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Cemetery Perpetual Care Trusts Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | $ 708,011 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | $ 268,166 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (20,990)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (4,478)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 35,581 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 71,728 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (13,031)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (11,136)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 743,592 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 339,894 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (34,021)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (15,614)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 497 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 1,339 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (4)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (14)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 20 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 497 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 1,359 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (4)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (14)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 15,777 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (214)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 7,825 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 5,131 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (233)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (245)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 7,825 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 20,908 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (233)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (459)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 4,656 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 22,530 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (108)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (129)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 3,198 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 3,299 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (102)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (134)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 7,854 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 25,829 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (210)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (263)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 256 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 2,959 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (5)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (18)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 69 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 10 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 325 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 2,969 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (6)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (19)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 373 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 2,835 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (4)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (10)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 15 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 373 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 2,850 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (4)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (11)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Preferred Stock securities [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value |  | 5,588 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses |  | (123)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value |  | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses |  | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value |  | 5,588 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses |  | (123)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember
Preferred Stock securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 2,224 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 14,647 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (11)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (245)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 49 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 44 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (7)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 2,273 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 14,691 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (12)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (252)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
US Common Stock Securities [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 192,015 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember | 46,189 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (11,706)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember | (2,648)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 585 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember | 3,480 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember | (583)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 192,600 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember | 49,669 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (11,706)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember | (3,231)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember
US Common Stock Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 100,370 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 23,820 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (4,803)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (1,561)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 419 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 3,253 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (78)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (526)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 100,789 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 27,073 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (4,881)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (2,087)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 2,069 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember | 1,568 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (319)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember | (502)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 778 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember | 1,935 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (522)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember | (433)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 2,847 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember | 3,503 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (841)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember | (935)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Canada Common Stock Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 2,418 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 667 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (244)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (129)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 757 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 1,794 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (352)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (494)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 3,175 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 2,461 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (596)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (623)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 28,308 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember | 4,332 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (2,395)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember | (124)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember | 700 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember | (76)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 28,308 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember | 5,032 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (2,395)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember | (200)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Other International Common Stock Securities [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 4,444 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 1,540 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (399)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (54)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 524 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (113)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 4,444 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 2,064 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (399)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (167)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Equity Funds [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 303,211 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember | 3,847 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (18,329)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember | (54)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 1,577 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember | 14,430 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (101)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember | (1,650)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 304,788 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember | 18,277 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (18,430)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember | (1,704)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember
Equity Funds [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 2,601 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 390 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (85)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (14)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 153 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 163 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (8)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (21)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 2,754 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 553 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (93)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (35)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Fixed Income Funds [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 159,572 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember | 134,294 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (4,106)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember | (5,527)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 15,113 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember | 63,800 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (596)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember | (28,122)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 174,685 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember | 198,094 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (4,702)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember | (33,649)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 576,890 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 181,662 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (14,177)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (2,090)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 2,581 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 28,494 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (86)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (508)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 579,471 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 210,156 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (14,263)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (2,598)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Private Equity Funds [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 88 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (100)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 7,518 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember | 6,589 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (6,083)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember | (5,153)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 7,606 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember | 6,589 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (6,183)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember | (5,153)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 9,213 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (798)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 14,254 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 19,242 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (9,990)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (9,002)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 23,467 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 19,242 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (10,788)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (9,002)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Other Investments [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 2 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (3)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 259 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (68)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 261 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | (71)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember |
Other Investments [Member] | Cemetery Perpetual Care [Member] |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 4,069 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (352)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 6,276 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 9,739 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (2,180)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | (84)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 10,345 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | 9,739 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses | $ (2,532)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember | $ (84)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryPerpetualCareMember

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