	0	0
Stock option exercises	1,873	82	0	1,791	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	2	0	(2)	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	3,527	0	0	3,527	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(118,555)	0	(2,857)	(16,235)	(99,463)	0	0
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	60	0	0	0	0	0	60
Other	0	(3)	0	3	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	1,743,136	186,186	(11,951)	992,072	556,495	20,270	64
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	0	0	0	228,879	5,005	76
Dividends, Common Stock	$ (35,568)	0	0	0	(35,568)	0	0
Dividends declared per share	$ 210
Stock option exercises	$ 2,364	99	0	2,265	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	163	0	(163)	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	3,500	0	0	3,500	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	$ (106,217)	$ 0	$ (2,142)	$ (12,304)	$ (91,771)	$ 0	$ 0
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)
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	597,281
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2021	1,941,895	176,391	(10,310)	989,834	746,019	39,961	0
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2021	1,850,660	175,051	(6,214)	975,232	662,271	44,371	(51)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	164,723	0	0	0	157,705	6,934	84
Dividends, Common Stock	$ (35,352)	0	0	0	(35,352)	0	0
Dividends declared per share
Stock option exercises	$ 13,972	644	0	13,328	0	0	0
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures	0	(3)	0	3	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	3,596	0	0	3,596	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(81,048)	0	(1,542)	(8,955)	(70,551)	0	0
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	60	0	0	0	0	0	60
Other	1,620	33	0	1,587	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2021	1,918,111	175,725	(7,756)	984,791	714,073	51,305	(27)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income	198,598	0	0	0	209,855	(11,344)	87
Dividends, Common Stock	$ (38,365)	0	0	0	(38,365)	0	0
Dividends declared per share	$ 230
Stock option exercises	$ 18,267	666	0	17,601	0	0	0
Employee share-based compensation earned	3,534	0	0	3,534	0	0	0
Purchase of Company common stock	(157,190)	0	(2,554)	(15,092)	(139,544)	0	0
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders	60	0	0	0	0	0	60
Other	(1,000)	0	0	(1,000)	0	0	0
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 1,941,895	$ 176,391	$ (10,310)	$ 989,834	$ 746,019	$ 39,961	$ 0

Preneed Activities Preneed Acti

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Receivables Net and Trust Invesments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Total Preneed receivables, Past Due	$ 91,347	$ 91,347
Preneed Receivable, Not Past Due	1,142,203	1,142,203
Investments	6,561,598	6,561,598	$ 6,096,244
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,233,550	1,233,550	1,089,169
Beginning balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments		5,345,720
Deposits to trust	134,923	389,025
Ending balance — Preneed funeral receivables and trust investments	5,823,805	5,823,805
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	1,950,630	1,950,630	1,820,489
Deferred Discounts, Finance Charges and Interest Included in Receivables	(25,109)	(25,109)	(33,986)
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,212,837	1,212,837	1,069,965
Preneed Accounts Receivable Gross	1,258,659	1,258,659	1,123,155
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(20,713)	(20,713)	(19,204)
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	461,780	461,780
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	374,688	374,688
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	192,611	192,611
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	107,935	107,935
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	55,918	55,918
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	40,618	40,618
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff		2,693
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)		(4,200)
Effect of Foreign Exchange on Allowance for Credit Loss		(2)
Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	25,611	25,611
Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	7,673	7,673
Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	19,590	19,590
Financial Receivables, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	38,473	38,473
Funeral [Member]
Total Preneed receivables, Past Due	25,729	25,729
Preneed Receivable, Not Past Due	122,945	122,945
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	148,674	148,674	129,878
Deferred Discounts, Finance Charges and Interest Included in Receivables	(12,221)	(12,221)	(14,018)
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	136,391	136,391	118,938
Preneed Accounts Receivable Gross	160,895	160,895	143,896
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(12,283)	(12,283)	(10,940)
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	58,724	58,724
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	41,511	41,511
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	25,009	25,009
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	8,236	8,236
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	3,992	3,992
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	11,202	11,202
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff		2,388
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)		(3,731)
Effect of Foreign Exchange on Allowance for Credit Loss		0
Funeral [Member] | Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	2,779	2,779
Funeral [Member] | Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	1,727	1,727
Funeral [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	16,988	16,988
Funeral [Member] | Financial Receivables, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	4,235	4,235
Cemetery [Member]
Total Preneed receivables, Past Due	65,618	65,618
Preneed Receivable, Not Past Due	1,019,258	1,019,258
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,084,876	1,084,876	959,291
Deferred Discounts, Finance Charges and Interest Included in Receivables	(12,888)	(12,888)	(19,968)
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,076,446	1,076,446	951,027
Preneed Accounts Receivable Gross	1,097,764	1,097,764	979,259
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(8,430)	(8,430)	$ (8,264)
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Current Fiscal Year	403,056	403,056
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	333,177	333,177
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	167,602	167,602
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	99,699	99,699
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	51,926	51,926
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	29,416	29,416
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff		305
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)		(469)
Effect of Foreign Exchange on Allowance for Credit Loss		(2)
Cemetery [Member] | Financing Receivables 30 To 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	22,832	22,832
Cemetery [Member] | Financing Receivables 91 To180 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	5,946	5,946
Cemetery [Member] | Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	2,602	2,602
Cemetery [Member] | Financial Receivables, 1 to 29 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Noncurrent, Past Due [Table]	$ 34,238	$ 34,238

Preneed Activities Preneed Ac_2

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Preneed Revenues - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred Preneed Revenues [Roll Forward]
Deferred revenue and deferred receipts held in trust	$ 6,133,896	$ 5,314,811	$ 5,761,291	$ 5,306,479
Net preneed contract sales	985,830	801,064
Acquisitions (dispositions) of businesses, net	(5,921)	14,201
Net investment (losses) earnings	299,374	(32,410)
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(62,323)	(42,300)
Recognized Revenue From Backlog	(376,084)	(324,117)
Recognized Revenue From Current Period	(470,644)	(407,666)
Change in cancellation allowance	(315)	1,070
Effect of foreign currency and other	$ 2,688	$ (1,510)

Nature of Operations Level 1 (N

Nature of Operations Level 1 (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 memorial services, merchandise installation, and interments, are sold at our cemeteries.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 1 (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 406,947 $ 230,857 Restricted cash (1) Included in Other current assets 11,521 5,573 Included in Deferred charges and other assets, net 971 2,180 Total restricted cash 12,492 7,753 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 419,439 $ 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: September 30, 2021 Atneed Funeral Atneed Cemetery Miscellaneous Current Portion of Notes Total (In thousands) Receivables $ 48,537 $ 34,325 $ 22,557 $ 380 $ 105,799 Reserve for credit losses (3,522) (2,223) 126 (184) (5,803) Receivables, net $ 45,015 $ 32,102 $ 22,683 $ 196 $ 99,996 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: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Notes receivable $ 9,541 $ 12,389 Reserve for credit losses (3,990) (5,957) Notes receivable, net $ 5,551 $ 6,432 Long-term miscellaneous receivables $ 7,304 $ 6,515 Reserve for credit losses (1,054) (945) Long-term miscellaneous receivables, net $ 6,250 $ 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 nine months ended September 30, 2021: January 1, 2021 Provision for Expected Credit Losses Acquisitions (Divestitures), net Write Offs Recoveries Effect of Foreign Currency September 30, 2021 (In thousands) Trade receivables: Funeral $ (3,752) $ (3,554) $ (17) $ 4,871 $ (1,345) $ 275 $ (3,522) Cemetery (1,933) (970) — 802 (122) — (2,223) Total reserve for credit losses on trade receivables $ (5,685) $ (4,524) $ (17) $ 5,673 $ (1,467) $ 275 $ (5,745) Miscellaneous receivables: Current $ 144 $ (18) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 126 Long-term (945) (109) — — — — (1,054) Total reserve for credit losses on miscellaneous receivables $ (801) $ (127) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (928) Notes receivable $ (6,447) $ 306 $ — $ 1,967 $ — $ — $ (4,174) At September 30, 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 $ 21,320 $ 524 $ 459 $ 222 $ 29 $ 3 $ — $ 22,557 Long-term 2,718 1,771 1,945 734 122 14 — 7,304 Total miscellaneous receivables $ 24,038 $ 2,295 $ 2,404 $ 956 $ 151 $ 17 $ — $ 29,861 Notes receivable $ — $ — $ — $ 135 $ — $ 5,051 $ 4,735 $ 9,921 At September 30, 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 $ — $ — $ 5 $ 201 $ 206 $ 22,351 $ 22,557 Long-term — — — — — 7,304 7,304 Total miscellaneous receivables $ — $ — $ 5 $ 201 $ 206 $ 29,655 $ 29,861 Notes receivable $ 1 $ 3 $ 119 $ 1,116 $ 1,239 $ 8,682 $ 9,921 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,212,837 $ 1,069,965 Trust investments, at market 6,328,077 5,851,188 Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 233,521 245,056 Trust investments 6,561,598 6,096,244 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,950,630) (1,820,489) Preneed trust investments 4,610,968 4,275,755 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 5,823,805 $ 5,345,720 Preneed receivables, net comprised the following: September 30, 2021 Funeral Cemetery Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables $ 160,895 $ 1,097,764 $ 1,258,659 Unearned finance charges (12,221) (12,888) (25,109) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost 148,674 1,084,876 1,233,550 Reserve for credit losses (12,283) (8,430) (20,713) Preneed receivables, net $ 136,391 $ 1,076,446 $ 1,212,837 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 September 30, 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 $ 58,724 $ 41,511 $ 25,009 $ 8,236 $ 3,992 $ 11,202 $ 148,674 Cemetery 403,056 333,177 167,602 99,699 51,926 29,416 1,084,876 Total preneed receivables, at amortized cost $ 461,780 $ 374,688 $ 192,611 $ 107,935 $ 55,918 $ 40,618 $ 1,233,550 At September 30, 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 $ 4,235 $ 2,779 $ 1,727 $ 16,988 $ 25,729 $ 122,945 $ 148,674 Cemetery 34,238 22,832 5,946 2,602 65,618 1,019,258 1,084,876 Total preneed receivables, at amortized cost $ 38,473 $ 25,611 $ 7,673 $ 19,590 $ 91,347 $ 1,142,203 $ 1,233,550 The following table summarizes the activity for the reserve for credit losses on preneed receivables for the nine months ended September 30, 2021: January 1, 2021 Provision for Expected Credit Losses Write Offs Effect of Foreign Currency September 30, 2021 (In thousands) Funeral $ (10,940) $ (3,731) $ 2,388 $ — $ (12,283) Cemetery (8,264) (469) 305 (2) (8,430) Total reserve for credit losses on preneed receivables $ (19,204) $ (4,200) $ 2,693 $ (2) $ (20,713) The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our trusts: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Deposits $ 134,923 $ 113,444 $ 389,025 $ 317,338 Withdrawals $ 111,196 $ 102,873 $ 341,354 $ 316,729 Purchases of securities $ 475,748 $ 452,009 $ 1,287,957 $ 1,358,005 Sales of securities $ 418,261 $ 423,762 $ 1,249,066 $ 1,217,713 Realized gains from sales of securities (1) $ 97,155 $ 60,772 $ 402,074 $ 205,364 Realized losses from sales of securities (1) $ (23,983) $ (43,243) $ (57,795) $ (190,401) (1) All realized gains and losses are recognized in Other income, net for our trust investments and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, 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. September 30, 2021 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Unrealized Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 50,019 $ 1,029 $ (333) $ 50,715 Canadian government 2 30,035 34 (12) 30,057 Corporate 2 497 8 (10) 495 Residential mortgage-backed 2 1,374 72 (8) 1,438 Asset-backed 2 283 3 (9) 277 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 4,843 41 (71) 4,813 Common stock: United States 1 1,582,652 562,106 (60,243) 2,084,515 Canada 1 47,178 19,185 (1,038) 65,325 Other international 1 128,095 50,839 (6,924) 172,010 Mutual funds: Equity 1 814,776 156,109 (3,378) 967,507 Fixed income 1 999,849 43,524 (6,119) 1,037,254 Other 3 187 2 — 189 Trust investments, at fair value 3,659,788 832,952 (78,145) 4,414,595 Commingled funds Fixed income 756,031 33,977 (2,429) 787,579 Equity 259,790 103,912 (6) 363,696 Money market funds 368,461 — — 368,461 Alternative investments 289,019 111,241 (6,514) 393,746 Trust investments, at net asset value 1,673,301 249,130 (8,949) 1,913,482 Trust investments, at market $ 5,333,089 $ 1,082,082 $ (87,094) $ 6,328,077 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 Alternative investments 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 alternative investments include funds invested in limited partnerships with interests in private equity, private market real estate, energy and natural resources, infrastructure, transportation, and private debt including both distressed debt 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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 189 $ 423 $ 190 $ 8,218 Net realized and unrealized (losses) included in Other income, net (1) — (355) (1) (612) Purchases — 57 — 4,626 Sales — (60) — (5,356) Transfers — — — (6,811) Fair value, ending balance $ 189 $ 65 $ 189 $ 65 (1) All net realized and unrealized (losses) recognized in Other income, net for our trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, 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 September 30, 2021 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 52,892 Due in one to five years 22,559 Due in five to ten years 7,296 Thereafter 235 Total estimated maturities of fixed income securities $ 82,982 Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our preneed trust investments was $46.1 million and $33.9 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our cemetery perpetual care trust investments was $23.1 million and $15.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our preneed trust investments was $134.8 million and $93.1 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our cemetery perpetual care trust investments was $71.0 million and $52.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. 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: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Deferred revenue $ 2,228,602 $ 2,127,878 Amounts due from customers for unfulfilled performance obligations on cancelable preneed contracts (701,523) (638,969) Deferred revenue, net $ 1,527,079 $ 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 : Nine months ended September 30, 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 985,830 801,064 (Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net (5,921) 14,201 Net investment gains (losses) (1) 299,374 (32,410) Recognized revenue from backlog (2) (376,084) (324,117) Recognized revenue from current period sales (470,644) (407,666) Change in amounts due on unfulfilled performance obligations (62,323) (42,300) Change in cancellation reserve (315) 1,070 Effect of foreign currency and other 2,688 (1,510) Ending balance — Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust $ 6,133,896 $ 5,314,811 (1) Includes both realized and unrealized investment gains (losses). (2) Includes current year trust fund income through the date of performance.

Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)

Income Taxes Level 1 (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 23.4% and 22.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 23.9% and 23.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily due to a change in estimate in the finalization of the 2019 tax return in the prior year, partially offset by excess tax benefits recognized on the settlement of employee share-based awards. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was higher than the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to state tax expenses, partially offset by excess tax benefits recognized on the settlement of employee share-based awards. Unrecognized Tax Benefits As of September 30, 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Debt The components of Debt are: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 $ — $ 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 4.0% Senior Notes due May 2031 800,000 — Term Loan due May 2024 576,875 601,250 Bank Credit Facility due May 2024 — 525,000 Obligations under finance leases 143,613 148,864 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 49,028 51,766 Unamortized premiums and discounts, net — (317) Unamortized debt issuance costs (46,441) (36,739) Total debt 3,825,785 3,742,534 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (65,811) (228,352) Total long-term debt $ 3,759,974 $ 3,514,182 Current maturities of debt at September 30, 2021 include amounts due under our term loan, mortgage notes and other debt, and finance lease payments due within the next year as well as the portion of debt issuance costs expected to be recognized in the next twelve months. Our consolidated debt had a weighted average interest rate of 3.80% and 3.62% at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Approximately 82% and 66% of our total debt had a fixed interest rate at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we paid $86.2 million and $102.9 million in cash interest, respectively. 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 Facility contains certain financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum leverage ratio, and certain dividend and share repurchase restrictions. As of September 30, 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 0.10% at September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, we had $966.0 million in borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Facility. The Bank Credit Facility had an interest rate of 1.09% and 1.40% at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Debt Issuances and Additions During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we issued or added $820.0 million of debt including: • $800.0 million unsecured 4.0% Senior Notes due May 2031; and • $20.0 million on our Bank Credit Facility due May 2024. Net proceeds from newly issued debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were used to pay down our Bank Credit Facility, to redeem our 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021, and for general corporate purposes. These transactions resulted in additional debt issuance costs of $13.6 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we issued or added $1.5 billion of debt including: • $850.0 million unsecured 3.375% Senior Notes due August 2030; and • $645.0 million on our Bank Credit Facility due May 2024. Newly issued debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was used to pay down our Bank Credit Facility, to redeem our 5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024, and for general corporate purposes. These transactions resulted in additional debt issuance costs of $14.5 million. Debt Extinguishments and Reductions During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we made aggregate debt payments of $727.0 million for scheduled and early extinguishment payments including: • $545.0 million in aggregate principal of our Bank Credit Facility due May 2024; • $24.4 million in aggregate principal of our Term Loan due May 2024; • $150.0 million in aggregate principal of 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021; • $4.8 million of premiums paid on early extinguishment; and • $2.8 million in other debt. Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a loss of $5.2 million recorded in Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 . During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we made aggregate debt payments of $1.4 billion for scheduled and early extinguishment payments including: • $505.0 million in aggregate principal of our Bank Credit Facility due May 2024; • $24.4 million in aggregate principal of our Term Loan due May 2024; • $0.8 million in aggregate principal of 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 repurchased on the open market; • $850.0 million in aggregate principal of 5.375% Senior Notes due May 2024; • $16.1 million of premiums paid on early extinguishment; and • $1.1 million in other debt. Certain of the above transactions resulted in the recognition of a loss of $18.4 million recorded in Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Credit Risk and Fair Value of F

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 1 (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 $ — $ 159,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 187,070 185,639 4.625% Senior Notes due December 2027 579,579 590,700 5.125% Senior Notes due June 2029 813,750 840,368 3.375% Senior Notes due August 2030 850,841 883,099 4.0% Senior Notes due May 2031 830,608 — Term Loan due May 2024 576,875 601,250 Bank Credit Facility due May 2024 — 525,000 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 48,054 51,659 Total fair value of debt instruments $ 3,886,777 $ 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had self-insurance reserves of $95.1 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. On May 6, 2021, the Louisiana Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal. Plaintiffs applied to the Louisiana Supreme Court to review the dismissal and the application was denied. We consider this matter resolved. 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 thirty-nine 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 received notice from one of the auditors that no additional property is due to be reported for the states that they represent including: Alabama, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and West Virginia. We consider the unclaimed property audits resolved in those ten states. 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2021, we repurchased 6,238,232 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $344.5 million, which is an average cost per share of $55.22. During May 2021, our Board of Directors increased our share repurchase authorization to $500 million. After these repurchases and the increase in our share repurchase authorization , the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under the share repurchase program was $303.2 million at September 30, 2021. Subsequent to September 30, 2021, we repurchased 1,159,470 shares for $71.8 million at an average cost per share of $61.92. After these repurchases, the remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under the share repurchase program is $231.4 million.

Segment Reporting Level 1 (Note

Segment Reporting Level 1 (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Revenue from customers: Funeral revenue: Atneed revenue $ 318,432 $ 275,060 $ 938,835 $ 796,014 Matured preneed revenue 172,410 164,245 522,051 486,185 Core funeral revenue 490,842 439,305 1,460,886 1,282,199 Non-funeral home revenue 18,478 15,592 55,089 44,189 Recognized preneed revenue 45,552 32,744 120,414 93,207 Other revenue 37,417 30,993 107,041 84,882 Total funeral revenue 592,289 518,634 1,743,430 1,504,477 Cemetery revenue: Atneed revenue 123,443 103,330 357,094 279,475 Recognized preneed property revenue 201,876 190,068 643,016 458,267 Recognized preneed merchandise and services revenue 84,989 80,948 258,525 219,456 Core cemetery revenue 410,308 374,346 1,258,635 957,198 Other revenue 31,775 25,261 97,823 79,566 Total cemetery revenue 442,083 399,607 1,356,458 1,036,764 Total revenue from customers $ 1,034,372 $ 918,241 $ 3,099,888 $ 2,541,241 Gross profit: Funeral gross profit $ 165,019 $ 124,135 $ 464,192 $ 343,668 Cemetery gross profit 168,000 139,521 515,047 317,799 Gross profit from reportable segments 333,019 263,656 979,239 661,467 Corporate general and administrative expenses (36,477) (40,986) (102,248) (109,968) Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net 7,804 543 15,232 5,825 Operating income 304,346 223,213 892,223 557,324 Interest expense (38,618) (40,721) (111,865) (126,839) Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net — (18,278) (5,226) (18,428) Other income, net 8,218 629 9,214 548 Income before income taxes $ 273,946 $ 164,843 $ 784,346 $ 412,605 Our geographic area information was as follows: United States Canada Total (In thousands) Three months ended September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2021 $ 978,850 $ 55,522 $ 1,034,372 2020 $ 878,723 $ 39,518 $ 918,241 Nine months ended September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2021 $ 2,932,464 $ 167,424 $ 3,099,888 2020 $ 2,419,837 $ 121,404 $ 2,541,241

Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Not

Earnings Per Share Level 1 (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 earnings per share 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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Net income — basic and diluted $ 209,855 $ 127,415 $ 596,439 $ 314,864 Weighted average shares: Weighted average shares — basic 167,417 175,982 168,586 178,238 Stock options 2,513 2,115 2,409 2,184 Restricted share units 75 43 62 41 Weighted average shares — diluted 170,005 178,140 171,057 180,463 Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.25 $ 0.72 $ 3.54 $ 1.77 Diluted $ 1.23 $ 0.72 $ 3.49 $ 1.74 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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Antidilutive options — 1,739 558 1,572 Antidilutive restricted share units — — — 54

Acquisition Level 1 (Notes)

Acquisition Level 1 (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	Acquisitions We spent $9.2 million and $29.8 million, net of cash acquired, for several business acquisitions, and $15.6 million and $51.4 million, net of cash acquired, for several real estate acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Gains on divestitures, net $ 9,245 $ 614 $ 16,838 $ 8,980 Impairment losses (1,441) (71) (1,606) (3,155) Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net $ 7,804 $ 543 $ 15,232 $ 5,825

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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: September 30, 2021 Atneed Funeral Atneed Cemetery Miscellaneous Current Portion of Notes Total (In thousands) Receivables $ 48,537 $ 34,325 $ 22,557 $ 380 $ 105,799 Reserve for credit losses (3,522) (2,223) 126 (184) (5,803) Receivables, net $ 45,015 $ 32,102 $ 22,683 $ 196 $ 99,996 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: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Notes receivable $ 9,541 $ 12,389 Reserve for credit losses (3,990) (5,957) Notes receivable, net $ 5,551 $ 6,432 Long-term miscellaneous receivables $ 7,304 $ 6,515 Reserve for credit losses (1,054) (945) Long-term miscellaneous receivables, net $ 6,250 $ 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 nine months ended September 30, 2021: January 1, 2021 Provision for Expected Credit Losses Acquisitions (Divestitures), net Write Offs Recoveries Effect of Foreign Currency September 30, 2021 (In thousands) Trade receivables: Funeral $ (3,752) $ (3,554) $ (17) $ 4,871 $ (1,345) $ 275 $ (3,522) Cemetery (1,933) (970) — 802 (122) — (2,223) Total reserve for credit losses on trade receivables $ (5,685) $ (4,524) $ (17) $ 5,673 $ (1,467) $ 275 $ (5,745) Miscellaneous receivables: Current $ 144 $ (18) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 126 Long-term (945) (109) — — — — (1,054) Total reserve for credit losses on miscellaneous receivables $ (801) $ (127) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (928) Notes receivable $ (6,447) $ 306 $ — $ 1,967 $ — $ — $ (4,174) At September 30, 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 $ 21,320 $ 524 $ 459 $ 222 $ 29 $ 3 $ — $ 22,557 Long-term 2,718 1,771 1,945 734 122 14 — 7,304 Total miscellaneous receivables $ 24,038 $ 2,295 $ 2,404 $ 956 $ 151 $ 17 $ — $ 29,861 Notes receivable $ — $ — $ — $ 135 $ — $ 5,051 $ 4,735 $ 9,921 At September 30, 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 $ — $ — $ 5 $ 201 $ 206 $ 22,351 $ 22,557 Long-term — — — — — 7,304 7,304 Total miscellaneous receivables $ — $ — $ 5 $ 201 $ 206 $ 29,655 $ 29,861 Notes receivable $ 1 $ 3 $ 119 $ 1,116 $ 1,239 $ 8,682 $ 9,921
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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Investment related activities [Table Text Block]		Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Deposits $ 134,923 $ 113,444 $ 389,025 $ 317,338 Withdrawals $ 111,196 $ 102,873 $ 341,354 $ 316,729 Purchases of securities $ 475,748 $ 452,009 $ 1,287,957 $ 1,358,005 Sales of securities $ 418,261 $ 423,762 $ 1,249,066 $ 1,217,713 Realized gains from sales of securities (1) $ 97,155 $ 60,772 $ 402,074 $ 205,364 Realized losses from sales of securities (1) $ (23,983) $ (43,243) $ (57,795) $ (190,401)
Long-term receivable and investment components [Table Text Block]		September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,212,837 $ 1,069,965 Trust investments, at market 6,328,077 5,851,188 Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 233,521 245,056 Trust investments 6,561,598 6,096,244 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,950,630) (1,820,489) Preneed trust investments 4,610,968 4,275,755 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 5,823,805 $ 5,345,720 Preneed receivables, net comprised the following: September 30, 2021 Funeral Cemetery Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables $ 160,895 $ 1,097,764 $ 1,258,659 Unearned finance charges (12,221) (12,888) (25,109) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost 148,674 1,084,876 1,233,550 Reserve for credit losses (12,283) (8,430) (20,713) Preneed receivables, net $ 136,391 $ 1,076,446 $ 1,212,837 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: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,212,837 $ 1,069,965 Trust investments, at market 6,328,077 5,851,188 Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 233,521 245,056 Trust investments 6,561,598 6,096,244 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,950,630) (1,820,489) Preneed trust investments 4,610,968 4,275,755 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 5,823,805 $ 5,345,720
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	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 Alternative investments 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	September 30, 2021 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Unrealized Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 50,019 $ 1,029 $ (333) $ 50,715 Canadian government 2 30,035 34 (12) 30,057 Corporate 2 497 8 (10) 495 Residential mortgage-backed 2 1,374 72 (8) 1,438 Asset-backed 2 283 3 (9) 277 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 4,843 41 (71) 4,813 Common stock: United States 1 1,582,652 562,106 (60,243) 2,084,515 Canada 1 47,178 19,185 (1,038) 65,325 Other international 1 128,095 50,839 (6,924) 172,010 Mutual funds: Equity 1 814,776 156,109 (3,378) 967,507 Fixed income 1 999,849 43,524 (6,119) 1,037,254 Other 3 187 2 — 189 Trust investments, at fair value 3,659,788 832,952 (78,145) 4,414,595 Commingled funds Fixed income 756,031 33,977 (2,429) 787,579 Equity 259,790 103,912 (6) 363,696 Money market funds 368,461 — — 368,461 Alternative investments 289,019 111,241 (6,514) 393,746 Trust investments, at net asset value 1,673,301 249,130 (8,949) 1,913,482 Trust investments, at market $ 5,333,089 $ 1,082,082 $ (87,094) $ 6,328,077
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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 189 $ 423 $ 190 $ 8,218 Net realized and unrealized (losses) included in Other income, net (1) — (355) (1) (612) Purchases — 57 — 4,626 Sales — (60) — (5,356) Transfers — — — (6,811) Fair value, ending balance $ 189 $ 65 $ 189 $ 65 (1) All net realized and unrealized (losses) recognized in Other income, net for our trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, 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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 189 $ 423 $ 190 $ 8,218 Net realized and unrealized (losses) included in Other income, net (1) — (355) (1) (612) Purchases — 57 — 4,626 Sales — (60) — (5,356) Transfers — — — (6,811) Fair value, ending balance $ 189 $ 65 $ 189 $ 65
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: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Preneed receivables, net $ 1,212,837 $ 1,069,965 Trust investments, at market 6,328,077 5,851,188 Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other 233,521 245,056 Trust investments 6,561,598 6,096,244 Less: Cemetery perpetual care trust investments (1,950,630) (1,820,489) Preneed trust investments 4,610,968 4,275,755 Preneed receivables, net and trust investments $ 5,823,805 $ 5,345,720 Preneed receivables, net comprised the following: September 30, 2021 Funeral Cemetery Total (In thousands) Preneed receivables $ 160,895 $ 1,097,764 $ 1,258,659 Unearned finance charges (12,221) (12,888) (25,109) Preneed receivables, at amortized cost 148,674 1,084,876 1,233,550 Reserve for credit losses (12,283) (8,430) (20,713) Preneed receivables, net $ 136,391 $ 1,076,446 $ 1,212,837 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 September 30, 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 $ 58,724 $ 41,511 $ 25,009 $ 8,236 $ 3,992 $ 11,202 $ 148,674 Cemetery 403,056 333,177 167,602 99,699 51,926 29,416 1,084,876 Total preneed receivables, at amortized cost $ 461,780 $ 374,688 $ 192,611 $ 107,935 $ 55,918 $ 40,618 $ 1,233,550 At September 30, 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 $ 4,235 $ 2,779 $ 1,727 $ 16,988 $ 25,729 $ 122,945 $ 148,674 Cemetery 34,238 22,832 5,946 2,602 65,618 1,019,258 1,084,876 Total preneed receivables, at amortized cost $ 38,473 $ 25,611 $ 7,673 $ 19,590 $ 91,347 $ 1,142,203 $ 1,233,550 The following table summarizes the activity for the reserve for credit losses on preneed receivables for the nine months ended September 30, 2021: January 1, 2021 Provision for Expected Credit Losses Write Offs Effect of Foreign Currency September 30, 2021 (In thousands) Funeral $ (10,940) $ (3,731) $ 2,388 $ — $ (12,283) Cemetery (8,264) (469) 305 (2) (8,430) Total reserve for credit losses on preneed receivables $ (19,204) $ (4,200) $ 2,693 $ (2) $ (20,713) The table below sets forth certain investment-related activities associated with our trusts: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Deposits $ 134,923 $ 113,444 $ 389,025 $ 317,338 Withdrawals $ 111,196 $ 102,873 $ 341,354 $ 316,729 Purchases of securities $ 475,748 $ 452,009 $ 1,287,957 $ 1,358,005 Sales of securities $ 418,261 $ 423,762 $ 1,249,066 $ 1,217,713 Realized gains from sales of securities (1) $ 97,155 $ 60,772 $ 402,074 $ 205,364 Realized losses from sales of securities (1) $ (23,983) $ (43,243) $ (57,795) $ (190,401) (1) All realized gains and losses are recognized in Other income, net for our trust investments and are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, 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. September 30, 2021 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Cost Unrealized Unrealized Value (In thousands) Fixed income securities: U.S. Treasury 2 $ 50,019 $ 1,029 $ (333) $ 50,715 Canadian government 2 30,035 34 (12) 30,057 Corporate 2 497 8 (10) 495 Residential mortgage-backed 2 1,374 72 (8) 1,438 Asset-backed 2 283 3 (9) 277 Equity securities: Preferred stock 2 4,843 41 (71) 4,813 Common stock: United States 1 1,582,652 562,106 (60,243) 2,084,515 Canada 1 47,178 19,185 (1,038) 65,325 Other international 1 128,095 50,839 (6,924) 172,010 Mutual funds: Equity 1 814,776 156,109 (3,378) 967,507 Fixed income 1 999,849 43,524 (6,119) 1,037,254 Other 3 187 2 — 189 Trust investments, at fair value 3,659,788 832,952 (78,145) 4,414,595 Commingled funds Fixed income 756,031 33,977 (2,429) 787,579 Equity 259,790 103,912 (6) 363,696 Money market funds 368,461 — — 368,461 Alternative investments 289,019 111,241 (6,514) 393,746 Trust investments, at net asset value 1,673,301 249,130 (8,949) 1,913,482 Trust investments, at market $ 5,333,089 $ 1,082,082 $ (87,094) $ 6,328,077 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 Alternative investments 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 alternative investments include funds invested in limited partnerships with interests in private equity, private market real estate, energy and natural resources, infrastructure, transportation, and private debt including both distressed debt 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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Fair value, beginning balance $ 189 $ 423 $ 190 $ 8,218 Net realized and unrealized (losses) included in Other income, net (1) — (355) (1) (612) Purchases — 57 — 4,626 Sales — (60) — (5,356) Transfers — — — (6,811) Fair value, ending balance $ 189 $ 65 $ 189 $ 65 (1) All net realized and unrealized (losses) recognized in Other income, net for our trust investments are offset by a corresponding reclassification in Other income, 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 September 30, 2021 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 52,892 Due in one to five years 22,559 Due in five to ten years 7,296 Thereafter 235 Total estimated maturities of fixed income securities $ 82,982 Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our preneed trust investments was $46.1 million and $33.9 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our cemetery perpetual care trust investments was $23.1 million and $15.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our preneed trust investments was $134.8 million and $93.1 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Recognized trust fund income (realized and unrealized) related to our cemetery perpetual care trust investments was $71.0 million and $52.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. 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: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) Deferred revenue $ 2,228,602 $ 2,127,878 Amounts due from customers for unfulfilled performance obligations on cancelable preneed contracts (701,523) (638,969) Deferred revenue, net $ 1,527,079 $ 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 : Nine months ended September 30, 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 985,830 801,064 (Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net (5,921) 14,201 Net investment gains (losses) (1) 299,374 (32,410) Recognized revenue from backlog (2) (376,084) (324,117) Recognized revenue from current period sales (470,644) (407,666) Change in amounts due on unfulfilled performance obligations (62,323) (42,300) Change in cancellation reserve (315) 1,070 Effect of foreign currency and other 2,688 (1,510) Ending balance — Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust $ 6,133,896 $ 5,314,811 (1) Includes both realized and unrealized investment gains (losses). (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 : Nine months ended September 30, 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 985,830 801,064 (Dispositions) acquisitions of businesses, net (5,921) 14,201 Net investment gains (losses) (1) 299,374 (32,410) Recognized revenue from backlog (2) (376,084) (324,117) Recognized revenue from current period sales (470,644) (407,666) Change in amounts due on unfulfilled performance obligations (62,323) (42,300) Change in cancellation reserve (315) 1,070 Effect of foreign currency and other 2,688 (1,510) Ending balance — Deferred revenue, net and Deferred receipts held in trust $ 6,133,896 $ 5,314,811 (1) Includes both realized and unrealized investment gains (losses).
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent		$ 1,212,837	$ 1,069,965
Assets Held-in-trust		6,328,077	5,851,188
Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other [Line Items]		233,521	245,056
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments		$ (1,950,630)	$ (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 September 30, 2021 are estimated as follows: Fair Value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 52,892 Due in one to five years 22,559 Due in five to ten years 7,296 Thereafter 235 Total estimated maturities of fixed income securities $ 82,982

Debt Level 3 (Tables)

Debt Level 3 (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 $ — $ 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 4.0% Senior Notes due May 2031 800,000 — Term Loan due May 2024 576,875 601,250 Bank Credit Facility due May 2024 — 525,000 Obligations under finance leases 143,613 148,864 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 49,028 51,766 Unamortized premiums and discounts, net — (317) Unamortized debt issuance costs (46,441) (36,739) Total debt 3,825,785 3,742,534 Less: Current maturities of long-term debt (65,811) (228,352) Total long-term debt $ 3,759,974 $ 3,514,182

Credit Risk and Fair Value of_2

Credit Risk and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Level 3 (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (In thousands) 8.0% Senior Notes due November 2021 $ — $ 159,000 7.5% Senior Notes due April 2027 187,070 185,639 4.625% Senior Notes due December 2027 579,579 590,700 5.125% Senior Notes due June 2029 813,750 840,368 3.375% Senior Notes due August 2030 850,841 883,099 4.0% Senior Notes due May 2031 830,608 — Term Loan due May 2024 576,875 601,250 Bank Credit Facility due May 2024 — 525,000 Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2050 48,054 51,659 Total fair value of debt instruments $ 3,886,777 $ 3,836,715

Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tabl

Segment Reporting Level 3 (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Revenue from customers: Funeral revenue: Atneed revenue $ 318,432 $ 275,060 $ 938,835 $ 796,014 Matured preneed revenue 172,410 164,245 522,051 486,185 Core funeral revenue 490,842 439,305 1,460,886 1,282,199 Non-funeral home revenue 18,478 15,592 55,089 44,189 Recognized preneed revenue 45,552 32,744 120,414 93,207 Other revenue 37,417 30,993 107,041 84,882 Total funeral revenue 592,289 518,634 1,743,430 1,504,477 Cemetery revenue: Atneed revenue 123,443 103,330 357,094 279,475 Recognized preneed property revenue 201,876 190,068 643,016 458,267 Recognized preneed merchandise and services revenue 84,989 80,948 258,525 219,456 Core cemetery revenue 410,308 374,346 1,258,635 957,198 Other revenue 31,775 25,261 97,823 79,566 Total cemetery revenue 442,083 399,607 1,356,458 1,036,764 Total revenue from customers $ 1,034,372 $ 918,241 $ 3,099,888 $ 2,541,241 Gross profit: Funeral gross profit $ 165,019 $ 124,135 $ 464,192 $ 343,668 Cemetery gross profit 168,000 139,521 515,047 317,799 Gross profit from reportable segments 333,019 263,656 979,239 661,467 Corporate general and administrative expenses (36,477) (40,986) (102,248) (109,968) Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net 7,804 543 15,232 5,825 Operating income 304,346 223,213 892,223 557,324 Interest expense (38,618) (40,721) (111,865) (126,839) Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net — (18,278) (5,226) (18,428) Other income, net 8,218 629 9,214 548 Income before income taxes $ 273,946 $ 164,843 $ 784,346 $ 412,605
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 September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2021 $ 978,850 $ 55,522 $ 1,034,372 2020 $ 878,723 $ 39,518 $ 918,241 Nine months ended September 30, Revenue from external customers: 2021 $ 2,932,464 $ 167,424 $ 3,099,888 2020 $ 2,419,837 $ 121,404 $ 2,541,241

Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tab

Earnings Per Share Level 3 (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Net income — basic and diluted $ 209,855 $ 127,415 $ 596,439 $ 314,864 Weighted average shares: Weighted average shares — basic 167,417 175,982 168,586 178,238 Stock options 2,513 2,115 2,409 2,184 Restricted share units 75 43 62 41 Weighted average shares — diluted 170,005 178,140 171,057 180,463 Amounts attributable to common stockholders: Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.25 $ 0.72 $ 3.54 $ 1.77 Diluted $ 1.23 $ 0.72 $ 3.49 $ 1.74
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Antidilutive options — 1,739 558 1,572 Antidilutive restricted share units — — — 54

Acquisition Level 3 (Tables)

Acquisition Level 3 (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Gains (Losses) on Divestitures and Impairment Charges [Table Text Block]	Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (In thousands) Gains on divestitures, net $ 9,245 $ 614 $ 16,838 $ 8,980 Impairment losses (1,441) (71) (1,606) (3,155) Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net $ 7,804 $ 543 $ 15,232 $ 5,825

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Textuals (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	$ 105,799,000		$ 98,970,000
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	12,492,000		7,753,000
Restricted Cash, Current	11,521,000		5,573,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	99,996,000		92,939,000
Amortization of cemetery property	75,394,000	$ 56,854,000
Depreciation	119,200,000	$ 116,453,000
Other Assets, Current	40,274,000		28,427,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	5,803,000		6,031,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(20,713,000)		(19,204,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	2,693,000
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(5,745,000)		(5,685,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(4,524,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	(1,467,000)
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	275,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	5,673,000
Notes Receivable [Member]
Note Receivable, Not Past Due	8,682,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	3,990,000		5,957,000
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	9,921,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(4,174,000)		(6,447,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	306,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	0
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	1,967,000
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	135,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	5,051,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(3,990,000)		(5,957,000)
Revolving Line of Credit	4,735,000
Total Note Receivable, Past Due	1,239,000
Notes Receivable [Member] | Note Receivable, 1 to 29 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	1,000
Notes Receivable [Member] | Note Receivable, 30 to 90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	3,000
Notes Receivable [Member] | Note Receivables, 91 to 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	119,000
Notes Receivable [Member] | Note Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	1,116,000
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,054,000		945,000
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	29,861,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(928,000)		(801,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(127,000)
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	24,038,000
Financing Receivable, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	2,295,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	2,404,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	956,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	151,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	17,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(1,054,000)		(945,000)
Miscellaneous Receivable, Not Past Due	29,655,000
Revolving Line of Credit	0
Total Miscellaneous Receivables	206,000
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, 1 to 29 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	0
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, 30 to 90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	0
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, 91 to 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	5,000
Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	201,000
Funeral [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(12,283,000)		(10,940,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	2,388,000
Funeral [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	48,537,000		56,745,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	45,015,000		52,993,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	3,522,000		3,752,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(3,522,000)		(3,752,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(3,554,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	(1,345,000)
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	275,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	4,871,000
Other Accounts Receivable Current [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	22,557,000		18,545,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	22,683,000		18,689,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(126,000)		(144,000)
Current [Member] | Notes Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	380,000		1,121,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	196,000		631,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	184,000		490,000
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member]
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	22,557,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	126,000		144,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(18,000)
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	21,320,000
Financing Receivable, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	524,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	459,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	222,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	29,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	3,000
Miscellaneous Receivable, Not Past Due	22,351,000
Revolving Line of Credit	0
Total Miscellaneous Receivables	206,000
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, 1 to 29 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	0
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, 30 to 90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	0
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, 91 to 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	5,000
Current [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	201,000
Long Term [Member] | Notes Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	5,551,000		6,432,000
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	9,541,000		12,389,000
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	6,250,000		5,570,000
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	7,304,000		6,515,000
Accounts and Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	7,304,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(1,054,000)		(945,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(109,000)
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	2,718,000
Financing Receivable, Originated in Fiscal Year before Latest Fiscal Year	1,771,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Two Years before Latest Fiscal Year	1,945,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Three Years before Latest Fiscal Year	734,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Four Years before Latest Fiscal Year	122,000
Financing Receivable, Originated Five or More Years before Latest Fiscal Year	14,000
Miscellaneous Receivable, Not Past Due	7,304,000
Revolving Line of Credit	0
Total Miscellaneous Receivables	0
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, 1 to 29 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	0
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, 30 to 90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	0
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, 91 to 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	0
Long Term [Member] | Miscellaneous accounts receivable [Member] | Miscellaneous Receivables, Equal to Greater than 180 Days Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Excluding Accrued Interest	0
Cemetery [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	(8,430,000)		(8,264,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	305,000
Cemetery [Member] | Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	34,325,000		22,559,000
Receivables, Net, Current, Total	32,102,000		20,626,000
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	2,223,000		1,933,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss	(2,223,000)		$ (1,933,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease)	(970,000)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery	(122,000)
Allowance For Credit Losses Foreign Currency Translation	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff	$ 802,000

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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,034,372	$ 918,241	$ 3,099,888	$ 2,541,241
Gross profit	333,019	263,656	979,239	661,467
Costs of revenue	(701,353)	(654,585)	(2,120,649)	(1,879,774)
Corporate general and administrative expenses	(36,477)	(40,986)	(102,248)	(109,968)
Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	7,804	543	15,232	5,825
Operating income	304,346	223,213	892,223	557,324
Interest expense	(38,618)	(40,721)	(111,865)	(126,839)
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	18,278	5,226	18,428
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	8,218	629	9,214	548
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	273,946	164,843	784,346	412,605
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(64,003)	(37,351)	(187,659)	(97,559)
Net income	209,943	127,492	596,687	315,046
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(88)	(77)	(248)	(182)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 209,855	$ 127,415	$ 596,439	$ 314,864
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 1.25	$ 0.72	$ 3.54	$ 1.77
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 1.23	$ 0.72	$ 3.49	$ 1.74
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations			$ (62,323)	$ (42,300)
Notes Receivable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	$ (3,990)		$ (3,990)		$ (5,957)

Preneed Activities Investment R

Preneed Activities Investment Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Deposits to trust	$ 134,923	$ 113,444	$ 389,025	$ 317,338
Withdrawals	111,196	102,873	341,354	316,729
Payments to Acquire Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	475,748	452,009	1,287,957	1,358,005
Proceeds from Sale of Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	418,261	423,762	1,249,066	1,217,713
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Realized Gain	97,155	60,772	402,074	205,364
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Realized Loss	$ 23,983	$ 43,243	$ 57,795	$ 190,401

Preneed Activities Preneed Ac_3

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Preneed Receivables and Trust Investments [Abstract]
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	$ 5,823,805		$ 5,345,720
Change in amounts due for unfulfilled performance obligations	(62,323)	$ (42,300)
Amounts Due for Unfulfilled Performance Obligations	$ (701,523)		$ (638,969)

Preneed Activities Long-term Re

Preneed Activities Long-term Receivable and Investment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments	$ 5,823,805	$ 5,345,720
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments	(1,950,630)	(1,820,489)
Preneed trust investments	4,610,968	4,275,755
Preneed receivables, net and trust investments, excluding allowance for cancellation	5,823,805	5,345,720
Insurance-backed fixed income securities and other [Line Items]	233,521	245,056
Investments	6,561,598	6,096,244
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	1,212,837	1,069,965
Assets Held-in-trust	6,328,077	5,851,188
Funeral [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	136,391	118,938
Cemetery [Member]
Long-term receivable and investment components [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	$ 1,076,446	$ 951,027

Preneed Activities Schedule of

Preneed Activities Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	$ 3,659,788
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	832,952
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(78,145)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	4,414,595
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss		$ 3,569,675
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain		687,303
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss		(88,603)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value		4,168,375
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	50,019	44,907
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	1,029	1,566
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(333)	(272)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	50,715	46,201
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	30,035	30,210
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	34	51
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(12)	(157)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	30,057	30,104
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	497	1,669
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	8	14
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(10)	(8)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	495	1,675
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	1,374	2,438
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	72	131
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(8)	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	1,438	2,569
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	283	174
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	3	3
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(9)	(5)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	277	172
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Preferred Stock securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	4,843	358
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	41	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(71)	(24)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	4,813	334
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Common Stock Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	1,582,652	1,500,125
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	562,106	503,757
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(60,243)	(54,748)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	2,084,515	1,949,134
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Canada Common Stock Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	47,178	35,016
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	19,185	10,915
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(1,038)	(1,823)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	65,325	44,108
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other International Common Stock Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	128,095	110,775
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	50,839	39,837
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(6,924)	(1,831)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	172,010	148,781
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Funds [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	814,776	821,406
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	156,109	95,155
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(3,378)	(10,437)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	967,507	906,124
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	999,849	1,022,409
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	43,524	35,872
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(6,119)	(19,298)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	1,037,254	1,038,983
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	187	188
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	2	2
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	189	190
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	1,673,301
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	249,130
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(8,949)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	1,913,482
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Commingled funds - Fixed inc [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	756,031	657,219
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	33,977	37,474
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(2,429)	(173)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	787,579	694,520
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Commingled funds - Equity [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	259,790	283,329
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	103,912	97,704
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(6)	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	363,696	381,033
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	368,461	330,745
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	368,461	330,745
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	289,019	217,953
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	111,241	68,846
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(6,514)	(10,284)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	393,746	276,515
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Reported At Net Asset Value [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss		1,489,246
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain		204,024
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss		(10,457)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value		1,682,813
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost, before Allowance for Credit Loss	5,333,089	5,058,921
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Gain	1,082,082	891,327
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Cumulative Unrecognized Loss	(87,094)	(99,060)
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	$ 6,328,077	$ 5,851,188

Preneed Activities Level 3 Acti

Preneed Activities Level 3 Activities (Details) - Other Investments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair market value, beginning balance	$ 189	$ 423	$ 190	$ 8,218
Net realized losses included in Other income, net(2)	0	(355)	(1)	(612)
Purchases	0	57	0	4,626
Sales	0	(60)	0	(5,356)
Fair market value, ending balance	189	65	189	65
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (6,811)

Preneed Activities Investments

Preneed Activities Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	$ 52,892
Due in one to five years	22,559
Due in five to ten years	7,296
Thereafter	235
Total	$ 82,982

Preneed Activities Preneed Ac_4

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities Deferred Revenue Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
Deferred revenue, Gross	$ 2,228,602	$ 2,127,878
Deferred Revenue	1,527,079	1,488,909
Amounts Due for Unfulfilled Performance Obligations	$ 701,523	$ 638,969

Preneed Activities Preneed Ac_5

Preneed Activities Preneed Activities, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Preneed Activities [Abstract]
Investment Earnings, Net	$ 46.1	$ 33.9	$ 134.8	$ 93.1
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, maximum			2040
Available-for-sale securities, estimated maturity date, minimum			2021
ECF Investment Earnings, Net	$ 23.1	$ 15.9	$ 71	$ 52.7

Income Taxes Income Taxes Level

Income Taxes Income Taxes Level 4-Detail 1 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Total effective tax rate	23.40%	22.70%	23.90%	23.60%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 1.4		$ 1.4
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	$ 0.7		$ 0.7

Debt Level 4 (Details)

Debt Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt			$ 727,000	$ 1,400,000
Repayments of Other Debt			2,800	1,100
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	$ 0	$ (18,278)	(5,226)	(18,428)
Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent	576,875		576,875		$ 601,250
Total debt	3,825,785		3,825,785		3,742,534
Current maturities of long-term debt	(65,811)		(65,811)		(228,352)
Less current maturities	65,811		65,811		228,352
Total long-term debt	$ 3,759,974		$ 3,759,974		$ 3,514,182
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.80%		3.80%		3.62%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	82.00%		82.00%		66.00%
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 34,000		$ 34,000
Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities			86,200	102,900
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	(46,441)	(14,500)	(46,441)	(14,500)	$ (36,739)
Bank credit facility	0		0		525,000
Redemption Premium			4,800	16,100
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			820,000	1,500,000
November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt			150,000
January 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bank credit facility	0		0		525,000
April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				800
May 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				850,000
August 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 850,000		850,000
Term Loan December 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				$ 24,400
May 2031
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	800,000		800,000
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized pricing discounts and other	0		0		(317)
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0		0		150,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	152,710		152,710		152,710
Unsecured Debt [Member] | December 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	550,000		550,000		550,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	750,000		750,000		750,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | August 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	850,000		850,000		850,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | May 2031
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	800,000		800,000		0
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Finance Lease, Liability	143,613		143,613		148,864
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes and other debt, maturities through 2047	$ 49,028		$ 49,028		$ 51,766

Debt Debt, Textuals (Details)

Debt Debt, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.80%		3.80%		3.62%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	82.00%		82.00%		66.00%
Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent	$ 576,875		$ 576,875		$ 601,250
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0		$ 0		525,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.10%
Letters of Credit, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	34,000		$ 34,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	966,000		966,000
Repayments of Other Debt			2,800	$ 1,100
Repayments of Debt			727,000	1,400,000
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	$ (18,278)	(5,226)	(18,428)
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	3,886,777		3,886,777		3,836,715
Redemption Premium			4,800	16,100
Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities			86,200	102,900
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net			20,000	645,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	46,441	14,500	46,441	14,500	36,739
Debt Issuance Costs, Net	13,600		13,600
November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt			150,000
April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				800
January 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0		0		525,000
May 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				850,000
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment			24,400
Bank Credit Facility 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net				645,000
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment			545,000	505,000
August 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 850,000		850,000
Term Loan December 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt				$ 24,400
Unsecured Debt [Member] | November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0		0		150,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	152,710		152,710		152,710
Unsecured Debt [Member] | December 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	550,000		550,000		550,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | August 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	850,000		850,000		850,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | June 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 750,000		$ 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	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank credit facility	$ 0	$ 525,000
Notes Payable	48,054	51,659
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	3,886,777	3,836,715
November 2021 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0	159,000
January 2022 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Bank credit facility	0	525,000
Term Loan	576,875	601,250
April 2027 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	187,070	185,639
December 2027 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	579,579	590,700
June 2029 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	813,750	840,368
August 2030
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	850,841	883,099
May 2031
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$ 830,608	$ 0

Commitments and Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Self Insurance Reserve	$ 95.1	$ 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				9 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 26, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Common stock, shares, issued		176,391,170				176,391,170			174,792,272
Common stock, shares outstanding		166,080,826				166,080,826			170,717,236
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired						6,238,232
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method						$ 344,500
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share						$ 55.22
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		$ 303,200				$ 303,200
Dividends declared per share		$ 230		$ 210	$ 190
Payments of Dividends, Common Stock						109,285	$ 101,472
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$ 500,000				$ 500,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	1,159,470
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Par Value Method	$ 71,800
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$ 61.92
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount								$ 231,400

Segment Reporting Level 4 (Deta

Segment Reporting Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Noncurrent	$ 971		$ 971		$ 2,180
Revenues	1,034,372	$ 918,241	3,099,888	$ 2,541,241
Interest expense	(38,618)	(40,721)	(111,865)	(126,839)
Depreciation and amortization			119,200	116,453
Amortization of intangibles			15,095	17,056
Amortization of cemetery property			75,394	56,854
Total assets	15,370,191		15,370,191		$ 14,515,425
Capital expenditures			177,767	155,597
Gross profits from reportable segments	333,019	263,656	979,239	661,467
Corporate general and administrative expenses	(36,477)	(40,986)	(102,248)	(109,968)
Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	(7,804)	(543)	(15,232)	(5,825)
Operating income	304,346	223,213	892,223	557,324
Losses on early extinguishment of debt, net	0	(18,278)	(5,226)	(18,428)
Other income (expense), net	8,218	629	9,214	548
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	273,946	164,843	784,346	412,605
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	978,850	878,723	2,932,464	2,419,837
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	55,522	39,518	167,424	121,404
Funeral [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	592,289	518,634	1,743,430	1,504,477
Gross profits from reportable segments	165,019	124,135	464,192	343,668
Cemetery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	442,083	399,607	1,356,458	1,036,764
Gross profits from reportable segments	168,000	139,521	515,047	317,799
Funeral Atneed Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	318,432	275,060	938,835	796,014
Funeral Matured Preneed Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	172,410	164,245	522,051	486,185
Funeral Core Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	490,842	439,305	1,460,886	1,282,199
Non-funeral Home Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	18,478	15,592	55,089	44,189
Funeral Recognized Preneed Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	45,552	32,744	120,414	93,207
Funeral Other Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	37,417	30,993	107,041	84,882
Cemetery Atneed Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	123,443	103,330	357,094	279,475
Cemetery Recognized Preneed Property Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	201,876	190,068	643,016	458,267
Cemetery Recognized Preneed Merchandise And Service Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	84,989	80,948	258,525	219,456
Cemetery Core Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	410,308	374,346	1,258,635	957,198
Cemetery Other Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 31,775	$ 25,261	$ 97,823	$ 79,566

Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Det

Earnings Per Share Level 4 (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 209,855	$ 127,415	$ 596,439	$ 314,864
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Weighted average shares — basic	167,417	175,982	168,586	178,238
Weighted average shares — diluted	170,005	178,140	171,057	180,463
Net income attributable to common stockholders, basic	$ 1.25	$ 0.72	$ 3.54	$ 1.77
Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted	$ 1.23	$ 0.72	$ 3.49	$ 1.74
Revenues	$ 1,034,372	$ 918,241	$ 3,099,888	$ 2,541,241
Stock Options [Member]
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Share based compensation	2,513	2,115	2,409	2,184
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	1,739,000	558,000	1,572,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Weighted average shares (denominator):
Share based compensation	75	43	62	41
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0	0	54,000

Acquisition, Textuals (Details)

Acquisition, Textuals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Acquisitions [Abstract]
(Losses) gains on divestitures	$ 9,245	$ 614	$ 16,838	$ 8,980
Impairment losses	(1,441)	(71)	(1,606)	(3,155)
Gains on divestitures and impairment charges, net	$ 7,804	$ 543	15,232	5,825
Payments for (Proceeds from) Deposits on Real Estate Acquisitions			15,642	51,434
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			$ (9,221)	$ (29,801)

Uncategorized Items - sci-20210

Label	Element	Value
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