Matthews International (MATW) 10-K 24 Nov 15 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	63,296
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1.6
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,881,794
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 72,196	$ 63,003
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,015 and $10,937, respectively	283,963	282,730
Inventories	171,423	152,842
Deferred income taxes	19,753	18,197
Other current assets	77,319	49,456
Total current assets	624,654	566,228
Investments	25,517	23,130
Property, plant and equipment, net	227,408	209,315
Deferred income taxes	938	4,019
Other assets	13,773	20,027
Goodwill	855,728	819,467
Other intangible assets, net	415,000	381,862
Total assets	2,163,018	2,024,048
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt, current maturities	11,737	15,228
Trade accounts payable	68,896	72,040
Accrued compensation	63,931	60,690
Accrued income taxes	11,448	7,079
Deferred income taxes	340	235
Other current liabilities	92,731	98,011
Total current liabilities	249,083	253,283
Long-term debt	891,217	714,027
Accrued pension	95,753	78,550
Postretirement benefits	19,415	20,351
Deferred income taxes	144,365	129,335
Other liabilities	29,139	53,296
Total liabilities	1,428,972	1,248,842
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:
Class A common stock, $1.00 par value; authorized 70,000,000 shares; 36,333,992 shares issued	36,334	36,334
Preferred stock, $100 par value, authorized 10,000 shares, none issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	115,890	113,225
Retained earnings	843,955	798,353
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(150,326)	(66,817)
Treasury stock, 3,458,925 and 3,454,127 shares, respectively, at cost	(115,033)	(109,950)
Total shareholders' equity-Matthews	730,820	771,145
Noncontrolling interests	3,226	4,061
Total shareholders' equity	734,046	775,206
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,163,018	$ 2,024,048

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 10,015	$ 10,937
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	3,457,925	3,454,127
Class A common stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	70,000,000	70,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	36,333,992	36,333,992

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Sales	$ 1,426,068	$ 1,106,597	$ 985,357
Cost of sales	(896,693)	(714,101)	(628,839)
Gross profit	529,375	392,496	356,518
Selling expense	(143,299)	(119,274)	(107,140)
Administrative expense	(281,053)	(191,700)	(154,763)
Operating profit	105,023	81,522	94,615
Investment income	175	2,063	2,284
Interest expense	(20,610)	(12,628)	(12,925)
Other income (deductions), net	5,064	(4,881)	(3,795)
Income before income taxes	89,652	66,076	80,179
Income taxes	(26,364)	(22,805)	(26,174)
Net income	63,288	43,271	54,005
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	161	(646)	116
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ 63,449	$ 42,625	$ 54,121
Earnings per share attributable to Matthews shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.93	$ 1.51	$ 1.96
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.91	$ 1.49	$ 1.95

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net income (loss)	$ 63,288	$ 43,271	$ 54,005
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(77,387)	(30,966)	3,861
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	(3,823)	(9,551)	29,347
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:
Net change from periodic revaluation	(4,841)	(1,879)	2,474
Net amount reclassified to earnings	2,392	2,634	2,543
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	(2,449)	755	5,017
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(83,659)	(39,762)	38,225
Comprehensive income (loss)	(20,371)	3,509	92,230
Matthews [Member]
Net income (loss)	63,449	42,625	54,121
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(77,237)	(31,081)	3,779
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	(3,823)	(9,551)	29,347
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:
Net change from periodic revaluation	(4,841)	(1,879)	2,474
Net amount reclassified to earnings	2,392	2,634	2,543
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	(2,449)	755	5,017
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(83,509)	(39,877)	38,143
Comprehensive income (loss)	(20,060)	2,748	92,264
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Net income (loss)	(161)	646	(116)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(150)	115	82
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	0	0	0
Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:
Net change from periodic revaluation	0	0	0
Net amount reclassified to earnings	0	0	0
Net change in unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(150)	115	82
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (311)	$ 761	$ (34)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (net of tax) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 36,334	$ 47,893	$ 721,305	$ (65,083)	$ (268,499)	$ 2,613	$ 474,563
Net income	0	0	54,121	0	0	(116)	54,005
Minimum pension liability	0	0	0	29,347	0	0	29,347
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	3,779	0	82	3,861
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	5,017	0	0	5,017
Comprehensive income (loss)							92,230
Stock-based compensation	0	5,562	0	0	0	0	5,562
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	(21,622)	0	(21,622)
Issuance of treasury stock	0	(8,125)	0	0	9,100	0	975
Cancellations of treasury stock		1,985			(1,985)
Dividends	0	0	(11,282)	0	0	0	(11,282)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	(767)	(767)
Arrangement-noncontrolling interest	0	0	4,980	0	0	1,653	6,633
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	36,334	47,315	769,124	(26,940)	(283,006)	3,465	546,292
Net income	0	0	42,625	0	0	646	43,271
Minimum pension liability	0	0	0	(9,551)	0	0	(9,551)
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	(31,081)	0	115	(30,966)
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	755	0	0	755
Comprehensive income (loss)							3,509
Stock-based compensation	0	6,812	0	0	0	0	6,812
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	(9,905)	0	(9,905)
Issuance of treasury stock	0	55,942	0	0	186,117	0	242,059
Cancellations of treasury stock		3,156			(3,156)
Dividends	0	0	(13,396)	0	0	0	(13,396)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	(165)	(165)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	36,334	113,225	798,353	(66,817)	(109,950)	4,061	775,206
Net income	0	0	63,449	0	0	(161)	63,288
Minimum pension liability	0	0	0	(3,823)	0	0	(3,823)
Translation adjustment	0	0	0	(77,237)	0	(150)	(77,387)
Fair value of derivatives	0	0	0	(2,449)	0	0	(2,449)
Comprehensive income (loss)							(20,371)
Stock-based compensation	0	9,097	0	0	0	0	9,097
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	(14,567)	0	(14,567)
Issuance of treasury stock	0	(7,336)	0	0	10,768	0	3,432
Cancellations of treasury stock		1,284			(1,284)
Dividends	0	0	(17,847)	0	0	0	(17,847)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	(95)	(95)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests	0	(380)	0	0	0	(429)	(809)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 36,334	$ 115,890	$ 843,955	$ (150,326)	$ (115,033)	$ 3,226	$ 734,046

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHA7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Purchase of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	304,859	228,789	619,981
Issuance of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	334,850	5,936,169	295,079
Cancellation of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	34,789	77,597	47,084
Dividends, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.54	$ 0.46	$ 0.41

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 63,288	$ 43,271	$ 54,005
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	62,620	42,864	37,865
Stock-based compensation expense	9,097	6,812	5,562
Change in deferred taxes	9,188	5,222	3,322
Gain on sale of assets	(276)	(228)	(347)
Unrealized loss (gain) on investments	377	(1,064)	(1,666)
Trade name write-offs	4,842	0	0
Changes in working capital items	(2,751)	(6,165)	(3,003)
Decrease in other assets	4,064	944	1,628
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	(8,041)	(3,568)	2,789
Increase in pension and postretirement benefit obligations	8,652	3,755	11,839
Other, net	(9,996)	(1,164)	(3,925)
Net cash provided by operating activities	141,064	90,679	108,069
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(48,251)	(29,237)	(24,924)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(213,470)	(382,104)	(73,959)
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,062	262	252
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	10,418	0	0
Restricted cash	(12,925)	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(263,166)	(411,079)	(98,631)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	279,377	415,709	116,482
Payments on long-term debt	(100,218)	(58,431)	(83,293)
Payment on contingent consideration	(484)	(3,703)	(11,315)
Purchases of treasury stock	(14,567)	(9,905)	(21,622)
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock	4,015	7,951	974
Dividends	(17,847)	(13,396)	(11,282)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	(904)	(165)	(767)
Settlement of multi-employer pension plan obligation	(18,157)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	131,215	338,060	(10,823)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	80	(2,735)	828
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	9,193	14,925	(557)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	63,003	48,078	48,635
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	72,196	63,003	48,078
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	19,663	12,570	13,059
Income taxes	11,663	16,177	29,428
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Acquisition of equipment under capital lease	$ 0	$ 949	$ 1,276

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

NATURE OF OPERATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Nature of Operations [Abstract]
NATURE OF OPERATIONS	1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS: Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews" or the "Company"), founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a provider principally of brand solutions, memorialization products and industrial products. Brand solutions include brand development, deployment and delivery (consisting of brand 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 production and marketing facilities in the United States, Central and South America, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains an ownership interest and has operating control. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Foreign Currency: The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is the local currency. Balance sheet accounts for foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. Gains or losses that result from this process are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The revenue and expense accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates that prevailed during the period. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are presented in the Statement of income in a consistent manner with the underlying transaction. Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: Trade receivables are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are more than 30 days past due. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an evaluation of specific customer accounts for which available facts and circumstances indicate collectability may be uncertain. In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for all customers based on historical collection experience. Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost generally determined under the average cost method. Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally range from 10 to 45 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment. Gains or losses from the disposition of assets are reflected in operating profit. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged against income as incurred. Renewals and betterments of a nature considered to extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized. Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is determined by evaluating the estimated undiscounted net cash flows of the operations to which the assets relate. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value which is based on a discounted cash flow analysis. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 20 years, and are reviewed when appropriate for possible impairment, similar to property, plant and equipment. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are tested at least annually for impairment, or when circumstances indicate that a possible impairment may exist. In general, when the carrying value of these assets exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets. For purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, the Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows. For purposes of testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company uses a relief from royalty method. Environmental: Costs that mitigate or prevent future environmental issues or extend the life or improve equipment utilized in current operations are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Costs that relate to current operations or an existing condition caused by past operations are expensed. Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company's obligation is probable and reasonably estimable. Accruals for losses from environmental remediation obligations do not consider the effects of inflation, and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value. Treasury Stock: Treasury stock is carried at cost. The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method. Income Taxes: Deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided for the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Deferred income taxes for U.S. tax purposes have not been provided on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. To the extent earnings are expected to be returned in the foreseeable future, the associated deferred tax liabilities are provided. The Company has not determined the deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings, as such determination is not practicable. Revenue Recognition: Revenues are generally recognized when title, ownership, and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment and is based on the applicable shipping terms. The shipping terms vary across all businesses and depend on the product and customer. For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer's specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery. A liability has been recorded for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery. Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise. Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer. Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage. At September 30, 2015, the Company held 312,273 memorials and 218,627 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program. Revenues from mausoleum construction and significant engineering projects, including certain cremation units and marking and industrial automation projects, are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost basis for measuring progress toward completion. As work is performed under contracts, estimates of the costs to complete are regularly reviewed and updated. As changes in estimates of total costs at completion on projects are identified, appropriate earnings adjustments are recorded using the cumulative catch-up method. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are recorded during the period in which such losses become evident. Revenues from brand development and deployment services are recognized using the completed performance method, which is typically when the customer receives the final deliverable. For arrangements with customer acceptance provisions, revenue is recognized when the customer approves the final deliverable. Share-Based Payment: Stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period. A binomial lattice model is utilized to determine the fair value of awards that have vesting conditions based on market targets. Derivatives and Hedging: Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program. All derivatives are straight forward and held for purposes other than trading. Matthews measures effectiveness by formally assessing, at least quarterly, the historical and probable future high correlation of changes in the fair value or future cash flows of the hedged item. If the hedging relationship ceases to be highly effective or it becomes probable that an expected transaction will no longer occur, gains and losses on the derivative will be recorded in other income (deductions) at that time. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and are reclassified to earnings in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item. The cash flows from derivative activities are recognized in the statement of cash flows in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item. Research and Development Expenses: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $13,033, $7,814 and $11,449 for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes the issuance of common stock for all dilutive securities.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. 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. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were categorized as follows: September 30, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Derivatives (1) $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- Trading securities 18,444 -- -- 18,444 Total assets at fair value $ 18,444 $ -- $ -- $ 18,444 Liabilities: Derivatives (1) $ -- $ 3,686 $ -- $ 3,686 Total liabilities at fair value $ -- $ 3,686 $ -- $ 3,686 (1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. September 30, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Derivatives (1) $ - $ 2,457 $ - $ 2,457 Trading securities 19,038 - - 19,038 Total assets at fair value $ 19,038 $ 2,457 $ - $ 21,495 Liabilities: Derivatives (1) $ - $ 2,127 $ - $ 2,127 Total liabilities at fair value $ - $ 2,127 $ - $ 2,127 (1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	4. INVENTORIES: Inventories at September 30, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: 2015 2014 Raw materials $ 48,636 $ 46,152 Work in process 32,567 38,631 Finished goods 90,220 68,059 $ 171,423 $ 152,842

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
INVESTMENTS [Abstract]
INVESTMENTS	5. INVESTMENTS: Investment securities are recorded at fair value and are classified as trading securities. Investments classified as trading securities consisted of equity and fixed income mutual funds. The market value of these investments exceeded cost by $175 and $343 at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in investment income. Realized gains (losses) for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 were not material. Equity investments primarily included ownership interests in various entities of less than 20%, which are recorded under the cost method of accounting. At September 30, 2015 and 2014, non-current investments were as follows: 2015 2014 Trading securities $ 18,444 $ 19,038 Equity investments 7,073 4,092 $ 25,517 $ 23,130

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation at September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: 2015 2014 Buildings $ 101,291 $ 91,540 Machinery and equipment 350,890 340,942 452,181 432,482 Less accumulated depreciation (274,187 ) (250,073 ) 177,994 182,409 Land 19,847 16,453 Construction in progress 29,567 10,453 $ 227,408 $ 209,315 Depreciation expense was $43,820, $35,546 and $31,303 for each of the three years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
LONG-TERM DEBT [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	7. LONG-TERM DEBT: Long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: 2015 2014 Revolving credit facilities $ 884,254 $ 702,055 Notes payable to banks 8,506 13,315 Short-term borrowings 5,199 6,410 Capital lease obligations 4,995 7,475 902,954 729,255 Less current maturities (11,737 ) (15,228 ) $ 891,217 $ 714,027 The Company has a domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions. In connection with the acquisition of Schawk, Inc. ("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 September 30, 2015) based on the Company's leverage ratio. The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .15% to .25% (based on the Company's leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility. The Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios. A portion of the facility (not to exceed $30,000) is available for the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit. Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $857,425 and $680,000, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 2.41% and 2.53%, respectively. The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps: Effective Date Amount Fixed Interest Rate Interest Rate Spread at September 30, 2015 Maturity Date October 2011 $25,000 1.67% 1.75% October 2015 June 2012 40,000 1.88% 1.75% June 2022 August 2012 35,000 1.74% 1.75% June 2022 September 2012 25,000 3.03% 1.75% December 2015 September 2012 25,000 1.24% 1.75% March 2017 November 2012 25,000 1.33% 1.75% November 2015 May 2014 25,000 1.35% 1.75% May 2018 November 2014 25,000 1.26% 1.75% June 2018 March 2015 25,000 1.49% 1.75% March 2019 September 2015 25,000 1.39% 1.75% September 2020 December 2015 25,000 1.59% 1.75% December 2020 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 $3,686 ($2,248 after tax) and an unrealized gain, net of unrealized losses, of $330 ($201 after tax) at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, that is included in shareholders' equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"). Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at September 30, 2015, a loss (net of tax) of approximately $711 included in AOCI is expected to be recognized in earnings over the next twelve months. At September 30, 2015 and 2014, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected on a gross-basis in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: Derivatives 2015 2014 Current assets Other current assets $ -- $ 324 Long-term assets Other assets -- 2,133 Current liabilities: Other current liabilities (1,165 ) (1,808 ) Long-term liabilities: Other liabilities (2,521 ) (319 ) Total derivatives $ (3,686 ) $ 330 The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows: Location of Amount of Derivatives in Loss Loss Cash Flow Hedging Recognized in Recognized in Income Relationships Income on Derivatives on Derivatives 2015 2014 Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(3,922) $(4,318) The Company recognized the following losses in AOCI: Location of Gain Amount of Loss or (Loss) Reclassified from Derivatives in Amount of Reclassified from AOCI Cash Flow Loss Recognized in AOCI into Income Hedging AOCI on Derivatives into Income (Effective Portion*) Relationships 2015 2014 (Effective Portion*) 2015 2014 Interest rate swaps $(4,841) $(1,879) Interest expense $(2,392) $(2,634) * 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 35.0 million Euros ($39,255). Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 23.9 million Euros ($26,829) and 17.5 million Euros ($22,055) at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under this facility at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 1.50% and 1.35%, 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 734,452 Euros ($824) and 1.2 million Euros ($1,576) at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 4.04% and 3.96%, respectively. The Company, through its German subsidiary, Wetzel GmbH ("Wetzel"), has several loans with various European banks. Outstanding borrowings under these loans totaled 1.9 million Euros ($2,110) and 2.9 million Euros ($3,624) at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Wetzel at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 5.96% and 5.67%, 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 4.3 million Euros ($4,772) and 5.5 million Euros ($6,922) at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Matthews International S.p.A. also has three lines of credit totaling 11.3 million Euros ($12,707) with the same Italian banks. Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 4.6 million Euros ($5,166) and 4.8 million Euros ($6,063) at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 3.33% and 3.15%, respectively. In September 2014, a claim seeking to draw upon a letter of credit issued by the Company of $12,925 was filed with respect to a project for a customer. In January 2015, the Company made payment on the draw to the financial institution for the letter of credit. Pursuant to an action initiated by the Company, a court order has been issued requiring these funds to ultimately be remitted to the court pending resolution of the dispute between the parties. While it is possible the resolution of this matter could be unfavorable to the Company, management has assessed the customer's claim to be without merit and, based on information available as of this filing, expects that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on Matthews' financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has presented the funded letter of credit within other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of the Company's long-term debt, including current maturities, which is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, approximated the carrying value included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including short-term borrowings and capital leases, follows: 2016 $ 11,737 2017 29,979 2018 857,974 2019 212 2020 222 Thereafter 2,830 $ 902,954

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	8. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 70,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $1 par value. The Company has a stock repurchase program. The buy-back program is designed to increase shareholder value, enlarge the Company's holdings of its common stock, and add to earnings per share. Repurchased shares may be retained in treasury, utilized for acquisitions, or reissued to employees or other purchasers, subject to the restrictions set forth in the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation. Under the current authorization, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of a total of 2,500,000 shares of Matthews' common stock under the program, of which 661,022 . Comprehensive income consists of net income adjusted for changes, net of any related income tax effect, in cumulative foreign currency translation, the fair value of derivatives, unrealized investment gains and losses and minimum pension liability. The deferred income tax expense (benefit) related to minimum pension liabilities and fair value of derivatives was $(1,035), $(5,853) and $22,005 for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: 2015 2014 Cumulative foreign currency translation $ (104,604 ) $ (27,367 ) Fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $1,437 and $129, respectively (2,248 ) 201 Minimum pension liabilities, net of tax of $27,530 and $25,058, respectively (43,474 ) (39,651 ) $ (150,326 ) $ (66,817 )

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS [Abstract]
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS	9. 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 September 30, 2015, there were 1,476,798 The option price for each stock option granted under any of the plans may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company's Class A Common Stock. In addition, options generally vest in one-third increments after three, four and five years, respectively, from the grant date (but, in any event, not until the attainment of the market value thresholds). The options expire on the earlier of ten years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death. The Company generally settles employee stock option exercises with treasury shares. With respect to outstanding restricted share grants, for grants made prior to fiscal 2013, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant, with the remaining one-half of the shares vesting in one-third increments upon attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company's Class A Common Stock. For grants made in fiscal 2013 and thereafter, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant, one-quarter of the shares vest in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of adjusted earnings per share, and the remaining one-quarter of the shares vest in one-third increments upon attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company's Class A Common Stock. Additionally, restricted shares cannot vest until the first anniversary of the grant date. Unvested restricted shares generally expire on the earlier of five years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death. The Company issues restricted shares from treasury shares. For the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, stock-based compensation cost totaled $9,097, $6,812 and $5,562, respectively. The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $3,548, $2,657 and $2,169 for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $4,015, $7,951 and $974, for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In connection with these exercises, the tax benefits realized by the Company were $350, $698 and $99 for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The transactions for restricted stock for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Weighted- average Grant-date Shares Fair Value Non-vested at September 30, 2014 575,150 $33.83 Granted 215,370 40.07 Vested (183,089 ) 36.51 Expired or forfeited (36,864 ) 28.70 Non-vested at September 30, 2015 570,567 35.66 As of September 30, 2015, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $7,681 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. The transactions for shares under options for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Weighted- Weighted- average Aggregate average Remaining Intrinsic Shares Exercise Price Contractual Term Value Outstanding, September 30, 2014 512,322 $38.62 Exercised (105,211 ) 38.17 Expired or forfeited (69,173 ) 36.53 Outstanding, September 30, 2015 337,938 39.19 0.7 $3,304 Exercisable, September 30, 2015 171,532 39.55 0.8 $1,616 No options vested during the year ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The intrinsic value of options (which is the amount by which the stock price exceeded the exercise price of the options on the date of exercise) exercised during the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $931, $1,653 and $294, respectively. The transactions for non-vested option shares for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Weighted- average Grant-date Shares Fair Value Non-vested at September 30, 2014 312,442 $11.21 Vested 77,199 12.23 Expired or forfeited (68,837 ) 11.70 Non-vested at September 30, 2015 320,804 11.35 The fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial lattice valuation model. The following table indicates the assumptions used in estimating fair value of restricted stock for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013. 2015 2014 2013 Expected volatility 22.2 % 26.6 % 29.5 % Dividend yield 1.0 % 1.1 % 1.2 % Average risk-free interest rate 1.7 % 1.4 % 0.6 % Average expected term (years) 1.8 2.0 2.0 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, 2015, 2014 and 2013 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 (the "1994 Director Fee Plan"), and the 2014 Director Fee Plan (the "2014 Director Fee Plan") (collectively, the "Director Fee Plans"). 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, either cash or shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock with a value equal to $75. The annual retainer fee 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 September 30, 2015. 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. A total of 22,300 stock options have been granted under the Director Fee Plans. At September 30, 2015, there were no options outstanding. Additionally, 136,568 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the Director Fee Plans, 33,418 of which were unvested at September 30, 2015. A total of 150,000 shares have been authorized to be issued under the 2014 Director Fee Plan.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	10. EARNINGS PER SHARE: The information used to compute earnings per share attributable to Matthews' common shareholders was as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders $ 63,449 $ 42,625 $ 54,121 Less: dividends and undistributed earnings 10 121 583 Net income available to Matthews shareholders $ 63,439 $ 42,504 $ 53,538 Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands): Basic shares 32,939 28,209 27,255 Effect of dilutive securities 257 274 168 Diluted shares 33,196 28,483 27,423 Options to purchase 271,075 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended September 30, 2013, because the inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive.

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMEN

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS [Abstract]
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS	11. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS: The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans to certain employees. Effective January 1, 2014, the Company's principal retirement plan was closed to new participants. The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the plans as of the Company's actuarial valuation as of September 30, 2015 and 2014: Pension Other Postretirement 2015 2014 2015 2014 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 211,036 $ 186,077 $ 21,358 $ 18,881 Acquisitions 27,162 - - - Service cost 6,764 6,150 454 436 Interest cost 8,740 8,927 885 919 Actuarial (gain) loss 4,087 18,412 (814 ) 1,929 Exchange gain (1,206 ) (703 ) - - Benefit payments (17,856 ) (7,827 ) (1,459 ) (807 ) Benefit obligation, end of year 238,727 211,036 20,424 21,358 Change in plan assets: Fair value, beginning of year 131,753 123,713 - - Acquisitions 25,897 - - - Actual return 625 10,792 - - Benefit payments (1) (17,856 ) (7,827 ) (1,459 ) (807 ) Employer contributions 1,806 5,075 1,459 807 Fair value, end of year 142,225 131,753 - - Funded status (96,502 ) (79,283 ) (20,424 ) (21,358 ) Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) 77,368 69,153 (1,801 ) (987 ) Unrecognized prior service cost (1,231 ) (1,411 ) (1,111 ) (1,306 ) Net amount recognized $ (20,365 ) $ (11,541 ) $ (23,336 ) $ (23,651 ) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet: Current liability $ (749 ) $ (733 ) $ (1,009 ) $ (1,007 ) Noncurrent benefit liability (95,753 ) (78,550 ) (19,415 ) (20,351 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) 76,137 67,742 (2,912 ) (2,293 ) Net amount recognized $ (20,365 ) $ (11,541 ) $ (23,336 ) $ (23,651 ) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income): Net actuarial loss (income) $ 77,368 $ 69,153 $ (1,801 ) $ (987 ) Prior service cost (1,231 ) (1,411 ) (1,111 ) (1,306 ) Net amount recognized $ 76,137 $ 67,742 $ (2,912 ) $ (2,293 ) (1) Pension benefit payments in fiscal 2015 includes $10,000 of lump sum distributions that were made to certain terminated vested employees as a settlement of the employees' pension obligations. These distributions did not meet the threshold to qualify as a settlement under U.S. GAAP and therefore, no unamortized actuarial loss was recognized in the Statement of Income upon completion of the lump sum distributions. Based upon actuarial valuations performed as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the accumulated benefit obligation for the Company's defined benefit pension plans was $208,407 and $180,265 at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and the projected benefit obligation for the Company's defined benefit pension plans was $238,727 and $211,036 at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following: Pension Other Postretirement 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Service cost $ 6,764 $ 6,150 $ 7,160 $ 454 $ 436 $ 796 Interest cost 8,740 8,927 8,024 885 919 1,129 Expected return on plan assets (10,151 ) (9,666 ) (9,071 ) - - - Amortization: Prior service cost (180 ) (206 ) (206 ) (195 ) (195 ) (272 ) Net actuarial loss (gain) 6,203 3,927 7,903 - (87 ) 439 Net benefit cost $ 11,376 $ 9,132 $ 13,810 $ 1,144 $ 1,073 $ 2,092 Benefit payments under the Company's principal retirement plan are made from plan assets, while benefit payments under the supplemental retirement plan and postretirement benefit plan are made from the Company's operating cash. Under I.R.S. regulations, the Company was not required to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal 2015. The Company is not required to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal 2016. Contributions made in fiscal 2015 are as follows: Contributions Pension Other Postretirement Principal retirement plan $ - $ - Supplemental retirement plan 725 - Other retirement plans 1,081 - Other postretirement plan - 1,459 Amounts of AOCI expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2016 include: Other Pension Postretirement Benefits Benefits Net actuarial loss $ 7,473 $ - Prior service cost (183 ) (195 ) The measurement date of annual actuarial valuations for the Company's principal retirement and other postretirement benefit plans was September 30 for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013. The weighted-average assumptions for those plans were: Pension Other Postretirement 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 4.25 % 4.25 % 5.00 % 4.25 % 4.25 % 5.00 % Return on plan assets 7.25 7.75 8.00 - - - Compensation increase 3.50 3.50 3.50 - - - In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries' Retirement Plans Experience Committee released new mortality tables known as RP 2014. The Company considered these new tables and performed a review of its own mortality history to assess future improvements in mortality rates. In fiscal 2015, the Company elected to value its principal retirement and other postretirement benefit plan liabilities using a slightly modified assumption of future mortality which better approximates the plan participant population and reflects significant improvement in life expectancy over the previous mortality table, known as RP 2000. The underlying basis of the investment strategy of the Company's defined benefit plans is to ensure the assets are invested to achieve a positive rate of return over the long term sufficient to meet the plans' actuarial interest rate and provide for the payment of benefit obligations and expenses in perpetuity in a secure and prudent fashion, maintain a prudent risk level that balances growth with the need to preserve capital, diversify plan assets so as to minimize the risk of large losses or excessive fluctuations in market value from year to year, achieve investment results over the long term that compare favorably with other pension plans and appropriate indices. The Company's investment policy, as established by the Company's pension board, specifies the types of investments appropriate for the plans, asset allocation guidelines, criteria for the selection of investment managers, procedures to monitor overall investment performance as well as investment manager performance. It also provides guidelines enabling plan fiduciaries to fulfill their responsibilities. The Company's defined benefit pension plans' weighted-average asset allocation at September 30, 2015 and 2014 and weighted-average target allocation were as follows: Plan Assets at Target Asset Category 2015 2014 Allocation Equity securities $ 60,460 $ 66,984 50 % Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents 59,612 44,341 30 % Other investments 22,153 20,428 20 % $ 142,225 $ 131,753 100 % The target asset allocation relates to the Company's primary defined benefit pension plan. Plan assets in the table include the assets of the Aurora Casket Company, LLC pension plan, which has a target asset allocation of 15% equity securities and 85% fixed income, cash and cash equivalents. Based on an analysis of the historical and expected future performance of the plan's assets and information provided by its independent investment advisor, the Company set the long-term rate of return assumption for these assets at 7.25% in 2015 for purposes of determining pension cost and funded status under current guidance. The Company's discount rate assumption used in determining the present value of the projected benefit obligation is based upon published indices. The Company categorizes plan assets within a three level fair value hierarchy (see Note 3 for a further discussion of the fair value hierarchy). The valuation methodologies used to measure the fair value of pension assets, including the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each type of pension plan asset is classified as follows. Equity securities consist of direct investments in the stocks of publicly traded companies. Such investments are valued based on the closing price reported in an active market on which the individual securities are traded. As such, the direct investments are classified as Level 1. Mutual funds are valued at the closing price of shares held by the Plan at year end. As such, these mutual fund investments are classified as Level 1. Fixed income securities consist of publicly traded fixed interest obligations (primarily U.S. government notes and corporate and agency bonds). Such investments are valued through consultation and evaluation with brokers in the institutional market using quoted prices and other observable market data. As such, U.S. government notes are included in Level 1, and the remainder of the fixed income securities is included in Level 2. Cash and cash equivalents consist of direct cash holdings and short-term money market mutual funds. These values are valued based on cost, which approximates fair value, and as such, are classified as Level 1. Other investments consist primarily of real estate, commodities, private equity holdings and hedge fund investments. These holdings are valued by investment managers based on the most recent information available. The valuation information used by investment managers may not be readily observable. As such, these investments are classified as Level 3. The Company's defined benefit pension plans' asset categories at September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: September 30, 2015 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities - stocks $ 31,559 $ - $ - $ 31,559 Equity securities - mutual funds 27,846 1,055 - 28,901 Fixed income securities 39,644 15,474 - 55,118 Cash and cash equivalents 4,494 - - 4,494 Other investments 8,171 - 13,982 22,153 Total $ 111,714 $ 16,529 $ 13,982 $ 142,225 September 30, 2014 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities - stocks $ 35,310 $ - $ - $ 35,310 Equity securities - mutual funds 30,694 980 - 31,674 Fixed income securities 20,042 9,503 - 29,545 Cash and cash equivalents 14,796 - - 14,796 Other investments 6,098 - 14,330 20,428 Total $ 106,940 $ 10,483 $ 14,330 $ 131,753 Changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets at September 30, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows: Fair Value, Fair Value, Beginning of Realized Unrealized End of Asset Category Period Acquisitions Dispositions Gains Gains (Losses) Period Other : Fiscal Year Ended: September 30, 2015 $ 14,330 $ - $ (1,661 ) $ 608 $ 705 $ 13,982 September 30, 2014 18,942 - (5,439 ) 1,118 (291 ) 14,330 Benefit payments expected to be paid are as follows: Other Pension Postretirement Years ending September 30: Benefits Benefits 2016 $ 9,074 $ 1,009 2017 9,519 1,051 2018 10,075 1,146 2019 10,673 1,194 2020 11,249 1,169 2021-2025 65,563 6,507 $ 116,153 $ 12,076 For measurement purposes, a rate of increase of 7.0% in the per capita cost of health care benefits was assumed for 2016; the rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 4.0% for 2070 and remain at that level thereafter. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported. An increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point would have increased the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 2015 by $923 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by $68. A decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point would have decreased the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 2015 by $809 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by $59. Prior to its acquisition by Matthews, Schawk participated in a multi-employer pension fund pursuant to certain collective bargaining agreements. In 2012, Schawk bargained to withdraw from the fund, and recorded a withdrawal liability at the conclusion of the negotiations, based on the present value of installment payments expected to be paid through 2034. During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company finalized an agreement to settle this installment payment obligation in exchange for a lump-sum payment of $18,157. Full payment of this amount was made during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, and is presented within cash flows from financing activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. This settlement also resulted in an $11,522 gain recognized in other income (deductions), net during fiscal 2015.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Postretirement Benefit Plans Currency Translation Adjustment Derivatives Total Attributable to Matthews: Balance, September 30, 2014 $ (39,651 ) $ (27,367 ) $ 201 $ (66,817 ) OCI before reclassification (7,378 ) (77,237 ) (4,841 ) (89,456 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (a) 3,555 - (b) 2,392 5,947 Net current-period OCI (3,823 ) (77,237 ) (2,449 ) (83,509 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (43,474 ) $ (104,604 ) $ (2,248 ) $ (150,326 ) Attributable to noncontrolling interest: Balance, September 30, 2014 $ - $ 516 $ - $ 516 OCI before reclassification - (150 ) - (150 ) Net current-period OCI - (150 ) - (150 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ - $ 366 $ - $ 366 (a) Amounts were included in net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans (see Note 11). (b) Amounts were included in interest expense in the periods the hedged item affected earnings (see Note 7). Reclassifications out of AOCI for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Details about AOCI Components Year ended September 30, 2015 Affected line item in the Statement of Income Postretirement benefit plans Prior service (cost) credit (a) $ 375 Actuarial losses (a) (6,203 ) (b) (5,828 ) Total before tax (2,273 ) Tax provision (benefit) $ (3,555 ) Net of tax Derivatives Interest rate swap contracts $ (3,922 ) Interest expense (b) (3,922 ) Total before tax (1,530 ) Tax provision (benefit) $ (2,392 ) 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 11. (b) For pre-tax items, positive amounts represent income and negative amounts represent expense.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	13. INCOME TAXES: The provision for income taxes consisted of the following: 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ 655 $ 7,371 $ 15,703 State 1,466 3,612 3,423 Foreign 10,599 10,427 4,804 12,720 21,410 23,930 Deferred 13,644 1,395 2,244 Total $ 26,364 $ 22,805 $ 26,174 Federal income taxes have decreased as a result of lower U.S. earnings, reflecting increased acquisition-related costs, and the usage of certain tax attributes resulting from the Schawk acquisition. The increase in foreign income taxes is primarily due to higher earnings from non-U.S. locations, reflecting the fiscal 2014 acquisition of Schawk. The increase in deferred income taxes resulted primarily from the settlement of a multi-employer pension plan installment payment obligation, and a deduction related to a theft of funds by an employee. The reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate was as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Federal statutory tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction 1.8 3.8 2.7 Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate (3.2 ) (2.1 ) (3.1 ) Other (4.2 ) (2.2 ) (2.0 ) Effective tax rate 29.4 % 34.5 % 32.6 % The Company's effective tax rate for fiscal 2015 was 29.4%, compared to 34.5% for fiscal 2014. The decrease in the fiscal 2015 effective tax rate, compared to fiscal 2014, primarily reflected the benefit of the utilization of certain tax attributes as a result of legal structure reorganization in foreign jurisdictions and a relative increase in the amount of earnings generated from non-U.S. locations. The effective tax rate in fiscal 2014 included the impact of non-deductible acquisition costs relating to the Schawk acquisition. The difference between the Company's 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's foreign subsidiaries had income before income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 of approximately $40,024, $23,835 and $23,662, respectively. At September 30, 2015, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which deferred U.S. income taxes have not been provided approximated $409,167. The Company has not determined the deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings, as such determination is not practicable. The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Pension and postretirement benefits $ 42,134 $ 34,309 Accruals and reserves not currently deductible 27,586 28,090 Income tax credit carryforward 9,160 9,839 Operating and capital loss carryforwards 25,012 25,419 Stock options 8,550 8,366 Other 7,396 21,089 Total deferred tax assets 119,838 127,112 Valuation allowances (20,977 ) (24,540 ) Net deferred tax assets 98,861 102,572 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation (8,509 ) (7,651 ) Goodwill and intangible assets (193,876 ) (183,685 ) Other (20,490 ) (18,590 ) (222,875 ) (209,926 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (124,014 ) $ (107,354 ) At September 30, 2015, the Company had U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards of $91,750, foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $66,542, foreign capital loss carryforwards of $24,130, and various U.S. and non-U.S. income tax credit carryforwards of $4,922 and $4,238, respectively, which will be available to offset future income tax liabilities. If not used, state net operating losses will begin to expire in 2017. Foreign net operating losses have no expiration period. Certain of these carryforwards are subject to limitations on use due to tax rules affecting acquired tax attributes, loss sharing between group members, and business continuation. Therefore, the Company has established tax-effected valuation allowances against these tax benefits in the amount of $20,977 at September 30, 2015. At September 30, 2015, the Company had total foreign tax credit carryforwards of $2,782, offset by a valuation allowance of $153. The Company has the ability to claim a deduction for these credits prior to expiration, and the net carrying value of the credits of $2,629 assumes that a deduction will be claimed instead of a tax credit. If unutilized, these U.S. foreign tax credits will begin to expire in 2018. The increase in deferred tax liabilities resulted primarily from purchase accounting adjustments and the acquisition of Aurora Products Group, LLC ("Aurora") in August 2015. The decrease in the valuation allowances from fiscal 2014 resulted from a fiscal 2015 legal structure reorganization in foreign jurisdictions that enabled the utilization of certain tax attributes. Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) are as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Balance, beginning of year $ 4,311 $ 4,516 $ 4,501 Increase from acquisition - 385 - Increases for tax positions of prior years 475 369 - Decreases for tax positions of prior years (155 ) (863 ) (124 ) Increases based on tax positions related to the current year 635 623 708 Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities (27 ) (12 ) (250 ) Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation (1,153 ) (707 ) (319 ) Balance, end of year $ 4,086 $ 4,311 $ 4,516 The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $4,086 and $4,311 at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, all of which, if recorded, would impact the annual effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could change by approximately $782 in the next 12 months primarily due to expiration of statutes related to specific tax positions. The Company classifies interest and penalties on tax uncertainties as a component of the provision for income taxes. Total penalties and interest accrued were $2,010 and $2,135 at September 30, 2015 and 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 limitation expires for those tax jurisdictions. As of September 30, 2015, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are: United States - Federal 2012 and forward United States - State 2011 and forward Canada 2010 and forward Europe 2009 and forward United Kingdom 2013 and forward Australia 2011 and forward Asia 2009 and forward

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIAB

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES: The Company operates various production, warehouse and office facilities and equipment under operating lease agreements. Annual rentals under these and other operating leases were $31,766, $21,849 and $17,664 in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements for fiscal years 2016 through 2020 are $17,149, $11,404, $6,544, $4,747 and $2,460, respectively. The Company is party to various legal proceedings, the eventual outcome of which are not predictable. Although the ultimate disposition of these proceedings is not presently determinable, management is of the opinion that they should not result in liabilities in an amount which would materially affect the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has employment agreements with certain employees, the terms of which expire at various dates between fiscal 2016 and 2019. The agreements generally provide for base salary and bonus levels and include non-compete provisions. The aggregate commitment for salaries under these agreements at September 30, 2015 was $8,401.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS [Abstract]
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS	15. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS: The Company's operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations impose limitations on the discharge of materials into the environment and require the Company to obtain and operate in compliance with conditions of permits and other government authorizations. As such, the Company has developed environmental, health and safety policies and procedures that include the proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials. The Company is party to various environmental matters. These include obligations to investigate and mitigate the effects on the environment of the disposal of certain materials at various operating and non-operating sites. The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate. At September 30, 2015, an accrual of $4,349 had been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $1,239 was classified in other current liabilities), representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of the Company's known remediation obligations. The accrual does not consider the effects of inflation and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value. While final resolution of these contingencies could result in costs different than current accruals, management believes the ultimate outcome will not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMAT

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	16. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Changes in working capital items as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following: 2015 2014 2013 Current assets: Accounts receivable $ 7,566 $ (13,492 ) $ (2,786 ) Inventories 17,001 4,429 3,827 Other current assets (3,119 ) (9,531 ) 1,350 21,448 (18,594 ) 2,391 Current liabilities: Trade accounts payable (9,103 ) 5,720 (1,205 ) Accrued compensation (183 ) (2,504 ) 7,143 Accrued income taxes (8,059 ) 1,330 (2,278 ) Other current liabilities (6,854 ) 7,883 (9,054 ) (24,199 ) 12,429 (5,394 ) Net change $ (2,751 ) $ (6,165 ) $ (3,003 )

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	17. SEGMENT INFORMATION: Beginning October 1, 2014, the Company realigned its operations into three reporting segments, SGK Brand Solutions, Memorialization and Industrial. The SGK Brand Solutions segment is comprised of the graphics imaging business, including Schawk, and the merchandising solutions operations. 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 revised 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 noncontrolling interests. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Note 2). Intersegment sales are accounted for at negotiated prices. Operating profit is total revenue less operating expenses. Segment assets include those assets that are used in the Company's operations within each segment. Assets classified under "Other" principally consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments, deferred income taxes and corporate headquarters' assets. Long-lived Information about the Company's segments follows: SGK Brand Solutions Memorialization Industrial Other Consolidated Sales to external customers: 2015 $ 798,339 $ 508,058 $ 119,671 $ - $ 1,426,068 2014 497,328 508,420 100,849 - 1,106,597 2013 373,941 517,911 93,505 - 985,357 Intersegment sales: 2015 478 77 25 - 580 2014 463 35 31 - 529 2013 464 12 10 - 486 Depreciation and amortization: 2015 46,594 12,410 2,294 1,322 62,620 2014 27,700 11,486 2,203 1,475 42,864 2013 24,292 10,652 1,675 1,246 37,865 Operating profit: 2015 21,864 70,064 13,095 - 105,023 2014 2,536 67,937 11,049 - 81,522 2013 13,999 71,754 8,862 - 94,615 Total assets: 2015 1,171,914 766,089 116,867 108,148 2,163,018 2014 1,278,869 557,089 115,470 72,620 2,024,048 2013 495,808 536,890 113,420 63,144 1,209,262 Capital expenditures: 2015 23,676 10,922 5,866 7,787 48,251 2014 16,734 8,257 3,325 921 29,237 2013 9,764 10,988 2,904 1,268 24,924 Information about the Company's operations by geographic area follows: United States Central and South America Canada Europe Australia Asia Consolidated Sales to external customers: 2015 $ 936,513 $ 8,806 $ 30,367 $ 398,533 $ 21,225 $ 30,624 $ 1,426,068 2014 676,764 3,272 14,471 380,229 13,994 17,867 1,106,597 2013 617,371 - 12,014 328,266 13,534 14,172 985,357 Long-lived assets: 2015 1,016,703 17,488 41,690 349,533 22,072 50,650 1,498,136 2014 918,996 10,739 36,543 391,944 21,300 31,122 1,410,644 2013 421,697 3,731 483 324,731 6,338 13,404 770,384

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
ACQUISITIONS [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	18. ACQUISITIONS: Fiscal 2015: On August 19, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Aurora for $211,604 (net of cash acquired), subject to a working capital adjustment. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price resulted in goodwill of $73,623, which was assigned to the Memorialization segment, $76,340 of intangible assets, of which $30,540 is not subject to amortization, $29,026 of property, plant and equipment, and $32,615 of other net assets, primarily working capital. Approximately $43,000 of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Aurora provides burial, cremation, and technology products to funeral home clients and distributors in the United States and Canada. In the year ended December 31, 2014, Aurora reported revenue of approximately $142,000. The acquisition is designed to expand the Company's memorialization product offerings and geographic distribution footprint in the United States. Fiscal 2014: On July 29, 2014, the Company acquired Schawk, a leading global brand development, activation and 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 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. During fiscal 2015, the Company finalized the allocation of purchase price related to the Schawk acquisition, resulting in immaterial adjustments to property, plant and equipment, goodwill, other intangible assets, certain working capital accounts, and deferred 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, 2012: Pro Forma Combined 2015 2014 2013 Sales $ 1,426,068 $ 1,458,277 $ 1,430,843 Income before income taxes 89,652 89,779 41,271 Net income 63,449 63,586 29,470 Earnings per share $ 1.91 $ 1.93 $ 0.89 The unaudited pro forma results for fiscal 2014 and 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. Fiscal 2013: Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2013 totaled $73,959. The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following: In 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 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 was designed to expand Matthews' fulfillment products and services in the warehouse management market. The initial purchase price for the transaction was $26,178, plus additional consideration of $3,703 paid in fiscal 2014 based on operating results. In November 2012, the Company acquired Wetzel Holding AG, Wetzel GmbH and certain related affiliates (collectively, "Wetzel"). Wetzel is a leading European provider of pre-press services and gravure printing forms, with manufacturing operations in Germany and Poland. Wetzel's products and services are sold primary within Europe, and the acquisition was designed to expand Matthews' products and services in the global graphics imaging market. The purchase price for Wetzel was 42.6 million Euros ($54,748) on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The Company has completed the allocation of purchase price for all fiscal 2013 acquisitions.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	19. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: Changes to goodwill during the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, follow. SGK Brand Solutions Memorialization Industrial Consolidated Goodwill $ 204,331 $ 280,326 $ 50,646 $ 535,303 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) - (10,752 ) Balance at September 30, 2013 198,579 272,326 50,646 524,551 Additions during period 312,403 - 288 312,691 Translation and other adjustments (15,684 ) (2,044 ) (47 ) (17,775 ) 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 250 73,623 2,226 76,099 Translation and other adjustments (34,653 ) (4,959 ) (226 ) (39,838 ) Goodwill 466,647 346,946 52,887 866,480 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) - (10,752 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 460,895 $ 341,946 $ 52,887 $ 855,728 The Company performed its annual impairment review of goodwill in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and determined that estimated fair value for all reporting units exceeded carrying value, therefore no adjustments to the carrying value of goodwill were necessary. In fiscal 2015, the addition to Memorialization goodwill primarily reflects the acquisition of Aurora, and the addition to Industrial goodwill primarily reflects the acquisition of a small printing products business. The amount reflected in translation and other adjustments for the SGK Brand Solutions segment includes the impact of purchase price adjustments. In fiscal 2014, the addition to goodwill primarily reflects the acquisition of Schawk. In fiscal 2013, the addition to SGK Brand Solutions goodwill primarily reflects the acquisition of Wetzel; the addition to Industrial goodwill reflects the acquisition of Pyramid; the addition to Memorialization goodwill reflects the acquisition of two small manufacturers in Europe, and the effect of an adjustment to the purchase price for a small casket distributor. The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Carrying Accumulated Amount Amortization Net September 30, 2015: Trade names $ 168,467 $ - * $ 168,467 Trade names 1,815 (1,718 ) 97 Customer relationships 296,689 (51,393 ) 245,296 Copyrights/patents/other 11,389 (10,249 ) 1,140 $ 478,360 $ (63,360 ) $ 415,000 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 fiscal 2015 included an increase for the acquisition of Aurora, the impact of foreign currency fluctuations during the period, additional amortization, and trade name write-offs of approximately $4,842 in the SGK Brand Solutions segment, which resulted from the discontinuance of certain legacy trade names in connection with the integration of Schawk. 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. The net change in intangible assets during fiscal 2014 included an increase for the acquisition of Schawk, foreign currency fluctuations during the period and additional amortization. Amortization expense on intangible assets was $18,800, $7,318, and $4,156 in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Fiscal year amortization expense is estimated to be $21,462 in 2016, $20,315 in 2017, $19,020 in 2018, $17,985 in 2019 and $16,866 in 2020.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract]
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	20. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS: In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance intended to simplify the accounting for measurement period adjustments in a business combination. Measurement period adjustments are changes to provisional amounts recorded when the accounting for a business combination is incomplete as of the end of a reporting period. The measurement period can extend for up to a year following the transaction date. During the measurement period, companies may make adjustments to provisional amounts when information necessary to complete the measurement is received. The new guidance requires companies to recognize these adjustments, including any related impacts to net income, in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. Companies are no longer required to retroactively apply measurement period adjustments to all periods presented. Matthews early-adopted this ASU in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures. In July 2015, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the measurement of inventory valuation at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The new inventory measurement requirements are effective for the Company's 2017 fiscal year, and will replace the current inventory valuation guidance that requires the use of a lower of cost or market framework. The adoption of these changes is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this new guidance. The new requirements will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2017, and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In June 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. This guidance is effective for Matthews beginning January 1, 2016 and will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606". This ASU replaces nearly all existing U.S. GAAP guidance on revenue recognition. The standard prescribes a five-step model for recognizing revenue, the application of which will require significant judgment. The FASB issued ASU 2015-14 in August 2015 which resulted in a deferral of the original effective date of ASU 2014-09. This standard is now effective for Matthews beginning October 1, 2018. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for certain receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps. This guidance provides companies with a practical expedient to qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. The guidance was effective for Matthews beginning in fiscal 2015, and did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMA

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION	SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited): The following table sets forth certain items included in the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements for each quarter of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014. Information presented for the quarters ended December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015 has been revised to reflect additional expense related to a theft of funds by an employee that had occurred over a multi-year period. Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders was adjusted by $591 and $601 for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2015, respectively. Diluted earnings per share was adjusted by $0.02 for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2015. Basic earnings per share was adjusted by $0.01 and $0.02 for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2015, respectively. Quarter Ended December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 Year Ended September 30 (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) FISCAL YEAR 2015: Sales $ 343,584 $ 349,394 $ 364,752 $ 368,338 $ 1,426,068 Gross profit 124,670 127,695 135,436 141,574 529,375 Operating profit 25,585 19,275 27,405 32,758 105,023 Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders 14,360 8,975 23,140 16,974 63,449 Earnings per share: Basic $.44 $.27 $.70 $.52 $1.93 Diluted .43 .27 .70 .51 1.91 FISCAL YEAR 2014: Sales 229,945 $ 246,837 $ 279,983 $ 349,832 $ 1,106,597 Gross profit 81,376 90,182 104,230 116,708 392,496 Operating profit 14,679 20,543 31,830 14,470 81,522 Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders 7,787 10,992 19,041 4,805 42,625 Earnings per share Basic $.29 $.40 $.70 $.15 $1.51 Diluted .29 .40 .69 .15 1.49

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALI

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS [Abstract]
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Additions Balance at Charged to beginning of Charged to other Balance at Description period expense Accounts (1) Deductions (2) end of period (Dollar amounts in thousands) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: Fiscal Year Ended: September 30, 2015 $ 10,937 $ 2,101 $ (134 ) $ (2,889 ) $ 10,015 September 30, 2014 10,009 2,223 883 (2,178 ) 10,937 September 30, 2013 11,177 595 306 (2,069 ) 10,009 (1) Amount comprised principally of acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments in connection with acquisitions, and amounts reclassified to other accounts. (2) Amounts determined not to be collectible (including direct write-offs), net of recoveries. Provision Balance at Charged Other beginning of (Credited) Allowance Additions Balance at Description period To expense (1) Changes (2) (Deductions) (3) end of period (Dollar amounts in thousands) Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance: Fiscal Year Ended: September 30, 2015 $ 24,540 $ 399 $ (1,705 ) $ (2,257 ) $ 20,977 September 30, 2014 2,234 1,224 22,098 (1,016 ) 24,540 September 30, 2013 1,627 512 - 95 2,234 (1) Amounts relate primarily to the adjustments in net operating loss carryforwards which are precluded from use. (2) Fiscal year 2015 amounts primarily reflect a release of a valuation allowance resulting from a fiscal 2015 legal structure reorganization in foreign jurisdictions that enabled the utilization of certain tax attributes. Fiscal year 2014 amounts are comprised of reductions in net operating loss carryforwards which are precluded from use of $1,332 and purchase accounting adjustments of $23,430. (3) Consists principally of adjustments related to foreign exchange.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN31

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains an ownership interest and has operating control. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency: The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is the local currency. Balance sheet accounts for foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. Gains or losses that result from this process are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The revenue and expense accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates that prevailed during the period. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are presented in the Statement of income in a consistent manner with the underlying transaction.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: Trade receivables are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are more than 30 days past due. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an evaluation of specific customer accounts for which available facts and circumstances indicate collectability may be uncertain. In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for all customers based on historical collection experience.
Inventories	Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost generally determined under the average cost method.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally range from 10 to 45 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment. Gains or losses from the disposition of assets are reflected in operating profit. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged against income as incurred. Renewals and betterments of a nature considered to extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized. Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets is determined by evaluating the estimated undiscounted net cash flows of the operations to which the assets relate. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value which is based on a discounted cash flow analysis.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 20 years, and are reviewed when appropriate for possible impairment, similar to property, plant and equipment. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are tested at least annually for impairment, or when circumstances indicate that a possible impairment may exist. In general, when the carrying value of these assets exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets. For purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, the Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows. For purposes of testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company uses a relief from royalty method.
Environmental	Environmental: Costs that mitigate or prevent future environmental issues or extend the life or improve equipment utilized in current operations are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Costs that relate to current operations or an existing condition caused by past operations are expensed. Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company's obligation is probable and reasonably estimable. Accruals for losses from environmental remediation obligations do not consider the effects of inflation, and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.
Treasury Stock	Treasury Stock: Treasury stock is carried at cost. The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes: Deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided for the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Deferred income taxes for U.S. tax purposes have not been provided on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. To the extent earnings are expected to be returned in the foreseeable future, the associated deferred tax liabilities are provided. The Company has not determined the deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings, as such determination is not practicable.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition: Revenues are generally recognized when title, ownership, and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment and is based on the applicable shipping terms. The shipping terms vary across all businesses and depend on the product and customer. For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer's specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery. A liability has been recorded for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery. Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise. Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer. Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage. At September 30, 2015, the Company held 312,273 memorials and 218,627 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program. Revenues from mausoleum construction and significant engineering projects, including certain cremation units and marking and industrial automation projects, are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost basis for measuring progress toward completion. As work is performed under contracts, estimates of the costs to complete are regularly reviewed and updated. As changes in estimates of total costs at completion on projects are identified, appropriate earnings adjustments are recorded using the cumulative catch-up method. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are recorded during the period in which such losses become evident. Revenues from brand development and deployment services are recognized using the completed performance method, which is typically when the customer receives the final deliverable. For arrangements with customer acceptance provisions, revenue is recognized when the customer approves the final deliverable.
Share-Based Payment	Share-Based Payment: Stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period. A binomial lattice model is utilized to determine the fair value of awards that have vesting conditions based on market targets.
Derivatives and Hedging	Derivatives and Hedging: Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program. All derivatives are straight forward and held for purposes other than trading. Matthews measures effectiveness by formally assessing, at least quarterly, the historical and probable future high correlation of changes in the fair value or future cash flows of the hedged item. If the hedging relationship ceases to be highly effective or it becomes probable that an expected transaction will no longer occur, gains and losses on the derivative will be recorded in other income (deductions) at that time. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and are reclassified to earnings in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item. The cash flows from derivative activities are recognized in the statement of cash flows in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item.
Research and Development Expenses	Research and Development Expenses: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $13,033, $7,814 and $11,449 for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes the issuance of common stock for all dilutive securities.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis	As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were categorized as follows: September 30, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Derivatives (1) $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- Trading securities 18,444 -- -- 18,444 Total assets at fair value $ 18,444 $ -- $ -- $ 18,444 Liabilities: Derivatives (1) $ -- $ 3,686 $ -- $ 3,686 Total liabilities at fair value $ -- $ 3,686 $ -- $ 3,686 (1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. September 30, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Derivatives (1) $ - $ 2,457 $ - $ 2,457 Trading securities 19,038 - - 19,038 Total assets at fair value $ 19,038 $ 2,457 $ - $ 21,495 Liabilities: Derivatives (1) $ - $ 2,127 $ - $ 2,127 Total liabilities at fair value $ - $ 2,127 $ - $ 2,127 (1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

INVENTORIES (Tables)

INVENTORIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories at September 30, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: 2015 2014 Raw materials $ 48,636 $ 46,152 Work in process 32,567 38,631 Finished goods 90,220 68,059 $ 171,423 $ 152,842

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
INVESTMENTS [Abstract]
Non-Current Investments	At September 30, 2015 and 2014, non-current investments were as follows: 2015 2014 Trading securities $ 18,444 $ 19,038 Equity investments 7,073 4,092 $ 25,517 $ 23,130

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation	Property, plant and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation at September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: 2015 2014 Buildings $ 101,291 $ 91,540 Machinery and equipment 350,890 340,942 452,181 432,482 Less accumulated depreciation (274,187 ) (250,073 ) 177,994 182,409 Land 19,847 16,453 Construction in progress 29,567 10,453 $ 227,408 $ 209,315

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
LONG-TERM DEBT [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: 2015 2014 Revolving credit facilities $ 884,254 $ 702,055 Notes payable to banks 8,506 13,315 Short-term borrowings 5,199 6,410 Capital lease obligations 4,995 7,475 902,954 729,255 Less current maturities (11,737 ) (15,228 ) $ 891,217 $ 714,027
Interest Rate Swaps	The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps: Effective Date Amount Fixed Interest Rate Interest Rate Spread at September 30, 2015 Maturity Date October 2011 $25,000 1.67% 1.75% October 2015 June 2012 40,000 1.88% 1.75% June 2022 August 2012 35,000 1.74% 1.75% June 2022 September 2012 25,000 3.03% 1.75% December 2015 September 2012 25,000 1.24% 1.75% March 2017 November 2012 25,000 1.33% 1.75% November 2015 May 2014 25,000 1.35% 1.75% May 2018 November 2014 25,000 1.26% 1.75% June 2018 March 2015 25,000 1.49% 1.75% March 2019 September 2015 25,000 1.39% 1.75% September 2020 December 2015 25,000 1.59% 1.75% December 2020
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments	At September 30, 2015 and 2014, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected on a gross-basis in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: Derivatives 2015 2014 Current assets Other current assets $ -- $ 324 Long-term assets Other assets -- 2,133 Current liabilities: Other current liabilities (1,165 ) (1,808 ) Long-term liabilities: Other liabilities (2,521 ) (319 ) Total derivatives $ (3,686 ) $ 330
Loss Recognized on Derivatives	The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows: Location of Amount of Derivatives in Loss Loss Cash Flow Hedging Recognized in Recognized in Income Relationships Income on Derivatives on Derivatives 2015 2014 Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(3,922) $(4,318) The Company recognized the following losses in AOCI: Location of Gain Amount of Loss or (Loss) Reclassified from Derivatives in Amount of Reclassified from AOCI Cash Flow Loss Recognized in AOCI into Income Hedging AOCI on Derivatives into Income (Effective Portion*) Relationships 2015 2014 (Effective Portion*) 2015 2014 Interest rate swaps $(4,841) $(1,879) Interest expense $(2,392) $(2,634) * There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.
Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt	Aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including short-term borrowings and capital leases, follows: 2016 $ 11,737 2017 29,979 2018 857,974 2019 212 2020 222 Thereafter 2,830 $ 902,954

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: 2015 2014 Cumulative foreign currency translation $ (104,604 ) $ (27,367 ) Fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $1,437 and $129, respectively (2,248 ) 201 Minimum pension liabilities, net of tax of $27,530 and $25,058, respectively (43,474 ) (39,651 ) $ (150,326 ) $ (66,817 )

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Tables)

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS [Abstract]
Restricted Stock Activity	The transactions for restricted stock for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Weighted- average Grant-date Shares Fair Value Non-vested at September 30, 2014 575,150 $33.83 Granted 215,370 40.07 Vested (183,089 ) 36.51 Expired or forfeited (36,864 ) 28.70 Non-vested at September 30, 2015 570,567 35.66
Stock Option Activity	The transactions for shares under options for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Weighted- Weighted- average Aggregate average Remaining Intrinsic Shares Exercise Price Contractual Term Value Outstanding, September 30, 2014 512,322 $38.62 Exercised (105,211 ) 38.17 Expired or forfeited (69,173 ) 36.53 Outstanding, September 30, 2015 337,938 39.19 0.7 $3,304 Exercisable, September 30, 2015 171,532 39.55 0.8 $1,616
Non-vested Options Activity	The transactions for non-vested option shares for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Weighted- average Grant-date Shares Fair Value Non-vested at September 30, 2014 312,442 $11.21 Vested 77,199 12.23 Expired or forfeited (68,837 ) 11.70 Non-vested at September 30, 2015 320,804 11.35
Assumptions Used in Estimating Fair Value	The following table indicates the assumptions used in estimating fair value of restricted stock for the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013. 2015 2014 2013 Expected volatility 22.2 % 26.6 % 29.5 % Dividend yield 1.0 % 1.1 % 1.2 % Average risk-free interest rate 1.7 % 1.4 % 0.6 % Average expected term (years) 1.8 2.0 2.0

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Information Used to Compute Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews' Common Shareholders	The information used to compute earnings per share attributable to Matthews' common shareholders was as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders $ 63,449 $ 42,625 $ 54,121 Less: dividends and undistributed earnings 10 121 583 Net income available to Matthews shareholders $ 63,439 $ 42,504 $ 53,538 Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands): Basic shares 32,939 28,209 27,255 Effect of dilutive securities 257 274 168 Diluted shares 33,196 28,483 27,423

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM40

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status of Pension Plans	The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the plans as of the Company's actuarial valuation as of September 30, 2015 and 2014: Pension Other Postretirement 2015 2014 2015 2014 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 211,036 $ 186,077 $ 21,358 $ 18,881 Acquisitions 27,162 - - - Service cost 6,764 6,150 454 436 Interest cost 8,740 8,927 885 919 Actuarial (gain) loss 4,087 18,412 (814 ) 1,929 Exchange gain (1,206 ) (703 ) - - Benefit payments (17,856 ) (7,827 ) (1,459 ) (807 ) Benefit obligation, end of year 238,727 211,036 20,424 21,358 Change in plan assets: Fair value, beginning of year 131,753 123,713 - - Acquisitions 25,897 - - - Actual return 625 10,792 - - Benefit payments (1) (17,856 ) (7,827 ) (1,459 ) (807 ) Employer contributions 1,806 5,075 1,459 807 Fair value, end of year 142,225 131,753 - - Funded status (96,502 ) (79,283 ) (20,424 ) (21,358 ) Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) 77,368 69,153 (1,801 ) (987 ) Unrecognized prior service cost (1,231 ) (1,411 ) (1,111 ) (1,306 ) Net amount recognized $ (20,365 ) $ (11,541 ) $ (23,336 ) $ (23,651 ) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet: Current liability $ (749 ) $ (733 ) $ (1,009 ) $ (1,007 ) Noncurrent benefit liability (95,753 ) (78,550 ) (19,415 ) (20,351 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) 76,137 67,742 (2,912 ) (2,293 ) Net amount recognized $ (20,365 ) $ (11,541 ) $ (23,336 ) $ (23,651 ) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income): Net actuarial loss (income) $ 77,368 $ 69,153 $ (1,801 ) $ (987 ) Prior service cost (1,231 ) (1,411 ) (1,111 ) (1,306 ) Net amount recognized $ 76,137 $ 67,742 $ (2,912 ) $ (2,293 ) (1) Pension benefit payments in fiscal 2015 includes $10,000 of lump sum distributions that were made to certain terminated vested employees as a settlement of the employees' pension obligations. These distributions did not meet the threshold to qualify as a settlement under U.S. GAAP and therefore, no unamortized actuarial loss was recognized in the Statement of Income upon completion of the lump sum distributions.
Net Periodic Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs	Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following: Pension Other Postretirement 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Service cost $ 6,764 $ 6,150 $ 7,160 $ 454 $ 436 $ 796 Interest cost 8,740 8,927 8,024 885 919 1,129 Expected return on plan assets (10,151 ) (9,666 ) (9,071 ) - - - Amortization: Prior service cost (180 ) (206 ) (206 ) (195 ) (195 ) (272 ) Net actuarial loss (gain) 6,203 3,927 7,903 - (87 ) 439 Net benefit cost $ 11,376 $ 9,132 $ 13,810 $ 1,144 $ 1,073 $ 2,092
Contributions During Fiscal Year	Contributions made in fiscal 2015 are as follows: Contributions Pension Other Postretirement Principal retirement plan $ - $ - Supplemental retirement plan 725 - Other retirement plans 1,081 - Other postretirement plan - 1,459
Amounts of AOCI Expected to be Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Costs	Amounts of AOCI expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2016 include: Other Pension Postretirement Benefits Benefits Net actuarial loss $ 7,473 $ - Prior service cost (183 ) (195 )
Weighted-Average Assumptions for Principal Retirement and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	The measurement date of annual actuarial valuations for the Company's principal retirement and other postretirement benefit plans was September 30 for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013. The weighted-average assumptions for those plans were: Pension Other Postretirement 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 4.25 % 4.25 % 5.00 % 4.25 % 4.25 % 5.00 % Return on plan assets 7.25 7.75 8.00 - - - Compensation increase 3.50 3.50 3.50 - - -
Weighted Average Asset Allocation and Target Allocation	The Company's defined benefit pension plans' weighted-average asset allocation at September 30, 2015 and 2014 and weighted-average target allocation were as follows: Plan Assets at Target Asset Category 2015 2014 Allocation Equity securities $ 60,460 $ 66,984 50 % Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents 59,612 44,341 30 % Other investments 22,153 20,428 20 % $ 142,225 $ 131,753 100 %
Fair Value Allocation of Plan Assets	The Company's defined benefit pension plans' asset categories at September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: September 30, 2015 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities - stocks $ 31,559 $ - $ - $ 31,559 Equity securities - mutual funds 27,846 1,055 - 28,901 Fixed income securities 39,644 15,474 - 55,118 Cash and cash equivalents 4,494 - - 4,494 Other investments 8,171 - 13,982 22,153 Total $ 111,714 $ 16,529 $ 13,982 $ 142,225 September 30, 2014 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities - stocks $ 35,310 $ - $ - $ 35,310 Equity securities - mutual funds 30,694 980 - 31,674 Fixed income securities 20,042 9,503 - 29,545 Cash and cash equivalents 14,796 - - 14,796 Other investments 6,098 - 14,330 20,428 Total $ 106,940 $ 10,483 $ 14,330 $ 131,753
Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Plan Assets	Changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets at September 30, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows: Fair Value, Fair Value, Beginning of Realized Unrealized End of Asset Category Period Acquisitions Dispositions Gains Gains (Losses) Period Other : Fiscal Year Ended: September 30, 2015 $ 14,330 $ - $ (1,661 ) $ 608 $ 705 $ 13,982 September 30, 2014 18,942 - (5,439 ) 1,118 (291 ) 14,330
Benefit Payments Expected to be Paid	Benefit payments expected to be paid are as follows: Other Pension Postretirement Years ending September 30: Benefits Benefits 2016 $ 9,074 $ 1,009 2017 9,519 1,051 2018 10,075 1,146 2019 10,673 1,194 2020 11,249 1,169 2021-2025 65,563 6,507 $ 116,153 $ 12,076

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI41

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Change in AOCI by Component, Net of Tax	The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Postretirement Benefit Plans Currency Translation Adjustment Derivatives Total Attributable to Matthews: Balance, September 30, 2014 $ (39,651 ) $ (27,367 ) $ 201 $ (66,817 ) OCI before reclassification (7,378 ) (77,237 ) (4,841 ) (89,456 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (a) 3,555 - (b) 2,392 5,947 Net current-period OCI (3,823 ) (77,237 ) (2,449 ) (83,509 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (43,474 ) $ (104,604 ) $ (2,248 ) $ (150,326 ) Attributable to noncontrolling interest: Balance, September 30, 2014 $ - $ 516 $ - $ 516 OCI before reclassification - (150 ) - (150 ) Net current-period OCI - (150 ) - (150 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ - $ 366 $ - $ 366 (a) Amounts were included in net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans (see Note 11). (b) Amounts were included in interest expense in the periods the hedged item affected earnings (see Note 7).
Reclassifications out of AOCI	Reclassifications out of AOCI for the year ended September 30, 2015 were as follows: Details about AOCI Components Year ended September 30, 2015 Affected line item in the Statement of Income Postretirement benefit plans Prior service (cost) credit (a) $ 375 Actuarial losses (a) (6,203 ) (b) (5,828 ) Total before tax (2,273 ) Tax provision (benefit) $ (3,555 ) Net of tax Derivatives Interest rate swap contracts $ (3,922 ) Interest expense (b) (3,922 ) Total before tax (1,530 ) Tax provision (benefit) $ (2,392 ) 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 11. (b) For pre-tax items, positive amounts represent income and negative amounts represent expense.

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes	The provision for income taxes consisted of the following: 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ 655 $ 7,371 $ 15,703 State 1,466 3,612 3,423 Foreign 10,599 10,427 4,804 12,720 21,410 23,930 Deferred 13,644 1,395 2,244 Total $ 26,364 $ 22,805 $ 26,174
Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Consolidated Effective Tax Rate	The reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate was as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Federal statutory tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction 1.8 3.8 2.7 Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate (3.2 ) (2.1 ) (3.1 ) Other (4.2 ) (2.2 ) (2.0 ) Effective tax rate 29.4 % 34.5 % 32.6 %
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Pension and postretirement benefits $ 42,134 $ 34,309 Accruals and reserves not currently deductible 27,586 28,090 Income tax credit carryforward 9,160 9,839 Operating and capital loss carryforwards 25,012 25,419 Stock options 8,550 8,366 Other 7,396 21,089 Total deferred tax assets 119,838 127,112 Valuation allowances (20,977 ) (24,540 ) Net deferred tax assets 98,861 102,572 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation (8,509 ) (7,651 ) Goodwill and intangible assets (193,876 ) (183,685 ) Other (20,490 ) (18,590 ) (222,875 ) (209,926 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (124,014 ) $ (107,354 )
Changes in Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) are as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Balance, beginning of year $ 4,311 $ 4,516 $ 4,501 Increase from acquisition - 385 - Increases for tax positions of prior years 475 369 - Decreases for tax positions of prior years (155 ) (863 ) (124 ) Increases based on tax positions related to the current year 635 623 708 Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities (27 ) (12 ) (250 ) Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation (1,153 ) (707 ) (319 ) Balance, end of year $ 4,086 $ 4,311 $ 4,516
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	The Company is currently under examination in several tax jurisdictions and remains subject to examination until the statute of limitation expires for those tax jurisdictions. As of September 30, 2015, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are: United States - Federal 2012 and forward United States - State 2011 and forward Canada 2010 and forward Europe 2009 and forward United Kingdom 2013 and forward Australia 2011 and forward Asia 2009 and forward

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM43

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
Changes in Working Capital Items as Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	Changes in working capital items as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following: 2015 2014 2013 Current assets: Accounts receivable $ 7,566 $ (13,492 ) $ (2,786 ) Inventories 17,001 4,429 3,827 Other current assets (3,119 ) (9,531 ) 1,350 21,448 (18,594 ) 2,391 Current liabilities: Trade accounts payable (9,103 ) 5,720 (1,205 ) Accrued compensation (183 ) (2,504 ) 7,143 Accrued income taxes (8,059 ) 1,330 (2,278 ) Other current liabilities (6,854 ) 7,883 (9,054 ) (24,199 ) 12,429 (5,394 ) Net change $ (2,751 ) $ (6,165 ) $ (3,003 )

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	Information about the Company's segments follows: SGK Brand Solutions Memorialization Industrial Other Consolidated Sales to external customers: 2015 $ 798,339 $ 508,058 $ 119,671 $ - $ 1,426,068 2014 497,328 508,420 100,849 - 1,106,597 2013 373,941 517,911 93,505 - 985,357 Intersegment sales: 2015 478 77 25 - 580 2014 463 35 31 - 529 2013 464 12 10 - 486 Depreciation and amortization: 2015 46,594 12,410 2,294 1,322 62,620 2014 27,700 11,486 2,203 1,475 42,864 2013 24,292 10,652 1,675 1,246 37,865 Operating profit: 2015 21,864 70,064 13,095 - 105,023 2014 2,536 67,937 11,049 - 81,522 2013 13,999 71,754 8,862 - 94,615 Total assets: 2015 1,171,914 766,089 116,867 108,148 2,163,018 2014 1,278,869 557,089 115,470 72,620 2,024,048 2013 495,808 536,890 113,420 63,144 1,209,262 Capital expenditures: 2015 23,676 10,922 5,866 7,787 48,251 2014 16,734 8,257 3,325 921 29,237 2013 9,764 10,988 2,904 1,268 24,924 Information about the Company's operations by geographic area follows: United States Central and South America Canada Europe Australia Asia Consolidated Sales to external customers: 2015 $ 936,513 $ 8,806 $ 30,367 $ 398,533 $ 21,225 $ 30,624 $ 1,426,068 2014 676,764 3,272 14,471 380,229 13,994 17,867 1,106,597 2013 617,371 - 12,014 328,266 13,534 14,172 985,357 Long-lived assets: 2015 1,016,703 17,488 41,690 349,533 22,072 50,650 1,498,136 2014 918,996 10,739 36,543 391,944 21,300 31,122 1,410,644 2013 421,697 3,731 483 324,731 6,338 13,404 770,384

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
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, 2012: Pro Forma Combined 2015 2014 2013 Sales $ 1,426,068 $ 1,458,277 $ 1,430,843 Income before income taxes 89,652 89,779 41,271 Net income 63,449 63,586 29,470 Earnings per share $ 1.91 $ 1.93 $ 0.89

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE46

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
Goodwill Attributable to Each Segment	Changes to goodwill during the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, follow. SGK Brand Solutions Memorialization Industrial Consolidated Goodwill $ 204,331 $ 280,326 $ 50,646 $ 535,303 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) - (10,752 ) Balance at September 30, 2013 198,579 272,326 50,646 524,551 Additions during period 312,403 - 288 312,691 Translation and other adjustments (15,684 ) (2,044 ) (47 ) (17,775 ) 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 250 73,623 2,226 76,099 Translation and other adjustments (34,653 ) (4,959 ) (226 ) (39,838 ) Goodwill 466,647 346,946 52,887 866,480 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) - (10,752 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 460,895 $ 341,946 $ 52,887 $ 855,728
Other Intangible Assets	The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Carrying Accumulated Amount Amortization Net September 30, 2015: Trade names $ 168,467 $ - * $ 168,467 Trade names 1,815 (1,718 ) 97 Customer relationships 296,689 (51,393 ) 245,296 Copyrights/patents/other 11,389 (10,249 ) 1,140 $ 478,360 $ (63,360 ) $ 415,000 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

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFOR47

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Abstract]
Components of Selected Quarterly Financial Data	The following table sets forth certain items included in the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements for each quarter of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014. Information presented for the quarters ended December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015 has been revised to reflect additional expense related to a theft of funds by an employee that had occurred over a multi-year period. Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders was adjusted by $591 and $601 for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2015, respectively. Diluted earnings per share was adjusted by $0.02 for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2015. Basic earnings per share was adjusted by $0.01 and $0.02 for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2015, respectively. Quarter Ended December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 Year Ended September 30 (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) FISCAL YEAR 2015: Sales $ 343,584 $ 349,394 $ 364,752 $ 368,338 $ 1,426,068 Gross profit 124,670 127,695 135,436 141,574 529,375 Operating profit 25,585 19,275 27,405 32,758 105,023 Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders 14,360 8,975 23,140 16,974 63,449 Earnings per share: Basic $.44 $.27 $.70 $.52 $1.93 Diluted .43 .27 .70 .51 1.91 FISCAL YEAR 2014: Sales 229,945 $ 246,837 $ 279,983 $ 349,832 $ 1,106,597 Gross profit 81,376 90,182 104,230 116,708 392,496 Operating profit 14,679 20,543 31,830 14,470 81,522 Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders 7,787 10,992 19,041 4,805 42,625 Earnings per share Basic $.29 $.40 $.70 $.15 $1.51 Diluted .29 .40 .69 .15 1.49

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN48

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)MemorialVase	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013USD ($)
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]
Period past due for which a finance charge may be applied	30 days
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Number of memorials	312,273
Number of vases | Vase	218,627
Research and Development Expenses [Abstract]
Research and development costs | $	$ 13,033	$ 7,814	$ 11,449
Minimum [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Useful lives of intangibles	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Useful lives of intangibles	20 years
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Useful lives of intangibles	10 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Useful lives of intangibles	45 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Useful lives of intangibles	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Useful lives of intangibles	12 years

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Assets [Abstract]
Trading securities		$ 18,444	$ 19,038
Recurring [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives	[1]	0	2,457
Trading securities		18,444	19,038
Total assets at fair value		18,444	21,495
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	[1]	3,686	2,127
Total liabilities at fair value		3,686	2,127
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives	[1]	0	0
Trading securities		18,444	19,038
Total assets at fair value		18,444	19,038
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	[1]	0	0
Total liabilities at fair value		0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives	[1]	0	2,457
Trading securities		0	0
Total assets at fair value		0	2,457
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	[1]	3,686	2,127
Total liabilities at fair value		3,686	2,127
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivatives	[1]	0	0
Trading securities		0	0
Total assets at fair value		0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivatives	[1]	0	0
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 ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventories, net [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 48,636	$ 46,152
Work in process	32,567	38,631
Finished goods	90,220	68,059
Inventories	$ 171,423	$ 152,842

INVESTMENTS (Details)

INVESTMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Non-current investments [Abstract]
Trading securities	$ 18,444	$ 19,038
Equity investments	7,073	4,092
Total non-current investments	25,517	23,130
Trading securities cost (in excess of) or below market value	$ 175	$ 343
Maximum ownership interests in various entities recorded under the cost method	20.00%

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT52

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$ 227,408	$ 209,315
Depreciation expense	43,820	35,546	$ 31,303
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	101,291	91,540
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	350,890	340,942
Buildings, Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	452,181	432,482
Less accumulated depreciation	(274,187)	(250,073)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	177,994	182,409
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	19,847	16,453
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 29,567	$ 10,453

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)LinesofCredit		Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2015EUR (€)LinesofCredit	Sep. 30, 2014EUR (€)
LONG-TERM DEBT [Abstract]
Revolving credit facilities	$ 884,254		$ 702,055
Notes payable to banks	8,506		13,315
Short-term borrowings	5,199		6,410
Capital lease obligations	4,995		7,475
Total debt and capital lease obligations	902,954		729,255
Less current maturities	(11,737)		(15,228)
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current maturities	891,217		714,027
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Other current assets	77,319		49,456
Interest rate cash flow hedges [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps, before tax	(3,686)		330
Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps, after tax	(2,248)		201
Unrealized gain (loss) expected to be recognized over the next 12 months	(711)
Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum amount of borrowings available	$ 900,000		500,000
Interest rate on borrowings	1.75%				1.75%
Maximum available for issuance of trade and standby letters of credit	$ 30,000
Outstanding borrowings	$ 857,425		$ 680,000
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings	2.41%		2.53%		2.41%	2.53%
Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Annual commitment fee range on unused portion	0.15%
Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Annual commitment fee range on unused portion	0.25%
Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio	0.75%
Domestic Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio	2.00%
Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum amount of borrowings available	$ 39,255				€ 35,000,000
Outstanding borrowings	$ 26,829		$ 22,055		€ 23,900,000	€ 17,500,000
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings	1.50%		1.35%		1.50%	1.35%
Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings	$ 5,166		$ 6,063		€ 4,600,000	€ 4,800,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Other current assets	$ 12,925
Matthews International S.p.A [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings	3.33%		3.15%		3.33%	3.15%
Matthews International S.p.A [Member] | Lines of Credit with Italian Banks [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum amount of borrowings available	$ 12,707				€ 11,300,000
Outstanding borrowings	$ 4,772		$ 6,922		€ 4,300,000	€ 5,500,000
Number of lines of credit | LinesofCredit	3				3
Saueressig [Member] | Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings	$ 824		$ 1,576		€ 734,452	€ 1,200,000
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings	4.04%		3.96%		4.04%	3.96%
Wetzel GmbH [Member] | Credit Facility With European Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings	$ 2,110		$ 3,624		€ 1,900,000	€ 2,900,000
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings	5.96%		5.67%		5.96%	5.67%
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivatives	$ (3,686)		$ 330
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Current assets: Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets derivatives	0		324
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Long-term assets: Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Assets derivatives	0		2,133
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Current liabilities: Other current liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability derivatives	(1,165)		(1,808)
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Long-term liabilities: Other liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability derivatives	$ (2,521)		(319)
Interest Rate Swap 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	October 2,011
Amount	$ 25,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.67%				1.67%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	October 2,015
Interest Rate Swap 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	June 2,012
Amount	$ 40,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.88%				1.88%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	June 2,022
Interest Rate Swap 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	August 2,012
Amount	$ 35,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.74%				1.74%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	June 2,022
Interest Rate Swap 4 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	September 2,012
Amount	$ 25,000
Fixed Interest Rate	3.03%				3.03%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	December 2,015
Interest Rate Swap 5 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	September 2,012
Amount	$ 25,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.24%				1.24%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	March 2,017
Interest Rate Swap 6 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	November 2,012
Amount	$ 25,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.33%				1.33%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	November 2,015
Interest Rate Swap 7 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	May 2,014
Amount	$ 25,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.35%				1.35%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	May 2,018
Interest Rate Swap 8 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	November 2,014
Amount	$ 25,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.26%				1.26%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	June 2,018
Interest Rate Swap 9 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	March 2,015
Amount	$ 25,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.49%				1.49%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	March 2,019
Interest Rate Swap 10 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	September 2,015
Amount	$ 25,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.39%				1.39%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	September 2,020
Interest Rate Swap 11 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	December 2,015
Amount	$ 25,000
Fixed Interest Rate	1.59%				1.59%
Interest Rate Spread	1.75%				1.75%
Maturity Date	December 2,020
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives	$ (4,841)		(1,879)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of loss recognized in income on derivatives	(3,922)		(4,318)
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from AOCI into Income (effective portion)	$ (2,392)	[1]	$ (2,634)	[1]
[1]	There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.

LONG-TERM DEBT, Long-term Debt

LONG-TERM DEBT, Long-term Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including short-term borrowings and capital leases [Abstract]
2,016	$ 11,737
2,017	29,979
2,018	857,974
2,019	212
2,020	222
Thereafter	2,830
Total debt and capital lease obligations	$ 902,954	$ 729,255

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]
Cumulative foreign currency translation		$ (104,604)	$ (27,367)
Fair value of derivatives, net of tax		(2,248)	201
Minimum pension liability, net of tax		(43,474)	(39,651)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss		(150,326)	(66,817)
Tax expense on fair value of derivatives		1,437	129
Tax expense on minimum pension liability		27,530	25,058
Tax expense (benefit) on minimum pension liability and fair value of derivatives		$ (1,035)	$ (5,853)	$ 22,005
Class A common stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)		70,000,000	70,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)		$ 1	$ 1
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)		2,500,000
Shares remain available for repurchase (in shares)		661,022
Class A common stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)	2,500,000

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Details)

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
All Plans [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Total stock-based compensation cost	$ 9,097	$ 6,812	$ 5,562
Future income tax benefit from compensation expense recognized	3,548	2,657	2,169
Cash received from stock options exercised	4,015	7,951	974
Tax benefit realized from options exercised	$ 350	$ 698	99
All Plans [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	33.00%
Expiration period	10 years
Restricted stock activity [Roll Forward]
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(68,837)
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	512,322
Exercised (in shares)	(105,211)
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(69,173)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	337,938	512,322
Exercisable (in shares)	171,532
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 38.62
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	38.17
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	36.53
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, end of period (in dollars per share)	39.19	$ 38.62
Exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 39.55
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term	8 months 12 days
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 3,304
Exercisable, weighted-average remaining contractual term	9 months 18 days
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 1,616
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 931	$ 1,653	$ 294
Non-vested options activity [Roll Forward]
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares)	312,442
Vested (in shares)	77,199
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(68,837)
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	320,804	312,442
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 11.21
Vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	12.23
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)	$ 11.35	$ 11.21
All Plans [Member] | Stock Options [Member] | After 3 Years [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	33.00%
Vesting period	3 years
All Plans [Member] | Stock Options [Member] | After 4 Years [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting period	4 years
All Plans [Member] | Stock Options [Member] | After 5 Years [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting period	5 years
All Plans [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Expiration period	5 years
Restricted stock activity [Roll Forward]
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares)	575,150
Granted (in shares)	215,370
Vested (in shares)	(183,089)
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(36,864)
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	570,567	575,150
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)	40.07
Vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	36.51
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	28.70
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 35.66	$ 33.83
Unrecognized compensation cost [Abstract]
Unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards	$ 7,681
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards	1 year 7 months 6 days
Non-vested options activity [Roll Forward]
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(36,864)
Fair value assumptions [Abstract]
Expected volatility	22.20%	26.60%	29.50%
Dividend yield	1.00%	1.10%	1.20%
Average risk free interest rate	1.70%	1.40%	0.60%
Weighted average expected term	1 year 9 months 18 days	2 years	2 years
All Plans [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | After 3 Years [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	50.00%
Vesting period	3 years
All Plans [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Attainment of Pre-Defined Levels of Appreciation in Market Value [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	16.66%
All Plans [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Fiscal 2013 and Thereafter [Member] | After 3 Years [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	50.00%
Vesting period	3 years
All Plans [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Fiscal 2013 and Thereafter [Member] | Attainment of Pre-Defined Levels of Appreciation in Market Value [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	8.33%
All Plans [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Fiscal 2013 and Thereafter [Member] | Attainment of Pre-Defined Levels of Adjusted Earnings Per Share [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	8.33%
2012 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)	1,476,798
Director Fee Plans [Member]
Director Fee Plan, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
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 and vested (in shares)	0
Total restricted stock awards granted to date (in shares)	136,568
Restricted stock awards unvested (in shares)	33,418
2014 Director Fee Plan [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	150,000
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

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ 16,974	$ 23,140	$ 8,975	$ 14,360	$ 4,805	$ 19,041	$ 10,992	$ 7,787	$ 63,449	$ 42,625	$ 54,121
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									10	121	583
Net income available to Matthews shareholders									$ 63,439	$ 42,504	$ 53,538
Weighted-average shares outstanding [Abstract]
Basic shares (in shares)									32,939	28,209	27,255
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									257	274	168
Diluted shares (in shares)									33,196	28,483	27,423
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)											271,075

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM58

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			$ 142,225,000	$ 131,753,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			142,225,000	131,753,000		$ 142,225,000	$ 131,753,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			142,225,000	131,753,000		142,225,000	131,753,000
Effect of one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates [Abstract]
Agreement to settle installment payment obligation in exchange for a lump-sum payment		$ 18,157
Settlement of gain recognized in other income (deductions)			11,522
Level 1 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			111,714,000	106,940,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			111,714,000	106,940,000		111,714,000	106,940,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			111,714,000	106,940,000		111,714,000	106,940,000
Level 2 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			16,529,000	10,483,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			16,529,000	10,483,000		16,529,000	10,483,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			16,529,000	10,483,000		16,529,000	10,483,000
Level 3 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			13,982,000	14,330,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			13,982,000	14,330,000		13,982,000	14,330,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			13,982,000	14,330,000		13,982,000	14,330,000
Equity Securities - Stocks [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			31,559,000	35,310,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			31,559,000	35,310,000		31,559,000	35,310,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			31,559,000	35,310,000		31,559,000	35,310,000
Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			31,559,000	35,310,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			31,559,000	35,310,000		31,559,000	35,310,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			31,559,000	35,310,000		31,559,000	35,310,000
Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			0	0
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			0	0
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			28,901,000	31,674,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			28,901,000	31,674,000		28,901,000	31,674,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			28,901,000	31,674,000		28,901,000	31,674,000
Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			27,846,000	30,694,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			27,846,000	30,694,000		27,846,000	30,694,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			27,846,000	30,694,000		27,846,000	30,694,000
Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			1,055,000	980,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			1,055,000	980,000		1,055,000	980,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			1,055,000	980,000		1,055,000	980,000
Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			0	0
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			55,118,000	29,545,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			55,118,000	29,545,000		55,118,000	29,545,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			55,118,000	29,545,000		55,118,000	29,545,000
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			39,644,000	20,042,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			39,644,000	20,042,000		39,644,000	20,042,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			39,644,000	20,042,000		39,644,000	20,042,000
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			15,474,000	9,503,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			15,474,000	9,503,000		15,474,000	9,503,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			15,474,000	9,503,000		15,474,000	9,503,000
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			0	0
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			4,494,000	14,796,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			4,494,000	14,796,000		4,494,000	14,796,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			4,494,000	14,796,000		4,494,000	14,796,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			4,494,000	14,796,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			4,494,000	14,796,000		4,494,000	14,796,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			4,494,000	14,796,000		4,494,000	14,796,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			0	0
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			0	0
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Other Investments [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			22,153,000	20,428,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			22,153,000	20,428,000		22,153,000	20,428,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			22,153,000	20,428,000		22,153,000	20,428,000
Other Investments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			8,171,000	6,098,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			8,171,000	6,098,000		8,171,000	6,098,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			8,171,000	6,098,000		8,171,000	6,098,000
Other Investments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			0	0
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			0	0		0	0
Other Investments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, end of year			13,982,000	14,330,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			13,982,000	14,330,000		13,982,000	14,330,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			13,982,000	14,330,000		13,982,000	14,330,000
Principal Retirement Plan [Member]
Contributions during fiscal 2015:
Pension contributions			0
Other postretirement contributions			0
Supplemental Retirement Plan [Member]
Contributions during fiscal 2015:
Pension contributions			725,000
Other postretirement contributions			0
Pension Plans [Member]
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation, beginning of year			211,036,000	186,077,000
Acquisitions			27,162,000	0
Service cost			6,764,000	6,150,000	$ 7,160,000
Interest cost			8,740,000	8,927,000	8,024,000
Actuarial (gain) loss			4,087,000	18,412,000
Exchange gain			(1,206,000)	(703,000)
Benefit payments	[1]		(17,856,000)	(7,827,000)
Benefit obligation, end of year			238,727,000	211,036,000
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year			131,753,000	123,713,000
Acquisitions			25,897,000	0
Actual return			625,000	10,792,000
Benefit payments	[1]		(17,856,000)	(7,827,000)
Employer contributions			1,806,000	5,075,000
Fair value, end of year			142,225,000	131,753,000
Funded status						(96,502,000)	(79,283,000)
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)						77,368,000	69,153,000
Unrecognized prior service cost						(1,231,000)	(1,411,000)
Net amount recognized						(20,365,000)	(11,541,000)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Current liability						(749,000)	(733,000)
Noncurrent benefit liability						(95,753,000)	(78,550,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)						76,137,000	67,742,000
Net amount recognized						(20,365,000)	(11,541,000)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income):
Net actuarial loss (income)						77,368,000	69,153,000
Prior service cost						(1,231,000)	(1,411,000)
Net amount recognized						76,137,000	67,742,000
Accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]
Accumulated benefit obligation						208,407,000	180,265,000
Projected benefit obligation						238,727,000	211,036,000
Settlement of the employees pension obligations			10,000
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost			6,764,000	6,150,000	7,160,000
Interest cost			8,740,000	8,927,000	8,024,000
Expected return on plan assets			(10,151,000)	(9,666,000)	(9,071,000)
Amortization:
Prior service cost			(180,000)	(206,000)	(206,000)
Net actuarial loss (gain)			6,203,000	3,927,000	7,903,000
Net benefit cost			11,376,000	$ 9,132,000	$ 13,810,000
Amounts of AOCI expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss			7,473,000
Prior service cost			$ (183,000)
Weighted-average assumptions [Abstract]
Discount rate			4.25%	4.25%	5.00%
Return on plan assets			7.75%	7.75%	8.00%
Compensation increase			3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Equity securities						60,460,000	66,984,000
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents						59,612,000	44,341,000
Other investments						22,153,000	20,428,000
Fair value of plan assets			$ 142,225,000	$ 131,753,000		142,225,000	131,753,000
Target allocation [Abstract]
Equity securities			50.00%
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents			30.00%
Other investments			20.00%
Total target asset allocation			100.00%
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			$ 142,225,000	131,753,000		142,225,000	131,753,000
Benefit payments expected to be paid [Abstract]
2,016						9,074,000
2,017						9,519,000
2,018						10,075,000
2,019						10,673,000
2,020						11,249,000
2021-2025						65,563,000
Total						$ 116,153,000
Pension Plans [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Target allocation [Abstract]
Cash included in plan assets						15.00%
Pension Plans [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Target allocation [Abstract]
Cash included in plan assets						85.00%
Pension Plans [Member] | Other Investments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year			14,330,000	18,942,000
Acquisitions			0	0
Dispositions			(1,661,000)	(5,439,000)
Realized Gains			608,000	1,118,000
Unrealized Gains (Losses)			705,000	(291,000)
Fair value, end of year			13,982,000	14,330,000
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			13,982,000	14,330,000		$ 13,982,000	14,330,000
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			13,982,000	14,330,000		13,982,000	14,330,000
Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation, beginning of year			21,358,000	18,881,000
Acquisitions			0	0
Service cost			454,000	436,000	$ 796,000
Interest cost			885,000	919,000	1,129,000
Actuarial (gain) loss			(814,000)	1,929,000
Exchange gain			0	0
Benefit payments	[1]		(1,459,000)	(807,000)
Benefit obligation, end of year			20,424,000	21,358,000
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year			0	0
Acquisitions			0	0
Actual return			0	0
Benefit payments	[1]		(1,459,000)	(807,000)
Employer contributions			1,459,000	807,000
Fair value, end of year			0	0
Funded status						(20,424,000)	(21,358,000)
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)						(1,801,000)	(987,000)
Unrecognized prior service cost						(1,111,000)	(1,306,000)
Net amount recognized						(23,336,000)	(23,651,000)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Current liability						(1,009,000)	(1,007,000)
Noncurrent benefit liability						(19,415,000)	(20,351,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)						(2,912,000)	(2,293,000)
Net amount recognized						(23,336,000)	(23,651,000)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income):
Net actuarial loss (income)						(1,801,000)	(987,000)
Prior service cost						(1,111,000)	(1,306,000)
Net amount recognized						(2,912,000)	(2,293,000)
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost			454,000	436,000	796,000
Interest cost			885,000	919,000	1,129,000
Expected return on plan assets			0	0	0
Amortization:
Prior service cost			(195,000)	(195,000)	(272,000)
Net actuarial loss (gain)			0	(87,000)	439,000
Net benefit cost			1,144,000	$ 1,073,000	$ 2,092,000
Contributions during fiscal 2015:
Pension contributions			0
Other postretirement contributions			1,459,000
Amounts of AOCI expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss			0
Prior service cost			$ (195,000)
Weighted-average assumptions [Abstract]
Discount rate			4.25%	4.25%	5.00%
Return on plan assets			0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Compensation increase			0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			$ 0	$ 0		0	0
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			$ 0	$ 0		0	$ 0
Benefit payments expected to be paid [Abstract]
2,016						1,009,000
2,017						1,051,000
2,018						1,146,000
2,019						1,194,000
2,020						1,169,000
2021-2025						6,507,000
Total						$ 12,076,000
Assumed health care cost trend rates [Abstract]
Per capita cost of health care benefits assumed for next fiscal year			7.00%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate			4.00%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate						2,070
Effect of one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates [Abstract]
Effect of one percentage point increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation			$ 923,000
Effect of one percentage point increase on service and interest cost components			68,000
Effect of one percentage point decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation			809,000
Effect of one percentage point decrease on service and interest cost components			59,000
Other Retirement Plans [Member]
Contributions during fiscal 2015:
Pension contributions			1,081,000
Other postretirement contributions			$ 0
[1]	Pension benefit payments in fiscal 2015 includes $10,000 of lump sum distributions that were made to certain terminated vested employees as a settlement of the employees' pension obligations. These distributions did not meet the threshold to qualify as a settlement under U.S. GAAP and therefore, no unamortized actuarial loss was recognized in the Statement of Income upon completion of the lump sum distributions.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI59

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		$ (66,817)
Net current-period OCI		(83,659)	$ (39,762)	$ 38,225
Balance		(150,326)	(66,817)
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense		(20,610)	(12,628)	(12,925)
Total before tax		89,652	66,076	80,179
Tax provision (benefit)		(26,364)	(22,805)	(26,174)
Net of tax		63,288	43,271	54,005
Matthews [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		(66,817)
OCI before reclassification		(89,456)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		5,947
Net current-period OCI		(83,509)	(39,877)	38,143
Balance		(150,326)	(66,817)
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net of tax		63,449	42,625	54,121
Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		516
OCI before reclassification		(150)
Net current-period OCI		(150)	115	82
Balance		366	516
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net of tax		(161)	646	$ (116)
Postretirement 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	[1]	375
Actuarial losses	[1]	(6,203)
Total before tax	[2]	(5,828)
Tax provision (benefit)		(2,273)
Net of tax		(3,555)
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member] | Matthews [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		(39,651)
OCI before reclassification		(7,378)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	[3]	3,555
Net current-period OCI		(3,823)
Balance		(43,474)	(39,651)
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member] | Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		0
OCI before reclassification		0
Net current-period OCI		0
Balance		0	0
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | Matthews [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		(27,367)
OCI before reclassification		(77,237)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	[3]	0
Net current-period OCI		(77,237)
Balance		(104,604)	(27,367)
Currency Translation Adjustment [Member] | Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		516
OCI before reclassification		(150)
Net current-period OCI		(150)
Balance		366	516
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense		(3,922)
Total before tax	[2]	(3,922)
Tax provision (benefit)		(1,530)
Net of tax		(2,392)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Matthews [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		201
OCI before reclassification		(4,841)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	[4]	2,392
Net current-period OCI		(2,449)
Balance		(2,248)	201
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance		0
OCI before reclassification		0
Net current-period OCI		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 11.
[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 11).
[4]	Amounts were included in interest expense in the periods the hedged item affected earnings (see Note 7).

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Current [Abstract]
Federal	$ 655	$ 7,371	$ 15,703
State	1,466	3,612	3,423
Foreign	10,599	10,427	4,804
Total provision for income taxes, current	12,720	21,410	23,930
Deferred	13,644	1,395	2,244
Total	$ 26,364	$ 22,805	$ 26,174
Reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate [Abstract]
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction	1.80%	3.80%	2.70%
Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate	(3.20%)	(2.10%)	(3.10%)
Other	(4.20%)	(2.20%)	(2.00%)
Effective tax rate	29.40%	34.50%	32.60%
Foreign subsidiaries income before income taxes	$ 40,024	$ 23,835	$ 23,662
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	409,167
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]
Pension and postretirement benefits	42,134	34,309
Accruals and reserves not currently deductible	27,586	28,090
Income tax credit carryforward	9,160	9,839
Operating and capital loss carryforwards	25,012	25,419
Stock options	8,550	8,366
Other	7,396	21,089
Total deferred tax assets	119,838	127,112
Valuation allowances	(20,977)	(24,540)
Net deferred tax assets	98,861	102,572
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(8,509)	(7,651)
Goodwill and intangible assets	(193,876)	(183,685)
Other	(20,490)	(18,590)
Deferred tax liabilities	(222,875)	(209,926)
Net deferred tax liability	(124,014)	(107,354)
Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	4,311	4,516	4,501
Increase from acquisition	0	385	0
Increases for tax positions of prior years	475	369	0
Decreases for tax positions of prior years	(155)	(863)	(124)
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year	635	623	708
Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities	(27)	(12)	(250)
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation	(1,153)	(707)	(319)
Balance, end of year	4,086	4,311	$ 4,516
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	4,086	4,311
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	782
Total penalties and interest accrued	2,010	$ 2,135
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	2,782
Valuation allowance	153
Net carrying value of tax credit forwards	2,629
Capital Loss Carryforward [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Amount of tax credit carryforward	24,130
U.S. State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Amount of operating loss carryforwards	91,750
Amount of tax credit carryforward	4,922
Foreign [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Amount of operating loss carryforwards	66,542
Amount of tax credit carryforward	$ 4,238
United States - Federal [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2012 and forward
United States - State [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2011 and forward
Canada [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2010 and forward
Europe [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2009 and forward
United Kingdom [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2013 and forward
Australia [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2011 and forward
Asia [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2009 and forward

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI61

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES [Abstract]
Annual rental expense under operating leases	$ 31,766	$ 21,849	$ 17,664
Future minimum rental commitments under operating leases [Abstract]
Fiscal year 2016	17,149
Fiscal year 2017	11,404
Fiscal year 2018	6,544
Fiscal year 2019	4,747
Fiscal year 2020	2,460
Employment Agreements [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Aggregate commitment amount for salaries	$ 8,401

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS (Details)

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS [Abstract]
Environmental remediation accrual	$ 4,349
Environmental remediation accrual classified in other current liabilities	$ 1,239

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM63

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Current assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	$ 7,566	$ (13,492)	$ (2,786)
Inventories	17,001	4,429	3,827
Other current assets	(3,119)	(9,531)	1,350
Total change in current assets	21,448	(18,594)	2,391
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Trade accounts payable	(9,103)	5,720	(1,205)
Accrued compensation	(183)	(2,504)	7,143
Accrued income taxes	(8,059)	1,330	(2,278)
Other current liabilities	(6,854)	7,883	(9,054)
Total change in current liabilities	(24,199)	12,429	(5,394)
Net change	$ (2,751)	$ (6,165)	$ (3,003)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Segment	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013USD ($)
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of reporting segments | Segment									3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	$ 368,338	$ 364,752	$ 349,394	$ 343,584	$ 349,832	$ 279,983	$ 246,837	$ 229,945	$ 1,426,068	$ 1,106,597	$ 985,357
Depreciation and amortization									62,620	42,864	37,865
Operating profit	32,758	$ 27,405	$ 19,275	$ 25,585	14,470	$ 31,830	$ 20,543	$ 14,679	105,023	81,522	94,615
Total assets	2,163,018				2,024,048				2,163,018	2,024,048
Capital expenditures									48,251	29,237	24,924
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									1,426,068	1,106,597	985,357
Intersegment sales									580	529	486
Depreciation and amortization									62,620	42,864	37,865
Operating profit									105,023	81,522	94,615
Total assets	2,163,018				2,024,048				2,163,018	2,024,048	1,209,262
Capital expenditures									48,251	29,237	24,924
Operating Segments [Member] | SGK Brand Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									798,339	497,328	373,941
Intersegment sales									478	463	464
Depreciation and amortization									46,594	27,700	24,292
Operating profit									21,864	2,536	13,999
Total assets	1,171,914				1,278,869				1,171,914	1,278,869	495,808
Capital expenditures									23,676	16,734	9,764
Operating Segments [Member] | Memorialization [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									508,058	508,420	517,911
Intersegment sales									77	35	12
Depreciation and amortization									12,410	11,486	10,652
Operating profit									70,064	67,937	71,754
Total assets	766,089				557,089				766,089	557,089	536,890
Capital expenditures									10,922	8,257	10,988
Operating Segments [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									119,671	100,849	93,505
Intersegment sales									25	31	10
Depreciation and amortization									2,294	2,203	1,675
Operating profit									13,095	11,049	8,862
Total assets	116,867				115,470				116,867	115,470	113,420
Capital expenditures									5,866	3,325	2,904
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									0	0	0
Intersegment sales									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									1,322	1,475	1,246
Operating profit									0	0	0
Total assets	$ 108,148				$ 72,620				108,148	72,620	63,144
Capital expenditures									$ 7,787	$ 921	$ 1,268

SEGMENT INFORMATION, Revenues f

SEGMENT INFORMATION, Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	$ 368,338	$ 364,752	$ 349,394	$ 343,584	$ 349,832	$ 279,983	$ 246,837	$ 229,945	$ 1,426,068	$ 1,106,597	$ 985,357
Long-lived assets	1,498,136				1,410,644				1,498,136	1,410,644	770,384
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									936,513	676,764	617,371
Long-lived assets	1,016,703				918,996				1,016,703	918,996	421,697
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Central and South America [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									8,806	3,272	0
Long-lived assets	17,488				10,739				17,488	10,739	3,731
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Canada [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									30,367	14,471	12,014
Long-lived assets	41,690				36,543				41,690	36,543	483
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Europe [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									398,533	380,229	328,266
Long-lived assets	349,533				391,944				349,533	391,944	324,731
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Australia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									21,225	13,994	13,534
Long-lived assets	22,072				21,300				22,072	21,300	6,338
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Asia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers									30,624	17,867	14,172
Long-lived assets	$ 50,650				$ 31,122				$ 50,650	$ 31,122	$ 13,404

ACQUISITIONS (Details)

ACQUISITIONS (Details) $ / shares in Units, € in Millions	Aug. 19, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 29, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2012USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2012USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2012EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2013USD ($)LocationCountry$ / shares	Mar. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2011
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired							$ 213,470,000	$ 382,104,000	$ 73,959,000
Goodwill							855,728,000	819,467,000	524,551,000
Revenues							1,426,068,000	1,458,277,000	1,430,843,000
Net Assets Acquired [Abstract]
Sales							1,426,068,000	1,458,277,000	1,430,843,000
Income before income taxes							89,652,000	89,779,000	41,271,000
Net income							$ 63,449,000	$ 63,586,000	$ 29,470,000
Earnings per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares							$ 1.91	$ 1.93	$ 0.89
Memorialization [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill							$ 341,946,000	$ 273,282,000	$ 272,326,000
Aurora [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price of acquisition	$ 211,604,000
Intangible assets	76,340,000
Unamortized intangible assets	30,540,000
Property, plant and equipment	29,062,000
Other assets	32,615,000
Amount of goodwill deductible for tax purposes	43,000,000
Revenues						$ 142,000,000
Net Assets Acquired [Abstract]
Sales						$ 142,000,000
Aurora [Member] | Memorialization [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 73,623,000
Schawk Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition price (in shares) | shares		0.20582
Business acquisition cash price per share (in dollars per share)		$ 11.80
Closing price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 20.74
Number of service deliverable locations | Location									155
Number of service deliverable countries | Country									20
Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired		$ 616,686,000
Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Interest acquired										38.50%	61.50%
Pyramid Control Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price of acquisition			$ 26,178,000
Additional purchase price of acquisition			$ 3,703,000
Wetzel Holding AG [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price of acquisition				$ 54,748,000	€ 42.6

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE67

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross	$ 830,219	$ 535,303
Accumulated impairment losses	(10,752)	(10,752)
Goodwill	819,467	524,551
Additions during period	76,099	312,691
Translation and other adjustments	(39,838)	(17,775)
Goodwill, gross	866,480	830,219
Accumulated impairment losses	(10,752)	(10,752)
Goodwill	855,728	819,467
SGK Brand Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross	501,050	204,331
Accumulated impairment losses	(5,752)	(5,752)
Goodwill	495,298	198,579
Additions during period	250	312,403
Translation and other adjustments	(34,653)	(15,684)
Goodwill, gross	466,647	501,050
Accumulated impairment losses	(5,752)	(5,752)
Goodwill	460,895	495,298
Memorialization [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross	278,282	280,326
Accumulated impairment losses	(5,000)	(5,000)
Goodwill	273,282	272,326
Additions during period	73,623	0
Translation and other adjustments	(4,959)	(2,044)
Goodwill, gross	346,946	278,282
Accumulated impairment losses	(5,000)	(5,000)
Goodwill	341,946	273,282
Industrial [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross	50,887	50,646
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill	50,887	50,646
Additions during period	2,226	288
Translation and other adjustments	(226)	(47)
Goodwill, gross	52,887	50,887
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill	$ 52,887	$ 50,887

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE68

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Manufacturer	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013USD ($)
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying amount		$ 478,360	$ 418,352
Accumulated amortization		(63,360)	(36,490)
Net		$ 415,000	381,862
Number of manufacturers acquired | Manufacturer		2
Net proceeds from acquisition		$ 10,400
Amortization expense on intangible assets		18,800	7,318	$ 4,156
Future amortization expense [Abstract]
Future amortization expense 2015		21,462
Future amortization expense 2016		20,315
Future amortization expense 2017		19,020
Future amortization expense 2018		17,985
Future amortization expense 2019		16,866
Trade names not subject to amortization [Member]
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying amount		168,467	142,529
Accumulated amortization	[1]	0	0
Net		168,467	142,529
Trade names [Member]
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying amount		1,815	2,854
Accumulated amortization		(1,718)	(2,121)
Net		97	733
Trade names [Member] | SGK Brand Solutions [Member]
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Impairment loss		4,842
Customer relationships [Member]
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying amount		296,689	258,441
Accumulated amortization		(51,393)	(24,785)
Net		245,296	233,656
Copyrights/patents/other [Member]
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying amount		11,389	14,528
Accumulated amortization		(10,249)	(9,584)
Net		$ 1,140	$ 4,944
[1]	Not subject to amortization.

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFOR69

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Sales	$ 368,338	$ 364,752	$ 349,394	$ 343,584	$ 349,832	$ 279,983	$ 246,837	$ 229,945	$ 1,426,068	$ 1,106,597	$ 985,357
Gross profit	141,574	135,436	127,695	124,670	116,708	104,230	90,182	81,376	529,375	392,496	356,518
Operating profit	32,758	27,405	19,275	25,585	14,470	31,830	20,543	14,679	105,023	81,522	94,615
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ 16,974	$ 23,140	$ 8,975	$ 14,360	$ 4,805	$ 19,041	$ 10,992	$ 7,787	$ 63,449	$ 42,625	$ 54,121
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.70	$ 0.27	$ 0.44	$ 0.15	$ 0.70	$ 0.40	$ 0.29	$ 1.93	$ 1.51	$ 1.96
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.70	$ 0.27	$ 0.43	$ 0.15	$ 0.69	$ 0.40	$ 0.29	$ 1.91	$ 1.49	$ 1.95
Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders			$ 601	$ 591
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)			$ 0.02	$ 0.01
Diluted (in dollars per share)			$ 0.02	$ 0.02

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUA70

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		$ 10,937	$ 10,009	$ 11,177
Additions charged to expense		2,101	2,223	595
Additions charged to other Accounts	[1]	(134)	883	306
Deductions	[2]	(2,889)	(2,178)	(2,069)
Balance at end of period		10,015	10,937	10,009
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance [Member]
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		24,540	2,234	1,627
Additions charged to expense	[3]	399	1,224	512
Additions charged to other Accounts	[4]	(1,705)	22,098	0
Deductions	[5]	(2,257)	(1,016)	95
Balance at end of period		20,977	$ 24,540	$ 2,234
Valuation Allowance, Operating Loss Carryforwards [Member]
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll Forward]
Additions charged to other Accounts		1,332
Purchase Accounting Adjustments [Member]
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll Forward]
Additions charged to other Accounts		$ 23,430
[1]	Amount comprised principally of acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments in connection with acquisitions, and amounts reclassified to other accounts.
[2]	Amounts determined not to be collectible (including direct write-offs), net of recoveries.
[3]	Amounts relate primarily to the adjustments in net operating loss carryforwards which are precluded from use.
[4]	Fiscal year 2015 amounts primarily reflect a release of a valuation allowance resulting from a fiscal 2015 legal structure reorganization in foreign jurisdictions that enabled the utilization of certain tax attributes. Fiscal year 2014 amounts are comprised of reductions in net operating loss carryforwards which are precluded from use of $1,332 and purchase accounting adjustments of $23,430.
[5]	Consists principally of adjustments related to foreign exchange.