Matthews International (MATW) 10-K22 Nov 192019 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Cover Page

Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-K
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-09115
Entity Registrant Name	MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	PA
Entity Tax Identification Number	25-0644320
Entity Address, Address Line One	Two Northshore Center,
Entity Address, City or Town	Pittsburgh,
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	15212‑5851
City Area Code	(412)
Local Phone Number	442-8200
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, $1.00 par value
Trading Symbol	MATW
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 1.1
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		31,339,703
Entity Central Index Key	0000063296
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 35,302	$ 41,572
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,846 and $11,158, respectively	318,756	331,463
Inventories	180,274	180,451
Other current assets	49,384	61,592
Total current assets	583,716	615,078
Investments	85,501	45,430
Property, plant and equipment, net	237,442	252,775
Deferred income taxes	5,032	1,837
Other assets	31,455	49,820
Goodwill	846,807	948,894
Other intangible assets, net	400,650	443,910
Total assets	2,190,603	2,357,744
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt, current maturities	42,503	31,260
Trade accounts payable	74,558	70,044
Accrued compensation	42,545	51,490
Accrued income taxes	5,997	11,413
Other current liabilities	114,276	122,195
Total current liabilities	279,879	286,402
Long-term debt	898,194	929,342
Accrued pension	133,762	82,035
Postretirement benefits	19,963	17,753
Deferred income taxes	102,482	121,519
Other liabilities	37,087	51,979
Total liabilities	1,471,367	1,489,030
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	137,774	129,252
Retained earnings	972,594	1,040,378
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(228,361)	(164,298)
Treasury stock, 4,985,508 and 4,259,206 shares, respectively, at cost	(200,235)	(173,315)
Total shareholders' equity-Matthews	718,106	868,351
Noncontrolling interests	1,130	363
Total shareholders' equity	719,236	868,714
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 2,190,603	$ 2,357,744

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 10,846	$ 11,158
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)	4,985,508	4,259,206
Class A common stock
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
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,537,276	$ 1,602,580	$ 1,515,608
Cost of sales	(994,810)	(1,018,359)	(947,820)
Gross profit	542,466	584,221	567,788
Selling expense	(133,368)	(141,570)	(142,783)
Administrative expense	(275,467)	(272,532)	(280,316)
Intangible amortization	(45,756)	(31,562)	(23,313)
Goodwill write-down	(77,572)	0	0
Operating profit	10,303	138,557	121,376
Investment income	1,494	1,570	2,468
Interest expense	(40,962)	(37,427)	(26,371)
Other income (deductions), net	(8,918)	(4,707)	(1,186)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(38,083)	97,993	96,287
Income tax (provision) benefit	(806)	9,118	(22,354)
Net (loss) income	(38,889)	107,111	73,933
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	901	260	435
Net (loss) income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ (37,988)	$ 107,371	$ 74,368
(Loss) earnings per share attributable to Matthews shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.21)	$ 3.39	$ 2.31
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.21)	$ 3.37	$ 2.28

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net loss	$ (38,889)	$ 107,111	$ 73,933
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(21,346)	(21,982)	9,471
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	(33,867)	15,631	12,427
Unrecognized loss on derivatives:
Net change from periodic revaluation	(6,540)	6,095	7,043
Net amount reclassified to earnings	(2,402)	(1,042)	(1,069)
Net change in unrecognized loss on derivatives	(8,942)	5,053	5,974
Net current-period OCI	(64,155)	(1,298)	27,872
Comprehensive loss	(103,044)	105,813	101,805
Noncontrolling Interest
Net loss	(901)	(260)	(435)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(92)	71	119
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	0	0	0
Unrecognized loss on derivatives:
Net change from periodic revaluation	0	0	0
Net amount reclassified to earnings	0	0	0
Net change in unrecognized loss on derivatives	0	0	0
Net current-period OCI	(92)	71	119
Comprehensive loss	(993)	(189)	(316)
Matthews
Net loss	(37,988)	107,371	74,368
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(21,254)	(22,053)	9,352
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	(33,867)	15,631	12,427
Unrecognized loss on derivatives:
Net change from periodic revaluation	(6,540)	6,095	7,043
Net amount reclassified to earnings	(2,402)	(1,042)	(1,069)
Net change in unrecognized loss on derivatives	(8,942)	5,053	5,974
Net current-period OCI	(64,063)	(1,369)	27,753
Comprehensive loss	$ (102,051)	$ 106,002	$ 102,121

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (net of tax)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 709,334	$ 36,334	$ 117,088	$ 896,224	$ (181,868)	$ (159,113)	$ 669
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	73,933			74,368			(435)
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	12,427				12,427
Translation adjustment	9,471				9,352		119
Fair value of derivatives	5,974				5,974		0
Comprehensive loss	101,805						(316)
Stock-based compensation	14,562		14,562
Purchase of treasury stock	(14,025)					(14,025)
Issuance of treasury stock	146		(8,397)			8,543
Cancellations of treasury stock			179			(179)
Dividends	(21,762)			(21,762)
Transactions with noncontrolling interests	199		0				199
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	790,259	36,334	123,432	948,830	(154,115)	(164,774)	552
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	107,111			107,371			(260)
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	15,631				15,631
Translation adjustment	(21,982)				(22,053)		71
Fair value of derivatives	5,053				5,053		0
Comprehensive loss	105,813						(189)
Stock-based compensation	13,460		13,460
Purchase of treasury stock	(21,181)					(21,181)
Issuance of treasury stock	5,000		(8,040)			13,040
Cancellations of treasury stock			400			(400)
Dividends	(24,637)			(24,637)
Reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (AOCI) tax effects	(8,814)			8,814	(8,814)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	868,714	36,334	129,252	1,040,378	(164,298)	(173,315)	363
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	(38,889)			(37,988)			(901)
Pension plans and other postretirement benefits	(33,867)				(33,867)
Translation adjustment	(21,346)				(21,254)		(92)
Fair value of derivatives	(8,942)				(8,942)		0
Comprehensive loss	(103,044)						(993)
Stock-based compensation	7,729		7,729
Purchase of treasury stock	(26,127)					(26,127)
Issuance of treasury stock	0		(154)			154
Cancellations of treasury stock			947			(947)
Dividends	(25,620)			(25,620)
Acquisition	1,760						1,760
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 719,236	$ 36,334	$ 137,774	$ 972,594	$ (228,361)	$ (200,235)	$ 1,130

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SH_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	709,970	393,864	212,424
Issuance of treasury stock (in shares)	3,782	326,827	221,958
Cancellation of treasury stock (in shares)	20,114	6,756	2,640

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ (38,889)	$ 107,111	$ 73,933
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	90,793	76,974	67,981
Stock-based compensation expense	7,729	13,460	14,562
Deferred tax (benefit) provision	(6,783)	(23,125)	9,725
Gain on sale of assets, net	(8,567)	(2,190)	(776)
Loss on divestitures	6,469	0	0
Unrealized gain on investments in mutual funds	(305)	(1,304)	(2,660)
Losses from equity-method investments	2,050	0	0
Realized loss (gain) on cost-method investments	4,731	(3,771)	0
Goodwill write-down	77,572	0	0
Changes in working capital items	(12,482)	(9,934)	5,784
Decrease (increase) in other assets	4,677	(9,872)	(17,256)
Increase in other liabilities	7,540	5,406	2,539
Other operating activities, net	(3,452)	(5,181)	(4,533)
Net cash provided by operating activities	131,083	147,574	149,299
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(37,688)	(43,200)	(44,935)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(11,504)	(121,065)	(98,235)
Proceeds from sale of assets	13,253	4,705	3,764
Proceeds from sale of investments	0	9,158	0
Proceeds from divestiture	8,254	0	0
Purchases of investments	(33,074)	(11,934)	(2,211)
Net cash used in investing activities	(60,759)	(162,336)	(141,617)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	503,693	704,188	417,043
Payments on long-term debt	(519,731)	(651,166)	(388,447)
Acquisition holdback and contingent consideration payments	(4,421)	0	0
Purchases of treasury stock	(26,127)	(21,181)	(14,025)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	0	14
Dividends	(25,620)	(24,637)	(21,762)
Other financing activities	(2,836)	(6,303)	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(75,042)	901	(7,177)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,552)	(2,082)	1,299
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(6,270)	(15,943)	1,804
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	41,572	57,515	55,711
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	35,302	41,572	57,515
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	41,453	37,232	26,271
Income taxes	15,467	11,014	8,472
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Acquisition of long-term asset under financing arrangement	$ 0	$ 14,544	$ 0

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

NATURE OF OPERATIONS	12 Months Ended
NATURE OF OPERATIONS	Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
NATURE OF OPERATIONS	NATURE OF OPERATIONS: Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews" or the "Company"), founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a global provider of brand solutions, memorialization products and industrial technologies. Brand solutions consists of brand management, pre-media services, printing plates and cylinders, engineered products, imaging services, digital asset management, merchandising display systems, and marketing and design services primarily for the consumer goods and retail industries. Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment primarily for the cemetery and funeral home industries. Industrial technologies 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 facilities in the North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	Sep. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	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. Investments in certain companies over which the Company exerts significant influence, but does not control the financial and operating decisions, are accounted for as equity method investments. Investments in certain companies over which the Company does not exert significant influence are accounted for as cost-method investments. 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. Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications are not material to the prior year presentation. 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. Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost generally determined under the average cost method. Inventory costs include material, labor, and applicable manufacturing overhead (including depreciation) and other direct costs. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. 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 to expense 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. No such charges were recognized during the years presented. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 15 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 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 and other market indicators. For purposes of testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company generally uses a relief from royalty method. Pension and Other Postretirement Plans: Pension assets and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets and the discount rate used to determine the present value of benefit obligations. Actual changes in the fair market value of plan assets and differences between the actual return on plan assets, the expected return on plan assets and changes in the selected discount rate will affect the amount of pension cost. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of the obligations and plan assets are initially recognized through other comprehensive income and subsequently amortized to the Consolidated Statement of Income. 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. Derivatives and Hedging: Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program. All derivatives are 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) ("OCI"), 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. Foreign Currency: The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is generally 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 based upon the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 830 "Foreign Currency Matters." Comprehensive Income (Loss): Comprehensive income (loss) 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 remeasurement of pension and other postretirement liabilities. Treasury Stock: Treasury stock is carried at cost. The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method. Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when control of a good or service promised in a contract (i.e., performance obligation) is transferred to a customer. Control is obtained when a customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from that good or service. For substantially all transactions, control passes in accordance with agreed upon delivery terms, including in certain circumstances, customer acceptance. This approach is consistent with the Company’s historical revenue recognition methodology. In limited instances revenue is recognized over time as critical milestones are met and as services are provided. Transaction price, for revenue recognition, is allocated to each performance obligation consisting of the stand alone selling price, estimates of rebates and other sales or contract renewal incentives, and cash discounts and sales returns ("Variable Consideration"). Estimates are made for Variable Consideration based on contract terms and historical experience of actual results and are applied to the performance obligations as they are satisfied. Each product or service delivered to a third-party customer is considered to satisfy a performance obligation. Performance obligations generally occur at a point in time and are satisfied when control of the goods passes to the customer. Certain revenue related to mausoleum construction and significant engineering projects, including cremation and incineration projects, and marking and industrial automation projects, are recognized over time using the input method measuring progress toward completion of such projects. Amounts recognized using the over time method were less than 5% of the Company's consolidated revenue for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 . The Company is entitled to collection of the sales price under normal credit terms in the regions in which it operates. Refer to Note 4, “Revenue Recognition,” for a further discussion. Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs: All fees billed to the customer for shipping and handling are classified as a component of net revenues. All costs associated with shipping and handling are classified as a component of cost of sales or selling expense. Research and Development Expenses: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $26,176 , $24,984 and $20,722 for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Stock-Based Compensation: 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. 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 have not been provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries since they have either been previously taxed, or are now exempt from tax, under the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely in foreign operations. 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.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	12 Months Ended
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	Sep. 30, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS: Issued In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20) , which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. This ASU is effective for the Company beginning in interim periods starting in fiscal year 2021. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement , which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements including the consideration of costs and benefits. This ASU is effective for the Company beginning in interim periods starting in fiscal year 2020. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) , which provides new guidance intended to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. This ASU is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2020. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) , which provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each report date. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , which provides new guidance on how an entity should account for leases and recognize associated lease assets and liabilities. This ASU requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities that arise from financing and operating leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Subsequently, the FASB issued several ASUs that address implementation issues and correct or improve certain aspects of the new lease guidance, including ASU 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842), ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842) Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 , ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases , ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, ASU 2018-20, Leases (Topic 842): Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors, and ASU 2019-01, Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements . These ASUs do not change the core principles in the lease guidance outlined above. ASU No. 2018-11 provides an additional transition method to adopt ASU No. 2016-02. Under the new transition method, an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date versus at the beginning of the earliest period presented and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company has elected to use this transition method at the adoption date of October 1, 2019. ASU No. 2016-02 and the related ASUs referenced above are effective for the Company beginning in interim periods starting in fiscal year 2020. The Company expects the estimated right-of-use asset and related lease liability recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet to approximate $85 million . The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact to its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows or Consolidated Statement of Income. Adopted In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) , which provides new guidance intended to clarify and reduce complexities in applying stock compensation guidance to a change to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2018 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost , which provides new guidance intended to improve the disclosure requirements related to the service cost component of net benefit cost. ASU 2017-07 requires a company to present the service cost components of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line as other employee compensation costs, with the remaining components of net periodic benefit cost presented separately from the service cost components and outside of any subtotal of operating income, if one is presented. The Company adopted this standard on October 1, 2018 applying the presentation requirements retrospectively. For the year ended September 30, 2018, the Company reclassified net benefit costs of $ 2,871 , $ 907 and $ 1,945 , from cost of sales, selling expense and administrative expense, respectively, to other income (deductions), net. For the year ended September 30, 2017, the Company reclassified net benefit costs of $ 4,401 , $ 1,391 and $ 2,981 , from cost of sales, selling expense and administrative expense, respectively, to other income (deductions), net. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment , which provides new guidance intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill and removing Step 2 from the goodwill impairment process. The Company early adopted this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2017. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, but modifies the methodology to assess and measure goodwill impairment prospectively. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business , which provides new guidance intended to make the definition of a business more operable and allow for more consistency in application. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2018 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740) , which will require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The Company adopted ASU 2016-16 on October 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method which resulted in a decrease to retained earnings and other assets of $ 4,176 . In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force) , which provides new guidance intended to clarify the presentation of certain cash flow items including debt prepayments, debt extinguishment costs, contingent considerations payments, and insurance proceeds, among other things. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , which provides new guidance intended to improve the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10), that provides guidance related to implementation issues and corrects or improves certain aspects of the financial instruments guidance. The adoption of these ASUs in the first quarter ended December 31, 2018 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory , which provides 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 adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2017 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 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. During 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued six ASUs that address implementation issues and correct or improve certain aspects of the new revenue recognition guidance, including ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) , ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing , ASU 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , ASU 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842) and ASU 2017-14, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . These ASUs do not change the core principles in the revenue recognition guidance outlined above. The Company adopted the provisions of these ASUs in the first fiscal quarter of 2019, using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of these ASUs did not impact the Company's consolidated financial statements and therefore, there was no cumulative effect adjustment recognized to retained earnings on October 1, 2018. Refer to Note 4, “Revenue Recognition,” for a further discussion. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) , which provides new guidance to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The amount of reclassification is the difference between the Company's historical U.S. income tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate income tax rate. The Company early adopted this ASU in the third quarter ended June 30, 2018. The adoption of this ASU resulted in a decrease to AOCI and corresponding increase to retained earnings of $8,814 .

REVENUE RECOGNITION

REVENUE RECOGNITION	12 Months Ended
REVENUE RECOGNITION	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
REVENUE RECOGNITION	REVENUE RECOGNITION: The Company delivers a variety of products and services through its business segments. The SGK Brand Solutions segment delivers brand management, pre-media services, printing plates and cylinders, engineered products, and imaging services for consumer goods and retail customers, merchandising display systems, and marketing and design services primarily to the consumer goods and retail industries. The Memorialization segment produces and delivers bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment primarily for the cemetery and funeral home industries. The Industrial Technologies segment delivers marking and coding equipment and consumables, industrial automation products and order fulfillment systems for identifying, tracking, picking and conveying consumer and industrial products for the warehousing and industrial industries. The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers by geography, as it believes geographic regions best depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Disaggregated sales by segment and region for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 were as follows: North America Central and South America Europe Australia Asia Consolidated SGK Brand Solutions: 2019 $ 320,553 $ 5,853 $ 362,088 $ 11,767 $ 43,608 $ 743,869 2018 351,631 6,171 389,151 12,599 45,722 805,274 2017 371,961 6,518 338,988 10,558 42,156 770,181 Memorialization: 2019 $ 590,575 $ — $ 37,199 $ 9,118 $ — $ 636,892 2018 583,942 — 36,773 10,677 — 631,392 2017 569,662 — 35,271 10,949 — 615,882 Industrial Technologies: 2019 $ 127,140 $ — $ 26,966 $ — $ 2,409 $ 156,515 2018 130,794 — 30,154 — 4,966 165,914 2017 102,301 — 21,983 — 5,261 129,545 Consolidated: 2019 $ 1,038,268 $ 5,853 $ 426,253 $ 20,885 $ 46,017 $ 1,537,276 2018 1,066,367 6,171 456,078 23,276 50,688 1,602,580 2017 1,043,924 6,518 396,242 21,507 47,417 1,515,608

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	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, 2019 and 2018 , the fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were categorized as follows: September 30, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Derivatives (1) $ — $ 845 $ — $ 845 Equity and fixed income mutual funds — 22,986 — 22,986 Life insurance policies — 4,030 — 4,030 Total assets at fair value $ — $ 27,861 $ — $ 27,861 Liabilities: Derivatives (1) $ — $ 1,379 $ — $ 1,379 Total liabilities at fair value $ — $ 1,379 $ — $ 1,379 (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, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Derivatives (1) $ — $ 11,309 $ — $ 11,309 Equity and fixed income mutual funds — 22,758 — 22,758 Life insurance policies — 5,894 — 5,894 Total assets at fair value $ — $ 39,961 $ — $ 39,961 Liabilities: Derivatives (1) $ — $ — $ — $ — Total liabilities at fair value $ — $ — $ — $ — (1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	12 Months Ended
INVENTORIES	Sep. 30, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	INVENTORIES: Inventories at September 30, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following: 2019 2018 Raw materials $ 35,616 $ 34,880 Work in process 76,297 67,827 Finished goods 68,361 77,744 $ 180,274 $ 180,451

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	12 Months Ended
INVESTMENTS	Sep. 30, 2019
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
INVESTMENTS	INVESTMENTS: Equity and fixed income mutual funds are classified as trading securities and recorded at fair value. The market value of these investments exceeded cost by $941 and $838 at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in investment income. Realized gains (losses) for fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 were not material. Cost-method investments include ownership interests in various entities of less than 20% . At September 30, 2019 and 2018 , non-current investments were as follows: 2019 2018 Equity and fixed income mutual funds $ 22,986 $ 22,758 Life insurance policies 4,030 5,894 Equity-method investments 39,761 — Cost-method investments 18,724 16,778 $ 85,501 $ 45,430 During fiscal 2019, the Company completed the sale of a 51% ownership interest in a small Memorialization business. Immediately following the transaction, the Company retained a non-controlling interest in this business, which was accounted for as an equity-method investment. The Company made additional capital contributions to this non-consolidated subsidiary totaling $ 29,148 during fiscal 2019 and continued to account for this non-controlling interest as an equity method investment. Changes in cost-method investments during fiscal 2019 resulted from additional purchases of investments in the SGK Brand Solutions segment, partially offset by losses from certain investments in the SGK Brand Solutions and Memorialization segments. During fiscal 2018 , the Company purchased an $11,747 ownership interest in a company in the SGK Brand Solutions segment, which was recorded as a cost-method investment. In fiscal 2018, the Company also sold certain of its cost-method investments for net proceeds totaling $9,159 . In connection with these dispositions, the Company recognized $3,771 of pre-tax gains within other income (deductions), net.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	Sep. 30, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation at September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: 2019 2018 Buildings $ 114,276 $ 113,027 Machinery, equipment and other 446,356 452,846 560,632 565,873 Less accumulated depreciation (361,193 ) (357,827 ) 199,439 208,046 Land 17,310 18,017 Construction in progress 20,693 26,712 $ 237,442 $ 252,775 Depreciation expense, including amortization of assets under capital lease, was $45,037 , $45,412 and $44,668 for each of the three years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT: Long-term debt at September 30, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following: 2019 2018 Revolving credit facilities $ 476,132 $ 322,711 Securitization facility 93,950 102,250 Senior secured term loan 53,497 212,086 2025 Senior Notes 296,716 296,176 Notes payable to banks 16,376 17,895 Short-term borrowings 395 4,915 Capital lease obligations 3,631 4,569 940,697 960,602 Less current maturities (42,503 ) (31,260 ) $ 898,194 $ 929,342 The Company has a domestic credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions that includes a $900,000 senior secured revolving credit facility and a $250,000 senior secured amortizing term loan. A portion of the revolving credit facility (not to exceed $150,000 ) can be drawn in foreign currencies. The term loan requires scheduled principal payments of 5.0% of the outstanding principal in year one, 7.5% in year two, and 10.0% in years three through five, payable in quarterly installments. Pursuant to the terms of the domestic credit facility agreement, principal payments may be made on the term loan prior to the scheduled due date. The balance of the revolving credit facility and the term loan are due on the maturity date of April 26, 2021. Borrowings under both the revolving credit facility and the term loan bear interest at LIBOR (Euro LIBOR for balances drawn in Euros) plus a factor ranging from 0.75% to 2.00% ( 1.50% at September 30, 2019 ) based on the Company's secured leverage ratio. The secured leverage ratio is defined as net secured indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) as defined within the domestic credit facility agreement. The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.25% (based on the Company's leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. The domestic credit facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios. A portion of the facility (not to exceed $35,000 ) is available for the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit. Outstanding U.S. dollar denominated borrowings on the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2019 and 2018 were $325,638 and $319,500 , respectively. During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company borrowed €125.0 million on the revolving credit facility. Proceeds from the Euro denominated borrowing were used to make a principal payment of $140,000 on the outstanding balance of the term loan. Outstanding Euro denominated borrowings on the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2019 were €125.0 million ( $136,470 ). There were no Euro denominated borrowings on the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2018 . Outstanding borrowings on the term loan at September 30, 2019 and 2018 were $53,497 and $212,086 , respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings for the domestic credit facility (including the effects of interest rate swaps and Euro denominated borrowings) at September 30, 2019 and 2018 was 2.65% and 3.12% , respectively. The Company has $300,000 of 5.25% senior unsecured notes due December 1, 2025 (the "2025 Senior Notes"). The 2025 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.25% per annum with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Company's obligations under the 2025 Senior Notes are guaranteed by certain of the Company's direct and indirect wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The Company is subject to certain covenants and other restrictions in connection with the 2025 Senior Notes. The Company incurred direct financing fees and costs in connection with 2025 Senior Notes of $4,127 , which are being deferred and amortized over the term of the 2025 Senior Notes. 9. LONG-TERM DEBT, (continued) The Company has a $115,000 accounts receivable securitization facility (the "Securitization Facility") with certain financial institutions which matures on April 11, 2020, and the Company intends to extend this facility. Under the Securitization Facility, the Company and certain of its domestic subsidiaries sell, on a continuous basis without recourse, their trade receivables to Matthews Receivables Funding Corporation, LLC (“Matthews RFC”), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote subsidiary of the Company. Matthews RFC in turn assigns a collateral interest in these receivables to certain financial institutions, and then may borrow funds under the Securitization Facility. The Securitization Facility does not qualify for sale treatment. Accordingly, the trade receivables and related debt obligations remain on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Borrowings under the Securitization Facility bear interest at LIBOR plus 0.75% . The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.35% of the unused portion of the Securitization Facility. Outstanding borrowings under the Securitization Facility at September 30, 2019 and 2018 were $93,950 and $102,250 , respectively. The interest rate on borrowings under this facility at September 30, 2019 and 2018 was 2.77% and 3.01% , respectively. The following table presents information related to interest rate contracts entered into by the Company and designated as cash flow hedges: September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018 Pay fixed swaps - notional amount $ 293,750 $ 343,750 Net unrealized (loss) gain $ (534 ) $ 11,309 Weighted-average maturity period (years) 1.9 2.7 Weighted-average received rate 2.02 % 2.26 % Weighted-average pay rate 1.41 % 1.37 % 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 future variable interest payments 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 $534 ( $403 after tax) and an unrealized gain of $11,309 ( $8,538 after tax) at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , 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, 2019 , a gain (net of tax) of approximately $48 included in AOCI is expected to be recognized in earnings over the next twelve months. At September 30, 2019 and 2018 , the interest rate swap contracts were reflected on a gross-basis in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: Derivatives: 2019 2018 Current assets: Other current assets $ 548 $ 3,867 Long-term assets: Other assets 297 7,442 Current liabilities: Other current liabilities (484 ) — Long-term liabilities: Other liabilities (895 ) — Total derivatives $ (534 ) $ 11,309 9. LONG-TERM DEBT, (continued) The gains recognized on derivatives was as follows: Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships Location of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives Amount of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives 2019 2018 2017 Interest rate swaps Interest expense $3,181 $1,380 $1,752 The Company recognized the following gains (losses) in AOCI: Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships Amount of (Loss) Gain Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives Location of Gain Reclassified from AOCI into Income Amount of Gain Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) 2019 2018 2017 (Effective Portion) 2019 2018 2017 Interest rate swaps $(6,540) $6,095 $7,043 Interest expense $2,402 $1,042 $1,069 * 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, which is guaranteed by Matthews. The maximum amount of borrowings available under this facility is €35.0 million ( $38,212 ). The credit facility matures in December 2019 and the Company intends to extend this facility. Outstanding borrowings under this facility were €12.8 million ( $14,024 ) and €2.8 million ( $3,211 ) at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under this facility was 1.25% and 1.75% at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company’s German subsidiary, Matthews Europe GmbH & Co. KG, has €15.0 million ( $16,376 ) of senior unsecured notes with European banks. The notes are guaranteed by Matthews and mature in November 2019. A portion of the notes ( €5.0 million ) have a fixed interest rate of 1.40% , and the remainder bear interest at Euro LIBOR plus 1.40% . The weighted-average interest rate on the notes at September 30, 2019 and 2018 was 1.40% . Other debt totaled $395 and $5,399 at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these outstanding borrowings was 2.17% and 2.21% at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company uses certain foreign currency debt instruments as net investment hedges of foreign operations. Currency losses of $3,320 (net of income taxes of $1,077 ), which represent effective hedges of net investments, were reported as a component of AOCI within currency translation adjustment for the fiscal year 2019 . The Company did not have any net investments hedges in the prior year. In September 2014, a claim was filed seeking to draw upon a letter of credit issued by the Company of £8,570,000 ( $10,541 at September 30, 2019 ) with respect to a performance guarantee on an environmental solutions project in Saudi Arabia. Management assessed the customer's demand to be without merit and initiated an action with the court in the United Kingdom (the "U.K. Court"). Pursuant to this action, an order was issued by the U.K. Court in January 2015 requiring that, upon receipt by the customer, the funds were to be remitted by the customer to the U.K. Court pending resolution of the dispute between the parties. As a result, the Company made payment on the draw to the financial institution for the letter of credit and the funds were ultimately received by the customer. The customer did not remit the funds to the U.K. Court as ordered. On June 14, 2016, the U.K Court ruled completely in favor of Matthews following a trial on the merits. However, the ongoing dispute involves litigation in multiple foreign jurisdictions because the contract between the parties includes a venue clause requiring the venue for any litigation to be in the United Kingdom, while the enforcement of any final judgment is required to be executed in Saudi Arabia. The Company is currently pursuing a trial on the merits in Saudi Arabia which may not finally be resolved until calendar year 2020. It is necessary to obtain an equivalent favorable ruling in the courts of Saudi Arabia to effectively enforce judgment and commence collection efforts. The Company remains confident regarding the pending trial on the merits in Saudi Arabia and expects to be in a position to enforce the judgment and initiate collection efforts following completion of that trial. However, as the customer has neither yet remitted the funds nor complied with the final, un-appealed orders of the U.K. Court, it is possible the resolution of this matter could have an unfavorable financial impact on Matthews’ results of operations. The Company’s level of success in recovering funds from the customer will depend upon a number of factors including, a successful completion of the pending trial on the merits in Saudi Arabia, the availability of recoverable funds, and the subsequent level of cooperation from the Saudi Arabian government to enforce a potential judgment against the creditor. The Company has determined that resolution of this matter may take an extended period of time and therefore 9. LONG-TERM DEBT, (continued) has classified the funded letter of credit within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2019 and 2018. The Company will continue to assess the accounting and collectability related to this matter as facts and circumstances evolve. As of September 30, 2019 and 2018 , 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. The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of September 30, 2019 . Aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including short-term borrowings and capital leases, is as follows: 2020 $ 150,477 * 2021 490,957 2022 353 2023 313 2024 258 Thereafter 298,339 $ 940,697 * The Company maintains certain debt facilities with current maturity dates in fiscal 2020 that it intends and has the ability to extend beyond fiscal 2020 totaling $107,974 . These balances have been classified as non-current on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	12 Months Ended
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	Sep. 30, 2019
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 70,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $1.00 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 5,000,000 shares of Matthews' common stock under the program, of which 712,312 shares remain available for repurchase as of September 30, 2019

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS	12 Months Ended
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS	Sep. 30, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS	SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS: The Company maintains an equity incentive plan (the "2017 Equity Incentive Plan") that provides for grants of stock options, restricted shares, restricted share units, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock-based awards. Under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, which has a ten -year term, the maximum number of shares available for grants or awards is an aggregate of 1,700,000 . At September 30, 2019 , there were 1,700,000 shares reserved for future issuance under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, including 262,000 restricted share units that were granted during fiscal 2019 . The 2017 Equity Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. With respect to outstanding restricted share grants, 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 three or 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. With respect to the restricted share unit grants, units generally vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. The number of units that vest depend on certain time and performance thresholds. Approximately forty percent of the shares vest based on time, while the remaining vest based on pre-defined performance thresholds. The Company issues common stock from treasury shares once vested. For the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , stock-based compensation cost totaled $7,729 , $13,460 and $14,562 , respectively. The years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 included $1,849 , $2,850 , and $3,337 respectively, of stock-based compensation cost that was recognized at the time of grant for retirement-eligible employees. The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $1,535 , $2,826 and $5,534 for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The transactions for restricted stock for the year ended September 30, 2019 were as follows: Shares Weighted- average Grant-date Fair Value Non-vested at September 30, 2018 554,233 $ 55.71 Granted 262,200 42.21 Vested (180,661 ) 57.93 Expired or forfeited (20,137 ) 46.56 Non-vested at September 30, 2019 615,635 $ 49.61 As of September 30, 2019 , the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $7,482 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. The Company maintains the 2019 Director Fee Plan, the Amended and Restated 2014 Director Fee Plan and the 1994 Director Fee Plan (collectively, the "Director Fee Plans"). The 2019 Director Fee Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 21, 2019. There will be no further fees or share-based awards granted under the Amended and Restated 2014 Director Fee Plan and the 1994 Director Fee Plan. Under the 2019 Director Fee Plan, non-employee directors (except for the Chairman of the Board) each receive, as an annual retainer fee for fiscal 2019 , either cash or shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock with a value equal to $85 . The annual retainer fee for fiscal 2019 paid to a non-employee Chairman of the Board is $185 . 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 total number of shares of stock that have been authorized to be issued under the 2019 Director Fee Plan or credited to a deferred stock compensation account for subsequent issuance is 150,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment upon certain events such as stock dividends or stock splits). The value of deferred shares is recorded in other liabilities. A total of 25,682 shares had been deferred under the Director Fee Plans at September 30, 2019 . Additionally, non-employee directors each receive an annual stock-based grant (non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted shares or units) with a value of $125 for fiscal year 2019 . 196,266 restricted shares and restricted share units have been granted under the Director Fee Plans, 23,037 of which were issued under the 2019 Director Fee Plan. 34,542 restricted shares and restricted share units are unvested at September 30, 2019

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	12 Months Ended
EARNINGS PER SHARE	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE: The information used to compute (loss) earnings per share attributable to Matthews' common shareholders was as follows: 2019 2018 2017 Net (loss) income available to Matthews shareholders $ (37,988 ) $ 107,371 $ 74,368 Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands): Basic shares 31,416 31,674 32,240 Effect of dilutive securities — 187 330 Diluted shares 31,416 31,861 32,570 Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the dilutive calculation were insignificant for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMEN

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS	12 Months Ended
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS	Sep. 30, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS	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, 2019 and 2018 : Pension Other Postretirement 2019 2018 2019 2018 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 241,553 $ 259,672 $ 18,826 $ 20,316 Service cost 7,998 8,159 244 335 Interest cost 9,202 8,210 718 631 Actuarial loss (gain) 43,198 (15,229 ) 2,212 (907 ) Exchange gain (581 ) (180 ) — — Benefit payments (11,413 ) (19,079 ) (1,048 ) (1,549 ) Benefit obligation, end of year 289,957 241,553 20,952 18,826 Change in plan assets: Fair value, beginning of year 158,662 155,634 — — Actual return 6,852 10,914 — — Benefit payments (1) (11,413 ) (19,079 ) (1,048 ) (1,549 ) Employer contributions 1,212 11,193 1,048 1,549 Fair value, end of year 155,313 158,662 — — Funded status (134,644 ) (82,892 ) (20,952 ) (18,828 ) Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) 95,741 53,405 (106 ) (2,376 ) Unrecognized prior service cost (367 ) (552 ) (330 ) (525 ) Net amount recognized $ (39,270 ) $ (30,039 ) $ (21,388 ) $ (21,729 ) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet: Current liability $ (882 ) $ (857 ) $ (989 ) $ (1,075 ) Noncurrent benefit liability (133,762 ) (82,035 ) (19,963 ) (17,753 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) 95,374 52,853 (436 ) (2,901 ) Net amount recognized $ (39,270 ) $ (30,039 ) $ (21,388 ) $ (21,729 ) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income): Net actuarial loss (income) $ 95,741 $ 53,405 $ (106 ) $ (2,376 ) Prior service cost (367 ) (552 ) (330 ) (525 ) Net amount recognized $ 95,374 $ 52,853 $ (436 ) $ (2,901 ) (1) Pension benefit payments in fiscal 2018 included approximately $6,800 of lump sum distributions that were made to certain terminated vested employees as settlements of the employees' pension obligations. These distributions did not meet the threshold to qualify as settlements under U.S. GAAP and therefore, no unamortized actuarial losses were recognized in the Statements of Income upon completion of the lump sum distributions. 13. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS, (continued) Based upon actuarial valuations performed as of September 30, 2019 and 2018 , the accumulated benefit obligation for the Company's defined benefit pension plans was $270,140 and $224,265 at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and the projected benefit obligation for the Company's defined benefit pension plans was $289,957 and $241,553 at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following: Pension Other Postretirement 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Service cost $ 7,998 $ 8,159 $ 8,553 $ 244 $ 335 $ 392 Interest cost * 9,202 8,210 7,362 718 631 626 Expected return on plan assets * (10,304 ) (10,136 ) (9,249 ) — — — Amortization: Prior service cost (186 ) (138 ) (181 ) (195 ) (195 ) (195 ) Net actuarial loss * 4,245 7,018 10,034 (59 ) — — Net benefit cost $ 10,955 $ 13,113 $ 16,519 $ 708 $ 771 $ 823 * Non-service components of pension and postretirement expense are included in other income (deductions), net. Matthews has elected to utilize a full yield curve approach in the estimation of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. 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 2019 . The Company is required to make contributions of approximately $4,333 to its principal retirement plan in fiscal 2020 . Contributions made in fiscal 2019 are as follows: Contributions Pension Other Postretirement Supplemental retirement plan $ 793 $ — Other retirement plans 419 — Other postretirement plan — 1,048 Amounts of AOCI expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2020 include: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Net actuarial loss $ 9,790 $ — Prior service cost (186 ) (94 ) 13. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS, (continued) The weighted-average assumptions in the following table represent the rates used to develop the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation for the year listed and also the net periodic benefit cost for the following year. The measurement date of annual actuarial valuations for the Company's principal retirement and other postretirement benefit plans was September 30, for fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 . The weighted-average assumptions for those plans were: Pension Other Postretirement 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Discount rate 3.13 % 4.21 % 3.76 % 3.10 % 4.19 % 3.72 % Return on plan assets 6.75 % 6.75 % 6.75 % — — — Compensation increase 3.50 % 3.50 % 3.50 % — — — In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries' Retirement Plans Experience Committee ("RPEC") released new mortality tables known as RP 2014. Each year, RPEC releases an update to the mortality improvement assumption that was released with the RP 2014 tables. The Company considered the RPEC mortality and mortality improvement tables and performed a review of its own mortality history to assess the appropriateness of the RPEC tables for use in generating financial results. In fiscal years 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , the Company elected to value its principal retirement and other postretirement benefit plan liabilities using the base RP 2014 mortality table and a slightly modified fully generational mortality improvement assumption. The revised assumption uses the most recent RPEC mortality improvement table for all years where the RPEC tables are based on finalized data, and the most recently published Social Security Administration Intermediate mortality improvement for subsequent years. 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, 2019 and 2018 and weighted-average target allocation were as follows: Plan Assets at Target Asset Category 2019 2018 Allocation * Equity securities $ 105,297 $ 92,745 65 % Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents 39,156 44,250 25 % Other investments 10,860 21,667 10 % $ 155,313 $ 158,662 100 % * Target allocation relates to the Company's primary defined benefit pension plan as of September 30, 2019. 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 its primary defined benefit pension plans' assets at 6.75% in 2019 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 5 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. 13. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS, (continued) 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 are 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, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: September 30, 2019 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities - stocks $ 54,985 $ — $ — $ 54,985 Equity securities - mutual funds 50,312 — — 50,312 Fixed income securities 15,829 18,968 — 34,797 Cash and cash equivalents 4,359 — — 4,359 Other investments — — 10,860 10,860 Total $ 125,485 $ 18,968 $ 10,860 $ 155,313 September 30, 2018 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities - stocks $ 46,628 $ — $ — $ 46,628 Equity securities - mutual funds 46,117 — — 46,117 Fixed income securities 26,789 14,785 — 41,574 Cash and cash equivalents 2,676 — — 2,676 Other investments 11,552 — 10,115 21,667 Total $ 133,762 $ 14,785 $ 10,115 $ 158,662 Changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets at September 30, 2019 and 2018 are summarized as follows: Asset Category Fair Value, Beginning of Period Acquisitions Dispositions Realized Gains Unrealized Gains (Losses) Fair Value, End of Period Other investments: Fiscal Year Ended: September 30, 2019 $ 10,115 $ 4,162 $ (2,786 ) $ 685 $ (1,316 ) $ 10,860 September 30, 2018 9,480 — (149 ) 261 523 10,115 13. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS, (continued) Benefit payments expected to be paid are as follows: Years ending September 30: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits 2020 $ 10,733 $ 989 2021 11,057 1,021 2022 12,360 1,051 2023 12,690 1,082 2024 14,038 1,127 2025-2029 75,514 5,832 $ 136,392 $ 11,102 For measurement purposes, a rate of increase of 7.3% in the per capita cost of health care benefits was assumed for 2020 ; 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, 2019 by $718 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by $39 . 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, 2019 by $629 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by $34 . The Company sponsors defined contribution plans for hourly and salary employees. The expense associated with the contributions made to these plans was $8,176 , $8,685 , and $8,620 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	Sep. 30, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 were as follows: Postretirement Benefit Plans Currency Translation Adjustment Derivatives Total Attributable to Matthews: Balance, September 30, 2016 $ (56,050 ) $ (122,259 ) $ (3,559 ) $ (181,868 ) OCI before reclassification 6,536 9,352 7,043 22,931 Amounts reclassified from AOCI 5,891 (a) — (1,069 ) (b) 4,822 Net current-period OCI 12,427 9,352 5,974 27,753 Balance, September 30, 2017 $ (43,623 ) $ (112,907 ) $ 2,415 $ (154,115 ) OCI before reclassification 10,584 (22,053 ) 6,095 (5,374 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 5,047 (a) — (1,042 ) (b) 4,005 Net current-period OCI 15,631 (22,053 ) 5,053 (1,369 ) Reclassification of AOCI tax effects (9,884 ) (c) — 1,070 (c) (8,814 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ (37,876 ) $ (134,960 ) $ 8,538 $ (164,298 ) OCI before reclassification (36,784 ) (21,254 ) (6,540 ) (64,578 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 2,917 (a) — (2,402 ) (b) 515 Net current-period OCI (33,867 ) (21,254 ) (8,942 ) (64,063 ) Balance, September 30, 2019 $ (71,743 ) $ (156,214 ) $ (404 ) $ (228,361 ) Attributable to noncontrolling interest: Balance, September 30, 2016 $ — $ 277 $ — $ 277 OCI before reclassification — 119 — 119 Net current-period OCI — 119 — 119 Balance, September 30, 2017 $ — $ 396 $ — $ 396 OCI before reclassification — 71 — 71 Net current-period OCI — 71 — 71 Balance, September 30, 2018 $ — $ 467 $ — $ 467 OCI before reclassification — (92 ) — (92 ) Net current-period OCI — (92 ) — (92 ) Balance, September 30, 2019 $ — $ 375 $ — $ 375 (a) Amounts were included in net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans (see Note 13). (b) Amounts were included in interest expense in the periods the hedged item affected earnings (see Note 9). (c) Amounts were reclassified from AOCI to retained earnings through adoption of ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) (see Note 3). 14. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, (continued) Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following: 2019 2018 Cumulative foreign currency translation $ (156,214 ) $ (134,960 ) Fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $131 and $2,771, respectively (404 ) 8,538 Minimum pension liabilities, net of tax of $23,195 and $12,076, respectively (71,743 ) (37,876 ) $ (228,361 ) $ (164,298 ) Reclassifications out of AOCI for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 were as follows: Details about AOCI Components September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Affected line item in the Statement of Income Postretirement benefit plans Prior service (cost) credit $ 381 (a) $ 333 $ 376 Actuarial losses (4,245 ) (a) (7,018 ) (10,034 ) (3,864 ) (b) (6,685 ) (9,658 ) Income before income tax 947 1,638 3,767 Income taxes $ (2,917 ) $ (5,047 ) $ (5,891 ) Net income Derivatives Interest rate swap contracts $ 3,181 $ 1,380 $ 1,752 Interest expense 3,181 (b) 1,380 1,752 Income before income tax (779 ) (338 ) (683 ) Income taxes $ 2,402 $ 1,042 $ 1,069 Net income (a) Prior service cost 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. Actuarial losses are reported in other income (deductions), net. For additional information, see Note 13. (b) For pre-tax items, positive amounts represent income and negative amounts represent expense.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES: The income tax provision (benefit) consisted of the following: 2019 2018 2017 Current: Federal $ 3,308 $ (2,577 ) $ 1,542 State 2,232 1,051 628 Foreign 2,049 15,533 10,459 7,589 14,007 12,629 Deferred: Federal (5,472 ) (24,094 ) 11,887 State (2,782 ) 1,315 905 Foreign 1,471 (346 ) (3,067 ) (6,783 ) (23,125 ) 9,725 Total $ 806 $ (9,118 ) $ 22,354 The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0% effective January 1, 2018, which resulted in a blended U.S. statutory tax rate of 24.5% for the Company in fiscal 2018, and a 21.0% rate for the Company in 2019. The Act also required a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously deferred, and created new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings. Foreign tax effects : The Company completed the estimate for its one-time transition tax for all of its foreign subsidiaries, resulting in a decrease in income tax expense of $300 for the year ended September 30, 2019 . The one-time transition tax was calculated using an estimate of the Company’s total post-1986 earnings and profits (“E&P”) that were previously deferred from U.S. income taxes. Global intangible low taxed income ("GILTI") : The Act also created a new requirement that certain income earned by foreign subsidiaries must be included currently in the gross income of the U.S. shareholder. Under U.S. GAAP, the Company is permitted to make an accounting policy election to either treat taxes due on future inclusions in U.S. taxable income related to GILTI as a current-period expense when incurred or to factor such amounts into the Company's measurement of its deferred taxes. The Company has made the election to treat taxes due on future inclusions related to GILTI as current period expense. The Company was able to make reasonable estimates to calculate a provision that is included in the current period expense. The reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate was as follows: 2019 2018 2017 Federal statutory tax rate 21.0 % 24.5 % 35.0 % Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction 2.7 % 2.2 % 1.4 % Foreign statutory taxes compared to federal statutory rate (0.8 )% 1.4 % (7.2 )% Share-based compensation (3.1 )% (0.6 )% (1.2 )% U.S. manufacturing incentive — % (1.3 )% (1.8 )% Tax credits 4.9 % (2.7 )% (2.6 )% Tax basis difference 9.8 % (1.5 )% — % Transition tax — % 9.0 % — % U.S. statutory tax rate change on temporary differences — % (38.7 )% — % Goodwill write-down (40.2 )% — % — % Other 3.6 % (1.6 )% (0.4 )% Effective tax rate (2.1 )% (9.3 )% 23.2 % The Company's consolidated income taxes for the year ended September 30, 2019 were a charge of $806 , compared to income tax benefit of $9,118 for fiscal 2018 . The increase in the fiscal 2019 effective tax rate, compared to fiscal 2018, primarily reflected the fiscal 2018 U.S. deferred tax benefit from the Act enactment. For 2019 the Company’s effective tax rate was unfavorable compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to the 2019 goodwill write-down, the majority of which did not have an accompanying tax benefit. The 2019 effective tax rate benefited from research and development and foreign tax credits and the elimination, achieved through tax planning, of a taxable basis difference. The Company's foreign subsidiaries had income before income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 of approximately $11,042 , $56,424 and $24,118 , respectively. Deferred income taxes have not been provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries since they have either been previously taxed, or are now exempt from tax, under the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely in foreign operations. At September 30, 2019 , undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which deferred income taxes have not been provided approximated $256,695 . The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 Deferred tax assets: Pension and postretirement benefits $ 37,587 $ 24,597 Accruals and reserves not currently deductible 10,400 9,596 Income tax credit carryforward 3,204 3,216 Operating and capital loss carryforwards 21,896 21,858 Stock options 4,778 5,157 Other 5,381 3,963 Total deferred tax assets 83,246 68,387 Valuation allowances (15,352 ) (15,188 ) Net deferred tax assets 67,894 53,199 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation (24,792 ) (16,156 ) Unrealized gains and losses (565 ) (8,637 ) Goodwill and intangible assets (138,952 ) (147,571 ) Other (1,035 ) (517 ) (165,344 ) (172,881 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (97,450 ) $ (119,682 ) At September 30, 2019 , the Company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $65,002 and foreign capital loss carryforwards of $19,223 . The Company has recorded deferred tax assets of $4,033 for state net operating loss carryforwards, which will be available to offset future income tax liabilities. If not used, state net operating losses will begin to expire in 2020. Certain of the foreign net operating losses begin to expire in 2020 while the majority of the Company's 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 $15,352 at September 30, 2019 . Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) are as follows: 2019 2018 2017 Balance, beginning of year $ 14,827 $ 7,968 $ 13,820 Increases for tax positions of prior years — 7,886 839 Decreases for tax positions of prior years — — (5,890 ) Increases based on tax positions related to the current year 1,420 882 378 Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation (721 ) (1,909 ) (1,179 ) Balance, end of year $ 15,526 $ 14,827 $ 7,968 The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $11,417 at September 30, 2019 , which would impact the annual effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $4,910 in the next 12 months primarily due to the completion of audits and the expiration of the statute of limitation 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 $2,880 and $2,229 at September 30, 2019 and 2018 , 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, 2019 , the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are: United States - Federal 2015 and forward United States - State 2015 and forward Canada 2015 and forward Germany 2015 and forward United Kingdom 2018 and forward Australia 2015 and forward Singapore 2014 and forward

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIAB

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	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 $38,015 , $38,934 and $36,400 in fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements for fiscal years 2020 through 2024 are $28,557 , $21,567 , $14,755 , $9,394 and $6,694 , 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 2020 and 2023. 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, 2019 was $2,349 . The Company is involved in a dispute with a customer related to a project in Saudi Arabia. It is possible the resolution of this matter could have an unfavorable financial impact on Matthews’ results of operations. See further discussion in Note 9.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS	12 Months Ended
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS	Sep. 30, 2019
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS	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 non-operating former manufacturing sites acquired through corporate acquisitions and the disposal of certain materials at non-owned waste management facilities. The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate. At September 30, 2019 , an accrual of $1,400 had been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $583 was classified in other current liabilities), related to the non-operating former manufacturing sites representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of known remediation obligations for one of the Company's subsidiaries. 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
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	Sep. 30, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Changes in working capital items as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following: 2019 2018 2017 Current assets: Accounts receivable $ 8,779 $ (790 ) $ (7,045 ) Inventories 830 (2,869 ) (2,289 ) Other current assets 10,317 (16,293 ) 4,447 19,926 (19,952 ) (4,887 ) Current liabilities: Trade accounts payable 3,715 2,516 5,672 Accrued compensation (8,832 ) (10,940 ) (2,469 ) Accrued income taxes (5,416 ) (9,973 ) 5,054 Other current liabilities (21,875 ) 28,415 2,414 (32,408 ) 10,018 10,671 Net change $ (12,482 ) $ (9,934 ) $ 5,784

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	SEGMENT INFORMATION: The Company manages its businesses under three segments: SGK Brand Solutions, Memorialization and Industrial Technologies. The SGK Brand Solutions segment consists of brand management, pre-media services, printing plates and cylinders, engineered products, imaging services, digital asset management, merchandising display systems, and marketing and design services primarily for the consumer goods and retail industries. The Memorialization segment consists primarily of bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment primarily for the cemetery and funeral home industries. The Industrial Technologies segment includes marking and coding equipment and consumables, industrial automation products and order fulfillment systems for identifying, tracking, picking and conveying consumer and industrial products. Beginning in fiscal 2019, the Company changed its primary measure of segment profitability from operating profit to adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization ("adjusted EBITDA"). Adjusted EBITDA is defined by the Company as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain non-cash and/or non-recurring items that do not contribute directly to management’s evaluation of its operating results. These items include stock-based compensation, the non-service portion of pension and postretirement expense, acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges. This presentation is consistent with how the Company's chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) evaluates the results of operations and makes strategic decisions about the business. For these reasons, the Company believes that adjusted EBITDA represents the most relevant measure of segment profit and loss. In addition, the CODM manages and evaluates the operating performance of the segments, as described above, on a pre-corporate cost allocation basis. Accordingly, for segment reporting purposes, the Company has discontinued allocating corporate costs to its reportable segments beginning in fiscal 2019. Corporate costs include management and administrative support to the Company, which consists of certain aspects of the Company’s executive management, legal, compliance, human resources, information technology (including operational support) and finance departments. These costs are included within "Corporate and Non-Operating" in the following table to reconcile to consolidated adjusted EBITDA and are not considered a separate reportable segment. Management does not allocate non-operating items such as investment income, other income (deductions), net and noncontrolling interest to the segments. 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. Segment assets include those assets that are used in the Company's operations within each segment. Assets classified under "Corporate and Non-Operating" principally consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments, deferred income taxes and corporate headquarters' assets. Long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation), goodwill, and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization). Information about the Company's segments follows: (Segment financial information for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 has been revised to present the prior period information on a comparable basis.) SGK Brand Solutions Memorialization Industrial Technologies Corporate and Non-Operating Consolidated Sales to external customers: 2019 $ 743,869 $ 636,892 $ 156,515 $ — $ 1,537,276 2018 805,274 631,392 165,914 — 1,602,580 2017 770,181 615,882 129,545 — 1,515,608 Intersegment sales: 2019 703 25 48 — 776 2018 310 2 9 — 321 2017 356 — 2 — 358 Depreciation and amortization: 2019 59,684 19,731 6,195 5,183 90,793 2018 46,300 20,005 5,796 4,873 76,974 2017 41,941 19,808 2,863 3,369 67,981 Adjusted EBITDA: 2019 119,493 134,286 24,082 (56,989 ) 220,872 2018 150,233 145,487 25,864 (66,470 ) 255,114 2017 144,783 139,192 18,481 (63,773 ) 238,683 Total assets: 2019 1,106,276 830,377 191,533 62,417 2,190,603 2018 1,285,053 814,800 196,855 61,036 2,357,744 2017 1,276,295 741,148 161,472 65,734 2,244,649 Capital expenditures: 2019 22,310 9,352 2,382 3,644 37,688 2018 22,133 15,513 2,577 2,977 43,200 2017 22,941 8,078 4,622 9,294 44,935 A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income follows: 2019 2018 2017 Total Adjusted EBITDA 220,872 255,114 238,683 Acquisition costs (1) $ (10,872 ) $ (10,918 ) $ (17,722 ) ERP integration costs (2) (7,508 ) (10,864 ) (8,026 ) Strategic initiatives and other charges (3)** (13,449 ) (5,266 ) (9,209 ) Loss recoveries, net of costs (4) — — 10,683 Joint Venture depreciation, amortization and interest expense (5) (1,514 ) — — Goodwill write-down (6) (77,572 ) — — Net realized (losses) gains on divestitures and asset dispositions: Loss on divestitures (7) (6,469 ) — — Realized (loss) gain on cost-method investments (8) (4,731 ) 3,771 — Net gains from the sale of buildings and vacant properties (9) 7,347 — — Stock-based compensation (7,729 ) (13,460 ) (14,562 ) Non-service pension and postretirement expense (10) (3,802 ) (5,723 ) (8,773 ) Depreciation and amortization * (90,793 ) (76,974 ) (67,981 ) Interest expense (40,962 ) (37,427 ) (26,371 ) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (901 ) (260 ) (435 ) (Loss) income before income taxes $ (38,083 ) 97,993 96,287 Income tax (provision) benefit (806 ) 9,118 (22,354 ) Net (loss) income (38,889 ) 107,111 73,933 (1) Includes certain non-recurring costs associated with recent acquisition activities. (2) Represents costs associated with global ERP system integration efforts. (3) Includes certain non-recurring costs primarily associated with productivity and cost-reduction initiatives intended to result in improved operating performance, profitability and working capital levels. (4) Represents loss recoveries, net of related costs, related to the theft of funds by a former employee. (5) Represents the Company's portion of depreciation, intangible amortization and interest expense incurred by non-consolidated subsidiaries accounted for as equity-method investments within the Memorialization segment. (6) Represents the goodwill write-down for a reporting unit within the SGK Brand Solutions segment. (7) Represents a loss on the sale of a controlling interest in a subsidiary and divestiture of a business within the Memorialization segment. (8) Includes gains/losses related to cost-method investments, and related assets, within SGK Brand Solutions and Memorialization segments. (9) Includes significant building and vacant property transactions resulting in a gain of $8,663 within the Industrial Technologies segment and losses of $915 and $401 within the SGK Brand Solutions and Memorialization segments, respectively. (10) Non-service pension and postretirement expense includes interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of actuarial gains and losses. These benefit cost components are excluded from adjusted EBITDA since they are primarily influenced by external market conditions that impact investment returns and interest (discount) rates. The service cost and prior service cost components of pension and postretirement expense are included in the calculation of adjusted EBITDA, since they are considered to be a better reflection of the ongoing service-related costs of providing these benefits. Please note that GAAP pension and postretirement expense or the adjustment above are not necessarily indicative of the current or future cash flow requirements related to these employee benefit plans. * Depreciation and amortization was $59,684 , $46,300 , and $41,941 for the SGK Brand Solutions segment, $19,731 , $20,005 , and $19,808 for the Memorialization segment, $6,195 , $5,796 , and $2,863 for the Industrial Technologies segment, and $5,183 , $4,873 , and $3,369 for Corporate and Non-Operating, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. ** Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges were $8,903 , $11,044 , and $14,453 for the SGK Brand Solutions segment, $3,073 , $613 , and $612 for the Industrial Technologies segment, and $19,853 , $13,961 , and $19,050 for Corporate and Non-Operating, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges were $1,430 , and $842 for the Memorialization segment for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Information about the Company's operations by geographic area follows: North America Central and South America Europe Australia Asia Consolidated Sales to external customers: 2019 $ 1,038,268 $ 5,853 $ 426,253 $ 20,885 $ 46,017 $ 1,537,276 2018 1,066,367 6,171 456,078 23,276 50,688 1,602,580 2017 1,043,924 6,518 396,242 21,507 47,417 1,515,608 Long-lived assets: 2019 1,047,505 15,585 342,802 21,278 57,729 1,484,899 2018 1,182,250 16,535 365,455 23,037 58,302 1,645,579 2017 1,069,862 13,882 382,940 24,887 66,138 1,557,709

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	12 Months Ended
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES	Sep. 30, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES: Fiscal 2019: On November 1, 2018 the Company acquired 80% ownership of Frost Converting Systems, Inc. (“Frost”) for a purchase price of approximately $7,162 (net of cash acquired and holdback amounts, subject to working capital adjustments). Frost is a leading global supplier of high-performance rotary dies for embossing, creasing and cutting of paperboard packaging and is included in the Company's SGK Brand Solutions segment. The Company finalized the allocation of the purchase price related to the Frost acquisition in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital accounts. During fiscal 2019, the Company completed small acquisitions in the Memorialization segment for a combined purchase price of $3,094 (net of cash acquired and holdback amounts, subject to working capital adjustments). The preliminary purchase price allocations are not finalized as of September 30, 2019 and are subject to changes as the Company obtains additional information related to fixed assets, intangible assets, and other assets and liabilities. During fiscal 2019, the Company completed the sale of a 51% ownership interest in a small Memorialization business. Net proceeds from this sale totaled approximately $8,254 , and the transaction resulted in the recognition of a $5,587 loss, which is included as a component of administrative expenses for the year ended September 30, 2019. Immediately following the transaction, the Company retained a non-controlling interest in this business, which will be accounted for as an equity-method investment. The Company also divested of a small, fully owned Memorialization business, resulting in the recognition of a $ 882 loss, which is included as a component of administrative expenses for the year ended September 30, 2019. Fiscal 2018: On February 1, 2018, the Company acquired certain net assets of Star Granite and Bronze International, Inc. ("Star Granite") for a total purchase price of $35,961 , consisting of cash of $30,961 (net of cash acquired and holdback amounts) and shares of Matthews common stock valued at $5,000 . Star Granite manufactures and distributes granite and other memorialization products to cemetery and other customers across the United States and is included in the Company's Memorialization segment. Annual sales for this business were approximately $31,000 prior to the acquisition. The Company finalized the allocation of the purchase price related to the Star Granite acquisition in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital accounts. On November 28, 2017, the Company acquired Compass Engineering Group, Inc. ("Compass") for $51,887 (net of cash acquired). Compass provides high-quality material handling control solutions and is included in the Company's Industrial Technologies segment. Annual sales for this business were approximately $24,000 prior to the acquisition. The Company finalized the allocation of purchase price related to the Compass acquisition in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital and intangible asset amounts. During fiscal 2018, the Company completed several additional smaller acquisitions for an aggregate purchase price of $39,465 (net of cash acquired and holdback amounts). These additional acquisitions strengthen the Company's operations across the SGK Brand Solutions and Memorialization segments. The Company finalized the allocation of purchase price related to certain of these acquisitions in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital amounts. The Company finalized the allocation of the purchase price related to the remaining acquisitions in the third quarter of 2019, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital accounts. Fiscal 2017: On March 1, 2017, the Company acquired GJ Creative Limited ("Equator") for £30.5 million ( $37,596 ) (net of cash acquired). Equator provides design expertise capable of taking brands from creation to shelf under one roof, and is included in the Company's SGK Brand Solutions segment. Annual sales for this business were approximately $30,000 prior to the acquisition. The Company finalized the allocation of purchase price related to the Equator acquisition in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital and intangible asset amounts. On February 28, 2017, the Company acquired certain net assets of RAF Technology, Inc. ("RAF") for $8,717 (net of cash acquired). RAF is a global leader in pattern and optical character recognition software, and is included in the Company's Industrial Technologies segment. The Company finalized the allocation of purchase price related to the RAF acquisition in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital accounts. On January 13, 2017, the Company acquired VCG (Holdings) Limited ("VCG") for £8.8 million ( $10,695 ) (net of cash acquired). VCG is a leading graphics, plate-making, and creative design company and is included in the Company's SGK Brand Solutions segment. The Company finalized the allocation of purchase price related to the VCG acquisition in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital and intangible asset amounts. On January 3, 2017, the Company acquired A. + E. Ungricht GmbH + Co KG ("Ungricht") for €24.0 million ( $25,185 ) (net of cash acquired). Ungricht is a leading European provider of pre-press services and gravure printing forms, located in Germany, and is included in the Company's SGK Brand Solutions segment. Annual sales for this business were approximately $35,000 prior to the acquisition. The Company finalized the allocation of purchase price related to the Ungricht acquisition in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital and intangible asset amounts. On November 30, 2016, the Company acquired Guidance Automation Limited ("Guidance") for £8.0 million ( $9,974 ) (net of cash acquired). Guidance provides technological solutions for autonomous warehouse vehicles and is included in the Company's Industrial Technologies segment. The Company finalized the allocation of purchase price related to the Guidance acquisition in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, resulting in an immaterial adjustment to certain working capital and intangible asset accounts.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	Sep. 30, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: Changes to goodwill during the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , follow. SGK Brand Solutions Memorialization Industrial Technologies Consolidated Goodwill $ 491,895 $ 347,507 $ 69,144 $ 908,546 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) — (10,752 ) Balance at September 30, 2017 486,143 342,507 69,144 897,794 Additions during period 8,743 29,059 22,877 60,679 Translation and other adjustments (9,568 ) (16 ) 5 (9,579 ) Goodwill 491,070 376,550 92,026 959,646 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) — (10,752 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 485,318 371,550 92,026 948,894 Additions during period 1,506 3,592 — 5,098 Divestiture during period — (14,970 ) — (14,970 ) Translation and other adjustments (13,548 ) (435 ) (660 ) (14,643 ) Goodwill 479,028 364,737 91,366 935,131 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) — (10,752 ) Goodwill write-down $ (77,572 ) $ — $ — $ (77,572 ) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 395,704 $ 359,737 $ 91,366 $ 846,807 The Company performed its annual impairment review of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. As a result of this review, the Company determined that the estimated fair value of all reporting units exceeded carrying value. Due to challenging market conditions affecting the Graphics Imaging reporting unit within the SGK Brand Solutions segment and the estimated fair value of this reporting unit exceeding its carrying value by approximately 10%, the Company provided additional disclosure in its Form 10-Q for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2019 indicating that further deterioration of conditions could result in a future goodwill write-down for this reporting unit. In consideration of continued challenging market conditions affecting the SGK Brand Solutions segment throughout the remainder of fiscal 2019, the Company initiated an in-depth review of the commercial and cost structure of the segment during the fourth quarter. This review identified certain opportunities to improve the segment’s profitability and reduce its operating cost structure and, as a result, the Company revised its estimates of future earnings and cash flows for the Graphics Imaging reporting unit. In response to these revised projections, the Company re-evaluated the goodwill for the Graphics Imaging reporting unit, as of September 1, 2019. As a result of this interim assessment, the Company recorded a goodwill write-down of $77,572 during the fiscal 2019 fourth quarter. Subsequent to this write-down, the fair value of the Graphics Imaging reporting unit approximates carrying value at September 30, 2019. The fair value for this reporting unit was determined using level 3 inputs (including estimates of revenue growth, EBITDA contribution and the discount rate) and a combination of the income approach using the estimated discounted cash flows and a market-based valuation methodology. If current projections are not achieved or specific valuation factors outside the Company’s control (such as discount rates) significantly change, additional goodwill write-downs may be necessary in future periods. In fiscal 2019, the additions to SGK Brand Solutions goodwill reflects the acquisition of Frost. The changes in Memorialization goodwill primarily reflect small acquisitions and divestitures completed in fiscal 2019. In fiscal 2018, the additions to SGK Brand Solutions goodwill reflects several smaller acquisitions. The additions to Memorialization goodwill reflects the acquisitions of Star Granite and several additional smaller acquisitions. The addition to Industrial Technologies goodwill reflects the acquisition of Compass. 21. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, (continued) The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net September 30, 2019 Trade names $ 30,540 $ — * $ 30,540 Trade names 148,628 (22,653 ) 125,975 Customer relationships 374,515 (137,330 ) 237,185 Copyrights/patents/other 20,463 (13,513 ) 6,950 $ 574,146 $ (173,496 ) $ 400,650 September 30, 2018 Trade names $ 126,047 $ — * $ 126,047 Trade names 53,523 (5,444 ) 48,079 Customer relationships 372,382 (110,760 ) 261,622 Copyrights/patents/other 20,848 (12,686 ) 8,162 $ 572,800 $ (128,890 ) $ 443,910 * Not subject to amortization The net change in intangible assets during fiscal 2019 included the impact of foreign currency fluctuations during the period, additional amortization, additions related to the Frost acquisition, and reductions from the divestiture of a Memorialization business. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company reassessed its trade name strategy for the SGK Brand Solutions segment, in conjunction with an overall assessment and shift of its commercial structure and strategy for this segment, and initiated a plan to reduce its global trade names for its core brand solutions businesses. As a result of this change, the Company has begun to discontinue the use of certain trade names within the SGK Brand Solutions segment. Accordingly, the remaining useful lives of the impacted trade names have been reduced to three years, reflecting the Company’s brand migration plans and an estimated time period when the discontinued trade names will be classified as defensive assets. Amortization expense on intangible assets was $45,756 , $31,562 , and $23,313 in fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Fiscal year amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $71,500 in 2020 , $60,100 in 2021 , $46,700 in 2022 , $27,800 in 2023 and $26,200 in 2024

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION RELAT

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION	12 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION	Sep. 30, 2019
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION	<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br clear="none"/></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">In May 2016, the Company purchased </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">970,000</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> common shares from members of the Schawk family, including David A. Schawk (who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Company's Group President, SGK Brand Solutions) and certain family members of Mr. Schawk and/or trusts established for the benefit of Mr. Schawk or his family members. The purchase price for the shares purchase was </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$50.69</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> per share, which was equal to </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">96.76%</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"> of the average of the high and low trading prices for the common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 12, 2016.</font></div></div>

LEGAL MATTER

LEGAL MATTER	12 Months Ended
LEGAL MATTER	Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
LEGAL MATTER	LEGAL MATTER: During fiscal 2017, the Company recognized loss recoveries of $11,325

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMA

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION	Sep. 30, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION	Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited): The following table sets forth certain items included in the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements for each quarter of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 . Quarter Ended December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 Year Ended September 30 (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) FISCAL YEAR 2019: Sales $ 374,177 $ 391,400 $ 379,294 $ 392,405 $ 1,537,276 Gross profit 126,411 136,281 137,178 142,596 542,466 Operating profit (loss) 16,166 24,264 29,691 (59,818 ) 10,303 Net income (loss) attributable to Matthews shareholders 3,097 15,417 14,629 (71,131 ) (37,988 ) Earnings (loss) per share: Basic $ 0.10 $ 0.49 $ 0.47 $ (2.28 ) $ (1.21 ) Diluted 0.10 0.48 0.46 (2.28 ) (1.21 ) FISCAL YEAR 2018: Sales $ 369,454 $ 414,061 $ 411,621 $ 407,444 $ 1,602,580 Gross profit (1) 131,413 150,680 152,615 149,513 584,221 Operating profit (1) 19,349 31,216 39,320 48,672 138,557 Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders 35,180 18,182 24,414 29,595 107,371 Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.11 $ 0.57 $ 0.77 $ 0.94 $ 3.39 Diluted 1.10 0.57 0.77 0.93 3.37 (1) Amounts were revised to reflect retrospective application for adoption of ASU No. 2017-07, "Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost" on October 1, 2018. As a result, gross profit increased $714 , $714 , $714 and $729 , respectively for each quarter in 2018, and operating profit increased $1,425 , $1,425 , $1,425 and $1,448 , respectively for each quarter in 2018.

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUA

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	Sep. 30, 2019
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Additions Description Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to Expense Charged to other Accounts (1) Deductions (2) Balance at End of Period (Dollar amounts in thousands) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: Fiscal Year Ended: September 30, 2019 $ 11,158 $ 2,787 $ 20 $ (3,119 ) $ 10,846 September 30, 2018 11,622 855 762 (2,081 ) 11,158 September 30, 2017 11,516 1,733 642 (2,269 ) 11,622 (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. Description Balance at Beginning of Period Provision Charged (Credited) To Expense (1) Allowance Changes (2) Other Deductions (3) Balance at End of Period (Dollar amounts in thousands) Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance: Fiscal Year Ended: September 30, 2019 $ 15,188 $ 821 $ — $ (657 ) $ 15,352 September 30, 2018 21,917 2,482 (8,510 ) (701 ) 15,188 September 30, 2017 23,463 (1,279 ) — (267 ) 21,917 (1) Amounts relate primarily to adjustments in net operating loss carryforwards which are precluded from use. (2) Fiscal 2018 amounts primarily reflect the release of valuation allowances due to the termination of net operating loss carryforwards upon the liquidation of non-U.S. holding companies as part of an entity reduction plan. (3) Consists principally of adjustments related to foreign exchange.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2019
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. Investments in certain companies over which the Company exerts significant influence, but does not control the financial and operating decisions, are accounted for as equity method investments. Investments in certain companies over which the Company does not exert significant influence are accounted for as cost-method investments. 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.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications are not material to the prior year presentation.
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.
Inventories	Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost generally determined under the average cost method. Inventory costs include material, labor, and applicable manufacturing overhead (including depreciation) and other direct costs. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.
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
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 15 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 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 and other market indicators. For purposes of testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company generally uses a relief from royalty method.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	Pension and Other Postretirement Plans: Pension assets and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets and the discount rate used to determine the present value of benefit obligations. Actual changes in the fair market value of plan assets and differences between the actual return on plan assets, the expected return on plan assets and changes in the selected discount rate will affect the amount of pension cost. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of the obligations and plan assets are initially recognized through other comprehensive income and subsequently amortized to the Consolidated Statement of Income.
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.
Derivatives and Hedging	Derivatives and Hedging: Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program. All derivatives are 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) ("OCI"), 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.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency: The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is generally 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 based upon the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 830 "Foreign Currency Matters."
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Comprehensive Income (Loss): Comprehensive income (loss) 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 remeasurement of pension and other postretirement liabilities.
Treasury Stock	Treasury Stock: Treasury stock is carried at cost. The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when control of a good or service promised in a contract (i.e., performance obligation) is transferred to a customer. Control is obtained when a customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from that good or service. For substantially all transactions, control passes in accordance with agreed upon delivery terms, including in certain circumstances, customer acceptance. This approach is consistent with the Company’s historical revenue recognition methodology. In limited instances revenue is recognized over time as critical milestones are met and as services are provided. Transaction price, for revenue recognition, is allocated to each performance obligation consisting of the stand alone selling price, estimates of rebates and other sales or contract renewal incentives, and cash discounts and sales returns ("Variable Consideration"). Estimates are made for Variable Consideration based on contract terms and historical experience of actual results and are applied to the performance obligations as they are satisfied. Each product or service delivered to a third-party customer is considered to satisfy a performance obligation. Performance obligations generally occur at a point in time and are satisfied when control of the goods passes to the customer. Certain revenue related to mausoleum construction and significant engineering projects, including cremation and incineration projects, and marking and industrial automation projects, are recognized over time using the input method measuring progress toward completion of such projects. Amounts recognized using the over time method were less than 5% of the Company's consolidated revenue for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 . The Company is entitled to collection of the sales price under normal credit terms in the regions in which it operates. Refer to Note 4, “Revenue Recognition,” for a further discussion. Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs: All fees billed to the customer for shipping and handling are classified as a component of net revenues. All costs associated with shipping and handling are classified as a component of cost of sales or selling expense.
Research and Development Expenses	Research and Development Expenses: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $26,176 , $24,984 and $20,722 for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation: 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.
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 have not been provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries since they have either been previously taxed, or are now exempt from tax, under the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely in foreign operations.
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.
Accounting Pronouncements	Issued In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20) , which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. This ASU is effective for the Company beginning in interim periods starting in fiscal year 2021. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement , which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements including the consideration of costs and benefits. This ASU is effective for the Company beginning in interim periods starting in fiscal year 2020. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) , which provides new guidance intended to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. This ASU is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2020. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) , which provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each report date. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , which provides new guidance on how an entity should account for leases and recognize associated lease assets and liabilities. This ASU requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities that arise from financing and operating leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Subsequently, the FASB issued several ASUs that address implementation issues and correct or improve certain aspects of the new lease guidance, including ASU 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842), ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842) Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 , ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases , ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, ASU 2018-20, Leases (Topic 842): Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors, and ASU 2019-01, Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements . These ASUs do not change the core principles in the lease guidance outlined above. ASU No. 2018-11 provides an additional transition method to adopt ASU No. 2016-02. Under the new transition method, an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date versus at the beginning of the earliest period presented and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company has elected to use this transition method at the adoption date of October 1, 2019. ASU No. 2016-02 and the related ASUs referenced above are effective for the Company beginning in interim periods starting in fiscal year 2020. The Company expects the estimated right-of-use asset and related lease liability recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet to approximate $85 million . The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact to its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows or Consolidated Statement of Income. Adopted In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) , which provides new guidance intended to clarify and reduce complexities in applying stock compensation guidance to a change to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2018 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost , which provides new guidance intended to improve the disclosure requirements related to the service cost component of net benefit cost. ASU 2017-07 requires a company to present the service cost components of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line as other employee compensation costs, with the remaining components of net periodic benefit cost presented separately from the service cost components and outside of any subtotal of operating income, if one is presented. The Company adopted this standard on October 1, 2018 applying the presentation requirements retrospectively. For the year ended September 30, 2018, the Company reclassified net benefit costs of $ 2,871 , $ 907 and $ 1,945 , from cost of sales, selling expense and administrative expense, respectively, to other income (deductions), net. For the year ended September 30, 2017, the Company reclassified net benefit costs of $ 4,401 , $ 1,391 and $ 2,981 , from cost of sales, selling expense and administrative expense, respectively, to other income (deductions), net. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment , which provides new guidance intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill and removing Step 2 from the goodwill impairment process. The Company early adopted this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2017. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, but modifies the methodology to assess and measure goodwill impairment prospectively. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business , which provides new guidance intended to make the definition of a business more operable and allow for more consistency in application. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2018 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740) , which will require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The Company adopted ASU 2016-16 on October 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method which resulted in a decrease to retained earnings and other assets of $ 4,176 . In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force) , which provides new guidance intended to clarify the presentation of certain cash flow items including debt prepayments, debt extinguishment costs, contingent considerations payments, and insurance proceeds, among other things. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , which provides new guidance intended to improve the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10), that provides guidance related to implementation issues and corrects or improves certain aspects of the financial instruments guidance. The adoption of these ASUs in the first quarter ended December 31, 2018 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory , which provides 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 adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2017 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 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. During 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued six ASUs that address implementation issues and correct or improve certain aspects of the new revenue recognition guidance, including ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) , ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing , ASU 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , ASU 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842) and ASU 2017-14, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . These ASUs do not change the core principles in the revenue recognition guidance outlined above. The Company adopted the provisions of these ASUs in the first fiscal quarter of 2019, using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of these ASUs did not impact the Company's consolidated financial statements and therefore, there was no cumulative effect adjustment recognized to retained earnings on October 1, 2018. Refer to Note 4, “Revenue Recognition,” for a further discussion. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) , which provides new guidance to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The amount of reclassification is the difference between the Company's historical U.S. income tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate income tax rate. The Company early adopted this ASU in the third quarter ended June 30, 2018. The adoption of this ASU resulted in a decrease to AOCI and corresponding increase to retained earnings of $8,814 .

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Tables)

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
REVENUE RECOGNITION (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	Disaggregated sales by segment and region for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 were as follows: North America Central and South America Europe Australia Asia Consolidated SGK Brand Solutions: 2019 $ 320,553 $ 5,853 $ 362,088 $ 11,767 $ 43,608 $ 743,869 2018 351,631 6,171 389,151 12,599 45,722 805,274 2017 371,961 6,518 338,988 10,558 42,156 770,181 Memorialization: 2019 $ 590,575 $ — $ 37,199 $ 9,118 $ — $ 636,892 2018 583,942 — 36,773 10,677 — 631,392 2017 569,662 — 35,271 10,949 — 615,882 Industrial Technologies: 2019 $ 127,140 $ — $ 26,966 $ — $ 2,409 $ 156,515 2018 130,794 — 30,154 — 4,966 165,914 2017 102,301 — 21,983 — 5,261 129,545 Consolidated: 2019 $ 1,038,268 $ 5,853 $ 426,253 $ 20,885 $ 46,017 $ 1,537,276 2018 1,066,367 6,171 456,078 23,276 50,688 1,602,580 2017 1,043,924 6,518 396,242 21,507 47,417 1,515,608

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis	As of September 30, 2019 and 2018 , the fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were categorized as follows: September 30, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Derivatives (1) $ — $ 845 $ — $ 845 Equity and fixed income mutual funds — 22,986 — 22,986 Life insurance policies — 4,030 — 4,030 Total assets at fair value $ — $ 27,861 $ — $ 27,861 Liabilities: Derivatives (1) $ — $ 1,379 $ — $ 1,379 Total liabilities at fair value $ — $ 1,379 $ — $ 1,379 (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, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Derivatives (1) $ — $ 11,309 $ — $ 11,309 Equity and fixed income mutual funds — 22,758 — 22,758 Life insurance policies — 5,894 — 5,894 Total assets at fair value $ — $ 39,961 $ — $ 39,961 Liabilities: Derivatives (1) $ — $ — $ — $ — Total liabilities at fair value $ — $ — $ — $ — (1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

INVENTORIES (Tables)

INVENTORIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
INVENTORIES (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories at September 30, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following: 2019 2018 Raw materials $ 35,616 $ 34,880 Work in process 76,297 67,827 Finished goods 68,361 77,744 $ 180,274 $ 180,451

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
INVESTMENTS (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Non-Current Investments	At September 30, 2019 and 2018 , non-current investments were as follows: 2019 2018 Equity and fixed income mutual funds $ 22,986 $ 22,758 Life insurance policies 4,030 5,894 Equity-method investments 39,761 — Cost-method investments 18,724 16,778 $ 85,501 $ 45,430

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
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, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: 2019 2018 Buildings $ 114,276 $ 113,027 Machinery, equipment and other 446,356 452,846 560,632 565,873 Less accumulated depreciation (361,193 ) (357,827 ) 199,439 208,046 Land 17,310 18,017 Construction in progress 20,693 26,712 $ 237,442 $ 252,775

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt at September 30, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following: 2019 2018 Revolving credit facilities $ 476,132 $ 322,711 Securitization facility 93,950 102,250 Senior secured term loan 53,497 212,086 2025 Senior Notes 296,716 296,176 Notes payable to banks 16,376 17,895 Short-term borrowings 395 4,915 Capital lease obligations 3,631 4,569 940,697 960,602 Less current maturities (42,503 ) (31,260 ) $ 898,194 $ 929,342
Interest Rate Contracts	The following table presents information related to interest rate contracts entered into by the Company and designated as cash flow hedges: September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018 Pay fixed swaps - notional amount $ 293,750 $ 343,750 Net unrealized (loss) gain $ (534 ) $ 11,309 Weighted-average maturity period (years) 1.9 2.7 Weighted-average received rate 2.02 % 2.26 % Weighted-average pay rate 1.41 % 1.37 %
Interest Rate Swap Contracts Reflected in Consolidated Balance Sheets	At September 30, 2019 and 2018 , the interest rate swap contracts were reflected on a gross-basis in the consolidated balance sheets as follows: Derivatives: 2019 2018 Current assets: Other current assets $ 548 $ 3,867 Long-term assets: Other assets 297 7,442 Current liabilities: Other current liabilities (484 ) — Long-term liabilities: Other liabilities (895 ) — Total derivatives $ (534 ) $ 11,309
Gains (Losses) Recognized on Derivatives	The gains recognized on derivatives was as follows: Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships Location of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives Amount of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives 2019 2018 2017 Interest rate swaps Interest expense $3,181 $1,380 $1,752 The Company recognized the following gains (losses) in AOCI: Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships Amount of (Loss) Gain Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives Location of Gain Reclassified from AOCI into Income Amount of Gain Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion) 2019 2018 2017 (Effective Portion) 2019 2018 2017 Interest rate swaps $(6,540) $6,095 $7,043 Interest expense $2,402 $1,042 $1,069 * 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, is as follows: 2020 $ 150,477 * 2021 490,957 2022 353 2023 313 2024 258 Thereafter 298,339 $ 940,697 * The Company maintains certain debt facilities with current maturity dates in fiscal 2020 that it intends and has the ability to extend beyond fiscal 2020 totaling $107,974 . These balances have been classified as non-current on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Tables)

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Restricted Stock Activity	The transactions for restricted stock for the year ended September 30, 2019 were as follows: Shares Weighted- average Grant-date Fair Value Non-vested at September 30, 2018 554,233 $ 55.71 Granted 262,200 42.21 Vested (180,661 ) 57.93 Expired or forfeited (20,137 ) 46.56 Non-vested at September 30, 2019 615,635 $ 49.61

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Information Used to Compute Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews' Common Shareholders	The information used to compute (loss) earnings per share attributable to Matthews' common shareholders was as follows: 2019 2018 2017 Net (loss) income available to Matthews shareholders $ (37,988 ) $ 107,371 $ 74,368 Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands): Basic shares 31,416 31,674 32,240 Effect of dilutive securities — 187 330 Diluted shares 31,416 31,861 32,570

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_2

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Retirement Benefits [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, 2019 and 2018 : Pension Other Postretirement 2019 2018 2019 2018 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 241,553 $ 259,672 $ 18,826 $ 20,316 Service cost 7,998 8,159 244 335 Interest cost 9,202 8,210 718 631 Actuarial loss (gain) 43,198 (15,229 ) 2,212 (907 ) Exchange gain (581 ) (180 ) — — Benefit payments (11,413 ) (19,079 ) (1,048 ) (1,549 ) Benefit obligation, end of year 289,957 241,553 20,952 18,826 Change in plan assets: Fair value, beginning of year 158,662 155,634 — — Actual return 6,852 10,914 — — Benefit payments (1) (11,413 ) (19,079 ) (1,048 ) (1,549 ) Employer contributions 1,212 11,193 1,048 1,549 Fair value, end of year 155,313 158,662 — — Funded status (134,644 ) (82,892 ) (20,952 ) (18,828 ) Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) 95,741 53,405 (106 ) (2,376 ) Unrecognized prior service cost (367 ) (552 ) (330 ) (525 ) Net amount recognized $ (39,270 ) $ (30,039 ) $ (21,388 ) $ (21,729 ) Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet: Current liability $ (882 ) $ (857 ) $ (989 ) $ (1,075 ) Noncurrent benefit liability (133,762 ) (82,035 ) (19,963 ) (17,753 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) 95,374 52,853 (436 ) (2,901 ) Net amount recognized $ (39,270 ) $ (30,039 ) $ (21,388 ) $ (21,729 ) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income): Net actuarial loss (income) $ 95,741 $ 53,405 $ (106 ) $ (2,376 ) Prior service cost (367 ) (552 ) (330 ) (525 ) Net amount recognized $ 95,374 $ 52,853 $ (436 ) $ (2,901 ) (1) Pension benefit payments in fiscal 2018 included approximately $6,800 of lump sum distributions that were made to certain terminated vested employees as settlements of the employees' pension obligations. These distributions did not meet the threshold to qualify as settlements under U.S. GAAP and therefore, no unamortized actuarial losses were recognized in the Statements of Income upon completion of the lump sum distributions.
Net Periodic Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Cost	Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following: Pension Other Postretirement 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Service cost $ 7,998 $ 8,159 $ 8,553 $ 244 $ 335 $ 392 Interest cost * 9,202 8,210 7,362 718 631 626 Expected return on plan assets * (10,304 ) (10,136 ) (9,249 ) — — — Amortization: Prior service cost (186 ) (138 ) (181 ) (195 ) (195 ) (195 ) Net actuarial loss * 4,245 7,018 10,034 (59 ) — — Net benefit cost $ 10,955 $ 13,113 $ 16,519 $ 708 $ 771 $ 823 * Non-service components of pension and postretirement expense are included in other income (deductions), net.
Contributions During Fiscal Year	Contributions made in fiscal 2019 are as follows: Contributions Pension Other Postretirement Supplemental retirement plan $ 793 $ — Other retirement plans 419 — Other postretirement plan — 1,048
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 2020 include: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Net actuarial loss $ 9,790 $ — Prior service cost (186 ) (94 )
Weighted-Average Assumptions for Principal Retirement and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	The weighted-average assumptions for those plans were: Pension Other Postretirement 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Discount rate 3.13 % 4.21 % 3.76 % 3.10 % 4.19 % 3.72 % Return on plan assets 6.75 % 6.75 % 6.75 % — — — 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, 2019 and 2018 and weighted-average target allocation were as follows: Plan Assets at Target Asset Category 2019 2018 Allocation * Equity securities $ 105,297 $ 92,745 65 % Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents 39,156 44,250 25 % Other investments 10,860 21,667 10 % $ 155,313 $ 158,662 100 % * Target allocation relates to the Company's primary defined benefit pension plan as of September 30, 2019.
Fair Value Allocation of Plan Assets	The Company's defined benefit pension plans' asset categories at September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: September 30, 2019 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities - stocks $ 54,985 $ — $ — $ 54,985 Equity securities - mutual funds 50,312 — — 50,312 Fixed income securities 15,829 18,968 — 34,797 Cash and cash equivalents 4,359 — — 4,359 Other investments — — 10,860 10,860 Total $ 125,485 $ 18,968 $ 10,860 $ 155,313 September 30, 2018 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Equity securities - stocks $ 46,628 $ — $ — $ 46,628 Equity securities - mutual funds 46,117 — — 46,117 Fixed income securities 26,789 14,785 — 41,574 Cash and cash equivalents 2,676 — — 2,676 Other investments 11,552 — 10,115 21,667 Total $ 133,762 $ 14,785 $ 10,115 $ 158,662
Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Plan Assets	Changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets at September 30, 2019 and 2018 are summarized as follows: Asset Category Fair Value, Beginning of Period Acquisitions Dispositions Realized Gains Unrealized Gains (Losses) Fair Value, End of Period Other investments: Fiscal Year Ended: September 30, 2019 $ 10,115 $ 4,162 $ (2,786 ) $ 685 $ (1,316 ) $ 10,860 September 30, 2018 9,480 — (149 ) 261 523 10,115
Benefit Payments Expected to be Paid	Benefit payments expected to be paid are as follows: Years ending September 30: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits 2020 $ 10,733 $ 989 2021 11,057 1,021 2022 12,360 1,051 2023 12,690 1,082 2024 14,038 1,127 2025-2029 75,514 5,832 $ 136,392 $ 11,102

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Change in AOCI by Component, Net of Tax	Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following: 2019 2018 Cumulative foreign currency translation $ (156,214 ) $ (134,960 ) Fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $131 and $2,771, respectively (404 ) 8,538 Minimum pension liabilities, net of tax of $23,195 and $12,076, respectively (71,743 ) (37,876 ) $ (228,361 ) $ (164,298 ) The changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 were as follows: Postretirement Benefit Plans Currency Translation Adjustment Derivatives Total Attributable to Matthews: Balance, September 30, 2016 $ (56,050 ) $ (122,259 ) $ (3,559 ) $ (181,868 ) OCI before reclassification 6,536 9,352 7,043 22,931 Amounts reclassified from AOCI 5,891 (a) — (1,069 ) (b) 4,822 Net current-period OCI 12,427 9,352 5,974 27,753 Balance, September 30, 2017 $ (43,623 ) $ (112,907 ) $ 2,415 $ (154,115 ) OCI before reclassification 10,584 (22,053 ) 6,095 (5,374 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 5,047 (a) — (1,042 ) (b) 4,005 Net current-period OCI 15,631 (22,053 ) 5,053 (1,369 ) Reclassification of AOCI tax effects (9,884 ) (c) — 1,070 (c) (8,814 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ (37,876 ) $ (134,960 ) $ 8,538 $ (164,298 ) OCI before reclassification (36,784 ) (21,254 ) (6,540 ) (64,578 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI 2,917 (a) — (2,402 ) (b) 515 Net current-period OCI (33,867 ) (21,254 ) (8,942 ) (64,063 ) Balance, September 30, 2019 $ (71,743 ) $ (156,214 ) $ (404 ) $ (228,361 ) Attributable to noncontrolling interest: Balance, September 30, 2016 $ — $ 277 $ — $ 277 OCI before reclassification — 119 — 119 Net current-period OCI — 119 — 119 Balance, September 30, 2017 $ — $ 396 $ — $ 396 OCI before reclassification — 71 — 71 Net current-period OCI — 71 — 71 Balance, September 30, 2018 $ — $ 467 $ — $ 467 OCI before reclassification — (92 ) — (92 ) Net current-period OCI — (92 ) — (92 ) Balance, September 30, 2019 $ — $ 375 $ — $ 375 (a) Amounts were included in net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefit plans (see Note 13). (b) Amounts were included in interest expense in the periods the hedged item affected earnings (see Note 9). (c) Amounts were reclassified from AOCI to retained earnings through adoption of ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) (see Note 3).
Reclassifications out of AOCI	Reclassifications out of AOCI for the years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 were as follows: Details about AOCI Components September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Affected line item in the Statement of Income Postretirement benefit plans Prior service (cost) credit $ 381 (a) $ 333 $ 376 Actuarial losses (4,245 ) (a) (7,018 ) (10,034 ) (3,864 ) (b) (6,685 ) (9,658 ) Income before income tax 947 1,638 3,767 Income taxes $ (2,917 ) $ (5,047 ) $ (5,891 ) Net income Derivatives Interest rate swap contracts $ 3,181 $ 1,380 $ 1,752 Interest expense 3,181 (b) 1,380 1,752 Income before income tax (779 ) (338 ) (683 ) Income taxes $ 2,402 $ 1,042 $ 1,069 Net income (a) Prior service cost 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. Actuarial losses are reported in other income (deductions), net. For additional information, see Note 13. (b) For pre-tax items, positive amounts represent income and negative amounts represent expense.

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes	The income tax provision (benefit) consisted of the following: 2019 2018 2017 Current: Federal $ 3,308 $ (2,577 ) $ 1,542 State 2,232 1,051 628 Foreign 2,049 15,533 10,459 7,589 14,007 12,629 Deferred: Federal (5,472 ) (24,094 ) 11,887 State (2,782 ) 1,315 905 Foreign 1,471 (346 ) (3,067 ) (6,783 ) (23,125 ) 9,725 Total $ 806 $ (9,118 ) $ 22,354
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: 2019 2018 2017 Federal statutory tax rate 21.0 % 24.5 % 35.0 % Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction 2.7 % 2.2 % 1.4 % Foreign statutory taxes compared to federal statutory rate (0.8 )% 1.4 % (7.2 )% Share-based compensation (3.1 )% (0.6 )% (1.2 )% U.S. manufacturing incentive — % (1.3 )% (1.8 )% Tax credits 4.9 % (2.7 )% (2.6 )% Tax basis difference 9.8 % (1.5 )% — % Transition tax — % 9.0 % — % U.S. statutory tax rate change on temporary differences — % (38.7 )% — % Goodwill write-down (40.2 )% — % — % Other 3.6 % (1.6 )% (0.4 )% Effective tax rate (2.1 )% (9.3 )% 23.2 %
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: 2019 2018 Deferred tax assets: Pension and postretirement benefits $ 37,587 $ 24,597 Accruals and reserves not currently deductible 10,400 9,596 Income tax credit carryforward 3,204 3,216 Operating and capital loss carryforwards 21,896 21,858 Stock options 4,778 5,157 Other 5,381 3,963 Total deferred tax assets 83,246 68,387 Valuation allowances (15,352 ) (15,188 ) Net deferred tax assets 67,894 53,199 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation (24,792 ) (16,156 ) Unrealized gains and losses (565 ) (8,637 ) Goodwill and intangible assets (138,952 ) (147,571 ) Other (1,035 ) (517 ) (165,344 ) (172,881 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (97,450 ) $ (119,682 )
Changes in Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) are as follows: 2019 2018 2017 Balance, beginning of year $ 14,827 $ 7,968 $ 13,820 Increases for tax positions of prior years — 7,886 839 Decreases for tax positions of prior years — — (5,890 ) Increases based on tax positions related to the current year 1,420 882 378 Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation (721 ) (1,909 ) (1,179 ) Balance, end of year $ 15,526 $ 14,827 $ 7,968
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	As of September 30, 2019 , the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are: United States - Federal 2015 and forward United States - State 2015 and forward Canada 2015 and forward Germany 2015 and forward United Kingdom 2018 and forward Australia 2015 and forward Singapore 2014 and forward

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_2

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
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: 2019 2018 2017 Current assets: Accounts receivable $ 8,779 $ (790 ) $ (7,045 ) Inventories 830 (2,869 ) (2,289 ) Other current assets 10,317 (16,293 ) 4,447 19,926 (19,952 ) (4,887 ) Current liabilities: Trade accounts payable 3,715 2,516 5,672 Accrued compensation (8,832 ) (10,940 ) (2,469 ) Accrued income taxes (5,416 ) (9,973 ) 5,054 Other current liabilities (21,875 ) 28,415 2,414 (32,408 ) 10,018 10,671 Net change $ (12,482 ) $ (9,934 ) $ 5,784

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	Information about the Company's segments follows: (Segment financial information for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 has been revised to present the prior period information on a comparable basis.) SGK Brand Solutions Memorialization Industrial Technologies Corporate and Non-Operating Consolidated Sales to external customers: 2019 $ 743,869 $ 636,892 $ 156,515 $ — $ 1,537,276 2018 805,274 631,392 165,914 — 1,602,580 2017 770,181 615,882 129,545 — 1,515,608 Intersegment sales: 2019 703 25 48 — 776 2018 310 2 9 — 321 2017 356 — 2 — 358 Depreciation and amortization: 2019 59,684 19,731 6,195 5,183 90,793 2018 46,300 20,005 5,796 4,873 76,974 2017 41,941 19,808 2,863 3,369 67,981 Adjusted EBITDA: 2019 119,493 134,286 24,082 (56,989 ) 220,872 2018 150,233 145,487 25,864 (66,470 ) 255,114 2017 144,783 139,192 18,481 (63,773 ) 238,683 Total assets: 2019 1,106,276 830,377 191,533 62,417 2,190,603 2018 1,285,053 814,800 196,855 61,036 2,357,744 2017 1,276,295 741,148 161,472 65,734 2,244,649 Capital expenditures: 2019 22,310 9,352 2,382 3,644 37,688 2018 22,133 15,513 2,577 2,977 43,200 2017 22,941 8,078 4,622 9,294 44,935 A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income follows: 2019 2018 2017 Total Adjusted EBITDA 220,872 255,114 238,683 Acquisition costs (1) $ (10,872 ) $ (10,918 ) $ (17,722 ) ERP integration costs (2) (7,508 ) (10,864 ) (8,026 ) Strategic initiatives and other charges (3)** (13,449 ) (5,266 ) (9,209 ) Loss recoveries, net of costs (4) — — 10,683 Joint Venture depreciation, amortization and interest expense (5) (1,514 ) — — Goodwill write-down (6) (77,572 ) — — Net realized (losses) gains on divestitures and asset dispositions: Loss on divestitures (7) (6,469 ) — — Realized (loss) gain on cost-method investments (8) (4,731 ) 3,771 — Net gains from the sale of buildings and vacant properties (9) 7,347 — — Stock-based compensation (7,729 ) (13,460 ) (14,562 ) Non-service pension and postretirement expense (10) (3,802 ) (5,723 ) (8,773 ) Depreciation and amortization * (90,793 ) (76,974 ) (67,981 ) Interest expense (40,962 ) (37,427 ) (26,371 ) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (901 ) (260 ) (435 ) (Loss) income before income taxes $ (38,083 ) 97,993 96,287 Income tax (provision) benefit (806 ) 9,118 (22,354 ) Net (loss) income (38,889 ) 107,111 73,933 (1) Includes certain non-recurring costs associated with recent acquisition activities. (2) Represents costs associated with global ERP system integration efforts. (3) Includes certain non-recurring costs primarily associated with productivity and cost-reduction initiatives intended to result in improved operating performance, profitability and working capital levels. (4) Represents loss recoveries, net of related costs, related to the theft of funds by a former employee. (5) Represents the Company's portion of depreciation, intangible amortization and interest expense incurred by non-consolidated subsidiaries accounted for as equity-method investments within the Memorialization segment. (6) Represents the goodwill write-down for a reporting unit within the SGK Brand Solutions segment. (7) Represents a loss on the sale of a controlling interest in a subsidiary and divestiture of a business within the Memorialization segment. (8) Includes gains/losses related to cost-method investments, and related assets, within SGK Brand Solutions and Memorialization segments. (9) Includes significant building and vacant property transactions resulting in a gain of $8,663 within the Industrial Technologies segment and losses of $915 and $401 within the SGK Brand Solutions and Memorialization segments, respectively. (10) Non-service pension and postretirement expense includes interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of actuarial gains and losses. These benefit cost components are excluded from adjusted EBITDA since they are primarily influenced by external market conditions that impact investment returns and interest (discount) rates. The service cost and prior service cost components of pension and postretirement expense are included in the calculation of adjusted EBITDA, since they are considered to be a better reflection of the ongoing service-related costs of providing these benefits. Please note that GAAP pension and postretirement expense or the adjustment above are not necessarily indicative of the current or future cash flow requirements related to these employee benefit plans. * Depreciation and amortization was $59,684 , $46,300 , and $41,941 for the SGK Brand Solutions segment, $19,731 , $20,005 , and $19,808 for the Memorialization segment, $6,195 , $5,796 , and $2,863 for the Industrial Technologies segment, and $5,183 , $4,873 , and $3,369 for Corporate and Non-Operating, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. ** Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges were $8,903 , $11,044 , and $14,453 for the SGK Brand Solutions segment, $3,073 , $613 , and $612 for the Industrial Technologies segment, and $19,853 , $13,961 , and $19,050 for Corporate and Non-Operating, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges were $1,430 , and $842 for the Memorialization segment for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 , and 2017 , respectively. Information about the Company's operations by geographic area follows: North America Central and South America Europe Australia Asia Consolidated Sales to external customers: 2019 $ 1,038,268 $ 5,853 $ 426,253 $ 20,885 $ 46,017 $ 1,537,276 2018 1,066,367 6,171 456,078 23,276 50,688 1,602,580 2017 1,043,924 6,518 396,242 21,507 47,417 1,515,608 Long-lived assets: 2019 1,047,505 15,585 342,802 21,278 57,729 1,484,899 2018 1,182,250 16,535 365,455 23,037 58,302 1,645,579 2017 1,069,862 13,882 382,940 24,887 66,138 1,557,709

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill Attributable to Each Segment	Changes to goodwill during the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 , follow. SGK Brand Solutions Memorialization Industrial Technologies Consolidated Goodwill $ 491,895 $ 347,507 $ 69,144 $ 908,546 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) — (10,752 ) Balance at September 30, 2017 486,143 342,507 69,144 897,794 Additions during period 8,743 29,059 22,877 60,679 Translation and other adjustments (9,568 ) (16 ) 5 (9,579 ) Goodwill 491,070 376,550 92,026 959,646 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) — (10,752 ) Balance at September 30, 2018 485,318 371,550 92,026 948,894 Additions during period 1,506 3,592 — 5,098 Divestiture during period — (14,970 ) — (14,970 ) Translation and other adjustments (13,548 ) (435 ) (660 ) (14,643 ) Goodwill 479,028 364,737 91,366 935,131 Accumulated impairment losses (5,752 ) (5,000 ) — (10,752 ) Goodwill write-down $ (77,572 ) $ — $ — $ (77,572 ) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 395,704 $ 359,737 $ 91,366 $ 846,807
Other Intangible Assets	The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net September 30, 2019 Trade names $ 30,540 $ — * $ 30,540 Trade names 148,628 (22,653 ) 125,975 Customer relationships 374,515 (137,330 ) 237,185 Copyrights/patents/other 20,463 (13,513 ) 6,950 $ 574,146 $ (173,496 ) $ 400,650 September 30, 2018 Trade names $ 126,047 $ — * $ 126,047 Trade names 53,523 (5,444 ) 48,079 Customer relationships 372,382 (110,760 ) 261,622 Copyrights/patents/other 20,848 (12,686 ) 8,162 $ 572,800 $ (128,890 ) $ 443,910 * Not subject to amortization

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFOR_2

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [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 2019 and fiscal 2018 . Quarter Ended December 31 March 31 June 30 September 30 Year Ended September 30 (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) FISCAL YEAR 2019: Sales $ 374,177 $ 391,400 $ 379,294 $ 392,405 $ 1,537,276 Gross profit 126,411 136,281 137,178 142,596 542,466 Operating profit (loss) 16,166 24,264 29,691 (59,818 ) 10,303 Net income (loss) attributable to Matthews shareholders 3,097 15,417 14,629 (71,131 ) (37,988 ) Earnings (loss) per share: Basic $ 0.10 $ 0.49 $ 0.47 $ (2.28 ) $ (1.21 ) Diluted 0.10 0.48 0.46 (2.28 ) (1.21 ) FISCAL YEAR 2018: Sales $ 369,454 $ 414,061 $ 411,621 $ 407,444 $ 1,602,580 Gross profit (1) 131,413 150,680 152,615 149,513 584,221 Operating profit (1) 19,349 31,216 39,320 48,672 138,557 Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders 35,180 18,182 24,414 29,595 107,371 Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.11 $ 0.57 $ 0.77 $ 0.94 $ 3.39 Diluted 1.10 0.57 0.77 0.93 3.37 (1) Amounts were revised to reflect retrospective application for adoption of ASU No. 2017-07, "Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost" on October 1, 2018. As a result, gross profit increased $714 , $714 , $714 and $729 , respectively for each quarter in 2018, and operating profit increased $1,425 , $1,425 , $1,425 and $1,448 , respectively for each quarter in 2018.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]
Period past due for which a finance charge may be applied	30 days
Research and Development Expenses [Abstract]
Research and development costs	$ 26,176	$ 24,984	$ 20,722
Minimum
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Useful lives of intangibles	2 years
Maximum
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Useful lives of intangibles	15 years
Buildings \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Useful lives of PPE	10 years
Buildings \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Useful lives of PPE	45 years
Machinery, equipment and other \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Useful lives of PPE	3 years
Machinery, equipment and other \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Useful lives of PPE	12 years

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - Nar

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Jun. 30, 2019

Mar. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Sep. 30, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2018

Sep. 30, 2017

Oct. 01, 2019

Oct. 01, 2018

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Gross profit

$ 142,596,000

$ 137,178,000

$ 136,281,000

$ 126,411,000

$ 149,513,000

$ 152,615,000

$ 150,680,000

$ 131,413,000

$ 542,466,000

$ 584,221,000

$ 567,788,000

Accounting Standards Update 2017-07

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Gross profit

$ 729

$ 714

Accounting Standards Update 2016-16

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Cumulative tax adjustment for intra-entity transfers

$ (4,176,000)

Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-16

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Cumulative tax adjustment for intra-entity transfers

(4,176,000)

Retained Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2018-02

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Cumulative tax adjustment for intra-entity transfers

8,814,000

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (net of tax) | Accounting Standards Update 2018-02

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Cumulative tax adjustment for intra-entity transfers

$ (8,814,000)

Cost of Sales | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Reclassification of net benefit costs

(2,871,000)

(4,401,000)

Selling and Marketing Expense | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Reclassification of net benefit costs

(907,000)

(1,391,000)

General and Administrative Expense | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Reclassification of net benefit costs

$ (1,945,000)

$ (2,981,000)

Other Assets | Accounting Standards Update 2016-16

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Cumulative tax adjustment for intra-entity transfers

$ (4,176,000)

Forecast | Subsequent Event | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Operating lease, right-of-use asset

$ 85,000,000

Operating lease, liability

$ 85,000,000

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Details)

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
REVENUE RECOGNITION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	$ 392,405	$ 379,294	$ 391,400	$ 374,177	$ 407,444	$ 411,621	$ 414,061	$ 369,454	$ 1,537,276	$ 1,602,580	$ 1,515,608
North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									1,038,268	1,066,367	1,043,924
Central and South America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									5,853	6,171	6,518
Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									426,253	456,078	396,242
Australia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									20,885	23,276	21,507
Asia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									46,017	50,688	47,417
SGK Brand Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									743,869	805,274	770,181
SGK Brand Solutions \| North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									320,553	351,631	371,961
SGK Brand Solutions \| Central and South America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									5,853	6,171	6,518
SGK Brand Solutions \| Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									362,088	389,151	338,988
SGK Brand Solutions \| Australia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									11,767	12,599	10,558
SGK Brand Solutions \| Asia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									43,608	45,722	42,156
Memorialization
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									636,892	631,392	615,882
Memorialization \| North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									590,575	583,942	569,662
Memorialization \| Central and South America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									0	0	0
Memorialization \| Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									37,199	36,773	35,271
Memorialization \| Australia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									9,118	10,677	10,949
Memorialization \| Asia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									0	0	0
Industrial Technologies
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									156,515	165,914	129,545
Industrial Technologies \| North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									127,140	130,794	102,301
Industrial Technologies \| Central and South America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									0	0	0
Industrial Technologies \| Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									26,966	30,154	21,983
Industrial Technologies \| Australia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									0	0	0
Industrial Technologies \| Asia
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales									$ 2,409	$ 4,966	$ 5,261

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Assets:
Equity and fixed income mutual funds	$ 22,986	$ 22,758
Life insurance policies	18,724	16,778
Recurring
Assets:
Derivatives	845	11,309
Equity and fixed income mutual funds	22,986	22,758
Life insurance policies	4,030	5,894
Total assets at fair value	27,861	39,961
Liabilities:
Derivatives	1,379	0
Total liabilities at fair value	1,379	0
Recurring \| Level 1
Assets:
Derivatives	0	0
Equity and fixed income mutual funds	0	0
Life insurance policies	0	0
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Liabilities:
Derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Recurring \| Level 2
Assets:
Derivatives	845	11,309
Equity and fixed income mutual funds	22,986	22,758
Life insurance policies	4,030	5,894
Total assets at fair value	27,861	39,961
Liabilities:
Derivatives	1,379	0
Total liabilities at fair value	1,379	0
Recurring \| Level 3
Assets:
Derivatives	0	0
Equity and fixed income mutual funds	0	0
Life insurance policies	0	0
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Liabilities:
Derivatives	0	0
Total liabilities at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

INVENTORIES (Details)

INVENTORIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Inventories, net [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 35,616	$ 34,880
Work in process	76,297	67,827
Finished goods	68,361	77,744
Inventories	$ 180,274	$ 180,451

INVESTMENTS - Narrative (Detail

INVESTMENTS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
INVESTMENTS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Trading securities cost (in excess of) or below market value	$ 941	$ 838
Maximum ownership interests in various entities recorded under the cost method	20.00%
Percentage of voting rights sold			51.00%
Payments to equity-method investments	$ 29,148
Ownership interest recorded as cost method investment		11,747
Proceeds from the sale of cost method investments		9,159
Realized gain on disposition of cost method investment		$ 3,771

INVESTMENTS - Non-Current Inves

INVESTMENTS - Non-Current Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Non-current investments [Abstract]
Equity and fixed income mutual funds	$ 22,986	$ 22,758
Life insurance policies	4,030	5,894
Equity-method investments	39,761	0
Cost-method investments	18,724	16,778
Total non-current investments	$ 85,501	$ 45,430

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT_2

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$ 237,442	$ 252,775
Depreciation expense	45,037	45,412	$ 44,668
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	114,276	113,027
Machinery, equipment and other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	446,356	452,846
Buildings, Machinery and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	560,632	565,873
Less accumulated depreciation	(361,193)	(357,827)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	199,439	208,046
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	17,310	18,017
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 20,693	$ 26,712

LONG-TERM DEBT - Long-Term Debt

LONG-TERM DEBT - Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 940,697	$ 960,602
Less current maturities	(42,503)	(31,260)
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations, excluding current maturities	898,194	929,342
Senior secured term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	53,497	212,086
2025 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	296,716	296,176
Notes payable to banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	16,376	17,895
Short-term borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	395	4,915
Capital lease obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	3,631	4,569
Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	476,132	322,711
Securitization facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 93,950	$ 102,250

LONG-TERM DEBT - Narrative (Det

LONG-TERM DEBT - Narrative (Details) £ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT - Narrative (Details) £ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019GBP (£)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2018EUR (€)	Apr. 30, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps, before tax		$ 534,000		$ 11,309,000
Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps, after tax		403,000		8,538,000
Unrealized gain (loss) expected to be recognized over the next 12 months		48,000
Other debt		395,000		5,399,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment		3,320,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax		1,077,000
Contested letter of credit					$ 11,325,000
Other current assets
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contested letter of credit		10,541,000	£ 8,570
Securitization facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum amount of borrowings available		115,000,000
Outstanding borrowings		$ 93,950,000		$ 102,250,000
Interest rate (as a percent)		2.77%		3.01%		2.77%	3.01%
Securitization facility \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate (as a percent)		0.75%	0.75%
Securitization facility \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee (as a percent)		0.25%	0.25%
Securitization facility \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee (as a percent)		0.35%	0.35%
Other Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (as a percent)		2.17%		2.21%		2.17%	2.21%
Line of Credit \| Domestic Credit Facility Amendment Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (as a percent)		2.65%		3.12%		2.65%	3.12%
2025 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued		$ 300,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)		5.25%				5.25%
Financing fees and costs		$ 4,127,000
2025 Senior Notes \| Matthews Europe GmbH & Co. KG
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (as a percent)		1.40%				1.40%
Debt issued		$ 16,376,000				€ 15,000,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)		1.40%				1.40%
Portion of debt bearing fixed interest \| €						€ 5,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| April 2016 Debt Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing amount drawn In foreign currency		$ 150,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of Credit \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on borrowings (as a percent)		1.50%				1.50%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of Credit \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual commitment fee range on unused portion		0.15%	0.15%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of Credit \| Minimum \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio		0.75%	0.75%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of Credit \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual commitment fee range on unused portion		0.25%	0.25%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of Credit \| Maximum \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio		2.00%	2.00%
Revolving Credit Facility \| Line of Credit \| Domestic Credit Facility Amendment Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum amount of borrowings available								$ 900,000,000
Outstanding borrowings		$ 325,638,000		$ 319,500,000
Senior secured term loan \| Line of Credit \| Domestic Credit Facility Amendment Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum amount of borrowings available								$ 250,000,000
Principal payment due in one year (as a percent)		5.00%	5.00%
Principal payment in year two (as a percent)		7.50%	7.50%
Principal payment years three through five (as a percent)		10.00%	10.00%
Outstanding borrowings		$ 53,497,000		212,086,000
Standby Letters of Credit \| Line of Credit \| Domestic Credit Facility Amendment Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum amount of borrowings available		35,000,000
Line of Credit \| Euro Member Countries, Euro \| April 2016 Debt Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings		136,470,000				€ 125,000,000
Term Loan \| April 2016 Debt Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional unscheduled principal payment	$ 140,000,000
Foreign Line of Credit \| Credit Facility With European Bank
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum amount of borrowings available		38,212,000				35,000,000
Outstanding borrowings		$ 14,024,000		$ 3,211,000		€ 12,800,000	€ 2,800,000
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (as a percent)		1.25%		1.75%		1.25%	1.75%

LONG-TERM DEBT - Interest Rate

LONG-TERM DEBT - Interest Rate Swaps (Details) - Interest Rate Swaps - Designated as Hedging Instrument - Cash Flow Hedging - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Pay fixed swaps - notional amount	$ 293,750	$ 343,750
Net unrealized (loss) gain	$ (534)	$ 11,309
Weighted-average maturity period (years)	1 year 10 months 24 days	2 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted-average received rate (as a percent)	2.02%	2.26%
Weighted-average pay rate (as a percent)	1.41%	1.37%

LONG-TERM DEBT - Derivatives De

LONG-TERM DEBT - Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details) - Interest Rate Swaps - Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total derivatives	$ (534)	$ 11,309
Other current assets
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets derivatives	548	3,867
Other assets
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets derivatives	297	7,442
Other current liabilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Liability derivatives	(484)	0
Other liabilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Liability derivatives	$ (895)	$ 0

LONG-TERM DEBT - Loss Recognize

LONG-TERM DEBT - Loss Recognized on Derivatives (Details) - Cash Flow Hedging - Interest Rate Swaps - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Interest Expense
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$ 3,181	$ 1,380	$ 1,752
Amount of Gain Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	2,402	1,042	1,069
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of (Loss) Gain Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives	$ (6,540)	$ 6,095	$ 7,043

LONG-TERM DEBT - Aggregate Matu

LONG-TERM DEBT - Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2020	$ 150,477
2021	490,957
2022	353
2023	313
2024	258
Thereafter	298,339
Aggregate maturities long-term debt	940,697
Debt facilities in 2020 with ability to extend	$ 107,974

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - Class A common stock - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
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
Matthews Stock Repurchase Program
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares authorized for repurchase (in shares)	5,000,000
Shares remaining for repurchase (in shares)	712,312

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS - Narrativ

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Total stock-based compensation cost	$ 7,729	$ 13,460	$ 14,562
Restricted Stock
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Percent of shares vested on time	40.00%
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Term of plan (in years)	10 years
Maximum number of shares available for grants or awards (in shares)	1,700,000
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	1,700,000
Equity Incentive Plan 2017 \| Restricted Stock
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Shares granted under the 2017 Equity incentive plan	262,000
All Plans
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Total stock-based compensation cost	$ 7,729	13,460	14,562
Future income tax benefit from compensation expense recognized	$ 1,535	2,826	5,534
All Plans \| Restricted Stock
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Shares granted under the 2017 Equity incentive plan	262,200
Unrecognized compensation cost on unvested awards	$ 7,482
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards	1 year 10 months 24 days
All Plans \| Restricted Stock \| Minimum
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Expiration period (in years)	3 years
All Plans \| Restricted Stock \| Maximum
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Expiration period (in years)	5 years
Retirement Eligible Employees
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Total stock-based compensation cost	$ 1,849	$ 2,850	$ 3,337
2014 Director Fee Plan
Director Fee Plan, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee directors	85
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee chairman of the board	$ 185
Total restricted stock awards granted to date (in shares)	23,037
2019 Director Fee Plan
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	150,000
Director Fee Plans
Director Fee Plan, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Shares deferred under the director fee plan (in shares)	25,682
Value of annual stock-based grant	$ 125
Total restricted stock awards granted to date (in shares)	196,266
Restricted stock awards unvested (in shares)	34,542
After 3 Years \| Restricted Stock
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	50.00%
Attainment of Pre-Defined Levels of Appreciation in Market Value \| Restricted Stock
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	25.00%
Attainment of Pre-Defined Levels of Adjusted Earnings Per Share \| Restricted Stock
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting percentage	25.00%

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS - Restrict

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS - Restricted Stock Activity (Details) - All Plans - Restricted Stock	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares) \| shares	554,233
Granted (in shares) \| shares	262,200
Vested (in shares) \| shares	(180,661)
Expired or forfeited (in shares) \| shares	(20,137)
Non-vested at end of period (in shares) \| shares	615,635
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 55.71
Granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	42.21
Vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	57.93
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	46.56
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 49.61

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income available to Matthews shareholders	$ (37,988)	$ 107,371	$ 74,368
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic shares (in shares)	31,416	31,674	32,240
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	0	187	330
Diluted shares (in shares)	31,416	31,861	32,570

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_3

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Reconciliation of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status of Pension Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Change in plan assets:
Fair value, beginning of year	$ 158,662
Fair value, end of year	155,313	$ 158,662
Pension
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	241,553	259,672
Service cost	7,998	8,159	$ 8,553
Interest cost	9,202	8,210	7,362
Actuarial loss (gain)	43,198	(15,229)
Exchange gain	(581)	(180)
Benefit payments	(11,413)	(19,079)
Benefit obligation, end of year	289,957	241,553	259,672
Change in plan assets:
Fair value, beginning of year	158,662	155,634
Actual return	6,852	10,914
Benefit payments	(11,413)	(19,079)
Employer contributions	1,212	11,193
Fair value, end of year	155,313	158,662	155,634
Funded status	(134,644)	(82,892)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Current liability	(882)	(857)
Noncurrent benefit liability	(133,762)	(82,035)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	(95,374)	(52,853)
Net amount recognized	(39,270)	(30,039)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income):
Net actuarial loss (income)	95,741	53,405
Prior service cost	(367)	(552)
Distributions to terminated employees		6,800
Other Postretirement
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	18,826	20,316
Service cost	244	335	392
Interest cost	718	631	626
Actuarial loss (gain)	2,212	(907)
Exchange gain	0	0
Benefit payments	(1,048)	(1,549)
Benefit obligation, end of year	20,952	18,826	20,316
Change in plan assets:
Fair value, beginning of year	0	0
Actual return	0	0
Benefit payments	(1,048)	(1,549)
Employer contributions	1,048	1,549
Fair value, end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status	(20,952)	(18,828)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Current liability	(989)	(1,075)
Noncurrent benefit liability	(19,963)	(17,753)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)	436	2,901
Net amount recognized	(21,388)	(21,729)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income):
Net actuarial loss (income)	(106)	(2,376)
Prior service cost	$ (330)	$ (525)

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_4

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution plan expense	$ 8,176	$ 8,685	$ 8,620
Pension
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	270,140	224,265
Projected benefit obligation	289,957	$ 241,553
Required plan contribution	$ 4,333
Return on plan assets	6.75%	6.75%	6.75%
Other Postretirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Return on plan assets	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Per capita cost of health care benefits assumed for next fiscal year (as a percent)	7.30%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate (as a percent)	4.00%
Effect of one percentage point increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$ 718
Effect of one percentage point increase on service and interest cost components	39
Effect of one percentage point decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	629
Effect of one percentage point decrease on service and interest cost components	$ 34

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_5

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Net Periodic Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Pension
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 7,998	$ 8,159	$ 8,553
Interest cost	9,202	8,210	7,362
Expected return on plan assets	(10,304)	(10,136)	(9,249)
Prior service cost	(186)	(138)	(181)
Net actuarial loss	4,245	7,018	10,034
Net benefit cost	10,955	13,113	16,519
Other Postretirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	244	335	392
Interest cost	718	631	626
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Prior service cost	(195)	(195)	(195)
Net actuarial loss	(59)	0	0
Net benefit cost	$ 708	$ 771	$ 823

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_6

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Contributions During Fiscal Year (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Supplemental retirement plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension	$ 793
Other Postretirement	0
Other retirement plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension	419
Other Postretirement	0
Other Postretirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension	0
Other Postretirement	$ 1,048

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_7

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Amounts of AOCI Expected to be Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Pension
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	$ 9,790
Prior service cost	(186)
Other Postretirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	0
Prior service cost	$ (94)

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_8

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Weighted-Average Assumptions for Principal Retirement and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Pension
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.13%	4.21%	3.76%
Return on plan assets	6.75%	6.75%	6.75%
Compensation increase	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Other Postretirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.10%	4.19%	3.72%
Return on plan assets	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Compensation increase	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_9

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Weighted Average Asset Allocation and Target Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 155,313	$ 158,662
Pension
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 155,313	158,662	$ 155,634
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Target allocation of plan assets (as a percent)	100.00%
Equity securities \| Pension
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 105,297	92,745
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Target allocation of plan assets (as a percent)	65.00%
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents \| Pension
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 39,156	44,250
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Target allocation of plan assets (as a percent)	25.00%
Other investments \| Pension
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 10,860	$ 21,667
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Allocations [Abstract]
Target allocation of plan assets (as a percent)	10.00%

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIRE_10

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Fair Value Allocation of Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 155,313	$ 158,662
Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	125,485	133,762
Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	18,968	14,785
Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	10,860	10,115
Equity securities - stocks
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	54,985	46,628
Equity securities - stocks \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	54,985	46,628
Equity securities - stocks \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Equity securities - stocks \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Equity securities - mutual funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	50,312	46,117
Equity securities - mutual funds \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	50,312	46,117
Equity securities - mutual funds \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Equity securities - mutual funds \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Fixed income securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	34,797	41,574
Fixed income securities \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	15,829	26,789
Fixed income securities \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	18,968	14,785
Fixed income securities \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,359	2,676
Cash and cash equivalents \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,359	2,676
Cash and cash equivalents \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Other investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	10,860	21,667
Other investments \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	11,552
Other investments \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Other investments \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 10,860	$ 10,115

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIRE_11

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	$ 158,662
Fair value, end of year	155,313	$ 158,662
Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	10,115
Fair value, end of year	10,860	10,115
Pension
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	158,662	155,634
Fair value, end of year	155,313	158,662
Pension \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	10,115	9,480
Acquisitions	4,162	0
Dispositions	(2,786)	(149)
Realized Gains	685	261
Unrealized Gains (Losses)	(1,316)	523
Fair value, end of year	$ 10,860	$ 10,115

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIRE_12

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Benefit Payments Expected to be Paid (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Pension
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2020	$ 10,733
2021	11,057
2022	12,360
2023	12,690
2024	14,038
2025-2028	75,514
Total	136,392
Other Postretirement
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2020	989
2021	1,021
2022	1,051
2023	1,082
2024	1,127
2025-2028	5,832
Total	$ 11,102

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Change in AOCI by Component, Net of Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 868,714	$ 790,259	$ 709,334
OCI before reclassification	(64,578)	(5,374)	22,931
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	515	4,005	4,822
Net current-period OCI	(64,063)	(1,369)	27,753
Reclassification of AOCI tax effects		(8,814)
Ending Balance	719,236	868,714	790,259
Postretirement Benefit Plans
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(37,876)	(43,623)	(56,050)
OCI before reclassification	(36,784)	10,584	6,536
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	2,917	5,047	5,891
Net current-period OCI	(33,867)	15,631	12,427
Reclassification of AOCI tax effects		(9,884)
Ending Balance	(71,743)	(37,876)	(43,623)
Currency Translation Adjustment
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(134,960)	(112,907)	(122,259)
OCI before reclassification	(21,254)	(22,053)	9,352
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	0	0
Net current-period OCI	(21,254)	(22,053)	9,352
Reclassification of AOCI tax effects		0
Ending Balance	(156,214)	(134,960)	(112,907)
Derivatives
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	8,538	2,415	(3,559)
OCI before reclassification	(6,540)	6,095	7,043
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2,402)	(1,042)	(1,069)
Net current-period OCI	(8,942)	5,053	5,974
Reclassification of AOCI tax effects		1,070
Ending Balance	(404)	8,538	2,415
Total
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(164,298)	(154,115)	(181,868)
Reclassification of AOCI tax effects		(8,814)
Ending Balance	(228,361)	(164,298)	(154,115)
Postretirement Benefit Plans attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0	0	0
OCI before reclassification	0	0	0
Net current-period OCI	0	0	0
Ending Balance	0	0	0
Currency Translation Adjustment attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	467	396	277
OCI before reclassification	(92)	71	119
Net current-period OCI	(92)	71	119
Ending Balance	375	467	396
Derivatives attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0	0	0
OCI before reclassification	0	0	0
Net current-period OCI	0	0	0
Ending Balance	0	0	0
Noncontrolling Interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	467	396	277
OCI before reclassification	(92)	71	119
Net current-period OCI	(92)	71	119
Ending Balance	$ 375	$ 467	$ 396

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_4

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Components of AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 718,106	$ 868,351
Fair value of derivatives, tax	131	2,771
Pension liability, tax	23,195	12,076
Cumulative foreign currency translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(156,214)	(134,960)
Fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $131 and $2,771, respectively
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(404)	8,538
Minimum pension liabilities, net of tax of $23,195 and $12,076, respectively
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(71,743)	(37,876)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (net of tax)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$ (228,361)	$ (164,298)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_5

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Reclassifications out of AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of goods and services sold	$ (994,810)	$ (1,018,359)	$ (947,820)
Interest expense	(40,962)	(37,427)	(26,371)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(38,083)	97,993	96,287
Income tax (provision) benefit	(806)	9,118	(22,354)
Net (loss) income	(38,889)	107,111	73,933
Prior service (cost) credit \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of goods and services sold	381	333	376
Actuarial losses \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of goods and services sold	(4,245)	(7,018)	(10,034)
Postretirement Benefit Plans \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
(Loss) income before income taxes	(3,864)	(6,685)	(9,658)
Income tax (provision) benefit	947	1,638	3,767
Net (loss) income	(2,917)	(5,047)	(5,891)
Derivatives \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense	3,181	1,380	1,752
(Loss) income before income taxes	3,181	1,380	1,752
Income tax (provision) benefit	(779)	(338)	(683)
Net (loss) income	$ 2,402	$ 1,042	$ 1,069

INCOME TAXES - Provision for In

INCOME TAXES - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Current:
Federal	$ 3,308	$ (2,577)	$ 1,542
State	2,232	1,051	628
Foreign	2,049	15,533	10,459
Total provision for income taxes, current	7,589	14,007	12,629
Deferred:
Federal	(5,472)	(24,094)	11,887
State	(2,782)	1,315	905
Foreign	1,471	(346)	(3,067)
Deferred	(6,783)	(23,125)	9,725
Total	$ 806	$ (9,118)	$ 22,354

INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Detai

INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal statutory tax rate	21.00%	24.50%	35.00%
One-time transition tax expense	$ 300
Income tax expense (benefit)	806	$ (9,118)	$ 22,354
Foreign subsidiaries income before income taxes	11,042	56,424	$ 24,118
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	256,695
Valuation allowances	(15,352)	(15,188)
Unrecognized tax benefits	11,417
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	4,910
Total penalties and interest accrued	2,880	$ 2,229
Capital Loss Carryforward
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Amount of tax credit carryforward	19,223
Foreign Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Amount of operating loss carryforwards	65,002
Domestic Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Amount of operating loss carryforwards	$ 4,033

INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation o

INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Consolidated Effective Tax Rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory tax rate	21.00%	24.50%	35.00%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction	2.70%	2.20%	1.40%
Foreign statutory taxes compared to federal statutory rate	(0.80%)	1.40%	(7.20%)
Share-based compensation	(3.10%)	(0.60%)	(1.20%)
U.S. manufacturing incentive	0.00%	(1.30%)	(1.80%)
Tax credits	4.90%	(2.70%)	(2.60%)
Tax basis difference	9.80%	(1.50%)	0.00%
Transition tax	0.00%	9.00%	0.00%
U.S. statutory tax rate change on temporary differences	0.00%	(38.70%)	0.00%
Goodwill write-down	(40.20%)	0.00%	0.00%
Other	3.60%	(1.60%)	(0.40%)
Effective tax rate	(2.10%)	(9.30%)	23.20%

INCOME TAXES - Deferred Tax Ass

INCOME TAXES - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Deferred tax assets:
Pension and postretirement benefits	$ 37,587	$ 24,597
Accruals and reserves not currently deductible	10,400	9,596
Income tax credit carryforward	3,204	3,216
Operating and capital loss carryforwards	21,896	21,858
Stock options	4,778	5,157
Other	5,381	3,963
Total deferred tax assets	83,246	68,387
Valuation allowances	(15,352)	(15,188)
Net deferred tax assets	67,894	53,199
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(24,792)	(16,156)
Unrealized gains and losses	(565)	(8,637)
Goodwill and intangible assets	(138,952)	(147,571)
Other	(1,035)	(517)
Deferred tax liabilities	(165,344)	(172,881)
Net deferred tax liability	$ (97,450)	$ (119,682)

INCOME TAXES - Changes in Gross

INCOME TAXES - Changes in Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 14,827	$ 7,968	$ 13,820
Increases for tax positions of prior years	0	7,886	839
Decreases for tax positions of prior years	0	0	(5,890)
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year	1,420	882	378
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation	(721)	(1,909)	(1,179)
Balance, end of year	$ 15,526	$ 14,827	$ 7,968

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI_2

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Annual rental expense under operating leases	$ 38,015	$ 38,934	$ 36,400
Future minimum rental commitments under operating leases [Abstract]
Fiscal year 2020	28,557
Fiscal year 2021	21,567
Fiscal year 2022	14,755
Fiscal year 2023	9,394
Fiscal year 2024	6,694
Employment Agreements
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Aggregate commitment amount for salaries	$ 2,349

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS (Details)

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
Environmental remediation accrual	$ 1,400
Environmental remediation accrual classified in other current liabilities	$ 583

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM_3

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Current assets:
Accounts receivable	$ 8,779	$ (790)	$ (7,045)
Inventories	830	(2,869)	(2,289)
Other current assets	10,317	(16,293)	4,447
Total change in current assets	19,926	(19,952)	(4,887)
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	3,715	2,516	5,672
Accrued compensation	(8,832)	(10,940)	(2,469)
Accrued income taxes	(5,416)	(9,973)	5,054
Other current liabilities	(21,875)	28,415	2,414
Total change in current liabilities	(32,408)	10,018	10,671
Net change	$ (12,482)	$ (9,934)	$ 5,784

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Informati

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Information about the Company's Segments (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reporting segments \| segment									3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 392,405	$ 379,294	$ 391,400	$ 374,177	$ 407,444	$ 411,621	$ 414,061	$ 369,454	$ 1,537,276	$ 1,602,580	$ 1,515,608
Depreciation and amortization									90,793	76,974	67,981
Adjusted EBITDA									220,872	255,114	238,683
Total assets	2,190,603				2,357,744				2,190,603	2,357,744	2,244,649
Capital expenditures									37,688	43,200	44,935
SGK Brand Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									743,869	805,274	770,181
Memorialization
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									636,892	631,392	615,882
Operating Segments \| SGK Brand Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									743,869	805,274	770,181
Depreciation and amortization									59,684	46,300	41,941
Adjusted EBITDA									119,493	150,233	144,783
Total assets	1,106,276				1,285,053				1,106,276	1,285,053	1,276,295
Capital expenditures									22,310	22,133	22,941
Operating Segments \| Memorialization
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									636,892	631,392	615,882
Depreciation and amortization									19,731	20,005	19,808
Adjusted EBITDA									134,286	145,487	139,192
Total assets	830,377				814,800				830,377	814,800	741,148
Capital expenditures									9,352	15,513	8,078
Operating Segments \| Industrial Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									156,515	165,914	129,545
Depreciation and amortization									6,195	5,796	2,863
Adjusted EBITDA									24,082	25,864	18,481
Total assets	191,533				196,855				191,533	196,855	161,472
Capital expenditures									2,382	2,577	4,622
Intersegment Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									776	321	358
Intersegment Sales \| SGK Brand Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									703	310	356
Intersegment Sales \| Memorialization
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									25	2	0
Intersegment Sales \| Industrial Technologies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									48	9	2
Corporate and Non-Operating
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									5,183	4,873	3,369
Adjusted EBITDA									(56,989)	(66,470)	(63,773)
Total assets	$ 62,417				$ 61,036				62,417	61,036	65,734
Capital expenditures									$ 3,644	$ 2,977	$ 9,294

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconcili

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reconciliation Of Adjusted EBITDA To Net Income [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA		$ 220,872	$ 255,114	$ 238,683
Non-Operating Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Acquisition costs		(10,872)	(10,918)	(17,722)
ERP integration costs		(7,508)	(10,864)	(8,026)
Strategic initiatives and other charges		(13,449)	(5,266)	(9,209)
Loss recoveries, net of costs		0	0	10,683
Joint Venture depreciation, amortization and interest expense		(1,514)	0	0
Goodwill write-down	$ (77,572)	(77,572)	0	0
Loss on divestitures		(6,469)	0	0
Realized (loss) gain on cost-method investments		(4,731)	3,771	0
Net gains from the sale of buildings and vacant properties		7,347	0	0
Stock-based compensation		(7,729)	(13,460)	(14,562)
Non-service pension and postretirement expense		(3,802)	(5,723)	(8,773)
Depreciation and amortization		(90,793)	(76,974)	(67,981)
Interest expense		(40,962)	(37,427)	(26,371)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(901)	(260)	(435)
(Loss) income before income taxes		(38,083)	97,993	96,287
Income tax (provision) benefit		(806)	9,118	(22,354)
Net (loss) income		(38,889)	107,111	73,933
SGK Brand Solutions
Non-Operating Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Goodwill write-down		(77,572)
Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges		8,903	11,044	14,453
Memorialization
Non-Operating Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Goodwill write-down		0
Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges			1,430	842
Industrial Technologies
Non-Operating Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Goodwill write-down		0
Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges		3,073	613	612
Operating Segments \| SGK Brand Solutions
Reconciliation Of Adjusted EBITDA To Net Income [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA		119,493	150,233	144,783
Non-Operating Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Net gains from the sale of buildings and vacant properties		(915)
Depreciation and amortization		(59,684)	(46,300)	(41,941)
Operating Segments \| Memorialization
Reconciliation Of Adjusted EBITDA To Net Income [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA		134,286	145,487	139,192
Non-Operating Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Net gains from the sale of buildings and vacant properties		(401)
Depreciation and amortization		(19,731)	(20,005)	(19,808)
Operating Segments \| Industrial Technologies
Reconciliation Of Adjusted EBITDA To Net Income [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA		24,082	25,864	18,481
Non-Operating Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Net gains from the sale of buildings and vacant properties		8,663
Depreciation and amortization		(6,195)	(5,796)	(2,863)
Corporate, Non-Segment
Reconciliation Of Adjusted EBITDA To Net Income [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA		(56,989)	(66,470)	(63,773)
Non-Operating Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization		(5,183)	(4,873)	(3,369)
Acquisition costs, ERP integration costs, and strategic initiatives and other charges		$ 19,853	$ 13,961	$ 19,050

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Informa_2

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Information about the Company's Operations by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales	$ 392,405	$ 379,294	$ 391,400	$ 374,177	$ 407,444	$ 411,621	$ 414,061	$ 369,454	$ 1,537,276	$ 1,602,580	$ 1,515,608
Long-lived assets	1,484,899				1,645,579				1,484,899	1,645,579	1,557,709
North America
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales									1,038,268	1,066,367	1,043,924
Long-lived assets	1,047,505				1,182,250				1,047,505	1,182,250	1,069,862
Central and South America
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales									5,853	6,171	6,518
Long-lived assets	15,585				16,535				15,585	16,535	13,882
Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales									426,253	456,078	396,242
Long-lived assets	342,802				365,455				342,802	365,455	382,940
Australia
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales									20,885	23,276	21,507
Long-lived assets	21,278				23,037				21,278	23,037	24,887
Asia
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales									46,017	50,688	47,417
Long-lived assets	$ 57,729				$ 58,302				$ 57,729	$ 58,302	$ 66,138

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES -

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions

Nov. 01, 2018USD ($)

Feb. 01, 2018USD ($)

Nov. 28, 2017USD ($)

Mar. 01, 2017USD ($)

Mar. 01, 2017EUR (€)

Feb. 28, 2017USD ($)

Jan. 13, 2017USD ($)

Jan. 13, 2017EUR (€)

Jan. 03, 2017USD ($)

Jan. 03, 2017EUR (€)

Nov. 30, 2016USD ($)

Nov. 30, 2016EUR (€)

Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2018

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash payment to acquire business

$ 11,504

$ 121,065

$ 98,235

Percentage of voting rights sold

51.00%

Proceeds from divestiture

$ 8,254

8,254

Loss on divestitures

5,587

$ 6,469

$ 0

Frost Converting Systems

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Percentage of voting interests acquired

80.00%

Cash payment to acquire business

$ 7,162

Memorialization Business

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash payment to acquire business

3,094

Star Granite Bronze International, Inc

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash payment to acquire business

$ 30,961

Total purchase price of Star Granite and Bronze International, Inc.

35,961

Shares issued in business acquisition

5,000

Annual sales of business before acquisition

$ 31,000

Compass Engineering Group, Inc

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash payment to acquire business

$ 51,887

Annual sales of business before acquisition

$ 24,000

Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash payment to acquire business

$ 39,465

GJ Creative Limited

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Annual sales of business before acquisition

$ 30,000

Purchase price of acquisition

$ 37,596

€ 30.5

RAF Technology, Inc.

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Purchase price of acquisition

$ 8,717

VCG (Holdings) Limited

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Purchase price of acquisition

$ 10,695

€ 8.8

Ungricht

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Annual sales of business before acquisition

$ 35

Purchase price of acquisition

$ 25,185

€ 24

Guidance Automation Limited

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Purchase price of acquisition

$ 9,974

€ 8

Memorialization Business

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Loss on divestitures

$ 882

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill Attributable to Each Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning of period		$ 959,646	$ 908,546
Accumulated impairment losses	$ (10,752)	(10,752)	(10,752)	$ (10,752)
Goodwill		948,894	897,794
Additions during period		5,098	60,679
Translation and other adjustments		(14,643)	(9,579)
Divestiture during period		(14,970)
Goodwill	935,131	935,131	959,646	908,546
Goodwill write-down	(77,572)	(77,572)	0	0
Goodwill end of period	846,807	846,807	948,894	897,794
SGK Brand Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning of period		491,070	491,895
Accumulated impairment losses	(5,752)	(5,752)	(5,752)	(5,752)
Goodwill		485,318	486,143
Additions during period		1,506	8,743
Translation and other adjustments		(13,548)	(9,568)
Divestiture during period		0
Goodwill	479,028	479,028	491,070	491,895
Goodwill write-down		(77,572)
Goodwill end of period	395,704	395,704	485,318	486,143
Memorialization
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning of period		376,550	347,507
Accumulated impairment losses	(5,000)	(5,000)	(5,000)	(5,000)
Goodwill		371,550	342,507
Additions during period		3,592	29,059
Translation and other adjustments		(435)	(16)
Divestiture during period		(14,970)
Goodwill	364,737	364,737	376,550	347,507
Goodwill write-down		0
Goodwill end of period	359,737	359,737	371,550	342,507
Industrial Technologies
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning of period		92,026	69,144
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0	0	0
Goodwill		92,026	69,144
Additions during period		0	22,877
Translation and other adjustments		(660)	5
Divestiture during period		0
Goodwill	91,366	91,366	92,026	69,144
Goodwill write-down		0
Goodwill end of period	$ 91,366	$ 91,366	$ 92,026	$ 69,144

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	$ 574,146	$ 572,800
Accumulated Amortization	(173,496)	(128,890)
Net	400,650	443,910
Trade names
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	30,540	126,047
Net	30,540	126,047
Trade names
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	148,628	53,523
Accumulated Amortization	(22,653)	(5,444)
Net	125,975	48,079
Customer relationships
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	374,515	372,382
Accumulated Amortization	(137,330)	(110,760)
Net	237,185	261,622
Copyrights/patents/other
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying Amount	20,463	20,848
Accumulated Amortization	(13,513)	(12,686)
Net	$ 6,950	$ 8,162

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_5

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill write-down	$ 77,572	$ 77,572	$ 0	$ 0
Amortization expense on intangible assets		45,756	$ 31,562	$ 23,313
Future amortization expense [Abstract]
Future amortization expense 2020	71,500	71,500
Future amortization expense 2021	60,100	60,100
Future amortization expense 2022	46,700	46,700
Future amortization expense 2023	27,800	27,800
Future amortization expense 2024	$ 26,200	$ 26,200

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION REL_2

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION - Narrative (Details) - $ / shares	May 12, 2016	May 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase of common shares (in shares)			709,970	393,864	212,424
Schawk Inc \| Director and President
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase of common shares (in shares)		970,000
Purchase price (in dollars per share)		$ 50.6921625
Average of high/low trading prices (as a percent)	96.76%

LEGAL MATTER (Details)

LEGAL MATTER (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
LEGAL MATTER (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Recognized loss recovery	$ 11,325

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFOR_3

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Sales	$ 392,405,000	$ 379,294,000	$ 391,400,000	$ 374,177,000	$ 407,444,000	$ 411,621,000	$ 414,061,000	$ 369,454,000	$ 1,537,276,000	$ 1,602,580,000	$ 1,515,608,000
Gross profit	142,596,000	137,178,000	136,281,000	126,411,000	149,513,000	152,615,000	150,680,000	131,413,000	542,466,000	584,221,000	567,788,000
Operating profit (loss)	(59,818,000)	29,691,000	24,264,000	16,166,000	48,672,000	39,320,000	31,216,000	19,349,000	10,303,000	138,557,000	121,376,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ (71,131,000)	$ 14,629,000	$ 15,417,000	$ 3,097,000	$ 29,595,000	$ 24,414,000	$ 18,182,000	$ 35,180,000	$ (37,988,000)	$ 107,371,000	$ 74,368,000
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (2.28)	$ 0.47	$ 0.49	$ 0.10	$ 0.94	$ 0.77	$ 0.57	$ 1.11	$ (1.21)	$ 3.39	$ 2.31
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (2.28)	$ 0.46	$ 0.48	$ 0.10	$ 0.93	$ 0.77	$ 0.57	$ 1.10	$ (1.21)	$ 3.37	$ 2.28
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Gross profit					$ 729	$ 714	$ 714	$ 714
Operating profit (loss)					$ 1,448	$ 1,425	$ 1,425	$ 1,425

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND Q_2

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 11,158	$ 11,622	$ 11,516
Additions charged to expense	2,787	855	1,733
Additions charged to other Accounts	20	762	642
Deductions	(3,119)	(2,081)	(2,269)
Balance at End of Period	10,846	11,158	11,622
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	15,188	21,917	23,463
Additions charged to expense	821	2,482	(1,279)
Additions charged to other Accounts	0	(8,510)	0
Deductions	(657)	(701)	(267)
Balance at End of Period	$ 15,352	$ 15,188	$ 21,917