Exhibit (23)(a)

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated January 2, 2003, relating to the
financial statements and financial statement schedules, which appears in
Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. Transition Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
September 30, 2002. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
August 4, 2003