Matthews International (MATW) 10-Q 30 Jan 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	63296
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
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	32,976,591
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$69,484	$75,604
Accounts receivable, net	267,571	282,730
Inventories	154,501	152,842
Deferred income taxes	13,690	13,283
Other current assets	41,020	49,456
Total current assets	546,266	573,915
Investments	27,088	23,130
Property, plant and equipment: Cost	460,379	459,388
Less accumulated depreciation	-254,490	-250,073
Property, plant, and equipment, net	205,889	209,315
Deferred income taxes	5,592	4,019
Other assets	18,590	20,027
Goodwill	805,132	819,467
Other intangible assets, net	362,915	381,862
Total assets	1,971,472	2,031,735
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt, current maturities	14,671	15,228
Trade accounts payable	53,008	72,040
Accrued compensation	49,064	60,690
Accrued income taxes	2,955	7,079
Deferred income taxes	101	235
Other current liabilities	101,653	98,011
Total current liabilities	221,452	253,283
Long-term debt	705,481	714,027
Accrued pension	78,956	78,550
Postretirement benefits	20,421	20,351
Deferred income taxes	124,035	129,335
Other liabilities	55,780	53,296
Total liabilities	1,206,125	1,248,842
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:
Common stock	36,334	36,334
Additional paid-in capital	110,787	113,225
Retained earnings	816,689	806,040
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-92,985	-66,817
Treasury stock, at cost	-109,414	-109,950
Total shareholders' equity-Matthews	761,411	778,832
Noncontrolling interests	3,936	4,061
Total shareholders' equity	765,347	782,893
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$1,971,472	$2,031,735

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Sales	$343,584	$229,945
Cost of sales	-218,914	-148,569
Gross profit	124,670	81,376
Selling and administrative expenses	-99,085	-66,697
Operating profit	25,585	14,679
Investment income	271	874
Interest expense	-5,333	-2,901
Other deductions, net	-435	-665
Income before income taxes	20,088	11,987
Income taxes	-5,252	-4,081
Net income	14,836	7,906
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	115	8
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$14,951	$7,914
Earnings per share attributable to Matthews shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.45	$0.29
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.45	$0.29

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net income (loss):	$14,836	$7,906
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-26,292	2,689
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	925	528
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:
Net change from periodic revaluation	-1,468	577
Net amount reclassified to earnings	657	656
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	-811	1,233
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-26,178	4,450
Comprehensive income (loss)	-11,342	12,356
Matthews [Member]
Net income (loss):	14,951	7,914
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-26,282	2,546
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	925	528
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:
Net change from periodic revaluation	-1,468	577
Net amount reclassified to earnings	657	656
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	-811	1,233
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-26,168	4,307
Comprehensive income (loss)	-11,217	12,221
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Net income (loss):	-115	-8
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-10	143
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	0	0
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:
Net change from periodic revaluation	0	0
Net amount reclassified to earnings	0	0
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-10	143
Comprehensive income (loss)	($125)	$135

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 Interests [Member]	Total
In Thousands
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$36,334	$47,315	$775,762	($26,940)	($283,006)	$3,465	$552,930
Net income	0	0	7,914	0	0	-8	7,906
Pension adjustments	0	0	0	528	0	0	528
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	2,546	0	143	2,689
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	1,233	0	0	1,233
Comprehensive income (loss)							12,356
Stock-based compensation	0	1,574	0	0	0	0	1,574
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	-4,195	0	-4,195
Issuance of treasury stock	0	-6,268	0	0	8,079	0	1,811
Cancellation of treasury stock		3,068			-3,068
Dividends	0	0	-3,026	0	0	0	-3,026
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	36,334	45,689	780,650	-22,633	-282,190	3,600	561,450
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	36,334	113,225	806,040	-66,817	-109,950	4,061	782,893
Net income	0	0	14,951	0	0	-115	14,836
Pension adjustments	0	0	0	925	0	0	925
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	-26,282	0	-10	-26,292
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	-811	0	0	-811
Comprehensive income (loss)							-11,342
Stock-based compensation	0	2,525	0	0		0	2,525
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	-8,016	0	-8,016
Issuance of treasury stock	0	-6,164	0	0	9,753	0	3,589
Cancellation of treasury stock		1,201			-1,201
Dividends	0	0	-4,302	0	0	0	-4,302
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$36,334	$110,787	$816,689	($92,985)	($109,414)	$3,936	$765,347

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Purchase of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	173,749	102,177
Issuance of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	303,214	259,208
Cancellation of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	32,739	74,930
Dividends, per share (in dollars per share)	$0.13	$0.11

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$14,836	$7,906
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	15,428	9,264
Stock-based compensation expense	2,525	1,574
(Increase) decrease in deferred taxes	-7,605	90
Gain on sale of assets	-31	-598
Unrealized gain on investments	0	-700
Changes in working capital items	-12,704	-7,554
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-98	2,645
Decrease in other liabilities	-1,395	-3,524
Increase in pension and postretirement benefits	1,945	2,318
Other, net	-3,609	851
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,292	12,272
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-9,268	-4,569
Proceeds from sale of assets	629	12
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	10,418	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,779	-4,557
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	10,928	7,683
Payments on long-term debt	-17,925	-6,263
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock	3,727	1,655
Purchases of treasury stock	-8,016	-3,995
Dividends	-4,302	-3,026
Net cash used in financing activities	-15,588	-3,946
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-1,603	137
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	($6,120)	$3,906

Nature_of_Operations

Nature of Operations	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 provider principally of brand solutions, memorialization products and industrial products.   Brand solutions includes brand development, deployment and management; printing plates and cylinders; pre-media services and imaging services for consumer packaged goods and retail customers; merchandising display systems; and marketing and design services.  Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries.  Industrial products include marking and coding equipment and consumables, industrial automation products and order fulfillment systems for identifying, tracking, picking and conveying consumer and industrial products.
	The Company has manufacturing and marketing facilities in the United States, Central and South America, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 three months ended December 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015. 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, 2014.  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 amounts in the consolidated financial statements of the prior year have been revised to conform to the current period's presentation.  These revisions are not material to the prior year presentation.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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. It establishes a three level fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in valuations, as defined below:
	Level 1:                          Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	Level 2:                          Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3:                          Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
	The fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are categorized as follows:
		31-Dec-14								30-Sep-14
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Derivatives (1)	$	-	$	696			$	696	$	-	$	2,457		-	$	2,457
	Trading securities	$	19,038		-		-	$	19,038	$	19,038		-		-	$	19,038
	Total assets at	$	19,038	$	696		-	$	19,734	$	19,038	$	2,457		-	$	21,495
	fair value
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (1)		-	$	1,696		-	$	1,696	$	-	$	2,127		-	$	2,127
	Total liabilities		-	$	1,696		-	$	1,696	$	-	$	2,127		-	$	2,127
	at fair value
	(1)Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	Note 4.   Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		31-Dec-14		30-Sep-14
	Raw materials	$	45,486	$	46,152
	Work in process		39,147		38,631
	Finished goods		69,868		68,059
		$	154,501	$	152,842

Debt

Debt

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Debt [Abstract]

Debt

Note 5.   Debt

The Company has a domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions.  In connection with the acquisition of Schawk in July 2014, the Company entered into amendments to the Revolving Credit Facility to amend certain terms of the Revolving Credit Facility and increase the maximum amount of borrowings available under the facility from $500,000 to $900,000.  Borrowings under the amended facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from .75% to 2.00% (1.75% at December 31, 2014) based on the Company's leverage ratio.  The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).  The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .15% to .25% (based on the Company's leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios.  A portion of the facility (not to exceed $30,000) is available for the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit. Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 were $670,000 and $680,000, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was 2.51% and 2.54%, respectively.

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date

Amount

Fixed Interest Rate

Interest Rate Spread at December 31, 2014

Maturity Date

Oct-11

25,000

1.67%

1.75%

Oct-15

Mar-12

25,000

2.44%

1.75%

Mar-15

Jun-12

40,000

1.88%

1.75%

Jun-22

Aug-12

35,000

1.74%

1.75%

Jun-22

Sep-12

25,000

3.03%

1.75%

Dec-15

Sep-12

25,000

1.24%

1.75%

Mar-17

Nov-12

25,000

1.33%

1.75%

Nov-15

May-14

25,000

1.35%

1.75%

May-18

Nov-14

25,000

1.26%

1.75%

Jun-18

Mar-15

25,000

1.49%

1.75%

Mar-19

The Company enters into interest rate swaps in order to achieve a mix of fixed and variable rate debt that it deems appropriate. The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring.  Based on the Company's assessment, all of the critical terms of each of the hedges matched the underlying terms of the hedged debt and related forecasted interest payments, and as such, these hedges were considered highly effective.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps reflected an unrealized loss, net of unrealized gains, of $1,000 ($610 after tax) at December 31, 2014 and an unrealized gain, net of unrealized losses, of $330 ($201 after tax) at September 30, 2014. The net unrealized gain and loss are included in shareholders' equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI").  Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at December 31, 2014, a loss (net of tax) of approximately $859 included in AOCI is expected to be recognized in earnings over the next twelve months.

At December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

Derivatives

31-Dec-14

30-Sep-14

Current assets:

Other current assets

$

99

$

324

Long-term assets:

Other assets

597

2,133

Current liabilities:

Other current liabilities

(1,508

)

(1,808

)

Long-term liabilities:

Other liabilities

(188

)

(319

)

Total derivatives

$

(1,000

)

$

330

The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:

Location of

Derivatives in

Loss

Amount of Loss

Cash Flow

Recognized in

Recognized in Income

Hedging

Income on

on Derivatives

Relationships

Derivative

Three Months Ended December 31,

2014

2013

Interest rate swaps

Interest expense

($1,077)

($1,076)

The Company recognized the following gains or losses in AOCI:

Location of

Gain or

(Loss)

Reclassified

Amount of Loss

Amount of Gain or (Loss)

from

Reclassified from

Derivatives in

Recognized in

AOCI into

AOCI into Income

Cash Flow

AOCI on Derivatives

Income

(Effective Portion*)

Hedging Relationships

31-Dec-14

31-Dec-13

(Effective

31-Dec-14

31-Dec-13

Portion*)

Interest rate swaps

($1,468)

$577

Interest expense

($657)

($656)

*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 borrowings available under this facility is 25.0 million Euros ($30,248).  Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 21.1 million Euros ($25,589) and 17.5 million Euros ($22,055) at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under this facility at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 1.27% 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 ($1,757) and 1.2 million Euros ($1,576) at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 4.24% and 4.04%, respectively.

The Company, through its German subsidiary, Wetzel GmbH ("Wetzel"), has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 2.7 million Euros ($3,264) and 2.9 million Euros ($3,624) at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Wetzel at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 5.74% and 7.53%, 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 4.5 million Euros ($5,418) and 5.5 million Euros ($6,922) at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively.  Matthews International S.p.A. also has three lines of credit totaling 11.3 million Euros ($13,708) with the same Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 4.1 million Euros ($4,935) and 4.8 million Euros ($6,063) at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 3.18% and 3.16%, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 the fair value of the Company's long-term debt, including current maturities, approximated the carrying value included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Share_Based_Payments

Share Based Payments	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 December 31, 2014, there were 1,496,798 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 any of the plans may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.  Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company's Class A Common Stock.  In addition, options generally vest in one-third increments after three, four and five years, respectively, from the grant date (but, in any event, not until the attainment of the market value thresholds).  The options expire on the earlier of ten years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death.  The Company generally settles employee stock option exercises with treasury shares.
	With respect to outstanding restricted share grants, for grants made prior to fiscal 2013, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant, with the remaining one-half of the shares vesting in one-third increments upon attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company's Class A Common Stock.  For grants made in and after fiscal 2013, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant, one-quarter of the shares vest in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of adjusted earnings per share, and the remaining one-quarter of the shares vest in one-third increments upon attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company's Class A Common Stock.  Additionally, restricted shares cannot vest until the first anniversary of the grant date.  Unvested restricted shares generally expire on the earlier of five years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death.  The Company issues restricted shares from treasury shares.
	For the three-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, total stock-based compensation cost totaled $2,525 and $1,574, respectively.  The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $985 and $614 for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	For the three-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $3,727 and $1,855, respectively.  In connection with these exercises, the tax benefits realized by the Company for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $315 and $177, respectively.
	The transactions for restricted stock for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
							Weighted-
							average
							grant-date
			Shares				fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2014			575,150			$	33.83
	Granted			205,370				40.13
	Vested			(138,584	)			34.76
	Expired or forfeited			(32,739	)			24.23
	Non-vested at December 31, 2014			609,197				36.26
	As of December 31, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $13,585 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.
	The transactions for shares under options for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
										Weighted-
							Weighted-			average		Aggregate
							average			remaining		intrinsic
			Shares				exercise price			contractual term		value
	Outstanding, September 30, 2014			512,322				$38.62
	Granted			-				-
	Exercised			(97,844	)			38.09
	Expired or forfeited			(68,557	)			36.52
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014			345,921				39.19			1.4		$3,280
	Exercisable, December 31, 2014			101,933				38.76			1.3		$1,010
	No options vested during the three months ended December 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 three-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $841 and $488, respectively.
	The transactions for non-vested options for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
						Weighted-average
						grant-date
	Non-vested shares	Shares				fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2014			312,442				$11.21
	Expired or forfeited			(68,454	)			11.7
	Non-vested at December 31, 2014			243,988				11.07
	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 granted during the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
			Three Months Ended December 31,
			2014				2013
	Expected volatility			22.2	%			26.6	%
	Dividend yield			1	%			1.1	%
	Average risk-free interest rate			1.7	%			1.4	%
	Average expected term (years)			1.8				2
	The risk-free interest rate is based on United States Treasury yields at the date of grant. The dividend yield is based on the most recent dividend payment and average stock price over the 12 months prior to the grant date.  Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock price.  The expected term for grants in the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012 represents an estimate of the average period of time for restricted shares to vest.  The option characteristics for each grant are considered separately for valuation purposes.
	The Company maintains the 1994 Director Fee Plan, and, after approval by the Company's shareholders in February 2014, the 2014 Director Fee Plan (collectively, the "Director Fee Plans").  After adoption of the 2014 Director Fee Plan, there will be no further fees or share-based awards under the 1994 Director Fee Plan.  Under the 2014 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 for fiscal 2015, either cash or shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock with a value equal to $75.  The annual retainer fee for fiscal 2015, paid to a non-employee Chairman of the Board is $175.  Where the annual retainer fee is provided in shares, each director may elect to be paid these shares on a current basis or have such shares credited to a deferred stock account as phantom stock, with such shares to be paid to the director subsequent to leaving the Board.  The value of deferred shares is recorded in other liabilities.  A total of 17,005 shares had been deferred under the Director Fee Plans at December 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 $110 for fiscal 2015.  A total of 22,300 stock options have been granted under the Director Fee Plans.  At December 31, 2014, there were no options outstanding. Additionally, 120,503 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the Director Fee Plans, 37,457 of which were unvested at December 31, 2014.  A total of 150,000 shares have been authorized to be issued under the 2014 Director Fee Plan.

Earnings_Per_Share_Attributabl

Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	14,951	$	7,914
	Less: dividends and undistributed earnings		5		41
	allocated to participating securities
	Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$	14,946	$	7,873
	Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic shares		32,919		27,125
	Effect of dilutive securities		174		227
	Diluted shares		33,093		27,352
	There were no anti-dilutive securities for the three months ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 December 31,
		Pension						Other Postretirement
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	1,655		$	1,582		$	114		$	109
	Interest cost		2,145			2,213			221			230
	Expected return on plan assets		(2,470	)		(2,396	)		-			-
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		(45	)		(52	)		(49	)		(22	)
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		1,564			991			-			(49	)
	Net benefit cost	$	2,849		$	2,338		$	286		$	268
	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 2015.
	Contributions made and anticipated for fiscal year 2015 are as follows:
	Contributions	Pension			Other Postretirement
	Contributions during the three months ended December 31, 2014:
	Supplemental retirement plan	$	181		$	-
	Other postretirement plan		-			231
	Additional contributions expected in fiscal 2015:
	Supplemental retirement plan		552			-
	Other postretirement plan		-			695

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Note 9.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The change in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the three month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
				Post-retirement benefit plans				Currency translation adjustment				Derivatives			Total
	Attributable to Matthews:
	Balance, September 30, 2013			$	(30,100	)		$	3,714			$	(554	)	$	(26,940	)
	OCI before reclassification				-				2,546				577			3,123
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(a)		528				-	(b)			656			1,184
	Net current-period OCI				528				2,546				1,233			4,307
	Balance, December 31, 2013			$	(29,572	)		$	6,260			$	679		$	(22,633	)
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest:
	Balance, September 30, 2013				-			$	401				-		$	401
	OCI before reclassification				-				143				-			143
	Net current-period OCI				-				143				-			143
	Balance, December 31, 2013				-			$	544				-		$	544
				Post-retirement benefit plans				Currency translation adjustment				Derivatives			Total
	Attributable to Matthews:
	Balance, September 30, 2014			$	(39,651	)		$	-27,367			$	201		$	(66,817	)
	OCI before reclassification				-				-26,282				(1,468	)		(27,750	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(a)		925					(b)			657			1,582
	Net current-period OCI				925				-26,282				(811	)		(26,168	)
	Balance, December 31, 2014			$	(38,726	)		$	-53,649			$	(610	)	$	(92,985	)
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest:
	Balance, September 30, 2014				-			$	516				-		$	516
	OCI before reclassification				-				-10				-			(10	)
	Net current-period OCI				-				-10				-			(10	)
	Balance, December 31, 2014				-			$	506				-		$	506
	(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 month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
			2014				2013				Affected line item in the Statement of income
	Details about AOCI Components
	Postretirement benefit plans
	Prior service (cost) credit		$	94			$	74		(a)
	Actuarial losses			(1,564	)			(942	)	(a)
				(1,470	)			(868	)	(b)	Total before tax
				(545	)			(340	)		Tax provision (benefit)
			$	(925	)		$	(528	)		Net of tax
	Derivatives
	Interest rate swap contracts		$	(1,077	)		$	(1,076	)		Interest expense
				(1,077	)			(1,076	)	(b)	Total before tax
				(420	)			(420	)		Tax provision (benefit)
			$	(657	)		$	(656	)		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	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 three months ended December 31, 2014 was 26.1%, compared to 34.1% for the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  The decrease in the effective tax rate for the fiscal 2015 first quarter primarily reflected the benefit of the utilization of certain tax attributes as a result of legal structure reorganization in foreign jurisdictions.  The difference between the Company's fiscal 2015 first quarter effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily reflected the impact of state taxes, offset by lower foreign income taxes.
	The Company had unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) of $4,453 and $4,311 on December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively, all of which, if recorded, would impact the 2015 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 $28 in interest and penalties in the provision for income taxes for the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Total penalties and interest accrued were $2,163 and $2,135 at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, 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 December 31, 2014, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are:
	United States – Federal	2011 and forward
	United States – State	2010 and forward
	Canada	2009 and forward
	Europe	2009 and forward
	United Kingdom	2013 and forward
	Australia	2010 and forward
	Asia	2008 and forward

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]
Segment Information	Note 11.   Segment Information
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company changed its segment reporting to reflect a realignment of its operations, and changes in the management of its business.  The Company is now managing and reporting its businesses under three segments: SGK Brand Solutions, Memorialization and Industrial. The SGK Brand Solutions segment is comprised of graphics imaging products and services, including Schawk, Inc. ("Schawk"), merchandising display systems, and marketing and design services. The Memorialization segment is comprised of the Company's cemetery products, funeral home products and cremation operations.  The Industrial segment is comprised of the Company's marking and automation products and fulfillment systems. Prior periods have been restated to conform with the current presentation.  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 interest.
	Information about the Company's segments follows:
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Sales to external customers:
	SGK Brand Solutions	$	200,834	$	91,062
	Memorialization		116,223		117,360
	Industrial		26,527		21,523
			343,584	$	229,945
	Operating profit:
	SGK Brand Solutions	$	1,850	$	1,318
	Memorialization		21,486		12,221
	Industrial		2,249		1,140
		$	25,585	$	14,679

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Note 12.   Acquisitions
	On July 29, 2014, the Company acquired Schawk, a leading global brand development, activation and brand deployment company headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois.  Under the terms of the transaction, Schawk shareholders received $11.80 cash and 0.20582 shares of Matthews' common stock for each Schawk share held.  Based on the closing price of Matthews' stock on July 28, 2014, the transaction represented an implied price of $20.74 per share and a total enterprise value (which included net outstanding debt, net of cash acquired) of $616,686.  Schawk provides comprehensive brand development and brand deployment services to clients primarily in the consumer packaged goods, retail and life sciences markets.  Schawk creates and sells its clients' brands, produces brand assets and protects brand equities to help drive brand performance.  Schawk delivers its services through more than 155 locations in over 20 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.  The preliminary purchase price allocation related to the Schawk acquisition is not finalized as of December 31, 2014, and is based upon a preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information, including with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets, certain liabilities and related taxes.
	The following information presents a summary of the consolidated results of Matthews combined with Schawk as if the acquisition had occurred on October 1, 2013:
		Three Months Ended, December 31,
		2014		2013
	Sales	$	343,584	$	344,225
	Income before income taxes		20,088		16,668
	Net income		14,836		10,306
	Earnings per share		$0.45		$0.31
	The unaudited pro forma results for the three months ended December 31, 2013 have been prepared for comparative purposes only and include certain adjustments, such as interest expense on acquisition debt and acquisition related costs.  The pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the acquisition occurred on the date indicated, or which may result in the future.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Note 13.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to periodic review for impairment.  In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized.  For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows.  Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, unless such lives are considered to be indefinite.  The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill and indefinite lived trade names in the second fiscal quarter.  A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.  The Company performed its annual impairment reviews in the second quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013 and determined that no adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill were necessary.  Recent economic conditions in Europe have unfavorably impacted the operating results of the graphics imaging business within the SGK Brand Solutions segment.  For the graphics imaging reporting unit in 2014, 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.  The graphics imaging reporting unit did not include Schawk at the time of the fiscal 2014 impairment review.  Schawk will be included in the graphics imaging reporting unit for the fiscal 2015 impairment review.
	A summary of the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each segment as well as the changes in such amounts are as follows:
		SGK Brand Solutions			Memorialization			Industrial			Consolidated
	Goodwill	$	501,050		$	278,282		$	50,887		$	830,219
	Accumulated impairment losses		(5,752	)		(5,000	)		-			(10,752	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014		495,298			273,282			50,887			819,467
	Additions during period		-			-			-			-
	Translation and other  adjustments		(12,829	)		(1,439	)		(69	)		(14,335	)
	Goodwill		488,223			276,843			50,818			815,884
	Accumulated impairment losses		(5,752	)		(5,000	)		-			(10,752	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	482,471		$	271,843		$	50,818		$	805,132
	The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
		Carrying			Accumulated			Dispositions
		Amount			Amortization						Net
	December 31, 2014:
	Trade names	$	142,356		$	-	*	$	-		$	142,356
	Trade names		2,765			(2,107	)		-			658
	Customer relationships		254,743			(28,926	)		(7,715	)		218,102
	Copyrights/patents/other		14,441			(9,752	)		(2,890	)		1,799
		$	414,305		$	(40,785	)	$	(10,605	)	$	362,915
	September 30, 2014:
	Trade names	$	142,529		$	-	*	$	-		$	142,529
	Trade names		2,854			(2,121	)		-			733
	Customer relationships		258,441			(24,785	)		-			233,656
	Copyrights/patents/other		14,528			(9,584	)		-			4,944
		$	418,352		$	(36,490	)	$	-		$	381,862
	* Not subject to amortization
	The net change in intangible assets during the three months ended December 31, 2014 included the impact of foreign currency fluctuations during the period and additional amortization.  In addition, the Company completed the sale of a majority ownership in its Schawk Digital Solutions business, which was acquired in 2014 as part of the Schawk acquisition.  Net proceeds from this transaction totaled approximately $10,400, and the sale primarily resulted in the disposal of working capital and intangible assets, and the recognition of a cost-basis investment in this business.  No gain or loss was recognized on the sale.
	Amortization expense on intangible assets was $4,650 and $1,174 for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The remaining amortization expense is estimated to be $14,552 in 2015, $18,308 in 2016, $17,295 in 2017, $16,170 in 2018 and $15,298 in 2019.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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-Dec-14								30-Sep-14
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Derivatives (1)	$	-	$	696			$	696	$	-	$	2,457		-	$	2,457
	Trading securities	$	19,038		-		-	$	19,038	$	19,038		-		-	$	19,038
	Total assets at	$	19,038	$	696		-	$	19,734	$	19,038	$	2,457		-	$	21,495
	fair value
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives (1)		-	$	1,696		-	$	1,696	$	-	$	2,127		-	$	2,127
	Total liabilities		-	$	1,696		-	$	1,696	$	-	$	2,127		-	$	2,127
	at fair value
	(1)Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventories consisted of the following:
		31-Dec-14		30-Sep-14
	Raw materials	$	45,486	$	46,152
	Work in process		39,147		38,631
	Finished goods		69,868		68,059
		$	154,501	$	152,842

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Debt [Abstract]

Interest rate swaps

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date

Amount

Fixed Interest Rate

Interest Rate Spread at December 31, 2014

Maturity Date

Oct-11

25,000

1.67%

1.75%

Oct-15

Mar-12

25,000

2.44%

1.75%

Mar-15

Jun-12

40,000

1.88%

1.75%

Jun-22

Aug-12

35,000

1.74%

1.75%

Jun-22

Sep-12

25,000

3.03%

1.75%

Dec-15

Sep-12

25,000

1.24%

1.75%

Mar-17

Nov-12

25,000

1.33%

1.75%

Nov-15

May-14

25,000

1.35%

1.75%

May-18

Nov-14

25,000

1.26%

1.75%

Jun-18

Mar-15

25,000

1.49%

1.75%

Mar-19

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

At December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

Derivatives

31-Dec-14

30-Sep-14

Current assets:

Other current assets

$

99

$

324

Long-term assets:

Other assets

597

2,133

Current liabilities:

Other current liabilities

(1,508

)

(1,808

)

Long-term liabilities:

Other liabilities

(188

)

(319

)

Total derivatives

$

(1,000

)

$

330

Loss recognized on derivatives

The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:

Location of

Derivatives in

Loss

Amount of Loss

Cash Flow

Recognized in

Recognized in Income

Hedging

Income on

on Derivatives

Relationships

Derivative

Three Months Ended December 31,

2014

2013

Interest rate swaps

Interest expense

($1,077)

($1,076)

The Company recognized the following gains or losses in AOCI:

Location of

Gain or

(Loss)

Reclassified

Amount of Loss

Amount of Gain or (Loss)

from

Reclassified from

Derivatives in

Recognized in

AOCI into

AOCI into Income

Cash Flow

AOCI on Derivatives

Income

(Effective Portion*)

Hedging Relationships

31-Dec-14

31-Dec-13

(Effective

31-Dec-14

31-Dec-13

Portion*)

Interest rate swaps

($1,468)

$577

Interest expense

($657)

($656)

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

Share_Based_Payments_Tables

Share Based Payments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-Based Payments [Abstract]
Restricted stock activity	The transactions for restricted stock for the three months ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
							Weighted-
							average
							grant-date
			Shares				fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2014			575,150			$	33.83
	Granted			205,370				40.13
	Vested			(138,584	)			34.76
	Expired or forfeited			(32,739	)			24.23
	Non-vested at December 31, 2014			609,197				36.26
Stock option activity	The transactions for shares under options for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
										Weighted-
							Weighted-			average		Aggregate
							average			remaining		intrinsic
			Shares				exercise price			contractual term		value
	Outstanding, September 30, 2014			512,322				$38.62
	Granted			-				-
	Exercised			(97,844	)			38.09
	Expired or forfeited			(68,557	)			36.52
	Outstanding, December 31, 2014			345,921				39.19			1.4		$3,280
	Exercisable, December 31, 2014			101,933				38.76			1.3		$1,010
Non-vested options activity	The transactions for non-vested options for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
						Weighted-average
						grant-date
	Non-vested shares	Shares				fair value
	Non-vested at September 30, 2014			312,442				$11.21
	Expired or forfeited			(68,454	)			11.7
	Non-vested at December 31, 2014			243,988				11.07
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 granted during the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
			Three Months Ended December 31,
			2014				2013
	Expected volatility			22.2	%			26.6	%
	Dividend yield			1	%			1.1	%
	Average risk-free interest rate			1.7	%			1.4	%
	Average expected term (years)			1.8				2

Earnings_Per_Share_Attributabl1

Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	14,951	$	7,914
	Less: dividends and undistributed earnings		5		41
	allocated to participating securities
	Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$	14,946	$	7,873
	Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic shares		32,919		27,125
	Effect of dilutive securities		174		227
	Diluted shares		33,093		27,352

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 December 31,
		Pension						Other Postretirement
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	1,655		$	1,582		$	114		$	109
	Interest cost		2,145			2,213			221			230
	Expected return on plan assets		(2,470	)		(2,396	)		-			-
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		(45	)		(52	)		(49	)		(22	)
	Net actuarial loss (gain)		1,564			991			-			(49	)
	Net benefit cost	$	2,849		$	2,338		$	286		$	268
Contributions made and anticipated for the current fiscal year	Contributions made and anticipated for fiscal year 2015 are as follows:
	Contributions	Pension			Other Postretirement
	Contributions during the three months ended December 31, 2014:
	Supplemental retirement plan	$	181		$	-
	Other postretirement plan		-			231
	Additional contributions expected in fiscal 2015:
	Supplemental retirement plan		552			-
	Other postretirement plan		-			695

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Change in AOCI by component	The change in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the three month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
				Post-retirement benefit plans				Currency translation adjustment				Derivatives			Total
	Attributable to Matthews:
	Balance, September 30, 2013			$	(30,100	)		$	3,714			$	(554	)	$	(26,940	)
	OCI before reclassification				-				2,546				577			3,123
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(a)		528				-	(b)			656			1,184
	Net current-period OCI				528				2,546				1,233			4,307
	Balance, December 31, 2013			$	(29,572	)		$	6,260			$	679		$	(22,633	)
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest:
	Balance, September 30, 2013				-			$	401				-		$	401
	OCI before reclassification				-				143				-			143
	Net current-period OCI				-				143				-			143
	Balance, December 31, 2013				-			$	544				-		$	544
				Post-retirement benefit plans				Currency translation adjustment				Derivatives			Total
	Attributable to Matthews:
	Balance, September 30, 2014			$	(39,651	)		$	-27,367			$	201		$	(66,817	)
	OCI before reclassification				-				-26,282				(1,468	)		(27,750	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(a)		925					(b)			657			1,582
	Net current-period OCI				925				-26,282				(811	)		(26,168	)
	Balance, December 31, 2014			$	(38,726	)		$	-53,649			$	(610	)	$	(92,985	)
	Attributable to noncontrolling interest:
	Balance, September 30, 2014				-			$	516				-		$	516
	OCI before reclassification				-				-10				-			(10	)
	Net current-period OCI				-				-10				-			(10	)
	Balance, December 31, 2014				-			$	506				-		$	506
	(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 month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
			2014				2013				Affected line item in the Statement of income
	Details about AOCI Components
	Postretirement benefit plans
	Prior service (cost) credit		$	94			$	74		(a)
	Actuarial losses			(1,564	)			(942	)	(a)
				(1,470	)			(868	)	(b)	Total before tax
				(545	)			(340	)		Tax provision (benefit)
			$	(925	)		$	(528	)		Net of tax
	Derivatives
	Interest rate swap contracts		$	(1,077	)		$	(1,076	)		Interest expense
				(1,077	)			(1,076	)	(b)	Total before tax
				(420	)			(420	)		Tax provision (benefit)
			$	(657	)		$	(656	)		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)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 December 31, 2014, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are:
	United States – Federal	2011 and forward
	United States – State	2010 and forward
	Canada	2009 and forward
	Europe	2009 and forward
	United Kingdom	2013 and forward
	Australia	2010 and forward
	Asia	2008 and forward

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]
Information about the segments	Information about the Company's segments follows:
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Sales to external customers:
	SGK Brand Solutions	$	200,834	$	91,062
	Memorialization		116,223		117,360
	Industrial		26,527		21,523
			343,584	$	229,945
	Operating profit:
	SGK Brand Solutions	$	1,850	$	1,318
	Memorialization		21,486		12,221
	Industrial		2,249		1,140
		$	25,585	$	14,679

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Summary of Unaudited Pro-Forma Information	The following information presents a summary of the consolidated results of Matthews combined with Schawk as if the acquisition had occurred on October 1, 2013:
		Three Months Ended, December 31,
		2014		2013
	Sales	$	343,584	$	344,225
	Income before income taxes		20,088		16,668
	Net income		14,836		10,306
	Earnings per share		$0.45		$0.31

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 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:
		SGK Brand Solutions			Memorialization			Industrial			Consolidated
	Goodwill	$	501,050		$	278,282		$	50,887		$	830,219
	Accumulated impairment losses		(5,752	)		(5,000	)		-			(10,752	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014		495,298			273,282			50,887			819,467
	Additions during period		-			-			-			-
	Translation and other  adjustments		(12,829	)		(1,439	)		(69	)		(14,335	)
	Goodwill		488,223			276,843			50,818			815,884
	Accumulated impairment losses		(5,752	)		(5,000	)		-			(10,752	)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	482,471		$	271,843		$	50,818		$	805,132
Other intangible assets	The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
		Carrying			Accumulated			Dispositions
		Amount			Amortization						Net
	December 31, 2014:
	Trade names	$	142,356		$	-	*	$	-		$	142,356
	Trade names		2,765			(2,107	)		-			658
	Customer relationships		254,743			(28,926	)		(7,715	)		218,102
	Copyrights/patents/other		14,441			(9,752	)		(2,890	)		1,799
		$	414,305		$	(40,785	)	$	(10,605	)	$	362,915
	September 30, 2014:
	Trade names	$	142,529		$	-	*	$	-		$	142,529
	Trade names		2,854			(2,121	)		-			733
	Customer relationships		258,441			(24,785	)		-			233,656
	Copyrights/patents/other		14,528			(9,584	)		-			4,944
		$	418,352		$	(36,490	)	$	-		$	381,862
	* Not subject to amortization

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives	$696	[1]	$2,457	[1]
Trading securities	19,038		19,038
Total assets at fair value	19,734		21,495
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	1,696	[1]	2,127	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	1,696		2,127
Level 1 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Trading securities	19,038		19,038
Total assets at fair value	19,038		19,038
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	0		0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives	696	[1]	2,457	[1]
Trading securities	0		0
Total assets at fair value	696		2,457
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	1,696	[1]	2,127	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	1,696		2,127
Level 3 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives			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 and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, net [Abstract]
Raw Materials	$45,486	$46,152
Work in process	39,147	38,631
Finished goods	69,868	68,059
Inventories	$154,501	$152,842

Debt_Details

Debt (Details)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 1 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 2 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 3 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 4 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 5 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 6 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 7 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 8 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 9 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap 10 [Member]

Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [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]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

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]

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 ($)

USD ($)

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 ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

LinesofCredit

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum amount of borrowings available

$900,000

$500,000

$30,248

€ 25,000

$13,708

€ 11,300

Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio

LIBOR plus a factor ranging from .75% to 2.00% based on the Companybs leverage ratio

Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio (in hundredths)

0.75%

2.00%

Interest rate on borrowings (in hundredths)

1.75%

Annual commitment fee range on unused portion

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

Annual commitment fee range on unused portion (in hundredths)

0.15%

0.25%

Maximum available for issuance of trade and standby letters of credit

30,000

Outstanding borrowings

670,000

680,000

25,589

21,100

22,055

17,500

4,935

4,100

6,063

4,800

5,418

4,500

6,922

5,500

1,757

1,500

1,576

1,200

3,264

2,700

3,624

2,900

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

2.51%

2.54%

1.27%

1.27%

1.37%

3.18%

3.16%

4.24%

4.24%

4.04%

5.74%

5.74%

7.53%

Number of lines of credit

3

3

Derivative [Line Items]

Effective Date

Oct-11

Mar-12

Jun-12

Aug-12

Sep-12

Sep-12

Nov-12

May-14

Nov-14

Mar-15

Amount

25,000

25,000

40,000

35,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

Fixed Interest Rate (in hundredths)

1.67%

2.44%

1.88%

1.74%

3.03%

1.24%

1.33%

1.35%

1.26%

1.49%

Interest Rate Spread (in hundredths)

1.75%

1.75%

1.75%

1.75%

1.75%

1.75%

1.75%

1.75%

1.75%

1.75%

Maturity Date

Oct-15

Mar-15

Jun-22

Jun-22

Dec-15

Mar-17

Nov-15

May-18

Jun-18

Mar-19

Interest rate cash flow hedges [Abstract]

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

-1,000

330

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

-610

201

Unrealized loss expected to be recognized over the next 12 months

-859

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

Assets derivatives

99

324

597

2,133

Liability derivatives

-1,508

-1,808

-188

-319

Total derivatives

-1,000

330

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

Amount of loss recognized in income (loss) on derivatives

-1,077

-1,076

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

-1,468

577

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

($657)

[1]

($656)

[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
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Total stock-based compensation cost	$2,525	$1,574
Future income tax benefit from compensation expense recognized	985	614
Cash received from stock options exercised	3,727	1,855
Tax benefit realized from options exercised	315	177
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
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	1,496,798
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)	575,150
Granted (in shares)	205,370
Vested (in shares)	-138,584
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	-32,739
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	609,197
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$33.83
Granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$40.13
Vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$34.76
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$24.23
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share)	$36.26
Unrecognized compensation cost [Abstract]
Unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards	13,585
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards	2 years 1 month 6 days
Fair value assumptions [Abstract]
Expected volatility (in hundredths)	22.20%	26.60%
Dividend yield (in hundredths)	1.00%	1.10%
Average risk free interest rate (in hundredths)	1.70%	1.40%
Average expected term	1 year 9 months 18 days	2 years
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Exercisable rights	Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the 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., 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)	512,322
Granted (in shares)	0
Exercised (in shares)	-97,844
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	-68,557
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	345,921
Exercisable (in shares)	101,933
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$38.62
Granted, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$0
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$38.09
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$36.52
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, end of period (in dollars per share)	$39.19
Exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$38.76
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term	1 year 4 months 24 days
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	3,280
Exercisable, weighted-average remaining contractual term	1 year 3 months 18 days
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	1,010
Intrinsic value of options exercised	841	488
Non-vested options activity [Roll Forward]
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares)	312,442
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	-68,454
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	243,988
Non-vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$11.21
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$11.70
Non-vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share)	$11.07
Director Fee Plan, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Option awards outstanding (in shares)	345,921
Director Fee Plan [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	150,000
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	0
Director Fee Plan, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee directors	75
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee Chairman of the Board	175
Shares deferred under the Director Fee Plan (in shares)	17,005
Value of annual stock based grant	$110
Total stock options granted to date (in shares)	22,300
Option awards outstanding (in shares)	0
Total restricted stock awards granted to date (in shares)	120,503
Restricted stock awards unvested (in shares)	37,457

Earnings_Per_Share_Attributabl2

Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$14,951	$7,914
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	5	41
Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$14,946	$7,873
Weighted-average shares outstanding [Abstract]
Basic shares (in shares)	32,919,000	27,125,000
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	174,000	227,000
Diluted shares (in shares)	33,093,000	27,352,000
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	0

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$1,655	$1,582
Interest cost	2,145	2,213
Expected return on plan assets	-2,470	-2,396
Amortization [Abstract]
Prior service cost	-45	-52
Net actuarial loss (gain)	1,564	991
Net benefit cost	2,849	2,338
Other Postretirement [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	114	109
Interest cost	221	230
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Amortization [Abstract]
Prior service cost	-49	-22
Net actuarial loss (gain)	0	-49
Net benefit cost	286	268
Benefit plan contributions [Abstract]
Other postretirement plan	231
Additional contributions expected in fiscal 2015	695
Supplemental Retirement Plan [Member]
Benefit plan contributions [Abstract]
Supplemental retirement plan	181
Additional contributions expected in fiscal 2015	$552

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	($66,817)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-26,178		4,450
Balance	-92,985
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	-5,333		-2,901
Total before tax	20,088		11,987
Income taxes	-5,252		-4,081
Net income	14,836		7,906
Matthews [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	-66,817		-26,940
OCI before reclassification	-27,750		3,123
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	1,582		1,184
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-26,168		4,307
Balance	-92,985		-22,633
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income	14,951		7,914
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	516		401
OCI before reclassification	-10		143
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-10		143
Balance	506		544
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income	-115		-8
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	94	[1]	74	[1]
Actuarial losses	-1,564	[1]	-942	[1]
Total before tax	-1,470	[2]	-868	[2]
Income taxes	-545		-340
Net income	-925		-528
Post-retirement Benefit Plans [Member] | Matthews [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	-39,651		-30,100
OCI before reclassification	0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	925	[3]	528	[3]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	925		528
Balance	-38,726		-29,572
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	-27,367		3,714
OCI before reclassification	-26,282		2,546
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	[3]	0	[3]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-26,282		2,546
Balance	-53,649		6,260
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	516		401
OCI before reclassification	-10		143
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-10		143
Balance	506		544
Derivatives [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	-1,077		-1,076
Total before tax	-1,077	[2]	-1,076	[2]
Income taxes	-420		-420
Net income	-657		-656
Derivatives [Member] | Matthews [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance	201		-554
OCI before reclassification	-1,468		577
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	657	[4]	656	[4]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-811		1,233
Balance	-610		679
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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	26.10%	34.10%
Federal statutory rate (in hundredths)	35.00%
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	$4,453		$4,311
Interest and penalties on tax uncertainties	28
Total penalties and interest accrued	$2,163		$2,135
United States - Federal [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Years under examination	2011 and forward
United States - State [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Years under examination	2010 and forward
Canada [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Years under examination	2009 and forward
Europe [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Years under examination	2009 and forward
United Kingdom [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Years under examination	2013 and forward
Australia [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Years under examination	2010 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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Segment
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	$343,584	$229,945
Operating profit	25,585	14,679
Reporting Segments [Member] | Memorialization [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	116,223	117,360
Operating profit	21,486	12,221
Reporting Segments [Member] | Brand Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	200,834	91,062
Operating profit	1,850	1,318
Reporting Segments [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	26,527	21,523
Operating profit	$2,249	$1,140

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 29, 2014
Indefinite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Sales	$343,584,000	$344,225,000
Income before income taxes	20,088,000	16,668,000
Net income	14,836,000	10,306,000
Earnings per share	$0.45	$0.31
Schawk, Inc. [Member]
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)			$20.74
Total enterprise value			$616,686,000,000
Number of service deliverable locations			155
Number of service deliverable countries			20

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross	$830,219
Accumulated impairment losses	-10,752
Goodwill	819,467
Additions during period	0
Translation and other adjustments	-14,335
Goodwill, gross	815,884
Accumulated impairment losses	-10,752
Goodwill	805,132
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	414,305			418,352
Accumulated Amortization	-40,785			-36,490
Dispositions	-10,605			0
Net	362,915			381,862
Net proceeds from acquisition	10,400
Amortization expense on intangible assets	4,650		1,174
Future amortization expense [Abstract]
Future amortization expense 2015	14,552
Future amortization expense 2016	18,308
Future amortization expense 2017	17,295
Future amortization expense 2018	16,170
Future amortization expense 2019	15,298
Trade Names Not Subject to Amortization [Member]
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	142,356			142,529
Accumulated Amortization	0	[1]		0	[1]
Dispositions	0			0
Net	142,356			142,529
Trade Names [Member]
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	2,765			2,854
Accumulated Amortization	-2,107			-2,121
Dispositions	0			0
Net	658			733
Customer Relationships [Member]
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	254,743			258,441
Accumulated Amortization	-28,926			-24,785
Dispositions	-7,715			0
Net	218,102			233,656
Copyrights/Patents/Other [Member]
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	14,441			14,528
Accumulated Amortization	-9,752			-9,584
Dispositions	-2,890			0
Net	1,799			4,944
Graphics Imaging [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value (in hundredths)	10.00%
SGK Brand Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross	501,050
Accumulated impairment losses	-5,752
Goodwill	495,298
Additions during period	0
Translation and other adjustments	-12,829
Goodwill, gross	488,223
Accumulated impairment losses	-5,752
Goodwill	482,471
Memorialization [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross	278,282
Accumulated impairment losses	-5,000
Goodwill	273,282
Additions during period	0
Translation and other adjustments	-1,439
Goodwill, gross	276,843
Accumulated impairment losses	-5,000
Goodwill	271,843
Industrial [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross	50,887
Accumulated impairment losses	0
Goodwill	50,887
Additions during period	0
Translation and other adjustments	-69
Goodwill, gross	50,818
Accumulated impairment losses	0
Goodwill	$50,818
[1]	Not subject to amortization