Exhibit 32.1



              Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

                            As Adopted Pursuant to

                Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


In connection with the Annual Report of Matthews International
Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ending September
30, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the
date hereof (the "Report"), I, David M. Kelly, President and Chief
Executive Officer, certify, to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
the Company.



David M. Kelly
- -------------------------------------
David M. Kelly,
President and Chief Executive Officer



December 18, 2003



A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or
other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the
signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of
this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to
Matthews International Corporation and will be retained by Matthews
International Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff upon request.