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Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 732,387us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	$ 268,648us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(37,625)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(15,577)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	32,624us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	122,313us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(7,559)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(39,249)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	765,011us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	390,961us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(45,184)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(54,826)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	45,072us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	44,995us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(605)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(6,040)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	24,961us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(2,836)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	45,072us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	69,956us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(605)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(8,876)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	9,424us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(120)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,858us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	3,066us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(134)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(141)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,858us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	12,490us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(134)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(261)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,017us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	15,019us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(61)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(424)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,936us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	3,069us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(55)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(222)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,953us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	18,088us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(116)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(646)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	33us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	144us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	(1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(2)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	33us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	144us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	(1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember	(2)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Cemetery [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		3,248us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		(13)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		3,248us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		(13)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
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		5,588us-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		0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_PreferredStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		5,588us-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
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	192,015us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember	46,189us-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	585us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember	3,480us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0us-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	192,600us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember	49,669us-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
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	2,069us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember	1,568us-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	778us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember	1,935us-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	2,847us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember	3,503us-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
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	28,308us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember	4,332us-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	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember	700us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0us-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	28,308us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember	5,032us-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
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	303,211us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember	3,847us-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	1,577us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember	14,430us-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	304,788us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember	18,277us-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
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	159,572us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember	134,294us-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	15,113us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember	63,800us-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	174,685us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember	198,094us-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
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	88us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember	0us-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	0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,518us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember	6,589us-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	7,606us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember	6,589us-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
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	2us-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	259us-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	261us-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 [Member]
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value		0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses		0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		283us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		(33)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value		283us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses		$ (33)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember

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