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 Quarterly Report of Matthews International Corporation
(the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2004 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



August 10, 2004



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.