EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ 72,372	$ 69,057	$ 57,732
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	1,420	1,016	522
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ 70,952	$ 68,041	$ 57,210
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic shares (in shares)	28,775	29,656	30,245
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options (in shares)	17	25	37
Phantom stock units (in shares)	20	25	36
Diluted shares (in shares)	28,812	29,706	30,318
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	289,502	802,189	764,650