Matthews International (MATW) 10-K 27 Nov 13 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000063296	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$1,000,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	27,282,093	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$57,986	$58,259
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,009 and $11,177, respectively	188,405	174,632
Inventories	130,768	130,690
Deferred income taxes	9,826	9,814
Other current assets	18,997	19,950
Total current assets	405,982	393,345
Investments	22,288	18,842
Property, plant and equipment, net	180,731	144,049
Deferred income taxes	1,871	24,527
Other assets	14,402	12,083
Goodwill	524,551	476,181
Other intangible assets, net	65,102	59,015
Total assets	1,214,927	1,128,042
Current liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt, current maturities	22,614	21,566
Trade accounts payable	45,232	44,294
Accrued compensation	41,916	30,222
Accrued income taxes	5,910	7,632
Customer prepayments	13,531	15,883
Contingent consideration	3,726	13,298
Other current liabilities	51,077	47,978
Total current liabilities	184,006	180,873
Long-term debt	351,068	298,148
Accrued pension	61,642	78,563
Postretirement benefits	17,956	27,725
Deferred income taxes	20,332	18,624
Other liabilities	26,993	33,194
Total liabilities	661,997	637,127
Arrangement with noncontrolling interest	0	10,481
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:	'	'
Preferred stock, $100 par value, authorized 10,000 shares, none issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	47,315	47,893
Retained earnings	775,762	727,176
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-26,940	-65,083
Treasury stock, 9,083,910 and 8,711,924 shares, respectively, at cost	-283,006	-268,499
Total shareholders' equity-Matthews	549,465	477,821
Noncontrolling interests	3,465	2,613
Total shareholders' equity	552,930	480,434
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,214,927	1,128,042
Class A common stock [Member]	'	'
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:	'	'
Class A common stock, $1.00 par value; authorized 70,000,000 shares; 36,333,992 shares issued	$36,334	$36,334

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$10,009	$11,177
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$100	$100
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	9,083,910	8,711,924
Class A common stock [Member]	'	'
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	70,000,000	70,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	36,333,992	36,333,992

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME	'	'	'
Sales	$985,357	$900,317	$898,821
Cost of sales	-628,839	-563,747	-547,161
Gross profit	356,518	336,570	351,660
Selling expense	-105,963	-103,659	-99,251
Administrative expense	-154,763	-139,334	-133,893
Operating profit	95,792	93,577	118,516
Investment income	2,284	3,891	1,443
Interest expense	-12,925	-11,476	-8,241
Other income (deductions), net	-3,715	-2,071	298
Income before income taxes	81,436	83,921	112,016
Income taxes	-26,664	-28,717	-38,556
Net income	54,772	55,204	73,460
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	116	639	-1,088
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$54,888	$55,843	$72,372
Earnings per share attributable to Matthews shareholders:	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.99	$1.98	$2.47
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.98	$1.98	$2.46

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net income (loss)	$54,772	$55,204	$73,460
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3,861	-1,924	-8,084
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	29,347	-3,327	-11,255
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:	'	'	'
Net change from periodic revaluation	2,474	-3,288	-3,246
Net amount reclassified to earnings	2,543	2,085	1,586
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	5,017	-1,203	-1,660
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	38,225	-6,454	-20,999
Comprehensive income (loss)	92,997	48,750	52,461
Matthews [Member]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	54,888	55,843	72,372
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3,779	-1,895	-8,607
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	29,347	-3,327	-11,255
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:	'	'	'
Net change from periodic revaluation	2,474	-3,288	-3,246
Net amount reclassified to earnings	2,543	2,085	1,586
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	5,017	-1,203	-1,660
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	38,143	-6,425	-21,522
Comprehensive income (loss)	93,031	49,418	50,850
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-116	-639	1,088
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	82	-29	523
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	0	0	0
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:	'	'	'
Net change from periodic revaluation	0	0	0
Net amount reclassified to earnings	0	0	0
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	82	-29	523
Comprehensive income (loss)	($34)	($668)	$1,611

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (net of tax) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Total
In Thousands
Balance at Sep. 30, 2010	$36,334	$48,294	$621,923	($37,136)	($207,470)	$31,783	$493,728
Net income	0	0	72,372	0	0	1,088	73,460
Minimum pension liability	0	0	0	-11,255	0	0	-11,255
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	-8,607	0	523	-8,084
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	-1,660	0	0	-1,660
Total comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	52,461
Stock-based compensation	0	6,972	0	0	0	0	6,972
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	-44,567	0	-44,567
Issuance of treasury stock	0	-6,712	0	0	8,791	0	2,079
Dividends	0	0	-9,632	0	0	0	-9,632
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	-6,220	-6,220
Arrangement-noncontrolling interest	0	0	-3,005	0	0	-23,723	-26,728
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	36,334	48,554	681,658	-58,658	-243,246	3,451	468,093
Net income	0	0	55,843	0	0	-639	55,204
Minimum pension liability	0	0	0	-3,327	0	0	-3,327
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	-1,895	0	-29	-1,924
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	-1,203	0	0	-1,203
Total comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	48,750
Stock-based compensation	0	5,472	0	0	0	0	5,472
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	-31,017	0	-31,017
Issuance of treasury stock	0	-6,133	0	0	5,764	0	-369
Dividends	0	0	-10,325	0	0	0	-10,325
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	-170	-170
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	36,334	47,893	727,176	-65,083	-268,499	2,613	480,434
Net income	0	0	54,888	0	0	-116	54,772
Minimum pension liability	0	0	0	29,347	0	0	29,347
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	3,779	0	82	3,861
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	5,017	0	0	5,017
Total comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'	'	92,997
Stock-based compensation	0	5,562	0	0	0	0	5,562
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	-21,622	0	-21,622
Issuance of treasury stock	0	-6,140	0	0	7,115	0	975
Dividends	0	0	-11,282	0	0	0	-11,282
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	-767	-767
Arrangement-noncontrolling interest	0	0	4,980	0	0	1,653	6,633
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$36,334	$47,315	$775,762	($26,940)	($283,006)	$3,465	$552,930

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]	'	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	619,981	1,015,879	1,319,375
Issuance of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	247,995	188,145	290,854
Dividends, per share (in dollars per share)	$0.41	$0.37	$0.33

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$54,772	$55,204	$73,460
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	37,865	28,821	27,661
Stock-based compensation expense	5,562	5,472	6,972
Increase in deferred taxes	3,812	6,050	9,481
Gain on sale of assets	-2,013	-5,257	-2,832
Changes in working capital items	-5,808	-16,403	-23,093
Decrease in other assets	1,628	4,456	4,787
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	5,594	-3,854	-2,007
Increase in pension and postretirement benefit obligations	11,839	7,634	1,135
Other, net	-3,925	1,203	2,267
Net cash provided by operating activities	109,326	83,326	97,831
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-24,924	-33,236	-22,440
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-73,959	-12,541	-84,369
Proceeds from sale of assets	252	1,461	1,463
Purchases of investment securities	0	-958	-1,639
Proceeds from dispositions of investments	0	0	169
Net cash used in investing activities	-98,631	-45,274	-106,816
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	115,509	53,330	117,107
Payments on long-term debt	-83,293	-53,056	-48,214
Payments of contingent consideration	-11,315	0	0
Purchases of treasury stock	-21,622	-31,017	-44,567
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock	974	267	1,929
Dividends	-11,282	-10,325	-9,632
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-767	-170	-6,220
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-11,796	-40,971	10,403
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	828	-484	-866
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-273	-3,403	552
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	58,259	61,662	61,110
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	57,986	58,259	61,662
Cash paid during the year for:	'	'	'
Interest	13,059	11,464	8,367
Income taxes	29,428	22,765	35,359
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'	'
Acquisition of equipment under capital lease	$1,276	$1,125	$2,764

NATURE_OF_OPERATIONS

NATURE OF OPERATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
NATURE OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]	'
NATURE OF OPERATIONS	'
	1	NATURE OF OPERATIONS:
	Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews" or the “Company”), founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions.  Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries.  Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, marking and fulfillment systems and merchandising solutions.  The Company's products and operations are comprised of six business segments:  Cemetery Products, Funeral Home Products, Cremation, Graphics Imaging, Marking and Fulfillment Systems and Merchandising Solutions.  The Cemetery Products segment is a leading manufacturer of cast bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, cast and etched architectural products and is a leading builder of mausoleums in the United States.  The Funeral Home Products segment is a leading casket manufacturer and distributor in North America and produces a wide variety of wood, metal and cremation caskets.  The Cremation segment is a leading designer and manufacturer of cremation equipment in North America and Europe. The Graphics Imaging segment manufactures and provides brand management, printing plates, gravure cylinders, pre-press services and imaging services for the primary packaging and corrugated industries.  The Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking and coding equipment and consumables, industrial automation products and order fulfillment systems for identifying, tracking, picking and conveying consumer and industrial products.  The Merchandising Solutions segment designs and manufactures merchandising displays and systems and provides creative merchandising and marketing solutions services.
	The Company has manufacturing and marketing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]	'
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	2	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
	Principles of Consolidation:
	The consolidated financial statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains an ownership interest and has operating control.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	Use of Estimates:
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Foreign Currency:
	The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency.  Balance sheet accounts for foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date.  Gains or losses that result from this process are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  The revenue and expense accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates that prevailed during the period. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recorded in other income (deductions), net.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents:
	For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
	Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
	Trade receivables are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are more than 30 days past due. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an evaluation of specific customer accounts for which available facts and circumstances indicate collectibility may be uncertain.  In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for all customers based on historical collection experience.
	Inventories:
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost generally determined under the average cost method.
	Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost.  Depreciation is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally range from 10 to 45 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment.  Gains or losses from the disposition of assets are reflected in operating profit.  The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged against income as incurred.  Renewals and betterments of a nature considered to extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized.  Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets is determined by evaluating the estimated undiscounted net cash flows of the operations to which the assets relate.  An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value which is based on a discounted cash flow analysis.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
	Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual review for impairment.  Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 20 years. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized.  For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique.  A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.
	Environmental:
	Costs that mitigate or prevent future environmental issues or extend the life or improve equipment utilized in current operations are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.  Costs that relate to current operations or an existing condition caused by past operations are expensed.  Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company’s obligation is probable and reasonably estimable.  Accruals for losses from environmental remediation obligations do not consider the effects of inflation, and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.
	Treasury Stock:
	Treasury stock is carried at cost.  The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method.
	Income Taxes:
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided for the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.  Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.  Deferred income taxes for U.S. tax purposes have not been provided on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely.  To the extent earnings are expected to be returned in the foreseeable future, the associated deferred tax liabilities are provided.  The Company has not determined the deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings, as such determination is not practicable.
	Revenue Recognition:
	Revenues are generally recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment.  For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer’s specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery.  A liability has been recorded for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery.  Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise.  Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer.  Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage.  At September 30, 2013, the Company held 323,708 memorials and 228,936 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program.
	Construction revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost method.
	The Company offers rebates to certain customers participating in volume purchase programs.  Rebates are estimated and recorded as a reduction in sales at the time the Company’s products are sold.
	Share-Based Payment:
	Stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period.  A binomial lattice model is utilized to determine the fair value of awards.
	Derivatives and Hedging:
	Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program.  All derivatives are straight forward and held for purposes other than trading.  Matthews measures effectiveness by formally assessing, at least quarterly, the historical and probable future high correlation of changes in the fair value or future cash flows of the hedged item.  If the hedging relationship ceases to be highly effective or it becomes probable that an expected transaction will no longer occur, gains and losses on the derivative will be recorded in other income (deductions) at that time.
	Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and are reclassified to earnings in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item.  The cash flows from derivative activities are recognized in the statement of cash flows in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item.
	Research and Development Expenses:
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $2,582, $2,220 and $1,705 for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Earnings Per Share:
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes the issuance of common stock for all dilutive securities.
	Reclassifications and Revision:
	Certain reclassifications have been made in these financial statements to adjust the effect of exchange rate changes on cash in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012 and 2011.  Additionally, the Company revised its classification of certain deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2012.  The revision resulted in an $8,120 increase to current deferred tax assets with a corresponding decrease to non-current deferred tax assets.  The revision, which the Company determined is not material to its consolidated financial position, had no impact on the Consolidated Statement of Income, Statement of Comprehensive Income and Statement of Cash Flows.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	3.           FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It establishes a three level fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in valuations, as defined below:
	Level 1:                      Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	Level 2:                      Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3:                      Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
	As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were categorized as follows:
		30-Sep-13
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Derivatives (1)	$	-	$	3,736		-	$	3,736
	Trading securities		17,929		-		-		17,929
	Total assets at fair value	$	17,929	$	3,736		-	$	21,665
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (1)		-	$	4,644		-	$	4,644
	Total liabilities at fair value		-	$	4,644		-	$	4,644
	(1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
		30-Sep-12
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Derivatives (1)	$	-		-		-	$	-
	Trading securities		16,265		-		-		16,265
	Total assets at fair value	$	16,265		-		-	$	16,265
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (1)		-	$	9,133		-	$	9,133
	Total liabilities at fair value		-	$	9,133		-	$	9,133
	(1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
INVENTORIES [Abstract]	'
INVENTORIES	'
	4	INVENTORIES:
	Inventories at September 30, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
			2013		2012
	Raw materials		$	40,931	$	41,003
	Work in process			25,293		22,772
	Finished goods			64,544		66,915
			$	130,768	$	130,690

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
INVESTMENTS [Abstract]	'
INVESTMENTS	'
	5	INVESTMENTS:
	Investment securities are recorded at estimated market value at the consolidated balance sheet date and are classified as trading securities.  Short-term investments consisted principally of corporate obligations with purchased maturities of over three months but less than one year.  The cost of short-term investments approximated market value at September 30, 2013 and 2012.  Accrued interest on these investment securities was classified with short-term investments.  Investments classified as non-current and trading securities consisted of equity and fixed income mutual funds.
	At September 30, 2013 and 2012, non-current investments were as follows:
			2013		2012
	Trading securities:
	Mutual funds		$	17,929	$	16,265
	Equity investments			4,359		2,577
			$	22,288	$	18,842
	Non-current investments classified as trading securities are recorded at market value.  Market value exceeded cost by $157 and $48 at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Realized gains and losses are based on the specific identification method and are recorded in investment income.  Realized gains (losses) for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were not material.
	Equity investments primarily included ownership interests in various entities of less than 20%, which are recorded under the cost method of accounting.

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]	'
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	'
	6	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
	Property, plant and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation at September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
			2013			2012
	Buildings		$	77,936		$	64,946
	Machinery and equipment			303,674			261,857
				381,610			326,803
	Less accumulated depreciation			(233,791	)		(206,472	)
				147,819			120,331
	Land			15,534			9,207
	Construction in progress			17,378			14,511
			$	180,731		$	144,049
	Depreciation expense was $31,303, $24,630 and $23,461 for each of the three years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

LONGTERM_DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
LONG-TERM DEBT [Abstract]	'
LONG-TERM DEBT	'
	7	LONG-TERM DEBT:
	Long-term debt at September 30, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
			2013			2012
	Revolving credit facilities		$	335,420		$	281,323
	Notes payable to banks			21,530			26,626
	Short-term borrowings			7,639			4,322
	Capital lease obligations			9,093			7,443
				373,682			319,714
	Less current maturities			(22,614	)		(21,566	)
			$	351,068		$	298,148
	The Company has a domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions.  In July 2013, the maximum amount of borrowings available under the facility was increased from $400,000 to $500,000 and the facility’s maturity was extended to July 2018.  Borrowings under the amended facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from .75% to 1.25% based on the Company’s leverage ratio.  The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).  The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .15% to .25% (based on the Company’s leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility.
	The Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios.  A portion of the facility (not to exceed $30,000) is available for the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit. Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2013 and 2012 were $305,000 and $281,323, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 2.81% and 2.83%, respectively.
	The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:
	Effective Date	Amount	Fixed Interest Rate	Interest Rate Spread at September 30, 2013
					Maturity Date
	May-11	$25,000	1.37%	1.25%	May-14
	Oct-11	25,000	1.67%	1.25%	Oct-15
	Nov-11	25,000	2.13%	1.25%	Nov-14
	Mar-12	25,000	2.44%	1.25%	Mar-15
	Jun-12	40,000	1.88%	1.25%	Jun-22
	Aug-12	35,000	1.74%	1.25%	Jun-22
	Sep-12	25,000	3.03%	1.25%	Dec-15
	Sep-12	25,000	1.24%	1.25%	Mar-17
	Nov-12	25,000	1.33%	1.25%	Nov-15
	The Company enters into interest rate swaps in order to achieve a mix of fixed and variable rate debt that it deems appropriate. The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring.  Based on the Company’s assessment, all of the critical terms of each of the hedges matched the underlying terms of the hedged debt and related forecasted interest payments, and as such, these hedges were considered highly effective.
	The fair value of the interest rate swaps reflected an unrealized loss, net of unrealized gains, of $908 ($554 after tax) and $9,133 ($5,571 after tax) at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, that is included in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”).  Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at September 30, 2013, a loss (net of tax) of approximately $1,580 included in AOCL is expected to be recognized in earnings as an adjustment to interest expense over the next twelve months.
	At September 30, 2013 and 2012, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
	Liability Derivatives
	Balance Sheet Location:		2013			2012
	Current assets
	Other current assets		$	427		$	-
	Long-term assets
	Other assets			3,309			-
	Current liabilities:
	Other current liabilities			2,590			2,851
	Long-term liabilities:
	Other liabilities			2,054			6,282
	Total derivatives		$	908		$	9,133
	The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:
		Location of	Amount of
	Derivatives in	Loss	Loss
	Cash Flow Hedging	Recognized in	Recognized in Income
	Relationships	Income on Derivatives	on Derivatives
			2013		2012
	Interest rate swaps	Interest expense	($4,170)		($3,418)
	The Company recognized the following losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”):
									Location of Gain	Amount of Loss
									or (Loss)	Reclassified from
	Derivatives in		Amount of Gain or						Reclassified from	AOCL
	Cash Flow		(Loss) Recognized in						AOCL	into Income
	Hedging		AOCL on Derivatives						into Income	(Effective Portion*)
	Relationships		2013			2012			(Effective Portion*)	2013		2012
	Interest rate swaps			$2,474			($3,288)		Interest expense		($2,544)		($2,085)
	*There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.
	In March 2013, the Company, through certain of its European subsidiaries, entered into a credit facility with a bank.  The maximum amount of borrowings available under this facility is 25.0 million Euros ($33,815).  Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 22.5 million Euros ($30,434) at September 30, 2013.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the facility at September 30, 2013 was 1.37%.
	The Company, through its German subsidiary, Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG (“Saueressig”), has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 1.7 million Euros ($2,310) and 8.2 million Euros ($10,514) at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 4.04% and 6.10%, respectively.
	The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Matthews International S.p.A., has several loans with various Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 5.1 million Euros ($6,871) and 6.3 million Euros ($8,080) at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Matthews International S.p.A. also has three lines of credit totaling 11.4 million Euros ($15,379) with the same Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 5.6 million Euros ($7,639) and 3.4 million Euros ($4,322) at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 3.16% and 3.08%, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, which is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, approximated the carrying value included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including short-term borrowings and capital leases, follows:
	2014		$	22,614
	2015			34,785
	2016			5,032
	2017			1,623
2018			306,365
Thereafter			3,263
		$	373,682

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]	'
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'
	8	SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
	The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 70,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $1 par value.
	The Company has a stock repurchase program.  The buy-back program is designed to increase shareholder value, enlarge the Company's holdings of its common stock, and add to earnings per share.  Repurchased shares may be retained in treasury, utilized for acquisitions, or reissued to employees or other purchasers, subject to the restrictions of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.  Under the current authorization, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of a total of 2,500,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock under the program, of which 1,194,670 shares remain available for repurchase as of September 30, 2013.
	Comprehensive income consists of net income adjusted for changes, net of any related income tax effect, in cumulative foreign currency translation, the fair value of derivatives, unrealized investment gains and losses and minimum pension liability.  The deferred income tax expense (benefit) related to minimum pension liabilities and fair value of derivatives was $22,005, $(2,896), $(8,256) and for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
			2013			2012
	Cumulative foreign currency translation		$	3,714		$	(65	)
	Fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $354 and $3,562, respectively			(554	)		(5,571	)
	Minimum pension liabilities, net of tax of $18,979 and $37,777, respectively			(30,100	)		(59,447	)
			$	(26,940	)	$	(65,083	)

SHAREBASED_PAYMENTS

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS [Abstract]	'
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS	'
	9	SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS:
	The Company maintains an equity incentive plan (the “2007 Equity Incentive Plan”) that provides for grants of stock options, restricted shares, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock-based awards.  The Company also maintains a stock incentive plan (the “1992 Incentive Stock Plan”) that previously provided for grants of stock options, restricted shares and certain other types of stock-based awards.  In February 2013, the Company’s shareholders approved the adoption of a new plan, the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”), that provides for grants of stock options, restricted shares, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock-based awards.  Under the 2012 Plan, which has a ten-year term, the maximum number of shares available for grants or awards is an aggregate of 2,500,000.  There will be no further grants under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan or the 1992 Incentive Stock Plan.  At September 30, 2013, there were 2,500,000 shares reserved for future issuance under the 2012 Plan. All plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
	The option price for each stock option granted under any of the plans may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.  Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  In addition, options generally vest in one-third increments after three, four and five years, respectively, from the grant date (but, in any event, not until the attainment of the market value thresholds).  The options expire on the earlier of ten years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death.  The Company generally settles employee stock option exercises with treasury shares.  With respect to outstanding restricted share grants, for grants made prior to fiscal 2013, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant, with the remaining one-half of the shares vesting in one-third increments upon attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  For grants made in fiscal 2013, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant, one-quarter of the shares vest in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of adjusted earnings per share, and the remaining one-quarter of the shares vest in one-third increments upon attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  Additionally, restricted shares cannot vest until the first anniversary of the grant date.  Unvested restricted shares generally expire on the earlier of five years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death.  The Company issues restricted shares from treasury shares.
	For the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, stock-based compensation cost totaled $5,562, $5,472 and $6,972, respectively. The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $2,169, $2,134 and $2,719 for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $974, $264 and $1,859, for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In connection with these exercises, the tax benefits realized by the Company were $99, $22 and $278 for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The transactions for restricted stock for the year ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
						Weighted-
						average
						grant-date
			Shares			fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2012			551,389			$32.56
	Granted			236,500			25.22
	Vested			(99,226	)		35.95
	Expired or forfeited			(47,264	)		30.75
	Non-vested at September 30, 2013			641,399			29.46
	As of September 30, 2013, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $4,022 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.
	The transactions for shares under options for the year ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
									Weighted-
						Weighted-			average			Aggregate
						average			remaining			intrinsic
			Shares			exercise price			contractual term			value
	Outstanding, September 30, 2012			840,282		$	37.15
	Granted			-			-
	Exercised			(38,475	)		25.56
	Expired or forfeited			(56,983	)		37.1
	Outstanding, September 30, 2013			744,824			37.76			2.2		$	240
	Exercisable, September 30, 2013			413,069			36.94			1.9		$	472
	No shares were earned during the year ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.   The intrinsic value of options (which is the amount by which the stock price exceeded the exercise price of the options on the date of exercise) exercised during the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $294, $57 and $743, respectively.
	The transactions for non-vested option shares for the year ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
						Weighted-
						average
						grant-date
			Shares			fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2012			355,872		$	11.35
	Granted			-			-
	Vested			-			-
	Expired or forfeited			(24,117	)		12.16
	Non-vested at September 30, 2013			331,755			11.29
	The fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial lattice valuation model.  The following table indicates the assumptions used in estimating fair value of restricted stock for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
			2013			2012			2011
	Expected volatility			29.5	%		30.4	%		30	%
	Dividend yield			1.2	%		1	%		1	%
	Average risk-free interest rate			0.6	%		0.9	%		1.2	%
	Average expected term (years)			2			2			2
	The risk-free interest rate is based on United States Treasury yields at the date of grant. The dividend yield is based on the most recent dividend payment and average stock price over the 12 months prior to the grant date.  Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price.  The expected term for grants in the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 represents an estimate of the average period of time for restricted shares to vest.  The option characteristics for each grant are considered separately for valuation purposes.
	Under the Company’s Director Fee Plan, directors (except for the Chairman of the Board) who are not also officers of the Company each receive, as an annual retainer fee, either cash or shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock equivalent to $60.  The equivalent amount paid to a non-employee Chairman of the Board is $130. Where the annual retainer fee is provided in shares, each director may elect to be paid these shares on a current basis or have such shares credited to a deferred stock account as phantom stock, with such shares to be paid to the director subsequent to leaving the Board.  The value of deferred shares is recorded in other liabilities.  A total of 17,005 shares had been deferred under the Director Fee Plan at September 30, 2013.  Additionally, directors who are not also officers of the Company each receive an annual stock-based grant (non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted shares) with a value of $100.  A total of 22,300 stock options have been granted under the plan.  At September 30, 2013, 11,800 options were outstanding and vested. Additionally, 103,150 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the plan, 38,227 of which were unvested at September 30, 2013.  A total of 300,000 shares have been authorized to be issued under the Director Fee Plan.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	10.           EARNINGS PER SHARE:
	The information used to compute earnings per share attributable to Matthews’ common shareholders was as follows:
		2013		2012		2011
	Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	54,888	$	55,843	$	72,372
	Less: dividends and undistributed earnings		583		861		1,420
	allocated to participating securities
	Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$	54,305	$	54,982	$	70,952
	Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic shares		27,255		27,753		28,775
	Effect of dilutive securities		168		86		37
	Diluted shares		27,423		27,839		28,812
	Options to purchase 271,075, 782,942 and 289,502 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, because the inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive.

PENSION_AND_OTHER_POSTRETIREME

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS [Abstract]	'
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS	'
	11	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS:
	The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans to certain employees. The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the plans as of the Company’s actuarial valuation as of September 30, 2013 and 2012:
			Pension						Other Postretirement
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation, beginning of year		$	195,860		$	168,033		$	28,831		$	27,547
	Acquisitions			9,437			-			-			-
	Service cost			7,160			5,852			796			730
	Interest cost			8,024			7,842			1,129			1,283
	Assumption changes			(26,288	)		19,701			(10,270	)		2,508
	Actuarial (gain) loss			(891	)		688			(854	)		(2,473	)
	Benefit payments			(7,225	)		(6,256	)		(751	)		(764	)
	Benefit obligation, end of year			186,077			195,860			18,881			28,831
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value, beginning of year			116,577			100,554			-			-
	Actual return			10,838			16,000			-			-
	Benefit payments			(7,225	)		(6,256	)		(751	)		(764	)
	Employer contributions			3,523			6,279			751			764
	Fair value, end of year			123,713			116,577			-			-
	Funded status			(62,363	)		(79,283	)		(18,881	)		(28,831	)
	Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)			56,148			92,940			(3,001	)		8,561
	Unrecognized prior service cost			(1,935	)		(2,142	)		(1,502	)		(1,774	)
	Net amount recognized		$	(8,150	)	$	11,515		$	(23,384	)	$	(22,044	)
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
	Current liability		$	(721	)	$	(720	)	$	(925	)	$	(1,106	)
	Noncurrent benefit liability			(61,642	)		(78,563	)		(17,956	)		(27,725	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			54,213			90,798			(4,503	)		6,787
	Net amount recognized		$	(8,150	)	$	11,515		$	(23,384	)	$	(22,044	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated
	other comprehensive loss:
	Net actuarial loss (income)		$	56,148		$	92,940		$	(3,001	)	$	8,561
	Prior service cost			(1,935	)		(2,142	)		(1,502	)		(1,774	)
	Net amount recognized		$	54,213		$	90,798		$	(4,503	)	$	6,787
	Based upon actuarial valuations performed as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the accumulated benefit obligation for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was $156,661 and $172,142 at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and the projected benefit obligation for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was $186,077 and $195,860 at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following:
			Pension									Other Postretirement
			2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Service cost		$	7,160		$	5,852		$	5,016		$	796		$	730		$	632
	Interest cost			8,024			7,842			7,510			1,129			1,283			1,254
	Expected return on plan assets			(9,071	)		(7,836	)		(7,398	)		-			-			-
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost			(206	)		(45	)		26			(272	)		(451	)		(476	)
	Net actuarial loss			7,903			6,814			5,364			439			535			407
	Net benefit cost		$	13,810		$	12,627		$	10,518		$	2,092		$	2,097		$	1,817
	Benefit payments under the Company’s principal retirement plan are made from plan assets, while benefit payments under the supplemental retirement plan and postretirement benefit plan are made from the Company’s operating cash. Under I.R.S. regulations, the Company was not required to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal 2013. The Company is not required to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal 2014.
	Contributions made in fiscal 2013 are as follows:
	Contributions		Pension			Other Postretirement
	Principal retirement plan		$	2,500		$	-
	Supplemental retirement plan			725			-
	Other postretirement plan			-			751
	Amounts of AOCL expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2014 include:
						Other
			Pension			Postretirement
			Benefits			Benefits
	Net actuarial loss		$	3,964		$	(87	)
	Prior service cost			(206	)		(195	)
	The measurement date of annual actuarial valuations for the Company’s principal retirement and other postretirement benefit plans was September 30 for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011.  The weighted-average assumptions for those plans were:
			Pension									Other Postretirement
			2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Discount rate			5	%		4	%		4.75	%		5	%		4	%		4.75	%
	Return on plan assets			8			8			8			-			-			-
	Compensation increase			3.5			3.5			3.5			-			-			-
	The underlying basis of the investment strategy of the Company’s defined benefit plans is to ensure the assets are invested to achieve a positive rate of return over the long term sufficient to meet the plans’ actuarial interest rate and provide for the payment of benefit obligations and expenses in perpetuity in a secure and prudent fashion, maintain a prudent risk level that balances growth with the need to preserve capital, diversify plan assets so as to minimize the risk of large losses or excessive fluctuations in market value from year to year, achieve investment results over the long term that compare favorably with other pension plans and appropriate indices.  The Company’s investment policy, as established by the Company’s pension board, specifies the types of investments appropriate for the plans, asset allocation guidelines, criteria for the selection of investment managers, procedures to monitor overall investment performance as well as investment manager performance.  It also provides guidelines enabling plan fiduciaries to fulfill their responsibilities.
The Company’s primary defined benefit pension plan’s weighted-average asset allocation at September 30, 2013 and 2012 and weighted-average target allocation were as follows:
		Plan Assets at						Target
Asset Category		2013			2012			Allocation
Equity securities		$	67,954		$	63,186			55	%
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents			36,817			35,218			30	%
Other investments			18,942			18,173			15	%
		$	123,713		$	116,577			100	%
Plan assets in the fixed income, cash and cash equivalents category include cash of 2% and 4% of plan assets at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which reflects cash contributions to the Company’s principal pension plan immediately prior to the end of each fiscal year.
Based on an analysis of the historical and expected future performance of the plan's assets and information provided by its independent investment advisor, the Company set the long-term rate of return assumption for these assets at 8.0% in 2013 for purposes of determining pension cost and funded status under current guidance.  The Company’s discount rate assumption used in determining the present value of the projected benefit obligation is based upon published indices.
The Company categorizes plan assets within a three level fair value hierarchy (see Note 3 for a further discussion of the fair value hierarchy). The valuation methodologies used to measure the fair value of pension assets, including the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each type of pension plan asset is classified as follows.
Equity securities consist of direct investments in the stocks of publicly traded companies.  Such investments are valued based on the closing price reported in an active market on which the individual securities are traded.  As such, the direct investments are classified as Level 1.
Mutual funds are valued at the net asset values of shares held by the Plan at year end.  As such, these mutual fund investments are classified as Level 1.
Fixed income securities consist of publicly traded fixed interest obligations (primarily U.S. government notes and corporate and agency bonds).  Such investments are valued through consultation and evaluation with brokers in the institutional market using quoted prices and other observable market data.  As such, U.S. government notes are included in Level 1, and the remainder of the fixed income securities is included in Level 2.
Cash and cash equivalents consist of direct cash holdings and short-term money market mutual funds.  These values are valued based on cost, which approximates fair value, and as such, are classified as Level 1.
Other investments consist primarily of real estate, commodities, private equity holdings and hedge fund investments.  These holdings are valued by investment managers based on the most recent information available.  The valuation information used by investment managers may not be readily observable.  As such, these investments are classified as Level 3.
The Company’s defined benefit pension plans’ asset categories at September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		30-Sep-13
Asset Category		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
Equity securities - stocks		$	36,127		$	-		$	-		$	36,127
Equity securities - mutual funds			30,507			1,320			-			31,827
Fixed income securities			17,912			9,487			-			27,399
Cash and cash equivalents			9,418			-			-			9,418
Other investments			-			-			18,942			18,942
Total		$	93,964		$	10,807		$	18,942		$	123,713
		30-Sep-12
Asset Category		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
Equity securities - stocks		$	34,127		$	-		$	-		$	34,127
Equity securities - mutual funds			29,059			-			-			29,059
Fixed income securities			10,523			12,707			-			23,230
Cash and cash equivalents			11,988			-			-			11,988
Other investments			-			-			18,173			18,173
Total		$	85,697		$	12,707		$	18,173		$	116,577
Changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets at September 30, 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows:
		Fair Value,															Fair Value,
		Beginning of									Realized			Unrealized			End of
Asset Category		Period			Acquisitions			Dispositions			Gains (Losses)			Gains			Period
Other investments:
Fiscal Year Ended:
30-Sep-13		$	18,173		$	-			-		$	48		$	721		$	18,942
30-Sep-12			13,375			3,800			-			766			232			18,173
Benefit payments expected to be paid are as follows:
					Other
		Pension			Postretirement
Years ending September 30:		Benefits			Benefits
2014		$	7,080		$	926
2015			7,722			917
2016			8,190			1,004
2017			8,550			1,126
2018			9,063			1,186
2019-2023			53,709			6,275
		$	94,314		$	11,434
For measurement purposes, a rate of increase of 8.0% in the per capita cost of health care benefits was assumed for 2013; the rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5.0% for 2030 and remain at that level thereafter.  Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported.  An increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point would have increased the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 2013 by $967 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by $107.  A decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point would have decreased the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 2013 by $846 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by $94.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	12	INCOME TAXES:
	The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
			2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal		$	15,703		$	14,060		$	15,306
	State			3,423			2,483			3,004
	Foreign			4,804			6,437			10,689
				23,930			22,980			28,999
	Deferred			2,734			5,737			9,557
	Total		$	26,664		$	28,717		$	38,556
	The reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate was as follows:
			2013			2012			2011
	Federal statutory tax rate			35	%		35	%		35	%
	Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction			2.7			2.1			2.5
	Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate			(3.1	)		(0.6	)		(1.3	)
	Other			(1.9	)		(2.3	)		(1.8	)
	Effective tax rate			32.7	%		34.2	%		34.4	%
	The Company's foreign subsidiaries had income before income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $23,662, $24,654 and $36,870, respectively.  At September 30, 2013, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which deferred U.S. income taxes have not been provided approximated $225,084.  The Company has not determined the deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings, as such determination is not practicable.
	The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
			2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Postretirement benefits		$	7,365		$	11,244
	Environmental reserve			1,903			2,217
	Pension costs			19,415			30,145
	Deferred compensation			66			281
	Stock options			10,690			9,653
	Other			24,261			24,370
				63,700			77,910
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation			(3,693	)		(4,220	)
	Goodwill			(67,012	)		(57,767	)
	Other			(1,630	)		(206	)
				(72,335	)		(62,193	)
	Net deferred tax asset		$	(8,635	)	$	15,717
	Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) are as follows:
			2013			2012			2011
	Balance, beginning of year		$	4,501		$	4,721		$	5,215
	Increases for tax positions of prior years			-			742			-
	Decreases for tax positions of prior years			(124	)		(74	)		(96	)
	Increases based on tax positions related to the current year			708			137			202
	Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities			(250	)		(602	)		(38	)
	Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation			(319	)		(423	)		(562	)
	Balance, end of year		$	4,516		$	4,501		$	4,721
	The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $4,516 and $4,501 at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, all of which, if recorded, would impact the annual effective tax rate.  It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could change by approximately $72 in the next 12 months primarily due to expiration of statutes related to specific tax positions.
	The Company classifies interest and penalties on tax uncertainties as a component of the provision for income taxes. For fiscal 2013, the Company included a net increase of $95 in interest and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes. Total penalties and interest accrued were $2,401 and $2,306 at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  These accruals may potentially be applicable in the event of an unfavorable outcome of uncertain tax positions.
	The Company is currently under examination in several tax jurisdictions and remains subject to examination until the statute of limitation expires for those tax jurisdictions.  As of September 30, 2013, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are:
	United States - Federal	2010 and forward
	United States - State	2009 and forward
	Canada	2008 and forward
	Europe	2005 and forward
	United Kingdom	2010 and forward
	Australia	2009 and forward
	Asia	2008 and forward

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENT_LIA

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	'
	13	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES:
	The Company operates various production, warehouse and office facilities and equipment under operating lease agreements.  Annual rentals under these and other operating leases were $17,664, $16,908 and $16,323 in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 are $10,048, $6,331, $3,816, $1,780 and $504, respectively.
	The Company is party to various legal proceedings, the eventual outcome of which are not predictable.  Although the ultimate disposition of these proceedings is not presently determinable, management is of the opinion that they should not result in liabilities in an amount which would materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	The Company has employment agreements with certain employees, the terms of which expire at various dates between fiscal 2014 and 2018.  The agreements generally provide for base salary and bonus levels and include non-compete provisions.  The aggregate commitment for salaries under these agreements at September 30, 2013 was $9,752.

ENVIRONMENTAL_MATTERS

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS [Abstract]	'
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS	'
	14	ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS:
	The Company's operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment.  These laws and regulations impose limitations on the discharge of materials into the environment and require the Company to obtain and operate in compliance with conditions of permits and other government authorizations.  As such, the Company has developed environmental, health and safety policies and procedures that include the proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
	The Company is party to various environmental matters.  These include obligations to investigate and mitigate the effects on the environment of the disposal of certain materials at various operating and non-operating sites.  The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate.
	At September 30, 2013, an accrual of $5,324 had been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $1,218 was classified in other current liabilities), representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of the Company's known remediation obligations.  The accrual, which reflects previously established reserves assumed with the acquisition of York and additional reserves recorded as a purchase accounting adjustment, does not consider the effects of inflation and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.  While final resolution of these contingencies could result in costs different than current accruals, management believes the ultimate outcome will not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

SUPPLEMENTAL_CASH_FLOW_INFORMA

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]	'
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	'
	15	SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
	Changes in working capital items as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following:
			2013			2012			2011
	Current assets:
	Accounts receivable		$	(2,586	)	$	(7,554	)	$	(5,560	)
	Inventories			2,870			(3,463	)		(13,627	)
	Other current assets			2,107			(4,655	)		(2,265	)
				2,391			(15,672	)		(21,452	)
	Current liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable			(1,205	)		1,024			6,983
	Accrued compensation			7,143			(1,476	)		(8,250	)
	Accrued income taxes			(2,278	)		(2,649	)		(3,167	)
	Customer prepayments			(2,530	)		1,162			2,028
	Other current liabilities			(9,329	)		1,208			765
				(8,199	)		(731	)		(1,641	)
	Net change		$	(5,808	)	$	(16,403	)	$	(23,093	)

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	16	SEGMENT INFORMATION:
	The Company's products and operations consist of two principal businesses that are comprised of three operating segments each, as described under Nature of Operations (Note 1):  Memorialization Products (Cemetery Products, Funeral Home Products, Cremation) and Brand Solutions (Graphics Imaging, Marking and Fulfillment Systems, Merchandising Solutions).  Management evaluates segment performance based on operating profit (before income taxes) and does not allocate non-operating items such as investment income, interest expense, other income (deductions), net and noncontrolling interests.
	The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Note 2).  Intersegment sales are accounted for at negotiated prices.  Operating profit is total revenue less operating expenses.  Segment assets include those assets that are used in the Company's operations within each segment.  Assets classified under “Other” principally consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments, deferred income taxes and corporate headquarters' assets.  Long-lived
	assets include property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation), goodwill, and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization).
	Information about the Company's segments follows:
			Memorialization						Brand Solutions
											Marking and
			Cemetery		Funeral Home				Graphics		Fulfillment		Merchandising
			Products		Products		Cremation		Imaging		Systems		Solutions		Other		Consolidated
	Sales to external customers:
	2013		$	226,586	$	242,803	$	48,522	$	294,571	$	93,505	$	79,370	$	-	$	985,357
	2012			215,943		230,943		45,981		259,865		74,621		72,964		-		900,317
	2011			224,773		243,291		39,278		268,975		61,938		60,566		-		898,821
	Intersegment sales:
	2013			39		172		951		416		10		527		-		2,115
	2012			262		4		60		2		22		702		-		1,052
	2011			251		-		52		177		21		90		-		591
	Depreciation and amortization:
	2013			4,034		6,267		351		21,968		1,675		2,324		1,246		37,865
	2012			3,255		6,416		396		14,175		1,048		2,330		1,201		28,821
	2011			2,955		6,371		244		13,580		530		1,949		2,032		27,661
	Operating profit:
	2013			32,571		37,263		3,097		9,724		8,862		4,275		-		95,792
	2012			33,195		26,525		3,869		14,843		10,061		5,084		-		93,577
	2011			52,474		29,039		3,479		22,427		7,819		3,278		-		118,516
	Total assets:
	2013			210,242		286,576		40,072		425,823		113,420		69,012		69,782		1,214,927
	2012			211,205		299,248		41,099		356,458		75,217		66,170		78,645		1,128,042
	2011			197,127		311,841		35,018		351,595		67,193		60,491		74,190		1,097,455
	Capital expenditures:
	2013			8,415		2,399		174		9,027		2,904		737		1,268		24,924
	2012			3,811		2,540		396		18,693		2,513		1,496		3,787		33,236
	2011			1,618		3,850		501		10,820		295		3,165		2,191		22,440
	Information about the Company's operations by geographic area follows:
			United States		Mexico		Canada		Europe		Australia		Asia		Consolidated
	Sales to external customers:
	2013		$	617,371	$	-	$	12,014	$	328,266	$	13,534	$	14,172	$	985,357
	2012			569,435		-		11,967		290,283		13,778		14,854		900,317
	2011			559,362		-		13,086		298,773		13,437		14,163		898,821
	Long-lived assets:
	2013			421,697		3,731		483		324,731		6,338		13,404		770,384
	2012			395,565		4,743		507		260,809		7,041		10,580		679,245
	2011			380,059		5,726		476		259,860		6,752		9,459		662,332

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACQUISITIONS [Abstract]	'
ACQUISITIONS	'
	17	ACQUISITIONS:
	Fiscal 2013:
	Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2013 totaled $73,959.  The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following:
	In April 2013, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 20% interest in Tact Group Limited (“Tact”).  The Company had acquired an 80% interest in Tact in July 2009.
	In March 2013, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 38.5% interest in Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. (“Kroma”), completing the option arrangement in connection with the July 2011 acquisition of a 61.5% interest in Kroma.
	In March 2013, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 20% interest in Furnace Construction Cremators Limited (“FCC”).  The Company had acquired an 80% interest in FCC in March 2010.
	In December 2012, the Company acquired Pyramid Controls, Inc. and its affiliate, Pyramid Control Systems (collectively, “Pyramid”).  Pyramid is a provider of warehouse control systems and conveyor control solutions for distribution centers.  The acquisition is designed to expand Matthews' fulfillment products and services in the warehouse management market.   The initial purchase price for the transaction was $26,178, plus potential additional consideration up to $3,700 based on future operating results.
	In November 2012, the Company acquired Wetzel Holding AG, Wetzel GmbH and certain related affiliates (collectively, “Wetzel”).  Wetzel is a leading European provider of pre-press services and gravure printing forms, with manufacturing operations in Germany and Poland.  Wetzel’s products and services are sold primary within Europe, and the acquisition is designed to expand Matthews' products and services in the global graphics imaging market.  The purchase price for Wetzel was 42.6 million Euros ($54,748) on a cash-free, debt-free basis.
	The Company has completed the allocation of purchase price for all acquisitions.
	Fiscal 2012:
	Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2012 totaled $12,541.  The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following:
	In May 2012, the Company acquired Everlasting Granite Memorial Co., Inc. (“Everlasting Granite”), a supplier of granite memorials, columbariums and private mausoleum estates.  The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and was designed to expand the Company’s presence and product breadth in the granite memorial business.
	Fiscal 2011:
	Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2011 totaled $84,369.  The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following:
	In August 2011, the Company acquired Lightning Pick Technologies, Inc. (“LPT”), a manufacturer that develops, installs and supports paperless order fulfillment solutions.  The transaction is intended to expand the Company’s presence and product breadth in the fulfillment systems industry.
	In July 2011, the Company purchased a 61.5% interest in Kroma, a leading provider of pre-press services and roto-gravure printing cylinders in Turkey.  The acquisition is designed to further extend Matthews' presence as the leading provider of reprographic pre-press products and services to the European packaging and tobacco markets.  The Company also had an arrangement to acquire an additional 8.5% interest and an option agreement related to the remaining 30% interest in Kroma.  At September 30, 2012, the Company recorded an estimate of $10,481 in “Arrangement with noncontrolling interest” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to the option agreement.
	In April 2011, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 22% interest in Saueressig for 19.3 million Euros ($27,390), completing the option agreement in connection with the May 2008 acquisition of a 78% interest in Saueressig.
		In March 2011, the Company acquired Innovative Picking Technologies, Inc. (“IPTI”), a manufacturer of paperless order fulfillment systems.  The transaction is intended to expand the Company’s presence into the fulfillment systems industry.
		In October 2010, the Company acquired Freeman Metal Products, Inc. and its affiliated companies (collectively, “Freeman”), a manufacturer and distributor of caskets.  The purchase price for the acquisition was $22,800, plus additional consideration up to $6,000 contingent on operating performance over the next three years.  The transaction is intended to provide synergies in the manufacturing and distribution of caskets and expand the Company’s market presence in the Southeast and South Central regions of the United States.
		In October 2010, the Company acquired the remaining 25% interest in Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG (“Reproflex”).  The Company acquired a 75% interest in Reproflex in 2001.

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]	'
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	'
	18	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
	Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual review for impairment. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. For purposes of testing for impairment the Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless such lives are considered to be indefinite. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.
	The Company performed its annual impairment reviews in the second quarters of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 and determined that no additional adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill were necessary.  Changes to goodwill, net of accumulated amortization, during the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, follow.
															Marking and
			Cemetery			Funeral Home						Graphics			Fulfillment		Merchandising
			Products			Products			Cremation			Imaging			Systems		Solutions		Consolidated
	Goodwill		$	88,142		$	162,819		$	16,735		$	167,828		$	29,593	$	9,138	$	474,255
	Accumulated impairment losses			(412	)		-			(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
	Balance at September			87,730			162,819			11,735			163,988			29,593		9,138		465,003
	30, 2011
	Additions during period			10,424			57			770			2,896			1,151		-		15,298
	Translation and other adjustments			(783	)		-			53			(3,462	)		72		-		(4,120	)
	Goodwill			97,783			162,876			17,558			167,262			30,816		9,138		485,433
	Accumulated impairment losses			(412	)		-			(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
	Balance at September			97,371			162,876			12,558			163,422			30,816		9,138		476,181
	30, 2012
	Additions during period			914			199			269			21,361			19,677		-		42,420
	Translation and other adjustments			1,010			133			(4	)		4,658			153		-		5,950
	Goodwill			99,707			163,208			17,823			193,281			50,646		9,138		533,803
	Accumulated impairment losses			(412	)		-			(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
	Balance at September		$	99,295		$	163,208		$	12,823		$	189,441		$	50,646	$	9,138	$	524,551
	30, 2013
	In fiscal 2013, the addition to Graphics Imaging goodwill primarily reflects the acquisition of Wetzel and the remaining 20% interest in Tact; the addition to Marking and Fulfillment Systems goodwill reflects the acquisition of Pyramid; the addition to Cemetery Products goodwill reflects the acquisition of a small bronze manufacturer in Europe; the addition to Cremation goodwill reflects the acquisition of the remaining 20% interest in FCC; and the addition to Funeral Home Products primarily represents the effect of an adjustment to the purchase price for a small casket distributor.
	In fiscal 2012, the addition to Cemetery Products reflects the acquisition of Everlasting Granite in May 2012.  The additions to Funeral Home Products and Marking and Fulfillment Systems goodwill primarily represents the effect of adjustments to purchase price; the addition to Cremation goodwill reflects the acquisition of a small cremation equipment manufacturer in Europe; and the addition to Graphics Imaging goodwill related primarily to additional consideration paid in accordance with the purchase agreement with Tact Group Limited and effect of adjustments to purchase price for Kroma.
	The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
			Carrying			Accumulated			Impairment
			Amount			Amortization			Loss			Net
	September 30, 2013:
	Trade names		$	24,496		$	-	*	$	(1,618	)	$	22,878
	Trade names			3,034			(2,142	)		-			892
	Customer relationships			59,061			(19,099	)		-			39,962
	Copyrights/patents/other			10,116			(8,746	)		-			1,370
			$	96,707		$	(29,987	)	$	(1,618	)	$	65,102
	September 30, 2012:
	Trade names		$	24,488		$	-	*		-		$	24,488
	Trade names			2,182			(1,571	)		-			611
	Customer relationships			47,654			(15,689	)		-			31,965
	Copyrights/patents/other			9,920			(7,969	)		-			1,951
			$	84,244		$	(25,229	)		-		$	59,015
	*Not subject to amortization
	The net change in intangible assets during fiscal 2013 included an increase for the acquisitions of Wetzel and Pyramid of $12,027, offset by the impact of an impairment loss in the Graphic Imaging segment (recorded in the second fiscal quarter), foreign currency fluctuations during the period and additional amortization.  The net change in intangible assets during fiscal 2012 included the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and additional amortization.
	Amortization expense on intangible assets was $4,156, $3,886, and $4,200 in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.   Fiscal year amortization expense is estimated to be $3,792 in 2014, $3,662 in 2015, $3,374 in 2016, $3,181 in 2017 and $3,149 in 2018.

ACCOUNTING_PRONOUNCEMENTS

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract]	'
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	'
	19	ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
	On February 5, 2013, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 requires companies to present information about reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income, including the amount of the reclassification and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. The information must be presented in the financial statements in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. ASU 2013-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012, and interim periods within those annual periods.  This standard will be adopted by the Company for the quarter ended December 31, 2013.

SUPPLEMENTARY_FINANCIAL_INFORM

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Abstract]	'
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'
	Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited):
	The following table sets forth certain items included in the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements for each quarter of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012.
		Quarter Ended
		31-Dec		31-Mar		30-Jun		30-Sep		Year Ended
										30-Sep
		(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	FISCAL YEAR 2013:
	Sales	$	225,609	$	256,390	$	250,652	$	252,706	$	985,357
	Gross profit		79,974		94,866		91,391		90,287		356,518
	Operating profit		16,499		25,070		30,760		23,463		95,792
	Net income attributable to  Matthews shareholders		8,255		14,192		17,991		14,450		54,888
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		$0.30		$0.51		$0.65		$0.53		$1.99
	Diluted		0.3		0.51		0.65		0.52		1.98
	FISCAL YEAR 2012:
	Sales	$	217,213	$	225,545	$	227,478	$	230,081	$	900,317
	Gross profit		77,995		84,707		87,709		86,159		336,570
	Operating profit		18,925		25,287		27,513		21,852		93,577
	Net income attributable to  Matthews shareholders		11,285		15,258		16,325		12,975		55,843
	Earnings per share
	Basic		$0.40		$0.54		$0.58		$0.47		$1.98
	Diluted		0.4		0.54		0.58		0.47		1.98

SCHEDULE_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS [Abstract]	'
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	'
	SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
					Additions
			Balance at				Charged to
			beginning of		Charged to		other					Balance at
	Description		period		expense		Accounts(1)		Deductions(2)			end of period
			(Dollar amounts in thousands)
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
	Fiscal Year Ended:
	30-Sep-13		$	11,177	$	595	$	306	$	(2,069	)	$	10,009
	30-Sep-12			10,736		1,558		-		(1,117	)		11,177
	30-Sep-11			11,261		533		580		(1,638	)		10,736
	-1	Amount comprised principally of acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments in connection with acquisitions.
	-2	Amounts determined not to be collectible (including direct write-offs), net of recoveries.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation:
	The consolidated financial statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains an ownership interest and has operating control.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates:
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign Currency	'
	Foreign Currency:
	The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency.  Balance sheet accounts for foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date.  Gains or losses that result from this process are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  The revenue and expense accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates that prevailed during the period. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recorded in other income (deductions), net.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents:
	For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
	Trade receivables are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are more than 30 days past due. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an evaluation of specific customer accounts for which available facts and circumstances indicate collectibility may be uncertain.  In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for all customers based on historical collection experience.
Inventories	'
	Inventories:
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost generally determined under the average cost method.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment:
	Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost.  Depreciation is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally range from 10 to 45 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment.  Gains or losses from the disposition of assets are reflected in operating profit.  The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged against income as incurred.  Renewals and betterments of a nature considered to extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized.  Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets is determined by evaluating the estimated undiscounted net cash flows of the operations to which the assets relate.  An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value which is based on a discounted cash flow analysis.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
	Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual review for impairment.  Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 20 years. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized.  For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique.  A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.
Environmental	'
	Environmental:
	Costs that mitigate or prevent future environmental issues or extend the life or improve equipment utilized in current operations are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.  Costs that relate to current operations or an existing condition caused by past operations are expensed.  Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company’s obligation is probable and reasonably estimable.  Accruals for losses from environmental remediation obligations do not consider the effects of inflation, and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.
Treasury Stock	'
	Treasury Stock:
	Treasury stock is carried at cost.  The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes:
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided for the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.  Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.  Deferred income taxes for U.S. tax purposes have not been provided on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely.  To the extent earnings are expected to be returned in the foreseeable future, the associated deferred tax liabilities are provided.  The Company has not determined the deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings, as such determination is not practicable.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition:
	Revenues are generally recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment.  For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer’s specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery.  A liability has been recorded for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery.  Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise.  Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer.  Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage.  At September 30, 2013, the Company held 323,708 memorials and 228,936 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program.
	Construction revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost method.
	The Company offers rebates to certain customers participating in volume purchase programs.  Rebates are estimated and recorded as a reduction in sales at the time the Company’s products are sold.
Share-Based Payment	'
	Share-Based Payment:
	Stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period.  A binomial lattice model is utilized to determine the fair value of awards.
Derivatives and Hedging	'
	Derivatives and Hedging:
	Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program.  All derivatives are straight forward and held for purposes other than trading.  Matthews measures effectiveness by formally assessing, at least quarterly, the historical and probable future high correlation of changes in the fair value or future cash flows of the hedged item.  If the hedging relationship ceases to be highly effective or it becomes probable that an expected transaction will no longer occur, gains and losses on the derivative will be recorded in other income (deductions) at that time.
	Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and are reclassified to earnings in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item.  The cash flows from derivative activities are recognized in the statement of cash flows in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item.
Research and Development Expenses	'
	Research and Development Expenses:
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $2,582, $2,220 and $1,705 for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share:
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes the issuance of common stock for all dilutive securities.
Reclassifications and Revision	'
	Reclassifications and Revision:
	Certain reclassifications have been made in these financial statements to adjust the effect of exchange rate changes on cash in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012 and 2011.  Additionally, the Company revised its classification of certain deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2012.  The revision resulted in an $8,120 increase to current deferred tax assets with a corresponding decrease to non-current deferred tax assets.  The revision, which the Company determined is not material to its consolidated financial position, had no impact on the Consolidated Statement of Income, Statement of Comprehensive Income and Statement of Cash Flows.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis	'
	As of September 30, 2013 and 2012, the fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were categorized as follows:
		30-Sep-13
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Derivatives (1)	$	-	$	3,736		-	$	3,736
	Trading securities		17,929		-		-		17,929
	Total assets at fair value	$	17,929	$	3,736		-	$	21,665
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (1)		-	$	4,644		-	$	4,644
	Total liabilities at fair value		-	$	4,644		-	$	4,644
	(1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
		30-Sep-12
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Derivatives (1)	$	-		-		-	$	-
	Trading securities		16,265		-		-		16,265
	Total assets at fair value	$	16,265		-		-	$	16,265
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (1)		-	$	9,133		-	$	9,133
	Total liabilities at fair value		-	$	9,133		-	$	9,133
	(1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

INVENTORIES_Tables

INVENTORIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
INVENTORIES [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories at September 30, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	40,931	$	41,003
	Work in process		25,293		22,772
	Finished goods		64,544		66,915
		$	130,768	$	130,690

INVESTMENTS_Tables

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
INVESTMENTS [Abstract]	'
Non-Current Investments	'
	At September 30, 2013 and 2012, non-current investments were as follows:
		2013		2012
	Trading securities:
	Mutual funds	$	17,929	$	16,265
	Equity investments		4,359		2,577
		$	22,288	$	18,842

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_T

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation	'
	Property, plant and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation at September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		2013			2012
	Buildings	$	77,936		$	64,946
	Machinery and equipment		303,674			261,857
			381,610			326,803
	Less accumulated depreciation		(233,791	)		(206,472	)
			147,819			120,331
	Land		15,534			9,207
	Construction in progress		17,378			14,511
		$	180,731		$	144,049

LONGTERM_DEBT_Tables

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
LONG-TERM DEBT [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt at September 30, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
			2013			2012
	Revolving credit facilities		$	335,420		$	281,323
	Notes payable to banks			21,530			26,626
	Short-term borrowings			7,639			4,322
	Capital lease obligations			9,093			7,443
				373,682			319,714
	Less current maturities			(22,614	)		(21,566	)
			$	351,068		$	298,148
Interest Rate Swaps	'
	The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:
	Effective Date	Amount	Fixed Interest Rate	Interest Rate Spread at September 30, 2013
					Maturity Date
	May-11	$25,000	1.37%	1.25%	May-14
	Oct-11	25,000	1.67%	1.25%	Oct-15
	Nov-11	25,000	2.13%	1.25%	Nov-14
	Mar-12	25,000	2.44%	1.25%	Mar-15
	Jun-12	40,000	1.88%	1.25%	Jun-22
	Aug-12	35,000	1.74%	1.25%	Jun-22
	Sep-12	25,000	3.03%	1.25%	Dec-15
	Sep-12	25,000	1.24%	1.25%	Mar-17
	Nov-12	25,000	1.33%	1.25%	Nov-15
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	'
	At September 30, 2013 and 2012, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
	Liability Derivatives
	Balance Sheet Location:		2013			2012
	Current assets
	Other current assets		$	427		$	-
	Long-term assets
	Other assets			3,309			-
	Current liabilities:
	Other current liabilities			2,590			2,851
	Long-term liabilities:
	Other liabilities			2,054			6,282
	Total derivatives		$	908		$	9,133
Loss Recognized on Derivatives	'
	The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:
		Location of	Amount of
	Derivatives in	Loss	Loss
	Cash Flow Hedging	Recognized in	Recognized in Income
	Relationships	Income on Derivatives	on Derivatives
			2013		2012
	Interest rate swaps	Interest expense	($4,170)		($3,418)
	The Company recognized the following losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”):
									Location of Gain	Amount of Loss
									or (Loss)	Reclassified from
	Derivatives in		Amount of Gain or						Reclassified from	AOCL
	Cash Flow		(Loss) Recognized in						AOCL	into Income
	Hedging		AOCL on Derivatives						into Income	(Effective Portion*)
	Relationships		2013			2012			(Effective Portion*)	2013		2012
	Interest rate swaps			$2,474			($3,288)		Interest expense		($2,544)		($2,085)
	*There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.
Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt	'
	Aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including short-term borrowings and capital leases, follows:
	2014		$	22,614
	2015			34,785
	2016			5,032
	2017			1,623
	2018			306,365
	Thereafter			3,263
			$	373,682

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY_Tables

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
		2013			2012
	Cumulative foreign currency translation	$	3,714		$	(65	)
	Fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $354 and $3,562, respectively		(554	)		(5,571	)
	Minimum pension liabilities, net of tax of $18,979 and $37,777, respectively		(30,100	)		(59,447	)
		$	(26,940	)	$	(65,083	)

SHAREBASED_PAYMENTS_Tables

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS [Abstract]	'
Restricted Stock Activity	'
	The transactions for restricted stock for the year ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
					Weighted-
					average
					grant-date
		Shares			fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2012		551,389			$32.56
	Granted		236,500			25.22
	Vested		(99,226	)		35.95
	Expired or forfeited		(47,264	)		30.75
	Non-vested at September 30, 2013		641,399			29.46
Stock Option Activity	'
	The transactions for shares under options for the year ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
								Weighted-
					Weighted-			average			Aggregate
					average			remaining			intrinsic
		Shares			exercise price			contractual term			value
	Outstanding, September 30, 2012		840,282		$	37.15
	Granted		-			-
	Exercised		(38,475	)		25.56
	Expired or forfeited		(56,983	)		37.1
	Outstanding, September 30, 2013		744,824			37.76			2.2		$	240
	Exercisable, September 30, 2013		413,069			36.94			1.9		$	472
Non-vested Options Activity	'
	The transactions for non-vested option shares for the year ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:
					Weighted-
					average
					grant-date
		Shares			fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2012		355,872		$	11.35
	Granted		-			-
	Vested		-			-
	Expired or forfeited		(24,117	)		12.16
	Non-vested at September 30, 2013		331,755			11.29
Assumptions Used in Estimating Fair Value	'
	The fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial lattice valuation model.  The following table indicates the assumptions used in estimating fair value of restricted stock for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
		2013			2012			2011
	Expected volatility		29.5	%		30.4	%		30	%
	Dividend yield		1.2	%		1	%		1	%
	Average risk-free interest rate		0.6	%		0.9	%		1.2	%
	Average expected term (years)		2			2			2

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]	'
Information Used to Compute Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews' Common Shareholders	'
	The information used to compute earnings per share attributable to Matthews’ common shareholders was as follows:
		2013		2012		2011
	Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	54,888	$	55,843	$	72,372
	Less: dividends and undistributed earnings		583		861		1,420
	allocated to participating securities
	Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$	54,305	$	54,982	$	70,952
	Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic shares		27,255		27,753		28,775
	Effect of dilutive securities		168		86		37
	Diluted shares		27,423		27,839		28,812

PENSION_AND_OTHER_POSTRETIREME1

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status of Pension Plans	'
	The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans to certain employees. The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the plans as of the Company’s actuarial valuation as of September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Pension						Other Postretirement
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	195,860		$	168,033		$	28,831		$	27,547
	Acquisitions		9,437			-			-			-
	Service cost		7,160			5,852			796			730
	Interest cost		8,024			7,842			1,129			1,283
	Assumption changes		(26,288	)		19,701			(10,270	)		2,508
	Actuarial (gain) loss		(891	)		688			(854	)		(2,473	)
	Benefit payments		(7,225	)		(6,256	)		(751	)		(764	)
	Benefit obligation, end of year		186,077			195,860			18,881			28,831
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value, beginning of year		116,577			100,554			-			-
	Actual return		10,838			16,000			-			-
	Benefit payments		(7,225	)		(6,256	)		(751	)		(764	)
	Employer contributions		3,523			6,279			751			764
	Fair value, end of year		123,713			116,577			-			-
	Funded status		(62,363	)		(79,283	)		(18,881	)		(28,831	)
	Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)		56,148			92,940			(3,001	)		8,561
	Unrecognized prior service cost		(1,935	)		(2,142	)		(1,502	)		(1,774	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(8,150	)	$	11,515		$	(23,384	)	$	(22,044	)
	Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
	Current liability	$	(721	)	$	(720	)	$	(925	)	$	(1,106	)
	Noncurrent benefit liability		(61,642	)		(78,563	)		(17,956	)		(27,725	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		54,213			90,798			(4,503	)		6,787
	Net amount recognized	$	(8,150	)	$	11,515		$	(23,384	)	$	(22,044	)
	Amounts recognized in accumulated
	other comprehensive loss:
	Net actuarial loss (income)	$	56,148		$	92,940		$	(3,001	)	$	8,561
	Prior service cost		(1,935	)		(2,142	)		(1,502	)		(1,774	)
	Net amount recognized	$	54,213		$	90,798		$	(4,503	)	$	6,787
Net Periodic Pension and Other Postretirement Cost	'
	Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following:
		Pension									Other Postretirement
		2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Service cost	$	7,160		$	5,852		$	5,016		$	796		$	730		$	632
	Interest cost		8,024			7,842			7,510			1,129			1,283			1,254
	Expected return on plan assets		(9,071	)		(7,836	)		(7,398	)		-			-			-
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		(206	)		(45	)		26			(272	)		(451	)		(476	)
	Net actuarial loss		7,903			6,814			5,364			439			535			407
	Net benefit cost	$	13,810		$	12,627		$	10,518		$	2,092		$	2,097		$	1,817
Contributions During Fiscal Year	'
	Contributions made in fiscal 2013 are as follows:
	Contributions	Pension			Other Postretirement
	Principal retirement plan	$	2,500		$	-
	Supplemental retirement plan		725			-
	Other postretirement plan		-			751
Amounts of AOCL Expected to be Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	Amounts of AOCL expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2014 include:
					Other
		Pension			Postretirement
		Benefits			Benefits
	Net actuarial loss	$	3,964		$	(87	)
	Prior service cost		(206	)		(195	)
Weighted-Average Assumptions for Principal Retirement and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'
	The measurement date of annual actuarial valuations for the Company’s principal retirement and other postretirement benefit plans was September 30 for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011.  The weighted-average assumptions for those plans were:
		Pension									Other Postretirement
		2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Discount rate		5	%		4	%		4.75	%		5	%		4	%		4.75	%
	Return on plan assets		8			8			8			-			-			-
	Compensation increase		3.5			3.5			3.5			-			-			-
Weighted Average Asset Allocation and Target Allocation	'
	The Company’s primary defined benefit pension plan’s weighted-average asset allocation at September 30, 2013 and 2012 and weighted-average target allocation were as follows:
		Plan Assets at						Target
	Asset Category	2013			2012			Allocation
	Equity securities	$	67,954		$	63,186			55	%
	Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents		36,817			35,218			30	%
	Other investments		18,942			18,173			15	%
		$	123,713		$	116,577			100	%
Fair Value Allocation of Plan Assets	'
	The Company’s defined benefit pension plans’ asset categories at September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		30-Sep-13
	Asset Category	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Equity securities - stocks	$	36,127		$	-		$	-		$	36,127
	Equity securities - mutual funds		30,507			1,320			-			31,827
	Fixed income securities		17,912			9,487			-			27,399
	Cash and cash equivalents		9,418			-			-			9,418
	Other investments		-			-			18,942			18,942
	Total	$	93,964		$	10,807		$	18,942		$	123,713
		30-Sep-12
	Asset Category	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Equity securities - stocks	$	34,127		$	-		$	-		$	34,127
	Equity securities - mutual funds		29,059			-			-			29,059
	Fixed income securities		10,523			12,707			-			23,230
	Cash and cash equivalents		11,988			-			-			11,988
	Other investments		-			-			18,173			18,173
	Total	$	85,697		$	12,707		$	18,173		$	116,577
Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Plan Assets	'
	Changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets at September 30, 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows:
		Fair Value,															Fair Value,
		Beginning of									Realized			Unrealized			End of
	Asset Category	Period			Acquisitions			Dispositions			Gains (Losses)			Gains			Period
	Other investments:
	Fiscal Year Ended:
	30-Sep-13	$	18,173		$	-			-		$	48		$	721		$	18,942
	30-Sep-12		13,375			3,800			-			766			232			18,173
Benefit Payments Expected to be Paid	'
	Benefit payments expected to be paid are as follows:
					Other
		Pension			Postretirement
	Years ending September 30:	Benefits			Benefits
	2014	$	7,080		$	926
	2015		7,722			917
	2016		8,190			1,004
	2017		8,550			1,126
	2018		9,063			1,186
	2019-2023		53,709			6,275
		$	94,314		$	11,434

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]	'
Provision for Income Taxes	'
	The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
			2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal		$	15,703		$	14,060		$	15,306
	State			3,423			2,483			3,004
	Foreign			4,804			6,437			10,689
				23,930			22,980			28,999
	Deferred			2,734			5,737			9,557
	Total		$	26,664		$	28,717		$	38,556
Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Consolidated Effective Tax Rate	'
	The reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate was as follows:
			2013			2012			2011
	Federal statutory tax rate			35	%		35	%		35	%
	Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction			2.7			2.1			2.5
	Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate			(3.1	)		(0.6	)		(1.3	)
	Other			(1.9	)		(2.3	)		(1.8	)
	Effective tax rate			32.7	%		34.2	%		34.4	%
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
			2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Postretirement benefits		$	7,365		$	11,244
	Environmental reserve			1,903			2,217
	Pension costs			19,415			30,145
	Deferred compensation			66			281
	Stock options			10,690			9,653
	Other			24,261			24,370
				63,700			77,910
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation			(3,693	)		(4,220	)
	Goodwill			(67,012	)		(57,767	)
	Other			(1,630	)		(206	)
				(72,335	)		(62,193	)
	Net deferred tax asset		$	(8,635	)	$	15,717
Changes in Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) are as follows:
			2013			2012			2011
	Balance, beginning of year		$	4,501		$	4,721		$	5,215
	Increases for tax positions of prior years			-			742			-
	Decreases for tax positions of prior years			(124	)		(74	)		(96	)
	Increases based on tax positions related to the current year			708			137			202
	Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities			(250	)		(602	)		(38	)
	Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation			(319	)		(423	)		(562	)
	Balance, end of year		$	4,516		$	4,501		$	4,721
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	'
	The Company is currently under examination in several tax jurisdictions and remains subject to examination until the statute of limitation expires for those tax jurisdictions.  As of September 30, 2013, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are:
	United States - Federal	2010 and forward
	United States - State	2009 and forward
	Canada	2008 and forward
	Europe	2005 and forward
	United Kingdom	2010 and forward
	Australia	2009 and forward
	Asia	2008 and forward

SUPPLEMENTAL_CASH_FLOW_INFORMA1

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]	'
Changes in Working Capital Items as Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	'
	Changes in working capital items as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following:
		2013			2012			2011
	Current assets:
	Accounts receivable	$	(2,586	)	$	(7,554	)	$	(5,560	)
	Inventories		2,870			(3,463	)		(13,627	)
	Other current assets		2,107			(4,655	)		(2,265	)
			2,391			(15,672	)		(21,452	)
	Current liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable		(1,205	)		1,024			6,983
	Accrued compensation		7,143			(1,476	)		(8,250	)
	Accrued income taxes		(2,278	)		(2,649	)		(3,167	)
	Customer prepayments		(2,530	)		1,162			2,028
	Other current liabilities		(9,329	)		1,208			765
			(8,199	)		(731	)		(1,641	)
	Net change	$	(5,808	)	$	(16,403	)	$	(23,093	)

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	Information about the Company's segments follows:
		Memorialization						Brand Solutions
										Marking and
		Cemetery		Funeral Home				Graphics		Fulfillment		Merchandising
		Products		Products		Cremation		Imaging		Systems		Solutions		Other		Consolidated
	Sales to external customers:
	2013	$	226,586	$	242,803	$	48,522	$	294,571	$	93,505	$	79,370	$	-	$	985,357
	2012		215,943		230,943		45,981		259,865		74,621		72,964		-		900,317
	2011		224,773		243,291		39,278		268,975		61,938		60,566		-		898,821
	Intersegment sales:
	2013		39		172		951		416		10		527		-		2,115
	2012		262		4		60		2		22		702		-		1,052
	2011		251		-		52		177		21		90		-		591
	Depreciation and amortization:
	2013		4,034		6,267		351		21,968		1,675		2,324		1,246		37,865
	2012		3,255		6,416		396		14,175		1,048		2,330		1,201		28,821
	2011		2,955		6,371		244		13,580		530		1,949		2,032		27,661
	Operating profit:
	2013		32,571		37,263		3,097		9,724		8,862		4,275		-		95,792
	2012		33,195		26,525		3,869		14,843		10,061		5,084		-		93,577
	2011		52,474		29,039		3,479		22,427		7,819		3,278		-		118,516
	Total assets:
	2013		210,242		286,576		40,072		425,823		113,420		69,012		69,782		1,214,927
	2012		211,205		299,248		41,099		356,458		75,217		66,170		78,645		1,128,042
	2011		197,127		311,841		35,018		351,595		67,193		60,491		74,190		1,097,455
	Capital expenditures:
	2013		8,415		2,399		174		9,027		2,904		737		1,268		24,924
	2012		3,811		2,540		396		18,693		2,513		1,496		3,787		33,236
	2011		1,618		3,850		501		10,820		295		3,165		2,191		22,440
	Information about the Company's operations by geographic area follows:
		United States		Mexico		Canada		Europe		Australia		Asia		Consolidated
	Sales to external customers:
	2013	$	617,371	$	-	$	12,014	$	328,266	$	13,534	$	14,172	$	985,357
	2012		569,435		-		11,967		290,283		13,778		14,854		900,317
	2011		559,362		-		13,086		298,773		13,437		14,163		898,821
	Long-lived assets:
	2013		421,697		3,731		483		324,731		6,338		13,404		770,384
	2012		395,565		4,743		507		260,809		7,041		10,580		679,245
	2011		380,059		5,726		476		259,860		6,752		9,459		662,332

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_1

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]	'
Goodwill Attributable to Each Segment	'
	The Company performed its annual impairment reviews in the second quarters of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 and determined that no additional adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill were necessary.  Changes to goodwill, net of accumulated amortization, during the years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, follow.
														Marking and
		Cemetery			Funeral Home						Graphics			Fulfillment		Merchandising
		Products			Products			Cremation			Imaging			Systems		Solutions		Consolidated
	Goodwill	$	88,142		$	162,819		$	16,735		$	167,828		$	29,593	$	9,138	$	474,255
	Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-			(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
	Balance at September		87,730			162,819			11,735			163,988			29,593		9,138		465,003
	30, 2011
	Additions during period		10,424			57			770			2,896			1,151		-		15,298
	Translation and other adjustments		(783	)		-			53			(3,462	)		72		-		(4,120	)
	Goodwill		97,783			162,876			17,558			167,262			30,816		9,138		485,433
	Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-			(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
	Balance at September		97,371			162,876			12,558			163,422			30,816		9,138		476,181
	30, 2012
	Additions during period		914			199			269			21,361			19,677		-		42,420
	Translation and other adjustments		1,010			133			(4	)		4,658			153		-		5,950
	Goodwill		99,707			163,208			17,823			193,281			50,646		9,138		533,803
	Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-			(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
	Balance at September	$	99,295		$	163,208		$	12,823		$	189,441		$	50,646	$	9,138	$	524,551
	30, 2013
Other Intangible Assets	'
	The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
		Carrying			Accumulated			Impairment
		Amount			Amortization			Loss			Net
	September 30, 2013:
	Trade names	$	24,496		$	-	*	$	(1,618	)	$	22,878
	Trade names		3,034			(2,142	)		-			892
	Customer relationships		59,061			(19,099	)		-			39,962
	Copyrights/patents/other		10,116			(8,746	)		-			1,370
		$	96,707		$	(29,987	)	$	(1,618	)	$	65,102
	September 30, 2012:
	Trade names	$	24,488		$	-	*		-		$	24,488
	Trade names		2,182			(1,571	)		-			611
	Customer relationships		47,654			(15,689	)		-			31,965
	Copyrights/patents/other		9,920			(7,969	)		-			1,951
		$	84,244		$	(25,229	)		-		$	59,015
	*Not subject to amortization

SUPPLEMENTARY_FINANCIAL_INFORM1

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Abstract]	'
Components of selected quarterly financial data	'
	The following table sets forth certain items included in the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements for each quarter of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012.
		Quarter Ended
		31-Dec		31-Mar		30-Jun		30-Sep		Year Ended
										30-Sep
		(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	FISCAL YEAR 2013:
	Sales	$	225,609	$	256,390	$	250,652	$	252,706	$	985,357
	Gross profit		79,974		94,866		91,391		90,287		356,518
	Operating profit		16,499		25,070		30,760		23,463		95,792
	Net income attributable to  Matthews shareholders		8,255		14,192		17,991		14,450		54,888
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		$0.30		$0.51		$0.65		$0.53		$1.99
	Diluted		0.3		0.51		0.65		0.52		1.98
	FISCAL YEAR 2012:
	Sales	$	217,213	$	225,545	$	227,478	$	230,081	$	900,317
	Gross profit		77,995		84,707		87,709		86,159		336,570
	Operating profit		18,925		25,287		27,513		21,852		93,577
	Net income attributable to  Matthews shareholders		11,285		15,258		16,325		12,975		55,843
	Earnings per share
	Basic		$0.40		$0.54		$0.58		$0.47		$1.98
	Diluted		0.4		0.54		0.58		0.47		1.98

NATURE_OF_OPERATIONS_Details

NATURE OF OPERATIONS (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Segment
NATURE OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]	'
Number of business segments	6

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'	'	'
Maximum maturity of investments considered to be cash equivalents	'3 months	'	'
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]	'	'	'
Period past due for which a finance charge may be applied	'30 days	'	'
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of pre-need sales of memorials	323,708	'	'
Number of pre-need sales of vases	228,936	'	'
Research and Development Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Research and development costs	$2,582	$2,220	$1,705
Reclassifications and Revision [Abstract]	'	'	'
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	'	$8,120	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives of intangibles, minimum (in years)	'2 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives of intangibles, minimum (in years)	'20 years	'	'
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives of intangibles	'10 years	'	'
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives of intangibles	'45 years	'	'
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives of intangibles	'3 years	'	'
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Useful lives of intangibles	'12 years	'	'

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'		'
Derivatives	$3,736	[1]	$0	[1]
Trading securities	17,929		16,265
Total assets at fair value	21,665		16,265
Liabilities:	'		'
Derivatives	4,644	[1]	9,133	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	4,644		9,133
Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Trading securities	17,929		16,265
Total assets at fair value	17,929		16,265
Liabilities:	'		'
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	0		0
Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Derivatives	3,736	[1]	0	[1]
Trading securities	0		0
Total assets at fair value	3,736		0
Liabilities:	'		'
Derivatives	4,644	[1]	9,133	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	4,644		9,133
Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Assets:	'		'
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Trading securities	0		0
Total assets at fair value	0		0
Liabilities:	'		'
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	$0		$0
[1]	Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

INVENTORIES_Details

INVENTORIES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories, net [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$40,931	$41,003
Work in process	25,293	22,772
Finished goods	64,544	66,915
Inventories	$130,768	$130,690

INVESTMENTS_Details

INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Short-term investments [Abstract]	'	'
Corporate obligations, minimum purchased maturities threshold	'3 months	'
Corporate obligations, maximum purchased maturities threshold	'1 year	'
Trading securities [Abstract]	'	'
Mutual funds	$17,929	$16,265
Equity and other investments	4,359	2,577
Total non-current investments	22,288	18,842
Trading securities cost (in excess of) or below market value	$157	$48
Maximum ownership interests in various entities recorded under the cost method (in hundredths)	20.00%	'

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_D

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$180,731	$144,049	'
Depreciation expense	31,303	24,630	23,461
Buildings [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	77,936	64,946	'
Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	303,674	261,857	'
Buildings, Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	381,610	326,803	'
Less accumulated depreciation	-233,791	-206,472	'
Total property, plant and equipment, net	147,819	120,331	'
Land [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	15,534	9,207	'
Construction in Progress [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$17,378	$14,511	'

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 1 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 2 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 3 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 4 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 5 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 6 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 7 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 8 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 9 [Member]

Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]

Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]

Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]

Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]

Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]

Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]

Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]

Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]

Matthews International S.p.A [Member]

Matthews International S.p.A [Member]

Matthews International S.p.A [Member]

Matthews International S.p.A [Member]

Matthews International S.p.A [Member]

Matthews International S.p.A [Member]

Saueressig [Member]

Saueressig [Member]

Saueressig [Member]

Saueressig [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]

Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]

Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]

Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]

Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]

Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]

Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]

Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Current assets: Other Current Assets [Member]

Current assets: Other Current Assets [Member]

Long-term assets: Other Assets [Member]

Long-term assets: Other Assets [Member]

Current liabilities: Other current liabilities [Member]

Current liabilities: Other current liabilities [Member]

Long-term liabilities: Other liabilities [Member]

Long-term liabilities: Other liabilities [Member]

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

LinesofCredit

LONG-TERM DEBT [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facilities

$335,420

$281,323

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes payable to banks

21,530

26,626

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term borrowings

7,639

4,322

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital lease obligations

9,093

7,443

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt and capital lease obligations

373,682

319,714

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less current maturities

-22,614

-21,566

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current maturities

351,068

298,148

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum amount of borrowings available

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

400,000

'

'

33,815

25,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,379

11,400

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Jul-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR plus a factor ranging from .75% to 1.25% based on the Company's leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual commitment fee range on unused portion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'.15% to .25% (based on the Company's leverage ratio)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum available for issuance of trade and standby letters of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

305,000,000

281,323,000

30,434

22,500

'

'

7,639

5,600

4,322

3,400

'

'

6,871

5,100

8,080

6,300

2,310

1,700

10,514

8,200

Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.81%

2.83%

1.37%

1.37%

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.16%

3.08%

'

'

'

'

4.04%

4.04%

6.10%

6.10%

Number of lines of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'May 2011

'October 2011

'November 2011

'March 2012

'June 2012

'August 2012

'September 2012

'September 2012

'November 2012

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

40,000

35,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed Interest Rate (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.37%

1.67%

2.13%

2.44%

1.88%

1.74%

3.03%

1.24%

1.33%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Spread (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'May 2014

'October 2015

'November 2014

'March 2015

'June 2022

'June 2022

'December 2015

'March 2017

'November 2015

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate cash flow hedges [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps

-908

-9,133

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps, after tax

-554

-5,571

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized gain (loss) expected to be recognized over the next 12 months

-1,580

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

427

0

3,309

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liability derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,590

2,851

2,054

6,282

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

908

9,133

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of loss recognized in income on derivatives

'

'

'

'

-4,170

-3,418

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCL on derivatives

'

'

2,474

-3,288

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCL into Income (effective portion)

'

'

'

'

($2,544)

[1]

($2,085)

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.

LONGTERM_DEBT_Longterm_Debt_In

LONG-TERM DEBT, Long-term Debt Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including short-term borrowings and capital leases [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$22,614	'
2015	34,785	'
2016	5,032	'
2017	1,623	'
2018	306,365	'
Thereafter	3,263	'
Total debt and capital lease obligations	$373,682	$319,714
Matthews International S.p.A [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (in hundredths)	3.16%	3.08%

SHAREHOLDERS_EQUITY_Details

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cumulative foreign currency translation	$3,714	($65)	'
Fair value of derivatives, net of tax	-554	-5,571	'
Minimum pension liability, net of tax	-30,100	-59,447	'
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	-26,940	-65,083	'
Tax expense on fair value of derivatives	354	3,562	'
Tax expense on minimum pension liability	18,979	37,777	'
Tax expense (benefit) on minimum pension liability and fair value of derivatives	$22,005	($2,896)	($8,256)
Class A common stock [Member]	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	70,000,000	70,000,000	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1	'
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)	2,500,000	'	'
Shares remain available for repurchase (in shares)	1,194,670	'	'

SHAREBASED_PAYMENTS_Details

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation cost	$5,562,000	$5,472,000	$6,972,000
Future income tax benefit from compensation expense recognized	2,169,000	2,134,000	2,719,000
Cash received from stock options exercised	974,000	264,000	1,859,000
Tax benefit realized from options exercised	99,000	22,000	278,000
2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Term of plan (in years)	'10 years	'	'
Maximum number of shares available for grants or awards (in shares)	2,500,000	'	'
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	2,500,000	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Vesting rights	'With respect to outstanding restricted share grants, for grants made prior to fiscal 2013, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant, with the remaining one-half of the shares vesting in one-third increments upon attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company's Class A Common Stock.	'	'
Award expiration	'Unvested restricted shares generally expire on the earlier of five years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death. The Company issues restricted shares from treasury shares.	'	'
Restricted stock activity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares)	551,389	'	'
Granted (in shares)	236,500	'	'
Vested (in shares)	-99,226	'	'
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	-47,264	'	'
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	641,399	551,389	'
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$32.56	'	'
Granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$25.22	'	'
Vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$35.95	'	'
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$30.75	'	'
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share)	$29.46	$32.56	'
Unrecognized compensation cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards	4,022,000	'	'
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards (in years)	'1 year 7 months 6 days	'	'
Non-vested options activity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	-47,264	'	'
Fair value assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Expected volatility (in hundredths)	29.50%	30.40%	30.00%
Dividend yield (in hundredths)	1.20%	1.00%	1.00%
Average risk free interest rate (in hundredths)	0.60%	0.90%	1.20%
Weighted average expected term (in years)	'2 years	'2 years	'2 years
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Exercisable rights	'Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company's Class A Common Stock.	'	'
Vesting rights	'options generally vest in one-third increments after three, four and five years, respectively, from the grant date (but, in any event, not until the attainment of the market value thresholds).	'	'
Award expiration	'The options expire on the earlier of ten years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death. The Company generally settles employee stock option exercises with treasury shares.	'	'
Restricted stock activity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	-24,117	'	'
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	840,282	'	'
Granted (in shares)	0	'	'
Exercised (in shares)	-38,475	'	'
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	-56,983	'	'
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	744,824	840,282	'
Exercisable (in shares)	413,069	'	'
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$37.15	'	'
Granted, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$0	'	'
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$25.56	'	'
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$37.10	'	'
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, end of period (in dollars per share)	$37.76	$37.15	'
Exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$36.94	'	'
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	'2 years 2 months 12 days	'	'
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	240	'	'
Exercisable, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	'1 year 10 months 24 days	'	'
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	472	'	'
Intrinsic value of options exercised	294,000	57,000	743,000
Non-vested options activity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares)	355,872	'	'
Granted (in shares)	0	'	'
Vested (in shares)	0	'	'
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	-24,117	'	'
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	331,755	355,872	'
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$11.35	'	'
Granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$0	'	'
Vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$0	'	'
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$12.16	'	'
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share)	$11.29	$11.35	'
Director Fee Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	300,000	'	'
Director Fee Plan, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee directors	60,000	'	'
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee Chairman of the Board	130,000	'	'
Shares deferred under the Director Fee Plan (in shares)	17,005	'	'
Value of annual stock-based grant	$100,000	'	'
Total stock options granted to date (in shares)	22,300	'	'
Option awards outstanding and vested (in shares)	11,800	'	'
Total restricted stock awards granted to date (in shares)	103,150	'	'
Restricted stock awards unvested (in shares)	38,227	'	'

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders allocated to participating securities	$14,450	$17,991	$14,192	$8,255	$12,975	$16,325	$15,258	$11,285	$54,888	$55,843	$72,372
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	583	861	1,420
Net income available to Matthews shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$54,305	$54,982	$70,952
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic shares (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	27,255	27,753	28,775
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	168	86	37
Diluted shares (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	27,423	27,839	28,812
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	271,075	782,942	289,502

PENSION_AND_OTHER_POSTRETIREME2

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	$123,713	$116,577	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	123,713	116,577	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	123,713	116,577	'
Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	93,964	85,697	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	93,964	85,697	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	93,964	85,697	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	10,807	12,707	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	10,807	12,707	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	10,807	12,707	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	18,942	18,173	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	18,942	18,173	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	18,942	18,173	'
Equity Securities - Stocks [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	36,127	34,127	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	36,127	34,127	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	36,127	34,127	'
Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	36,127	34,127	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	36,127	34,127	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	36,127	34,127	'
Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	0	0	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	0	0	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	31,827	29,059	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	31,827	29,059	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	31,827	29,059	'
Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	30,507	29,059	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	30,507	29,059	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	30,507	29,059	'
Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	1,320	0	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,320	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	1,320	0	'
Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	0	0	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	27,399	23,230	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	27,399	23,230	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	27,399	23,230	'
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	17,912	10,523	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	17,912	10,523	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	17,912	10,523	'
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	9,487	12,707	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	9,487	12,707	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	9,487	12,707	'
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	0	0	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	9,418	11,988	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	9,418	11,988	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	9,418	11,988	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	9,418	11,988	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	9,418	11,988	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	9,418	11,988	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	0	0	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	0	0	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Other Investments [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	18,942	18,173	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	18,942	18,173	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	18,942	18,173	'
Other Investments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	0	0	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Other Investments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	0	0	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Other Investments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, end of year	18,942	18,173	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	18,942	18,173	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	18,942	18,173	'
Principal Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Contributions during fiscal 2013:	'	'	'
Pension contributions	2,500	'	'
Other postretirement contributions	0	'	'
Supplemental Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Contributions during fiscal 2013:	'	'	'
Pension contributions	725	'	'
Other postretirement contributions	0	'	'
Pension Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	195,860	168,033	'
Acquisitions	9,437	0	'
Service cost	7,160	5,852	5,016
Interest cost	8,024	7,842	7,510
Assumption changes	-26,288	19,701	'
Actuarial (gain) loss	-891	688	'
Benefit payments	-7,225	-6,256	'
Benefit obligation, end of year	186,077	195,860	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, beginning of year	116,577	100,554	'
Acquisitions	9,437	0	'
Actual return	10,838	16,000	'
Benefit payments	-7,225	-6,256	'
Employer contributions	3,523	6,279	'
Fair value, end of year	123,713	116,577	'
Funded status	-62,363	-79,283	'
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)	56,148	92,940	'
Unrecognized prior service cost	-1,935	-2,142	'
Net amount recognized	-8,150	11,515	'
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:	'	'	'
Current liability	-721	-720	'
Noncurrent benefit liability	-61,642	-78,563	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	54,213	90,798	'
Net amount recognized	-8,150	11,515	'
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:	'	'	'
Net actuarial loss	56,148	92,940	'
Prior service cost	-1,935	-2,142	'
Net amount recognized	54,213	90,798	'
Accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Accumulated benefit obligation	156,661	172,142	'
Projected benefit obligation	186,077	195,860	'
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost	7,160	5,852	5,016
Interest cost	8,024	7,842	7,510
Expected return on plan assets	-9,071	-7,836	-7,398
Amortization:	'	'	'
Prior service cost	-206	-45	26
Net actuarial loss	7,903	6,814	5,364
Net benefit cost	13,810	12,627	10,518
Amounts of AOCL expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net actuarial loss	3,964	'	'
Prior service cost	-206	'	'
Weighted-average assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	5.00%	4.00%	4.75%
Return on plan assets (in hundredths)	8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
Compensation increase (in hundredths)	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Equity securities	67,954	63,186	'
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents	36,817	35,218	'
Other investments	18,942	18,173	'
Fair value of plan assets	123,713	116,577	'
Target allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Equity securities (in hundredths)	55.00%	'	'
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents (in hundredths)	30.00%	'	'
Other investments (in hundredths)	15.00%	'	'
Total target asset allocation (in hundredths)	100.00%	'	'
Cash included in plan assets (in hundredths)	2.00%	4.00%	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	123,713	116,577	'
Benefit payments expected to be paid [Abstract]	'	'	'
2014	7,080	'	'
2015	7,722	'	'
2016	8,190	'	'
2017	8,550	'	'
2018	9,063	'	'
2019-2023	53,709	'	'
Total benefits expected to be paid	94,314	'	'
Pension Plans [Member] | Other Investments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Acquisitions	0	3,800	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, beginning of year	18,173	13,375	'
Acquisitions	0	3,800	'
Dispositions	0	0	'
Realized Gains (Losses)	48	766	'
Unrealized Gains	721	232	'
Fair value, end of year	18,942	18,173	'
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	18,942	18,173	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	18,942	18,173	'
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	28,831	27,547	'
Acquisitions	0	0	'
Service cost	796	730	632
Interest cost	1,129	1,283	1,254
Assumption changes	-10,270	2,508	'
Actuarial (gain) loss	-854	-2,473	'
Benefit payments	-751	-764	'
Benefit obligation, end of year	18,881	28,831	'
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair value, beginning of year	0	0	'
Acquisitions	0	0	'
Actual return	0	0	'
Benefit payments	-751	-764	'
Employer contributions	751	764	'
Fair value, end of year	0	0	'
Funded status	-18,881	-28,831	'
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)	-3,001	8,561	'
Unrecognized prior service cost	-1,502	-1,774	'
Net amount recognized	-23,384	-22,044	'
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:	'	'	'
Current liability	-925	-1,106	'
Noncurrent benefit liability	-17,956	-27,725	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	-4,503	6,787	'
Net amount recognized	-23,384	-22,044	'
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:	'	'	'
Net actuarial loss	-3,001	8,561	'
Prior service cost	-1,502	-1,774	'
Net amount recognized	-4,503	6,787	'
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'	'
Service cost	796	730	632
Interest cost	1,129	1,283	1,254
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization:	'	'	'
Prior service cost	-272	-451	-476
Net actuarial loss	439	535	407
Net benefit cost	2,092	2,097	1,817
Contributions during fiscal 2013:	'	'	'
Pension contributions	0	'	'
Other postretirement contributions	751	'	'
Amounts of AOCL expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net actuarial loss	-87	'	'
Prior service cost	-195	'	'
Weighted-average assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	5.00%	4.00%	4.75%
Return on plan assets (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Compensation increase (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets	0	0	'
Benefit payments expected to be paid [Abstract]	'	'	'
2014	926	'	'
2015	917	'	'
2016	1,004	'	'
2017	1,126	'	'
2018	1,186	'	'
2019-2023	6,275	'	'
Total benefits expected to be paid	11,434	'	'
Assumed health care cost trend rates [Abstract]	'	'	'
Per capita cost of health care benefits assumed for next fiscal year (in hundredths)	8.00%	'	'
Ultimate health care cost trend rate (in hundredths)	5.00%	'	'
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate	'2030	'	'
Effect of one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates [Abstract]	'	'	'
Effect of one percentage point increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	967	'	'
Effect of one percentage point increase on service and interest cost components	107	'	'
Effect of one percentage point decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	846	'	'
Effect of one percentage point decrease on service and interest cost components	$94	'	'

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal	$15,703	$14,060	$15,306
State	3,423	2,483	3,004
Foreign	4,804	6,437	10,689
Total provision for income taxes, current	23,930	22,980	28,999
Deferred	2,734	5,737	9,557
Total	26,664	28,717	38,556
Reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal statutory tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction (in hundredths)	2.70%	2.10%	2.50%
Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate (in hundredths)	-3.10%	-0.60%	-1.30%
Other (in hundredths)	-1.90%	-2.30%	-1.80%
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	32.70%	34.20%	34.40%
Foreign subsidiaries income before income taxes	23,662	24,654	36,870
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	225,084	'	'
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Postretirement benefits	7,365	11,244	'
Environmental reserve	1,903	2,217	'
Pension costs	19,415	30,145	'
Deferred compensation	66	281	'
Stock options	10,690	9,653	'
Other	24,261	24,370	'
Deferred tax assets	63,700	77,910	'
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'	'
Depreciation	-3,693	-4,220	'
Goodwill	-67,012	-57,767	'
Other	-1,630	-206	'
Deferred tax liabilities	-72,335	-62,193	'
Net deferred tax asset	-8,635	15,717	'
Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of year	4,501	4,721	5,215
Increases for tax positions of prior years	0	742	0
Decreases for tax positions of prior years	-124	-74	-96
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year	708	137	202
Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities	-250	-602	-38
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation	-319	-423	-562
Balance, end of year	4,516	4,501	4,721
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	72	'	'
Interest and penalties on tax uncertainties	95	'	'
Total penalties and interest accrued	$2,401	$2,306	'
United States - Federal [Member]	'	'	'
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years subject to examination	'2010 and forward	'	'
United States - State [Member]	'	'	'
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years subject to examination	'2009 and forward	'	'
Canada [Member]	'	'	'
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years subject to examination	'2008 and forward	'	'
Europe [Member]	'	'	'
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years subject to examination	'2004 and forward	'	'
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years subject to examination	'2010 and forward	'	'
Australia [Member]	'	'	'
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years subject to examination	'2009 and forward	'	'
Asia [Member]	'	'	'
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years subject to examination	'2008 and forward	'	'

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENT_LIA1

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES [Abstract]	'	'	'
Annual rental expense under operating leases	$17,664	$16,908	$16,323
Future minimum rental commitments under operating leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fiscal year 2014	10,048	'	'
Fiscal year 2015	6,331	'	'
Fiscal year 2016	3,816	'	'
Fiscal year 2017	1,780	'	'
Fiscal year 2018	504	'	'
Employment Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Aggregate commitment amount for salaries	$9,752	'	'

ENVIRONMENTAL_MATTERS_Details

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS [Abstract]	'
Environmental remediation accrual	$5,324
Environmental remediation accrual classified in other current liabilities	$1,218

SUPPLEMENTAL_CASH_FLOW_INFORMA2

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current assets:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	($2,586)	($7,554)	($5,560)
Inventories	2,870	-3,463	-13,627
Other current assets	2,107	-4,655	-2,265
Total change in current assets	2,391	-15,672	-21,452
Current liabilities:	'	'	'
Trade accounts payable	-1,205	1,024	6,983
Accrued compensation	7,143	-1,476	-8,250
Accrued income taxes	-2,278	-2,649	-3,167
Customer prepayments	-2,530	1,162	2,028
Other current liabilities	-9,329	1,208	765
Total change in current liabilities	-8,199	-731	-1,641
Net change	($5,808)	($16,403)	($23,093)

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
									PrincipalBusinesses
									Segment
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of principal businesses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Number of operating segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	$252,706	$250,652	$256,390	$225,609	$230,081	$227,478	$225,545	$217,213	$985,357	$900,317	$898,821
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,115	1,052	591
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	37,865	28,821	27,661
Operating profit	23,463	30,760	25,070	16,499	21,852	27,513	25,287	18,925	95,792	93,577	118,516
Total assets	1,214,927	'	'	'	1,128,042	'	'	'	1,214,927	1,128,042	1,097,455
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	24,924	33,236	22,440
Cemetery Products [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	226,586	215,943	224,773
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	39	262	251
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,034	3,255	2,955
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	32,571	33,195	52,474
Total assets	210,242	'	'	'	211,205	'	'	'	210,242	211,205	197,127
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,415	3,811	1,618
Funeral Home Products [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	242,803	230,943	243,291
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	172	4	0
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,267	6,416	6,371
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	37,263	26,525	29,039
Total assets	286,576	'	'	'	299,248	'	'	'	286,576	299,248	311,841
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,399	2,540	3,850
Cremation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	48,522	45,981	39,278
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	951	60	52
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	351	396	244
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,097	3,869	3,479
Total assets	40,072	'	'	'	41,099	'	'	'	40,072	41,099	35,018
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	174	396	501
Graphics Imaging [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	294,571	259,865	268,975
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	416	2	177
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,968	14,175	13,580
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,724	14,843	22,427
Total assets	425,823	'	'	'	356,458	'	'	'	425,823	356,458	351,595
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,027	18,693	10,820
Marking and Fulfillment Systems [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	93,505	74,621	61,938
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10	22	21
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,675	1,048	530
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,862	10,061	7,819
Total assets	113,420	'	'	'	75,217	'	'	'	113,420	75,217	67,193
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,904	2,513	295
Merchandising Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	79,370	72,964	60,566
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	527	702	90
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,324	2,330	1,949
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,275	5,084	3,278
Total assets	69,012	'	'	'	66,170	'	'	'	69,012	66,170	60,491
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	737	1,496	3,165
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Intersegment sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,246	1,201	2,032
Operating profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Total assets	69,782	'	'	'	78,645	'	'	'	69,782	78,645	74,190
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,268	$3,787	$2,191

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Revenues_f

SEGMENT INFORMATION, Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	$252,706	$250,652	$256,390	$225,609	$230,081	$227,478	$225,545	$217,213	$985,357	$900,317	$898,821
Long-lived assets	770,384	'	'	'	679,245	'	'	'	770,384	679,245	662,332
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	617,371	569,435	559,362
Long-lived assets	421,697	'	'	'	395,565	'	'	'	421,697	395,565	380,059
Mexico [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Long-lived assets	3,731	'	'	'	4,743	'	'	'	3,731	4,743	5,726
Canada [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12,014	11,967	13,086
Long-lived assets	483	'	'	'	507	'	'	'	483	507	476
Europe [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	328,266	290,283	298,773
Long-lived assets	324,731	'	'	'	260,809	'	'	'	324,731	260,809	259,860
Australia [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,534	13,778	13,437
Long-lived assets	6,338	'	'	'	7,041	'	'	'	6,338	7,041	6,752
Asia [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,172	14,854	14,163
Long-lived assets	$13,404	'	'	'	$10,580	'	'	'	$13,404	$10,580	$9,459

ACQUISITIONS_Details

ACQUISITIONS (Details)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2011

31-May-08

Oct. 31, 2010

Oct. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2009

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jul. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

Nov. 30, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Saueressig [Member]

Saueressig [Member]

Saueressig [Member]

Freeman Metal Products, Inc. [Member]

Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG [Member]

Furnace Construction Cremators Limited [Member]

Furnace Construction Cremators Limited [Member]

Furnace Construction Cremators Limited [Member]

Tact Group Limited [Member]

Tact Group Limited [Member]

Tact Group Limited [Member]

Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. [Member]

Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. [Member]

Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. [Member]

Pyramid Control Systems [Member]

Wetzel Holding AG [Member]

Wetzel Holding AG [Member]

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired

$73,959

$12,541

$84,369

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest acquired (in hundredths)

'

'

'

22.00%

22.00%

'

'

25.00%

20.00%

20.00%

80.00%

20.00%

20.00%

80.00%

38.50%

'

61.50%

'

'

'

Interest to be acquired in next fiscal year (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.50%

'

'

'

Option agreement to purchase remaining ownership interest (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30.00%

'

'

'

Noncontrolling interests

3,465

2,613

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,481

'

'

'

'

Purchase price of acquisition

'

'

'

27,390

19,300

'

22,800

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,178

54,748

42,600

Additional purchase price of acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,700

'

'

Interest owned in subsidiary prior to additional acquisition (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

78.00%

'

75.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent consideration for acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

$6,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating performance period (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

GOODWILL_AND_OTHER_INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Jul. 31, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Trade names not subject to amortization [Member]

Trade names not subject to amortization [Member]

Trade names [Member]

Trade names [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Customer relationships [Member]

Copyrights/patents/other [Member]

Copyrights/patents/other [Member]

Tact Group Limited [Member]

Tact Group Limited [Member]

Tact Group Limited [Member]

Furnace Construction Cremators Limited [Member]

Furnace Construction Cremators Limited [Member]

Furnace Construction Cremators Limited [Member]

Cemetery Products [Member]

Cemetery Products [Member]

Funeral Home Products [Member]

Funeral Home Products [Member]

Cremation [Member]

Cremation [Member]

Graphics Imaging [Member]

Graphics Imaging [Member]

Marking and Fulfillment Systems [Member]

Marking and Fulfillment Systems [Member]

Merchandising Solutions [Member]

Merchandising Solutions [Member]

Goodwill [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, gross

$485,433

$474,255

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$97,783

$88,142

$162,876

$162,819

$17,558

$16,735

$167,262

$167,828

$30,816

$29,593

$9,138

$9,138

Accumulated impairment losses

-9,252

-9,252

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-412

-412

0

0

-5,000

-5,000

-3,840

-3,840

0

0

0

0

Goodwill

476,181

465,003

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

97,371

87,730

162,876

162,819

12,558

11,735

163,422

163,988

30,816

29,593

9,138

9,138

Additions during period

42,420

15,298

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

914

10,424

199

57

269

770

21,361

2,896

19,677

1,151

0

0

Translation and other adjustments

5,950

-4,120

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,010

-783

133

0

-4

53

4,658

-3,462

153

72

0

0

Goodwill, gross

533,803

485,433

474,255

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99,707

97,783

163,208

162,876

17,823

17,558

193,281

167,262

50,646

30,816

9,138

9,138

Accumulated impairment losses

-9,252

-9,252

-9,252

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-412

-412

0

0

-5,000

-5,000

-3,840

-3,840

0

0

0

0

Goodwill

524,551

476,181

465,003

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99,295

97,371

163,208

162,876

12,823

12,558

189,441

163,422

50,646

30,816

9,138

9,138

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining ownership interest acquired (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

20.00%

80.00%

20.00%

20.00%

80.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying amount

96,707

84,244

'

24,496

24,488

3,034

2,182

59,061

47,654

10,116

9,920

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated amortization

-29,987

-25,229

'

0

[1]

0

[1]

-2,142

-1,571

-19,099

-15,689

-8,746

-7,969

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment Loss

-1,618

0

'

-1,618

0

'

0

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net

65,102

59,015

'

22,878

24,488

892

611

39,962

31,965

1,370

1,951

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net change in intangible assets

12,027

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization expense on intangible assets

4,516

3,886

4,200

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization expense [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization expense 2014

3,792

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization expense 2015

3,662

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization expense 2016

3,374

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization expense 2017

3,181

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization expense 2018

$3,149

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Not subject to amortization.

SUPPLEMENTARY_FINANCIAL_INFORM2

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sales	$252,706	$250,652	$256,390	$225,609	$230,081	$227,478	$225,545	$217,213	$985,357	$900,317	$898,821
Gross profit	90,287	91,391	94,866	79,974	86,159	87,709	84,707	77,995	356,518	336,570	351,660
Operating profit	23,463	30,760	25,070	16,499	21,852	27,513	25,287	18,925	95,792	93,577	118,516
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$14,450	$17,991	$14,192	$8,255	$12,975	$16,325	$15,258	$11,285	$54,888	$55,843	$72,372
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.53	$0.65	$0.51	$0.30	$0.47	$0.58	$0.54	$0.40	$1.99	$1.98	$2.47
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.52	$0.65	$0.51	$0.30	$0.47	$0.58	$0.54	$0.40	$1.98	$1.98	$2.46

SCHEDULE_II_VALUATION_AND_QUAL1

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	'		'		'
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	$11,177		$10,736		$11,261
Additions charged to expense	595		1,558		533
Additions charged to other Accounts	306	[1]	0	[1]	580	[1]
Deductions	-2,069	[2]	-1,117	[2]	-1,638	[2]
Balance at end of period	$10,009		$11,177		$10,736
[1]	Amount comprised principally of acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments in connection with acquisitions.
[2]	Amounts determined not to be collectible (including direct write-offs), net of recoveries.