Matthews International (MATW) 10-Q 1 May 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
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 Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	27,345,111
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$61,590	$58,959
Accounts receivable, net	185,274	188,405
Inventories	143,005	130,768
Deferred income taxes	9,805	9,826
Other current assets	21,780	18,997
Total current assets	421,454	406,955
Investments	23,122	22,288
Property, plant and equipment: Cost	423,414	414,522
Less accumulated depreciation	-247,008	-233,791
Property, plant, and equipment, Net	176,406	180,731
Deferred income taxes	1,588	1,871
Other assets	15,275	14,402
Goodwill	527,282	524,551
Other intangible assets, net	62,934	65,102
Total assets	1,228,061	1,215,900
Current liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt, current maturities	23,472	23,587
Accounts payable	45,936	45,232
Accrued compensation	34,496	41,916
Accrued income taxes	4,010	5,910
Customer prepayments	14,840	13,531
Contingent Consideration	0	3,726
Other current liabilities	46,754	51,077
Total current liabilities	169,508	184,979
Long-term debt	354,167	351,068
Accrued pension	63,959	61,642
Postretirement benefits	18,270	17,956
Deferred income taxes	20,640	20,332
Other liabilities	30,296	26,993
Total liabilities	656,840	662,970
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:	'	'
Common stock	36,334	36,334
Additional paid-in capital	46,911	47,315
Retained earnings	788,966	775,762
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-22,287	-26,940
Treasury stock, at cost	-281,859	-283,006
Total shareholders' equity-Matthews	568,065	549,465
Noncontrolling interests	3,156	3,465
Total shareholders' equity	571,221	552,930
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$1,228,061	$1,215,900

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Sales	$246,837	$256,390	$476,782	$481,999
Cost of sales	-156,657	-161,524	-305,226	-307,159
Gross profit	90,180	94,866	171,556	174,840
Selling and administrative expenses	-69,288	-69,796	-135,668	-133,271
Operating profit	20,892	25,070	35,888	41,569
Investment income	353	607	1,227	840
Interest expense	-2,554	-3,051	-5,455	-6,298
Other income (deductions), net	-790	-1,067	-1,772	-2,172
Income before income taxes	17,901	21,559	29,888	33,939
Income taxes	-6,650	-7,504	-10,731	-11,881
Net income	11,251	14,055	19,157	22,058
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	82	137	90	389
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$11,333	$14,192	$19,247	$22,447
Earnings per share attributable to Matthews shareholders:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.41	$0.51	$0.71	$0.81
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.41	$0.51	$0.70	$0.81

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net income (loss):	$11,251	$14,055	$19,157	$22,058
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	26	-13,187	2,715	-5,879
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	529	1,074	1,057	2,147
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:	'	'	'	'
Net change from periodic revaluation	-1,049	486	-472	497
Net amount reclassified to earnings	643	626	1,299	1,238
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	-406	1,112	827	1,735
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	149	-11,001	4,599	-1,997
Comprehensive income (loss)	11,400	3,054	23,756	20,061
Matthews [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss):	11,333	14,192	19,247	22,447
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	223	-13,543	2,769	-5,934
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	529	1,074	1,057	2,147
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:	'	'	'	'
Net change from periodic revaluation	-1,049	486	-472	497
Net amount reclassified to earnings	643	626	1,299	1,238
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	-406	1,112	827	1,735
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	346	-11,357	4,653	-2,052
Comprehensive income (loss)	11,679	2,835	23,900	20,395
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss):	-82	-137	-90	-389
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-197	356	-54	55
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	0	0	0	0
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:	'	'	'	'
Net change from periodic revaluation	0	0	0	0
Net amount reclassified to earnings	0	0	0	0
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	0	'	0	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-197	356	-54	55
Comprehensive income (loss)	($279)	$219	($144)	($334)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Non-controlling Interest [Member]	Total
In Thousands
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$36,334	$47,893	$727,176	($65,083)	($268,499)	$2,613	$480,434
Net income	0	0	22,447	0	0	-389	22,058
Minimum pension liability	0	0	0	2,147	0	0	2,147
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	-5,934	0	55	-5,879
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	1,735	0	0	1,735
Comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	20,061
Stock-based compensation	0	2,757	0	0	0	0	2,757
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	-7,259	0	-7,259
Issuance of treasury stock	0	-8,102	0	0	8,626	0	524
Cancellation of treasury stock	0	1,843	0	0	-1,843	0	0
Dividends	0	0	-5,563	0	0	0	-5,563
Arrangement with noncontrolling interests	'	'	4,980	'	'	1,653	6,633
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	-273	-273
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	36,334	44,391	749,040	-67,135	-268,975	3,659	497,314
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	36,334	47,315	775,762	-26,940	-283,006	3,465	552,930
Net income	0	0	19,247	0	0	-90	19,157
Minimum pension liability	0	0	0	1,057	0	0	1,057
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	2,769	0	-54	2,715
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	827	0	0	827
Comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	23,756
Stock-based compensation	0	3,239	0	0	'	0	3,239
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	-4,467	0	-4,467
Issuance of treasury stock	0	-6,799	0	0	8,770	0	1,971
Cancellation of treasury stock	'	3,156	'	'	-3,156	'	'
Dividends	0	0	-6,043	0	0	0	-6,043
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	-165	-165
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$36,334	$46,911	$788,966	($22,287)	($281,859)	$3,156	$571,221

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'
Purchase of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	108,605	354,040
Issuance of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	281,231	279,745
Cancellation of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	77,417	42,956
Dividends, per share (in dollars per share)	$0.22	$0.20

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$19,157	$22,058
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	18,921	17,314
Stock-based compensation expense	3,239	2,757
Change in deferred taxes	-651	-787
Gain on sale of assets	-632	-660
Unrealized gain on investments	-875	-450
Changes in working capital items	-23,233	-10,554
Increase in other assets	-805	-95
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	4,282	-2,785
Increase in pension and postretirement benefits	4,369	6,642
Other, net	-164	-3,293
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,608	30,147
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-9,859	-10,947
Proceeds from sale of assets	29	221
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-63,769
Net cash used in investing activities	-9,830	-74,495
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from long-term debt	15,335	117,636
Payments on long-term debt	-14,484	-54,055
Payments of contingent consideration	-3,703	-9,542
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock	1,828	524
Purchases of treasury stock	-4,267	-7,259
Dividends	-6,043	-5,563
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-165	-273
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-11,499	41,468
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	352	216
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	2,631	-2,664
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of equipment under capital lease	$949	$0

Nature_of_Operations

Nature of Operations	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Nature of Operations [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations	'
	Note 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.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 2.   Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information for commercial and industrial companies and the instructions to Form 10‑Q and Rule 10‑01 of Regulation S‑X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended September 30, 2013.  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.
	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 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.
	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 Statement of Cash Flows for the six-month period ended March 31, 2013.  Additionally, reclassifications have been made in these financial statements to adjust for bank overdrafts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2013 and on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note 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.  A three level fair value hierarchy is used 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.
	The fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are categorized as follows:
			31-Mar-14								30-Sep-13
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Derivatives (1)		$	-	$	3,850		-	$	3,850	$	-	$	3,736		-	$	3,736
	Trading securities		$	18,879		-		-	$	18,879	$	17,929		-		-	$	17,929
	Total assets at fair value		$	18,879	$	3,850		-	$	22,729	$	17,929	$	3,736		-	$	21,665
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (1)			-	$	3,403		-	$	3,403		-	$	4,644		-	$	4,644
	Total liabilities at fair value			-	$	3,403		-	$	3,403		-	$	4,644		-	$	4,644
	-1	Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Note 4.   Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		31-Mar-14		30-Sep-13
	Raw Materials	$	44,507	$	40,931
	Work in process		30,930		25,293
	Finished goods		67,568		64,544
		$	143,005	$	130,768

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Note 5.   Debt
	The Company has a domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions.  The maximum amount of borrowings available under the facility is $500,000 and borrowings under the facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from .75% to 1.25% based on the Company’s leverage ratio.  The facility’s maturity is July 2018.  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 March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 were $310,000 and $305,000, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings on this facility at March 31, 2014 and 2013 was 2.53% and 2.98%, respectively.
	In connection with the pending acquisition of Schawk, Inc. ("SGK") (see Note 12.) the Company entered into a commitment letter with RBS Citizens in March 2014 to amend and increase the maximum amount of borrowings available under the facility to $850,000.  The amendment is conditional upon the closing of the SGK acquisition.
	The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:
	Effective Date	Amount				Fixed				Interest Rate Spread
						Interest Rate				at March 31, 2014			Maturity Date
	May-11	$	25,000				1.37	%			1	%	May-14
	Oct-11		25,000				1.67	%			1	%	Oct-15
	Nov-11		25,000				2.13	%			1	%	Nov-14
	Mar-12		25,000				2.44	%			1	%	Mar-15
	Jun-12		40,000				1.88	%			1	%	Jun-22
	Aug-12		35,000				1.74	%			1	%	Jun-22
	Sep-12		25,000				3.03	%			1	%	Dec-15
	Sep-12		25,000				1.24	%			1	%	Mar-17
	Nov-12		25,000				1.33	%			1	%	Nov-15
	May-14		25,000				1.35	%			1	%	May-18
	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 gain, net of unrealized losses, of $447 ($273 after tax) at March 31, 2014 and an unrealized loss, net of unrealized gains, of $908 ($554 after tax) at September 30, 2013.  The net unrealized gain and loss are included in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”).  Assuming market rates remain consistent with the rates at March 31, 2014, approximately $1,131 net unrealized loss included in AOCI is expected to be recognized in earnings as an adjustment to interest expense over the next twelve months.
	At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
	Balance Sheet Location:	31-Mar-14				30-Sep-13
	Current assets
	Other current assets	$	473			$	427
	Long-term assets
	Other assets		3,378				3,309
	Current liabilities:
	Other current liabilities		(2,327	)			(2,590	)
	Long-term liabilities:
	Other liabilities		(1,077	)			(2,054	)
	Total derivatives	$	447			$	(908	)
	The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:
		Location of		Amount of								Amount of
	Derivatives in	Loss		Loss Recognized								Loss Recognized
	Cash Flow	Recognized in		in Income								in Income
	Hedging	Income on		on Derivatives								on Derivatives
	Relationships	Derivative
					Three Months ended March 31,								Six Months ended March 31,
				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Interest rate swaps	Interest expense		$	(1,054	)		$	(1,026	)		$	(2,130	)		$	(2,029	)
	The Company recognized the following losses in AOCI:
		Amount of							Location of		Amount of Loss
		Gain or (Loss) Recognized in							Gain or		Reclassified from
		AOCL on Derivatives							(Loss)		AOCL into
									Reclassified		Income
									From		(Effective Portion*)
	Derivatives in								AOCI into
	Cash Flow								Income
	Hedging	March 31,				March 31,			(Effective		March 31,				March 31,
	Relationships	2014				2013			Portion*)		2014				2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	(472	)		$	497		Interest expense		$	(1,299	)		$	(1,238	)
	*There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.
	The Company, through certain of its European subsidiaries has a credit facility with a European bank.  The maximum amount of borrowing available under this facility was 25.0 million Euros ($34,425).  Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 21.9 million Euros ($30,144) and 22.5 million Euros ($30,454) at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under this facility at March 31, 2014 and 2013 was 1.48% and 1.37%, respectively.
	The Company, through its German subsidiary, Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG (“Saueressig”), has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings under these loans totaled 1.5 million Euros ($2,001) and 1.7 million Euros ($2,310) at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at March 31, 2014 and 2013 was 4.04% and 3.89%, respectively.
	The Company, through its German subsidiary, Wetzel GmbH (“Wetzel”), has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings under these loans totaled 6.5 million Euros ($8,932) and 7.4 million Euros ($10,000) at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Wetzel at March 31, 2014 and 2013 was 7.75% and 7.17%, 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 7.1 million Euros ($9,766) and 5.1 million Euros ($6,871) at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.  Matthews International S.p.A. also has three lines of credit totaling 11.3 million Euros ($15,601) with the same Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 4.3 million Euros ($5,932) and 5.6 million Euros ($7,639) at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at March 31, 2014 and 2013 was 3.12% and 3.16%, respectively.

Share_Based_Payments

Share Based Payments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-Based Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Payments	'
	Note 6.   Share-Based Payments
	The Company maintains an equity incentive plan (the “2012 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 an equity incentive plan (the “2007 Equity Incentive Plan”) and 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.  Under the 2012 Equity Incentive 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 March 31, 2014, there were 2,097,550 shares reserved for future issuance under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. All plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
	The option price for each stock option granted under either plan may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.  Outstanding stock options generally vest 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 and forward, 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 three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, total stock-based compensation cost totaled $1,665 and $1,378, respectively.  For the six-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, total stock-based compensation cost totaled $3,239 and $2,757, respectively.  The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $649 and $537 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $1,263 and $1,075 for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $173 and $48, respectively. For the six-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $1,828 and $523, respectively. In connection with these exercises, the tax benefits realized by the Company were $8 and $3 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $185 and $66 for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The transactions for restricted stock for the six months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
					Weighted-
					average
					grant-date
		Shares			fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2013		641,399		$	29.46
	Granted		201,225			35.71
	Vested		(225,503	)		29.44
	Expired or forfeited		(77,417	)		30.84
	Non-vested at March 31, 2014		539,704			31.6
	As of March 31, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $7,898 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
	The transactions for shares under options for the six months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
								Weighted-
					Weighted-			average		Aggregate
					average			remaining		intrinsic
		Shares			exercise price			contractual term		value
	Outstanding, September 30, 2013		744,824		$	37.76
	Granted		-			-
	Exercised		(62,653	)		32.37
	Expired or forfeited		(20,214	)		39.12
	Outstanding, March 31, 2014		661,957			38.23			1.8	$	1,710
	Exercisable, March 31, 2014		349,183			37.77			1.6	$	1,063
	No options vested during the three-month and six-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, 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 six-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $509 and $190, respectively.
	The transactions for non-vested options for the six months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
					Weighted-average
					grant-date
	Non-vested shares	Shares			fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2013		331,755		$	11.29
	Granted		-			-
	Vested		-			-
	Expired or forfeited		(18,981	)		12.23
	Non-vested at March 31, 2014		312,774			11.23
	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 periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
		Six Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Expected volatility		26.6	%		29.5	%
	Dividend yield		1.1	%		1.2	%
	Average risk free interest rate		1.4	%		0.6	%
	Average expected term (years)		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 represents an estimate of the average period of time for restricted shares to vest.  The characteristics for each grant are considered separately for valuation purposes.
	Under the Company’s 1994 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 1994 Director Fee Plan at March 31, 2014.  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 March 31, 2014, 11,800 options were outstanding and vested. Additionally, 120,500 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the plan, 37,457 of which were unvested at March 31, 2014.  A total of 300,000 shares have been authorized to be issued under the 1994 Director Fee Plan.

Earnings_Per_Share_Attributabl

Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews' Shareholders [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews' Shareholders	'
	Note 7.   Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews’ Shareholders
	The information used to compute earnings per share attributable to Matthews’ common shareholders was as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	11,333	$	14,192	$	19,247	$	22,447
	Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		23		145		74		251
	Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$	11,310	$	14,047	$	19,173	$	22,196
	Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic shares		27,276		27,369		27,193		27,312
	Effect of dilutive securities		194		143		231		99
	Diluted shares		27,470		27,512		27,424		27,411
	There were no anti-dilutive securities for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014.  Options to purchase 730,642 and 749,667 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and six months ended March 31, 2013, respectively, because the inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'
	Note 8.   Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
	The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans to certain employees. Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following:
		Three months ended March 31,
		Pension						Other Postretirement
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	1,582		$	1,685		$	109		$	199
	Interest cost		2,213			1,913			230			282
	Expected return on plan assets		(2,396	)		(2,243	)		-			-
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		(52	)		(52	)		(21	)		(68	)
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		991			1,806			(49	)		110
	Net benefit cost	$	2,338		$	3,109		$	269		$	523
		Six months ended March 31,
		Pension						Other Postretirement
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	3,164		$	3,370		$	218		$	398
	Interest cost		4,426			3,826			460			564
	Expected return on plan assets		(4,792	)		(4,486	)		-			-
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		(104	)		(104	)		(43	)		(136	)
	Net actuarial loss		1,982			3,612			(98	)		220
	Net benefit cost	$	4,676		$	6,218		$	537		$	1,046
	Benefit payments under the Company’s principal retirement plan are made from plan assets, while benefit payments under the postretirement benefit plan are made from the Company’s operating funds.  Under IRS regulations, the Company is not required to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal year 2014.
	Contributions made and anticipated for fiscal year 2014 are as follows:
	Contributions	Pension			Other
					Postretirement
	Contributions during the six months ended March 31, 2014:
	Supplemental retirement plan	$	362		$	-
	Other postretirement plan		-			464
	Additional contributions expected in fiscal 2014:
	Supplemental retirement plan		359			-
	Other postretirement plan		-			462

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Note 9.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
				Post-			Currency				Derivatives
				retirement			translation
				benefit plans			adjustment							Total
	Attributable to Matthews:
	Balance, December 31, 2013			$	(29,572	)	$	6,260			$	679		$	(22,633	)
	OCI before reclassification				-			223				(1,049	)		(826	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(a)			529			-		(b)		643			1,172
	Net current-period OCI				529			223				(406	)		346
	Balance, March 31, 2014			$	(29,043	)	$	6,483			$	273		$	(22,287	)
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest:
	Balance, December 31, 2013				-		$	544				-		$	544
	OCI before reclassification				-			(197	)			-			(197	)
	Net current-period OCI				-			(197	)			-			(197	)
	Balance, March 31, 2014				-		$	347				-		$	347
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the six month period ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
				Post-			Currency
				retirement			translation
				benefit plans			adjustment				Derivatives			Total
	Attributable to Matthews:
	Balance, September 30, 2013			$	(30,100	)	$	3,714			$	(554	)	$	(26,940	)
	OCI before reclassification				-			2,769				(472	)		2,297
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(a)			1,057			-		(b)		1,299			2,356
	Net current-period OCI				1,057			2,769				827			4,653
	Balance, March 31, 2014			$	(29,043	)	$	6,483			$	273		$	(22,287	)
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest:
	Balance, September 30, 2013				-		$	401				-		$	401
	OCI before reclassification				-			(54	)			-			(54	)
	Net current-period OCI				-			(54	)			-			(54	)
	Balance, March 31, 2014				-		$	347				-		$	347
	(a)	Amounts were included in net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans (see note 8).
	(b)	Amounts were included in interest expense in the periods the hedged item affected earnings (see note 5).
	Reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
			Amount reclassified from AOCI
			Three months ended				Six months ended			Affected line item in the
	Details about AOCI Components		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-14			Statement of income
	Postretirement benefit plans
	Prior service (cost) credit			73		(a)		147
	Actuarial losses			(942	)	(a)		(1,884	)
				(869	)	(b)		(1,737	)	Total before tax
				(340	)			(680	)	Tax provision (benefit)
			$	(529	)		$	(1,057	)	Net of tax
	Derivatives
	Interest rate swap contracts			(1,054	)			(2,130	)	Interest expense
				(1,054	)	(b)		(2,130	)	Total before tax
				(411	)			(831	)	Tax provision (benefit)
				(643	)			(1,299	)	Net of tax
	(a)	Amounts are included in the computation of pension and other postretirement benefit expense, which is reported in both cost of goods sold and selling and administrative expenses.  For additional information, see Note 8.
	(b)	For pre-tax items, positive amounts represent income and negative amounts represent expense.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 10.   Income Taxes
	Income tax provisions for the Company’s interim periods are based on the effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. The Company's effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2014 was 35.9%, compared to 35.0% for the first half of fiscal 2013. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily reflected the impact of state taxes and estimated non-deductible transaction costs related to the pending acquisition of Schawk, Inc. (“SGK”) (see Note 12), offset by lower foreign income taxes.
	The Company had unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) of $4,386 and $4,516 on March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively, all of which, if recorded, would impact the 2014 annual effective tax rate.
	The Company classifies interest and penalties on tax uncertainties as a component of the provision for income taxes. The Company included $178 in interest and penalties in the provision for income taxes for the first six months of fiscal 2014. Total penalties and interest accrued were $2,579 and $2,401 at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, 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 limitations expires for those tax jurisdictions.  As of March 31, 2014, 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	2008 and forward
	United Kingdom	2012 and forward
	Australia	2009 and forward
	Asia	2008 and forward

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Note 11.   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 (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 minority interests.
	Information about the Company's segments follows:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		March 31,					March 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Sales to external customers:
	Memorialization:
	Cemetery Products	$	52,858		$	55,690	$	102,685	$	108,514
	Funeral Home Products		63,069			67,996		121,737		128,753
	Cremation		9,724			12,320		18,589		23,422
			125,651			136,006		243,011		260,689
	Brand Solutions:
	Graphics Imaging		80,296			78,519		152,950		140,954
	Marking and Fulfillment Systems		22,845			22,350		44,368		40,265
	Merchandising Solutions		18,045			19,515		36,453		40,091
			121,186			120,384		233,771		221,310
		$	246,837		$	256,390	$	476,782	$	481,999
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		March 31,					March 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Operating profit:
	Memorialization:
	Cemetery Products	$	8,069		$	5,851	$	14,188	$	12,223
	Funeral Home Products		9,141			9,751		15,962		17,444
	Cremation		565			997		163		1,472
			17,775			16,599		30,313		31,139
	Brand Solutions:
	Graphics Imaging		1,310			5,510		2,351		5,802
	Marking and Fulfillment Systems		1,830			2,407		2,970		2,783
	Merchandising Solutions		(23	)		554		254		1,845
			3,117			8,471		5,575		10,430
		$	20,892		$	25,070	$	35,888	$	41,569

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Note 12.   Acquisitions
	In March 2014, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire SGK (NYSE: SGK).  SGK is a leading global brand development, activation and brand deployment company.  Under the terms of the transaction, SGK shareholders will receive $11.80 cash and 0.20582 shares of Matthews’ common stock for each SGK share held.  Based on the closing price of Matthews’ stock at the time the agreement was signed, the transaction represents an implied price of $20.00 per share and a total enterprise value of approximately $577 million.  The transaction is expected to close in the quarter ending September 30, 2014, subject to approval by the shareholders of SGK and other customary closing conditions.  Members of the Schawk family and various Schawk family trusts, who collectively own approximately 61% of the common stock of Schawk, have agreed to vote in favor of the merger.
	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 $24,532, plus potential additional consideration up to $3,700 based on future operating results.
	In November 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of 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.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Note 13.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill related to business combinations 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 may need to be recognized.  For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique.  A number of assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the discounted cash flow model to forecast operating cash flows, including sales volumes and pricing, costs to produce, tax rates, capital spending, working capital changes, and discount rate.  The Company estimates future cash flows using volume and pricing assumptions based largely on existing customer relationships and contracts, and operating cost assumptions management believes are reasonable based on historical performance and projected future performance as reflected in its most recent operating plans and projections. The discount rate used in the discounted cash flow analysis was developed with the assistance of valuation experts and management believes it appropriately reflects the risks associated with the Company's operating cash flows.  In order to further validate the reasonableness of the estimated fair values of the reporting units as of the valuation date, a reconciliation of the aggregate fair values of all reporting units to market capitalization was performed using a reasonable control premium.
	The Company performed its annual impairment review in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and determined that for all reporting units, except Graphics Imaging, the estimated fair value significantly exceeded carrying value so no adjustments to the carrying value of goodwill were necessary at March 31, 2014.  As discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013, recent economic conditions in Europe have unfavorably impacted the operating results of the Graphics Imaging business.  For the Graphics Imaging reporting unit, the estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value by less than 10%, resulting in no goodwill impairment for the unit.  While the Graphics Imaging reporting unit passed the first step of the impairment test, if its operating profits or another significant assumption were to deteriorate in the future, it could adversely affect the estimated fair value of the reporting unit.  Factors that could have a negative impact on the estimated fair value of the Graphics Imaging reporting unit include a further delay in the recovery of the European market, continued pricing pressure, declines in expected volumes, and an increase in discount rates.  If the Company is unsuccessful in its plans to recover the profitability of this business, the estimated fair value could decline and lead to a potential goodwill impairment in the future.
	Trade names with indefinite lives are tested for impairment annually in the second quarter. Matthews performed a quantitative impairment evaluation of its trade names for 2014, and the test indicated the trade names were not impaired.
	A summary of the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each segment as well as the changes in such amounts are as follows:
		Cemetery			Funeral Home						Graphics			Marking and Fulfillment			Merchandising
		Products			Products			Cremation			Imaging			Systems			Solutions		Consolidated
	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 30, 2013		99,295			163,208			12,823			189,441			50,646			9,138		524,551
	Additions during period		-			-			-			-			-			-		-
	Translation and other  adjustments		427			-			165			2,208			(69	)		-		2,731
	Goodwill		100,134			163,208			17,988			195,489			50,577			9,138		536,534
	Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-			(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-			-		(9,252	)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	99,722		$	163,208		$	12,988		$	191,649		$	50,577		$	9,138	$	527,282
	The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
		Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization			Net
	March 31, 2014:
	Trade names	$	23,014		$	-	*	$	23,014
	Trade names		3,050			(2,150	)		900
	Customer relationships		59,191			(21,176	)		38,015
	Copyrights/patents/other		10,196			(9,191	)		1,005
		$	95,451		$	(32,517	)	$	62,934
	September 30, 2013:
	Trade names	$	22,878		$	-	*	$	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
		$	95,089		$	(29,987	)	$	65,102
	* Not subject to amortization
	The carrying amount of indefinite –lived trade names as of September 30, 2013 included an impairment loss of approximately $1.6 million in the Graphics Imaging segment that was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2013.The net change in intangible assets during the six months ended March 31, 2014 included foreign currency fluctuations during the period, and additional amortization.
	Amortization expense on intangible assets was $1,165 and $943 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  For the six-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, amortization expense was $2,340 and $1,886, respectively. Amortization expense is estimated to be $1,947 for the remainder of 2014, $3,662 in 2015, $3,374 in 2016, $3,181 in 2017 and $3,163 in 2018.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis	'
	The fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are categorized as follows:
			31-Mar-14								30-Sep-13
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Derivatives (1)		$	-	$	3,850		-	$	3,850	$	-	$	3,736		-	$	3,736
	Trading securities		$	18,879		-		-	$	18,879	$	17,929		-		-	$	17,929
	Total assets at fair value		$	18,879	$	3,850		-	$	22,729	$	17,929	$	3,736		-	$	21,665
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (1)			-	$	3,403		-	$	3,403		-	$	4,644		-	$	4,644
	Total liabilities at fair value			-	$	3,403		-	$	3,403		-	$	4,644		-	$	4,644
	-1	Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		31-Mar-14		30-Sep-13
	Raw Materials	$	44,507	$	40,931
	Work in process		30,930		25,293
	Finished goods		67,568		64,544
		$	143,005	$	130,768

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt [Abstract]	'
Interest rate swaps	'
	The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:
	Effective Date	Amount				Fixed				Interest Rate Spread
						Interest Rate				at March 31, 2014			Maturity Date
	May-11	$	25,000				1.37	%			1	%	May-14
	Oct-11		25,000				1.67	%			1	%	Oct-15
	Nov-11		25,000				2.13	%			1	%	Nov-14
	Mar-12		25,000				2.44	%			1	%	Mar-15
	Jun-12		40,000				1.88	%			1	%	Jun-22
	Aug-12		35,000				1.74	%			1	%	Jun-22
	Sep-12		25,000				3.03	%			1	%	Dec-15
	Sep-12		25,000				1.24	%			1	%	Mar-17
	Nov-12		25,000				1.33	%			1	%	Nov-15
	May-14		25,000				1.35	%			1	%	May-18
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	'
	At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:
	Balance Sheet Location:	31-Mar-14				30-Sep-13
	Current assets
	Other current assets	$	473			$	427
	Long-term assets
	Other assets		3,378				3,309
	Current liabilities:
	Other current liabilities		(2,327	)			(2,590	)
	Long-term liabilities:
	Other liabilities		(1,077	)			(2,054	)
	Total derivatives	$	447			$	(908	)
Gain (loss) recognized on derivatives	'
	The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:
		Location of		Amount of								Amount of
	Derivatives in	Loss		Loss Recognized								Loss Recognized
	Cash Flow	Recognized in		in Income								in Income
	Hedging	Income on		on Derivatives								on Derivatives
	Relationships	Derivative
					Three Months ended March 31,								Six Months ended March 31,
				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Interest rate swaps	Interest expense		$	(1,054	)		$	(1,026	)		$	(2,130	)		$	(2,029	)
	The Company recognized the following losses in AOCI:
		Amount of							Location of		Amount of Loss
		Gain or (Loss) Recognized in							Gain or		Reclassified from
		AOCL on Derivatives							(Loss)		AOCL into
									Reclassified		Income
									From		(Effective Portion*)
	Derivatives in								AOCI into
	Cash Flow								Income
	Hedging	March 31,				March 31,			(Effective		March 31,				March 31,
	Relationships	2014				2013			Portion*)		2014				2013
	Interest rate swaps	$	(472	)		$	497		Interest expense		$	(1,299	)		$	(1,238	)
	*There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.

Share_Based_Payments_Tables

Share Based Payments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-Based Payments [Abstract]	'
Restricted stock activity	'
	The transactions for restricted stock for the six months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
					Weighted-
					average
					grant-date
		Shares			fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2013		641,399		$	29.46
	Granted		201,225			35.71
	Vested		(225,503	)		29.44
	Expired or forfeited		(77,417	)		30.84
	Non-vested at March 31, 2014		539,704			31.6
Stock option activity	'
	The transactions for shares under options for the six months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
								Weighted-
					Weighted-			average		Aggregate
					average			remaining		intrinsic
		Shares			exercise price			contractual term		value
	Outstanding, September 30, 2013		744,824		$	37.76
	Granted		-			-
	Exercised		(62,653	)		32.37
	Expired or forfeited		(20,214	)		39.12
	Outstanding, March 31, 2014		661,957			38.23			1.8	$	1,710
	Exercisable, March 31, 2014		349,183			37.77			1.6	$	1,063
Non-vested options activity	'
	The transactions for non-vested options for the six months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
					Weighted-average
					grant-date
	Non-vested shares	Shares			fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2013		331,755		$	11.29
	Granted		-			-
	Vested		-			-
	Expired or forfeited		(18,981	)		12.23
	Non-vested at March 31, 2014		312,774			11.23
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 periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
		Six Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
	Expected volatility		26.6	%		29.5	%
	Dividend yield		1.1	%		1.2	%
	Average risk free interest rate		1.4	%		0.6	%
	Average expected term (years)		2			2

Earnings_Per_Share_Attributabl1

Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews' Shareholders [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:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	11,333	$	14,192	$	19,247	$	22,447
	Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		23		145		74		251
	Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$	11,310	$	14,047	$	19,173	$	22,196
	Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic shares		27,276		27,369		27,193		27,312
	Effect of dilutive securities		194		143		231		99
	Diluted shares		27,470		27,512		27,424		27,411

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost	'
	The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans to certain employees. Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following:
		Three months ended March 31,
		Pension						Other Postretirement
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	1,582		$	1,685		$	109		$	199
	Interest cost		2,213			1,913			230			282
	Expected return on plan assets		(2,396	)		(2,243	)		-			-
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		(52	)		(52	)		(21	)		(68	)
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		991			1,806			(49	)		110
	Net benefit cost	$	2,338		$	3,109		$	269		$	523
		Six months ended March 31,
		Pension						Other Postretirement
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	3,164		$	3,370		$	218		$	398
	Interest cost		4,426			3,826			460			564
	Expected return on plan assets		(4,792	)		(4,486	)		-			-
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		(104	)		(104	)		(43	)		(136	)
	Net actuarial loss		1,982			3,612			(98	)		220
	Net benefit cost	$	4,676		$	6,218		$	537		$	1,046
Contributions made and anticipated for the current fiscal year	'
	Contributions made and anticipated for fiscal year 2014 are as follows:
	Contributions	Pension			Other
					Postretirement
	Contributions during the six months ended March 31, 2014:
	Supplemental retirement plan	$	362		$	-
	Other postretirement plan		-			464
	Additional contributions expected in fiscal 2014:
	Supplemental retirement plan		359			-
	Other postretirement plan		-			462

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Change in AOCI by component	'
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
				Post-			Currency				Derivatives
				retirement			translation
				benefit plans			adjustment							Total
	Attributable to Matthews:
	Balance, December 31, 2013			$	(29,572	)	$	6,260			$	679		$	(22,633	)
	OCI before reclassification				-			223				(1,049	)		(826	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(a)			529			-		(b)		643			1,172
	Net current-period OCI				529			223				(406	)		346
	Balance, March 31, 2014			$	(29,043	)	$	6,483			$	273		$	(22,287	)
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest:
	Balance, December 31, 2013				-		$	544				-		$	544
	OCI before reclassification				-			(197	)			-			(197	)
	Net current-period OCI				-			(197	)			-			(197	)
	Balance, March 31, 2014				-		$	347				-		$	347
	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the six month period ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
				Post-			Currency
				retirement			translation
				benefit plans			adjustment				Derivatives			Total
	Attributable to Matthews:
	Balance, September 30, 2013			$	(30,100	)	$	3,714			$	(554	)	$	(26,940	)
	OCI before reclassification				-			2,769				(472	)		2,297
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(a)			1,057			-		(b)		1,299			2,356
	Net current-period OCI				1,057			2,769				827			4,653
	Balance, March 31, 2014			$	(29,043	)	$	6,483			$	273		$	(22,287	)
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest:
	Balance, September 30, 2013				-		$	401				-		$	401
	OCI before reclassification				-			(54	)			-			(54	)
	Net current-period OCI				-			(54	)			-			(54	)
	Balance, March 31, 2014				-		$	347				-		$	347
	(a)	Amounts were included in net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans (see note 8).
	(b)	Amounts were included in interest expense in the periods the hedged item affected earnings (see note 5).
Reclassifications out of AOCI	'
	Reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
			Amount reclassified from AOCI
			Three months ended				Six months ended			Affected line item in the
	Details about AOCI Components		31-Mar-14				31-Mar-14			Statement of income
	Postretirement benefit plans
	Prior service (cost) credit			73		(a)		147
	Actuarial losses			(942	)	(a)		(1,884	)
				(869	)	(b)		(1,737	)	Total before tax
				(340	)			(680	)	Tax provision (benefit)
			$	(529	)		$	(1,057	)	Net of tax
	Derivatives
	Interest rate swap contracts			(1,054	)			(2,130	)	Interest expense
				(1,054	)	(b)		(2,130	)	Total before tax
				(411	)			(831	)	Tax provision (benefit)
				(643	)			(1,299	)	Net of tax
	(a)	Amounts are included in the computation of pension and other postretirement benefit expense, which is reported in both cost of goods sold and selling and administrative expenses.  For additional information, see Note 8.
	(b)	For pre-tax items, positive amounts represent income and negative amounts represent expense.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Tax years subject to examination	'
	The Company is currently under examination in several tax jurisdictions and remains subject to examination until the statute of limitations expires for those tax jurisdictions.  As of March 31, 2014, 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	2008 and forward
	United Kingdom	2012 and forward
	Australia	2009 and forward
	Asia	2008 and forward

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Information about the segments	'
	Information about the Company's segments follows:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		March 31,					March 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Sales to external customers:
	Memorialization:
	Cemetery Products	$	52,858		$	55,690	$	102,685	$	108,514
	Funeral Home Products		63,069			67,996		121,737		128,753
	Cremation		9,724			12,320		18,589		23,422
			125,651			136,006		243,011		260,689
	Brand Solutions:
	Graphics Imaging		80,296			78,519		152,950		140,954
	Marking and Fulfillment Systems		22,845			22,350		44,368		40,265
	Merchandising Solutions		18,045			19,515		36,453		40,091
			121,186			120,384		233,771		221,310
		$	246,837		$	256,390	$	476,782	$	481,999
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		March 31,					March 31,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Operating profit:
	Memorialization:
	Cemetery Products	$	8,069		$	5,851	$	14,188	$	12,223
	Funeral Home Products		9,141			9,751		15,962		17,444
	Cremation		565			997		163		1,472
			17,775			16,599		30,313		31,139
	Brand Solutions:
	Graphics Imaging		1,310			5,510		2,351		5,802
	Marking and Fulfillment Systems		1,830			2,407		2,970		2,783
	Merchandising Solutions		(23	)		554		254		1,845
			3,117			8,471		5,575		10,430
		$	20,892		$	25,070	$	35,888	$	41,569

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Goodwill attributable to each segment	'
	A summary of the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each segment as well as the changes in such amounts are as follows:
		Cemetery			Funeral Home						Graphics			Marking and Fulfillment			Merchandising
		Products			Products			Cremation			Imaging			Systems			Solutions		Consolidated
	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 30, 2013		99,295			163,208			12,823			189,441			50,646			9,138		524,551
	Additions during period		-			-			-			-			-			-		-
	Translation and other  adjustments		427			-			165			2,208			(69	)		-		2,731
	Goodwill		100,134			163,208			17,988			195,489			50,577			9,138		536,534
	Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-			(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-			-		(9,252	)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	99,722		$	163,208		$	12,988		$	191,649		$	50,577		$	9,138	$	527,282
Other intangible assets	'
	The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
		Carrying			Accumulated
		Amount			Amortization			Net
	March 31, 2014:
	Trade names	$	23,014		$	-	*	$	23,014
	Trade names		3,050			(2,150	)		900
	Customer relationships		59,191			(21,176	)		38,015
	Copyrights/patents/other		10,196			(9,191	)		1,005
		$	95,451		$	(32,517	)	$	62,934
	September 30, 2013:
	Trade names	$	22,878		$	-	*	$	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
		$	95,089		$	(29,987	)	$	65,102
	* Not subject to amortization

Nature_of_Operations_Details

Nature of Operations (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	Segment
Nature of Operations [Abstract]	'
Number of business segments	6

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Derivatives	$3,850	[1]	$3,736	[1]
Trading securities	18,879		17,929
Total assets at fair value	22,729		21,665
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Derivatives	3,403	[1]	4,644	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	3,403		4,644
Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Trading securities	18,879		17,929
Total assets at fair value	18,879		17,929
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	0		0
Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Derivatives	3,850	[1]	3,736	[1]
Trading securities	0		0
Total assets at fair value	3,850		3,736
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Derivatives	3,403	[1]	4,644	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	3,403		4,644
Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Trading securities	0		0
Total assets at fair value	0		0
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	$0		$0
[1]	Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates.

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, net [Abstract]	'	'
Raw Materials	$44,507	$40,931
Work in process	30,930	25,293
Finished goods	67,568	64,544
Inventories	$143,005	$130,768

Debt_Details

Debt (Details)

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

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]

Interest Rate Swap 10 [Member]

Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [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]

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]

Saueressig [Member]

Wetzel GmbH [Member]

Wetzel GmbH [Member]

Wetzel GmbH [Member]

Wetzel GmbH [Member]

Wetzel GmbH [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [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 ($)

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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]

Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Interest Expense [Member]

Interest Expense [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 ($)

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USD ($)

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USD ($)

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USD ($)

USD ($)

LinesofCredit

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$500,000

'

'

$34,425

€ 25,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$15,601

€ 11,300

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Jul-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual commitment fee range on unused portion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum available for issuance of trade and standby letters of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

310,000

305,000

'

30,144

21,900

30,454

22,500

'

9,766

7,100

6,871

5,100

'

'

5,932

4,300

7,639

5,600

2,001

1,500

2,310

1,700

'

8,932

6,500

10,000

7,400

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.53%

'

2.98%

1.48%

1.48%

'

'

1.37%

'

'

'

'

3.12%

3.16%

'

'

'

'

4.04%

4.04%

'

'

3.89%

7.75%

7.75%

'

'

7.17%

Number of lines of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'May 1, 2011

'October 1, 2011

'November 1, 2011

'March 1, 2012

'June 1, 2012

'August 1, 2012

'September 1, 2012

'September 1, 2012

'November 1, 2012

'May 1, 2014

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

40,000

35,000

25,000

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%

1.35%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Spread (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'May 1, 2014

'October 1, 2015

'November 1, 2014

'March 1, 2015

'June 1, 2022

'June 1, 2022

'December 1, 2015

'March 1, 2017

'November 1, 2015

'May 1, 2018

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate cash flow hedges [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

447

908

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

273

554

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

1,131

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

473

427

3,378

3,309

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liability derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,327

-2,590

-1,077

-2,054

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

447

-908

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of loss recognized in income (loss) on derivatives

'

'

'

'

-1,054

-1,026

-2,130

-2,029

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in AOCL on derivatives

'

'

-472

497

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

($1,299)

[1]

($1,238)

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

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

Share_Based_Payments_Details

Share Based Payments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation cost	$1,665	$1,378	$3,239	$2,757
Future income tax benefit from compensation expense recognized	649	537	1,263	1,075
Cash received from stock options exercised	173	48	1,828	523
Tax benefit realized from options exercised	8	3	185	66
2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Term of plan	'	'	'10 years	'
Maximum number of shares available for grants or awards (in shares)	2,500,000	'	2,500,000	'
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	2,097,550	'	2,097,550	'
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 Companybs 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)	'	'	641,399	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	201,225	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	-225,503	'
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	'	'	-77,417	'
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	539,704	'	539,704	'
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$29.46	'
Granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	'	'	$35.71	'
Vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	'	'	$29.44	'
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	'	'	$30.84	'
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share)	$31.60	'	$31.60	'
Unrecognized compensation cost [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards	7,898	'	7,898	'
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards	'	'	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'
Fair value assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Expected volatility (in hundredths)	'	'	26.60%	29.50%
Dividend yield (in hundredths)	'	'	1.10%	1.20%
Average risk free interest rate (in hundredths)	'	'	1.40%	0.60%
Average expected term	'	'	'2 years	'2 years
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Exercisable rights	'	'	'Outstanding stock options generally vest in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Companybs 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.	'
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	'	'	744,824	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	0	'
Exercised (in shares)	'	'	-62,653	'
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	'	'	-20,214	'
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	661,957	'	661,957	'
Exercisable (in shares)	349,183	'	349,183	'
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$37.76	'
Granted, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	'	'	$0	'
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	'	'	$32.37	'
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	'	'	$39.12	'
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, end of period (in dollars per share)	$38.23	'	$38.23	'
Exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$37.77	'	$37.77	'
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term	'	'	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	1,710	'	1,710	'
Exercisable, weighted-average remaining contractual term	'	'	'1 year 7 months 6 days	'
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	1,063	'	1,063	'
Intrinsic value of options exercised	'	'	509	190
Non-vested options activity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares)	'	'	331,755	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	0	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	0	'
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	'	'	-18,981	'
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	312,774	'	312,774	'
Non-vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$11.29	'
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)	'	'	$12.23	'
Non-vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share)	$11.23	'	$11.23	'
Director Fee Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	300,000	'	300,000	'
Director Fee Plan, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee directors	'	'	60	'
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee Chairman of the Board	'	'	130	'
Shares deferred under the Director Fee Plan (in shares)	17,005	'	17,005	'
Value of annual stock based grant	'	'	$100	'
Total stock options granted to date (in shares)	22,300	'	22,300	'
Option awards outstanding and vested (in shares)	11,800	'	11,800	'
Total restricted stock awards granted to date (in shares)	120,500	'	120,500	'
Restricted stock awards unvested (in shares)	37,457	'	37,457	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Attributabl2

Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews' Shareholders [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$11,333	$14,192	$19,247	$22,447
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	23	145	74	251
Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$11,310	$14,047	$19,173	$22,196
Weighted-average shares outstanding [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic shares (in shares)	27,276,000	27,369,000	27,193,000	27,312,000
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	194,000	143,000	231,000	99,000
Diluted shares (in shares)	27,470,000	27,512,000	27,424,000	27,411,000
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)	0	730,642	0	749,667

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Pension [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$1,582	$1,685	$3,164	$3,370
Interest cost	2,213	1,913	4,426	3,826
Expected return on plan assets	-2,396	-2,243	-4,792	-4,486
Amortization [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Prior service cost	-52	-52	-104	-104
Net actuarial loss (gain)	991	1,806	1,982	3,612
Net benefit cost	2,338	3,109	4,676	6,218
Other Postretirement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	109	199	218	398
Interest cost	230	282	460	564
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Prior service cost	-21	-68	-43	-136
Net actuarial loss (gain)	-49	110	-98	220
Net benefit cost	269	523	537	1,046
Benefit plan contributions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other postretirement plan	'	'	464	'
Additional contributions expected in fiscal 2014	'	'	462	'
Supplemental Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Benefit plan contributions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Supplemental retirement plan	'	'	362	'
Additional contributions expected in fiscal 2014	'	'	$359	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Balance	'		'	($26,940)		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	149		-11,001	4,599		-1,997
Balance	-22,287		'	-22,287		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Interest expense	-2,554		-3,051	-5,455		-6,298
Total before tax	17,901		21,559	29,888		33,939
Income taxes	-6,650		-7,504	-10,731		-11,881
Net income	11,251		14,055	19,157		22,058
Matthews [Member]	'		'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Balance	-22,633		'	-26,940		'
OCI before reclassification	-826		'	2,297		'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	1,172		'	2,356		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	346		-11,357	4,653		-2,052
Balance	-22,287		'	-22,287		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Net income	11,333		14,192	19,247		22,447
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'		'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Balance	544		'	401		'
OCI before reclassification	-197		'	-54		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-197		356	-54		55
Balance	347		'	347		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Net income	-82		-137	-90		-389
Post-retirement Benefit Plans [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Prior service (cost) credit	73	[1]	'	147	[1]	'
Actuarial losses	-942	[1]	'	-1,884	[1]	'
Total before tax	-869	[2]	'	-1,737	[2]	'
Income taxes	-340		'	-680		'
Net income	-529		'	-1,057		'
Post-retirement Benefit Plans [Member] | Matthews [Member]	'		'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Balance	-29,572		'	-30,100		'
OCI before reclassification	0		'	0		'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	529	[3]	'	1,057	[3]	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	529		'	1,057		'
Balance	-29,043		'	-29,043		'
Post-retirement Benefit Plans [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'		'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Balance	0		'	0		'
OCI before reclassification	0		'	0		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0		'	0		'
Balance	0		'	0		'
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | Matthews [Member]	'		'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Balance	6,260		'	3,714		'
OCI before reclassification	223		'	2,769		'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	[3]	'	0	[3]	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	223		'	2,769		'
Balance	6,483		'	6,483		'
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'		'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Balance	544		'	401		'
OCI before reclassification	-197		'	-54		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-197		'	-54		'
Balance	347		'	347		'
Derivatives [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Interest expense	-1,054		'	-2,130		'
Total before tax	-1,054	[2]	'	-2,130	[2]	'
Income taxes	-411		'	-831		'
Net income	-643		'	-1,299		'
Derivatives [Member] | Matthews [Member]	'		'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Balance	679		'	-554		'
OCI before reclassification	-1,049		'	-472		'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	643	[4]	'	1,299	[4]	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-406		'	827		'
Balance	273		'	273		'
Derivatives [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'		'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'	'		'
Balance	0		'	0		'
OCI before reclassification	0		'	0		'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0		'	0		'
Balance	$0		'	$0		'
[1]	Amounts are included in the computation of pension and other postretirement benefit expense, which is reported in both cost of goods sold and selling and administrative expenses. For additional information, see Note 8.
[2]	For pre-tax items, positive amounts represent income and negative amounts represent expense.
[3]	Amounts were included in net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans (see note 8).
[4]	Amounts were included in interest expense in the periods the hedged item affected earnings (see note 5).

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	35.90%	35.00%	'
Federal statutory rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	$4,386	'	$4,516
Interest and penalties on tax uncertainties	178	'	'
Total penalties and interest accrued	$2,579	'	$2,401
United States - Federal [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years under examination	'2010 and forward	'	'
United States - State [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years under examination	'2009 and forward	'	'
Canada [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years under examination	'2008 and forward	'	'
Europe [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years under examination	'2008 and forward	'	'
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years under examination	'2012 and forward	'	'
Australia [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years under examination	'2009 and forward	'	'
Asia [Member]	'	'	'
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Years under examination	'2008 and forward	'	'

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Segment
	PrincipalBusinesses
Segment Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of principal businesses	2	'	'	'
Number of operating segments	3	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	$246,837	$256,390	$476,782	$481,999
Operating profit	20,892	25,070	35,888	41,569
Memorialization [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	125,651	136,006	243,011	260,689
Operating profit	17,775	16,599	30,313	31,139
Cemetery Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	52,858	55,690	102,685	108,514
Operating profit	8,069	5,851	14,188	12,223
Funeral Home Products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	63,069	67,996	121,737	128,753
Operating profit	9,141	9,751	15,962	17,444
Cremation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	9,724	12,320	18,589	23,422
Operating profit	565	997	163	1,472
Brand Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	121,186	120,384	233,771	221,310
Operating profit	3,117	8,471	5,575	10,430
Graphics Imaging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	80,296	78,519	152,950	140,954
Operating profit	1,310	5,510	2,351	5,802
Marking and Fulfillment Systems [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	22,845	22,350	44,368	40,265
Operating profit	1,830	2,407	2,970	2,783
Merchandising Solutions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sales to external customers	18,045	19,515	36,453	40,091
Operating profit	($23)	$554	$254	$1,845

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details)	1 Months Ended					1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2012
	Schawk, Inc. [Member]	Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. [Member]	Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. [Member]	Furnace Construction Cremators Limited [Member]	Furnace Construction Cremators Limited [Member]	Pyramid Control Systems [Member]	Wetzel Holding AG [Member]	Wetzel Holding AG [Member]
	USD ($)					USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price payable for each SGK share in cash (in dollars per share)	$11.80	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchase price payable for each SGK share in common stock (in shares)	0.20582	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Implied price of entity's common stock (in dollars per share)	$20	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total enterprise value	$577,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Collective ownership percentage (in hundredths)	61.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest acquired (in hundredths)	'	38.50%	61.50%	20.00%	80.00%	'	'	'
Purchase price of acquisition	'	'	'	'	'	24,532,000	54,748,000	42,600,000
Additional purchase price of acquisition	'	'	'	'	'	$3,700,000	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill, gross	'		'	$533,803,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	'		'	-9,252,000		'	'
Goodwill	'		'	524,551,000		'	'
Additions during period	'		'	0		'	'
Translation and other adjustments	'		'	2,731,000		'	'
Goodwill, gross	536,534,000		'	536,534,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	-9,252,000		'	-9,252,000		'	'
Goodwill	527,282,000		'	527,282,000		'	'
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Carrying Amount	95,451,000		'	95,451,000		'	95,089,000
Accumulated Amortization	-32,517,000		'	-32,517,000		'	-29,987,000
Net	62,934,000		'	62,934,000		'	65,102,000
Impairment loss on intangible assets	1,600,000		'	1,600,000		'	'
Amortization expense on intangible assets	1,165,000		943,000	2,340,000		1,886,000	'
Future amortization expense [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Future amortization expense 2014	1,947,000		'	1,947,000		'	'
Future amortization expense 2015	3,662,000		'	3,662,000		'	'
Future amortization expense 2016	3,374,000		'	3,374,000		'	'
Future amortization expense 2017	3,181,000		'	3,181,000		'	'
Future amortization expense 2018	3,163,000		'	3,163,000		'	'
Trade Names Not Subject to Amortization [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Carrying Amount	23,014,000		'	23,014,000		'	22,878,000
Accumulated Amortization	0	[1]	'	0	[1]	'	0	[1]
Net	23,014,000		'	23,014,000		'	22,878,000
Trade Names [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Carrying Amount	3,050,000		'	3,050,000		'	3,034,000
Accumulated Amortization	-2,150,000		'	-2,150,000		'	-2,142,000
Net	900,000		'	900,000		'	892,000
Customer Relationships [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Carrying Amount	59,191,000		'	59,191,000		'	59,061,000
Accumulated Amortization	-21,176,000		'	-21,176,000		'	-19,099,000
Net	38,015,000		'	38,015,000		'	39,962,000
Copyrights/Patents/Other [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Carrying Amount	10,196,000		'	10,196,000		'	10,116,000
Accumulated Amortization	-9,191,000		'	-9,191,000		'	-8,746,000
Net	1,005,000		'	1,005,000		'	1,370,000
Cemetery Products [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill, gross	'		'	99,707,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	'		'	-412,000		'	'
Goodwill	'		'	99,295,000		'	'
Additions during period	'		'	0		'	'
Translation and other adjustments	'		'	427,000		'	'
Goodwill, gross	100,134,000		'	100,134,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	-412,000		'	-412,000		'	'
Goodwill	99,722,000		'	99,722,000		'	'
Funeral Home Products [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill, gross	'		'	163,208,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	'		'	0		'	'
Goodwill	'		'	163,208,000		'	'
Additions during period	'		'	0		'	'
Translation and other adjustments	'		'	0		'	'
Goodwill, gross	163,208,000		'	163,208,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	0		'	0		'	'
Goodwill	163,208,000		'	163,208,000		'	'
Cremation [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill, gross	'		'	17,823,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	'		'	-5,000,000		'	'
Goodwill	'		'	12,823,000		'	'
Additions during period	'		'	0		'	'
Translation and other adjustments	'		'	165,000		'	'
Goodwill, gross	17,988,000		'	17,988,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	-5,000,000		'	-5,000,000		'	'
Goodwill	12,988,000		'	12,988,000		'	'
Graphics Imaging [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill, gross	'		'	193,281,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	'		'	-3,840,000		'	'
Goodwill	'		'	189,441,000		'	'
Additions during period	'		'	0		'	'
Translation and other adjustments	'		'	2,208,000		'	'
Goodwill, gross	195,489,000		'	195,489,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	-3,840,000		'	-3,840,000		'	'
Goodwill	191,649,000		'	191,649,000		'	'
Marking and Fulfillment Systems [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill, gross	'		'	50,646,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	'		'	0		'	'
Goodwill	'		'	50,646,000		'	'
Additions during period	'		'	0		'	'
Translation and other adjustments	'		'	-69,000		'	'
Goodwill, gross	50,577,000		'	50,577,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	0		'	0		'	'
Goodwill	50,577,000		'	50,577,000		'	'
Merchandising Solutions [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill, gross	'		'	9,138,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	'		'	0		'	'
Goodwill	'		'	9,138,000		'	'
Additions during period	'		'	0		'	'
Translation and other adjustments	'		'	0		'	'
Goodwill, gross	9,138,000		'	9,138,000		'	'
Accumulated impairment losses	0		'	0		'	'
Goodwill	$9,138,000		'	$9,138,000		'	'
[1]	Not subject to amortization