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Preneed Cemetery Activities Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments (Details) (Cemetery, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
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Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | $ 507,334 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue | $ 732,387 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (35,045)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss | 37,625 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 30,270 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue | 32,624 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (4,543)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss | 7,559 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 537,604 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue | 765,011 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | 39,588 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss | 45,184 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss
US Treasury Securities |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 12,955 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 45,072 us-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 | (53)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (605)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / 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 | 14 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 0 us-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 | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 12,969 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 45,072 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | (54)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 605 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Foreign Government Debt Securities |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 1,263 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 0 us-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 | (3)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / 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 | 3,146 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 4,858 us-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 | (111)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (134)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 4,409 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 4,858 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | (114)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 134 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Corporate Debt Securities |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 175 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 2,017 us-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 | (3)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (61)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / 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 | 3,381 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 1,936 us-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 | (73)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (55)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 3,556 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 3,953 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | (76)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 116 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 29 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 33 us-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 | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / 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 | 21 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 0 us-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 | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 50 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 33 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 1 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
US Common Stock Securities |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 215,891 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 192,015 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (17,833)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (11,706)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 585 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 215,891 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 192,600 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | 17,833 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 11,706 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_UsCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Canada Common Stock Securities |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 2,573 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 2,069 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (326)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (319)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 552 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 778 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (375)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (522)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 3,125 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 2,847 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | (701)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 841 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_CanadaCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Other International Common Stock Securities |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 21,396 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 28,308 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (3,746)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (2,395)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
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_CemeteryMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 21,396 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 28,308 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | 3,746 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 2,395 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = sci_OtherInternationalCommonStockSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Equity Funds |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 213,762 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 303,211 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (7,126)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (18,329)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 69 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 1,577 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (7)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (101)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 213,831 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 304,788 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | 7,133 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 18,430 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Fixed Income Funds |  |
Schedule of unrealized loss on investments [Line Items] |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value | 39,290 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 159,572 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | (5,955)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (4,106)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 15,036 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 15,113 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (494)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (596)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 54,326 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 174,685 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | (6,449)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 4,702 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Private Equity Funds |  |
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_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 88 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (100)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value | 7,397 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 7,518 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses | (3,185)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (6,083)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 7,397 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 7,606 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | (3,185)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 6,183 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Other Investments |  |
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_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 2 us-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 | 0 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (3)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss / 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 | 654 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 259 us-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 | (296)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | (68)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value | 654 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | 261 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss | $ (296)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember | $ (71)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = sci_CemeteryMember

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