10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012

Commission File Number 0-09115

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA	25-0644320
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)
TWO NORTHSHORE CENTER, PITTSBURGH, PA	15212-5851
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (412) 442-8200

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $1.00 par value	NASDAQ Global Select Market System

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes x           No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes o           No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405a of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes o    No x

The aggregate market value of the Class A Common Stock outstanding and held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the Class A Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System on March 31, 2012, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $874 million.

As of October 31, 2012, shares of common stock outstanding were: Class A Common Stock 27,498,968 shares

Documents incorporated by reference: Specified portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.

The index to exhibits is on pages 75-76.

PART I

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

Any forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (specifically those contained in Item 1, "Business", Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations") are included in this report pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of Matthews International Corporation (“Matthews” or the “Company”) in future periods to be materially different from management's expectations.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct.  Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements principally include changes in domestic or international economic conditions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the cost of materials used in the manufacture of the Company’s products, changes in death rates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of consolidation in the industries in which the Company operates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of domestic or international competitive pressures, unknown risks in connection with the Company's acquisitions and technological factors beyond the Company's control.  In addition, although the Company does not have any customers that would be considered individually significant to consolidated sales, changes in the distribution of the Company’s products or the potential loss of one or more of the Company’s larger customers are also considered risk factors.

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

Matthews, founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions.  Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries.  Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, marking and fulfillment systems products, and merchandising solutions. In fiscal 2012 the Company changed the name of its Bronze, Casket and Marking Products segments to the Cemetery Products segment, the Funeral Home Products segment and the Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment, respectively. Also effective October 1, 2011, the Company’s cremation casket operations, previously included in the Cremation segment, are included in the Funeral Home Products segment.  The Company's products and operations are comprised of six business segments:  Cemetery Products (formerly Bronze), Funeral Home Products (formerly Casket), Cremation, Graphics Imaging, Marking and Fulfillment Systems (formerly Marking Products) and Merchandising Solutions.  The Cemetery Products segment is a leading manufacturer of cast bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, cast and etched architectural products and is a leading builder of mausoleums in the United States.  The Funeral Home Products segment is a leading casket manufacturer and distributor in North America and produces a wide variety of wood, metal and cremation caskets.  The Cremation segment is a leading designer and manufacturer of cremation equipment in North America and Europe. The Graphics Imaging segment manufactures and provides brand solutions, printing plates, gravure cylinders, pre-press services and imaging services for the primary packaging and corrugated industries.  The Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking and coding equipment and consumables, industrial automation products and order fulfillment systems that are used for identifying, tracking, picking and conveying  consumer and industrial products.  The Merchandising Solutions segment designs and manufactures merchandising displays and systems and provides creative merchandising and marketing solutions services.

At October 31, 2012, the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries had approximately 5,400 employees.  The Company's principal executive offices are located at Two NorthShore Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, its telephone number is

(412) 442-8200 and its internet website is www.matw.com.  The Company files all required reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in accordance with the Exchange Act.  These reports are available free of charge on the Company’s website as soon as practicable after being filed or furnished to the SEC. The reports filed with the SEC are also available to read and copy at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or by contacting the SEC at 1-800-732-0330.  All reports filed with the SEC can be found on its website at www.sec.gov.

The following table sets forth reported sales and operating profit for the Company's business segments for the past three fiscal years.  Detailed financial information relating to business segments and to domestic and international operations is presented in Note 16 (“Segment Information”) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2

ITEM 1.                      BUSINESS, (continued)

	Years Ended September 30,
	2012					2011					2010
	Amount		Percent			Amount		Percent			Amount		Percent
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Sales to unaffiliated customers:
Memorialization:
Cemetery Products		$215,943		24.0	%		$224,773		25.0	%		$224,247		27.3	%
Funeral Home Products		230,943		25.6			243,291		27.1			216,849		26.4
Cremation		45,981		5.1			39,278		4.4			32,786		4.0
		492,867		54.7			507,342		56.5			473,882		57.7
Brand Solutions:
Graphics Imaging		259,865		28.9			268,975		29.9			239,957		29.2
Marking and Fulfillment Systems		74,621		8.3			61,938		6.9			51,069		6.2
Merchandising Solutions		72,964		8.1			60,566		6.7			56,921		6.9
		407,450		45.3			391,479		43.5			347,947		42.3
Total		$900,317		100.0	%		$898,821		100.0	%		$821,829		100.0	%
Operating profit:
Memorialization:
Cemetery Products		$33,195		35.5	%		$52,474		44.3	%		$56,167		48.2	%
Funeral Home Products		26,525		28.3			29,039		24.5			27,506		23.6
Cremation		3,869		4.1			3,479		2.9			3,646		3.1
		63,589		67.9			84,992		71.7			87,319		74.9
Brand Solutions:
Graphics Imaging		14,843		15.9			22,427		18.9			21,077		18.1
Marking and Fulfillment Systems		10,061		10.8			7,819		6.6			5,817		5.0
Merchandising Solutions		5,084		5.4			3,278		2.8			2,368		2.0
		29,988		32.1			33,524		28.3			29,262		25.1
Total		$93,577		100.0	%		$118,516		100.0	%		$116,581		100.0	%

In fiscal 2012, approximately 63% of the Company's sales were made from the United States, and 32%, 2%, 2% and 1% were made from Europe, Australia, Asia and Canada, respectively. For further information on Segments, see Note 16 (“Segment Information”) in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” on pages 60 and 61 of this report. Cemetery Products segment products are sold throughout the world with the segment's principal operations located in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Australia.  Funeral Home Products segment products are primarily sold in North America. Cremation segment products and services are sold primarily in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.  Products and services of the Graphics Imaging segment are sold primarily in Europe, the United States and Asia.  The Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment sells equipment and consumables directly to industrial consumers and distributors in the United States and internationally through the Company's subsidiaries in Canada, Sweden and China, and through other foreign distributors.  Matthews owns a minority interest in Marking and Fulfillment Systems distributors in Asia, Australia and Europe.  Merchandising Solutions segment products and services are sold principally in the United States.

3

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, (continued)

MEMORIALIZATION PRODUCTS AND MARKETS:

Cemetery Products:

The Cemetery Products segment manufactures and markets a full line of memorialization products used primarily in cemeteries.  The segment's products, which are sold principally in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia, include cast bronze memorials, granite memorials and other memorialization products.  The segment also manufactures and markets architectural products that are produced from bronze, aluminum and other metals, which are used to identify or commemorate people, places, events and accomplishments.

Memorial products, which comprise the majority of the Cemetery Products segment's sales, include flush bronze and granite memorials, upright granite memorials and monuments, cremation memorialization products, granite benches, flower vases, crypt plates and letters, cremation urns, niche units, cemetery features and statues, along with other related products and services. Flush memorials are bronze plaques or granite memorials which contain personal information about a deceased individual (such as name, birth date, and death date), photos and emblems.  Flush bronze and granite memorials are even or "flush" with the ground and therefore are preferred by many cemeteries for easier mowing and general maintenance.  The segment's memorial products also include community and family mausoleums within North America.  In addition, the segment’s other memorial products include bronze plaques, letters, emblems, vases, lights and photo ceramics that can be affixed to granite monuments, mausoleums, crypts and flush memorials.  Principal customers for memorial products are cemeteries and memorial parks, which in turn sell the Company's products to the consumer.

Customers of the Cemetery Products segment can also purchase memorials and vases on a “pre-need” basis.  The “pre-need” concept permits families to arrange for these purchases in advance of their actual need.  Upon request, the Company will manufacture the memorial to the customer’s specifications (e.g., name and birth date) and place it in storage for future delivery.  Memorials in storage have been paid in full with title conveyed to each pre-need purchaser.

The Cemetery products segment manufactures a full line of memorial products for cremation, including urns in a variety of sizes, styles and shapes as well as standard and custom designed granite cremation pedestals and benches.  The segment also manufactures bronze and granite niche units, which are comprised of numerous compartments used to display cremation urns in mausoleums and churches.  In addition, the Company also markets turnkey cremation gardens, which include the design and all related products for a cremation memorial garden. As part of the Memorialization group, the segment works with the Funeral Home Products and Cremation segments to provide a total solution to customers that own and operate businesses in both the cemetery and funeral home markets.

Architectural products include cast bronze and aluminum plaques, etchings and letters that are used to recognize, commemorate and identify people, places, events and accomplishments.  The Company's plaques are frequently used to identify the name of a building or the names of companies or individuals located within a building.  Such products are also used to commemorate events or accomplishments, such as military service or financial donations.  The principal markets for the segment's architectural products are corporations, fraternal organizations, contractors, churches, hospitals, schools and government agencies.  These products are sold to and distributed through a network of independent dealers including sign suppliers, awards and recognition companies, and trophy dealers.

Raw materials used by the Cemetery Products segment consist principally of bronze and aluminum ingot, granite, sheet metal, coating materials, photopolymers and construction materials and are generally available in adequate supply.  Ingot is obtained from various North American, European and Australian smelters.

Competition from other cemetery product manufacturers is on the basis of reputation, product quality, delivery, price, and design availability. The Company believes that its superior quality, broad product lines, innovative designs, delivery capability, customer responsiveness, experienced personnel and consumer-oriented merchandising systems are competitive advantages in its markets.  Competition in the mausoleum construction industry includes various construction companies throughout North America and is on the basis of design, quality and price.  Competitors in the architectural market are numerous and include companies that manufacture cast and painted signs, plastic materials, sand-blasted wood and other fabricated products.

4

ITEM 1.                      BUSINESS, (continued)

Funeral Home Products:

The Funeral Home Products segment is a leading manufacturer and distributor of caskets and other funeral home products in North America.  The segment produces and markets metal, wood and cremation caskets. Caskets are offered in a variety of colors, interior designs, handles and trim in order to accommodate specific religious, ethnic or other personal preferences. The segment also markets other funeral home products such as urns, jewelry, stationery and other funeral home products. The segment offers individually personalized caskets and urns through the Company-owned distribution network.

Metal caskets are made from various gauges of cold-rolled steel, stainless steel, copper and bronze.  Metal caskets are generally categorized by whether the casket is non-gasketed or gasketed, and by material (i.e., bronze, copper, or steel) and in the case of steel, by the gauge (thickness) of the metal.  Wood caskets are manufactured from nine different species of wood, as well as from veneer.  The species of wood used are poplar, pine, ash, oak, pecan, maple, cherry, walnut and mahogany.  The Funeral Home Products segment is a leading manufacturer of all-wood constructed caskets, which are manufactured using pegged and dowelled construction, and include no metal parts.  All-wood constructed caskets are preferred by certain religious groups. Cremation caskets are made primarily from wood or cardboard covered with cloth or veneer.  These caskets appeal primarily to cremation consumers, the environmentally concerned, and value buyers.

The Funeral Home Products segment also produces casket components.  Casket components include stamped metal parts, metal locking mechanisms for gasketed metal caskets, adjustable beds and interior panels.  Metal casket parts are produced by stamping cold-rolled steel, stainless steel, copper and bronze sheets into casket body parts.  Locking mechanisms and adjustable beds are produced by stamping and assembling a variety of steel parts.  The segment purchases from sawmills and lumber distributors various species of uncured wood, which it dries and cures.  The cured wood is processed into casket components.

The segment provides product and service assortment planning and merchandising and display products to funeral service businesses. These products assist funeral service professionals in providing information, value and satisfaction to their client families.

The primary materials required for casket manufacturing are cold-rolled steel and lumber. The segment also purchases copper, bronze, stainless steel, particleboard, corrugated materials, paper veneer, cloth, ornamental hardware and coating materials. Purchase orders or supply agreements are typically negotiated with large, integrated steel producers that have demonstrated timely delivery, high quality material and competitive prices.  Lumber is purchased from a number of sawmills and lumber distributors.  The Company purchases most of its lumber from sawmills within 150 miles of its wood casket manufacturing facility in York, Pennsylvania.

The segment markets its casket products in the United States through a combination of Company-owned and independent casket distribution facilities.  The Company operates approximately 60 distribution centers in the United States.  Over 70% of the segment’s casket products are currently sold through Company-owned distribution centers.  As part of the Memorialization group, the segment works with the Cemetery Products and Cremation segments to provide a total solution to customers that own and operate businesses in both the cemetery and funeral home markets.

The casket business is highly competitive. The segment competes with other manufacturers on the basis of product quality, price, service, design availability and breadth of product line.  The segment provides a line of casket products that it believes is as comprehensive as any of its major competitors.  There are a large number of casket industry participants operating in North America, and the industry has recently seen a few new foreign casket manufacturers, primarily from China, enter the North American market. The Funeral Home Products segment and its two largest competitors account for a substantial portion of the finished caskets produced and sold in North America.

5

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, (continued)

Cremation:

The Cremation segment provides distinct, yet complementary, groups of products and services:

·   Cremation Systems

·   Waste Management/Incineration Systems

·   Environmental and Energy Systems

·   Service and Supplies

·   Crematory Management/Operations

·   Cremation Columbarium and Niche Units

·   Cremation Urns and Memorialization Products

Servicing the human, pet and specialized incineration markets, the segment’s primary market areas are North America and Europe.  The segment also sells into Latin America and the Caribbean, Australia and Asia.

Cremation systems includes both traditional flame-based and water-based bio-cremation systems for cremation of humans and pets, as well as equipment for processing the cremated remains and other related equipment (ventilated work stations, tables, cooler racks, vacuums).  The principal markets for these products are funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, pet crematories, animal disposers and veterinarians. These products are marketed mostly direct by segment personnel.

Waste management/incineration systems encompass both batch load and continuous feed, static and rotary systems for incineration of all waste types, as well as equipment for in-loading waste, out-loading ash and energy recovery. The principal markets for these products are medical waste disposal, oil and gas “work camp” wastes, industrial wastes and bio mass generators.

Environmental and energy systems include emissions filtration units, waste heat recovery equipment, waste gas treatment products, as well as energy recovery and renewable power generation. The principal markets are municipalities or public/state agencies, the cremation industry and waste to energy and other industries which utilize incinerators for waste reduction and energy production.

Service and supplies consists of operator training, preventative maintenance and “at need” service work performed on various makes and models of equipment. This work can be as simple as replacing defective bulbs or as complex as complete reconstruction and upgrading or retro-fitting on site. Supplies are consumable items associated with normal operations.

Crematory management/operations represent the actual operation and management of client-owned crematories.  Currently the segment provides these services primarily to municipalities in Europe.

Cremation columbarium and niche units are produced by the segment for the placement/display of urns and other containers of cremated remains.  The principal markets targeted by the segment include church and university markets, affinity groups and other emerging memorialization markets.

Cremation urns and memorialization products include urns which support various forms of memorialization (burial, niche, scattering, and home décor). Merchandise includes any other family-related products such as cremation jewelry, mementos, remembrance products and other assorted at-need merchandise.

Raw materials used by the Cremation segment consist principally of structural steel, sheet metal, electrical components, combustion devices and refractory materials. These are generally available in adequate supply from numerous suppliers.

The Company competes with several manufacturers in the cremation and accessory equipment market principally on the basis of product design, quality and price.  The Cremation segment and its three largest global competitors account for a substantial portion of the U.S. and European cremation equipment market.  As part of the Memorialization group, the segment works with the Cemetery Products and Funeral Home Products segments to provide a total solution to customers that own and operate businesses in both the cemetery and funeral home markets.

6

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, (continued)

BRAND SOLUTIONS PRODUCTS AND MARKETS:

Graphics Imaging:

The Graphics Imaging segment provides brand management, pre-press services, printing plates and cylinders, embossing tools, and creative design services principally to the primary packaging and corrugated industries. The primary packaging industry consists of manufacturers of printed packaging materials such as boxes, flexible packaging, folding cartons and bags commonly seen at retailers of consumer goods. The corrugated packaging industry consists of manufacturers of printed corrugated containers.  Other major industries served include the wallpaper, flooring, automotive, and textile industries.

The principal products and services of this segment include brand management, pre-press graphics services, printing plates, gravure cylinders, steel bases, embossing tools, special purpose machinery, engineering assistance, print process assistance, print production management, digital asset management, content management, and package design.  These products and services are used by brand owners and packaging manufacturers to develop and print packaging graphics that identify and help sell the product in the marketplace.  Other packaging graphics can include nutritional information, directions for product use, consumer warning statements and UPC codes. The primary packaging manufacturer produces printed packaging from paper, film, foil and other composite materials used to display, protect and market the product. The corrugated packaging manufacturer produces printed containers from corrugated sheets.  Using the Company's products, these sheets are printed and die cut to make finished containers.

The segment offers a wide array of value-added services and products.  These include print process and print production management services; print engineering consultation; pre-press preparation, which includes computer-generated art, film and proofs; plate mounting accessories and various press aids; and rotary and flat cutting dies used to cut out intricately designed containers and point-of-purchase displays.  The segment also provides creative digital graphics services to brand owners and packaging markets.

The Company works closely with manufacturers to provide the proper printing forms and tooling used to print the packaging to the user's specifications.  The segment's printing plate products are made principally from photopolymer resin and sheet materials.  Upon customer request, plates can be pre-mounted press-ready in a variety of configurations that maximize print quality and minimize press set-up time.  Gravure cylinders, manufactured from steel, copper and chrome, can be custom engineered for multiple print processes.

The Graphics Imaging segment customer base consists primarily of brand owners and packaging industry converters.  Brand owners are generally large, well-known consumer products companies and retailers with a national or global presence.  These types of companies tend to purchase their graphics needs directly and supply the printing forms, or the electronic files to make the printing plates and gravure cylinders, to the packaging printer for their products.  The Graphics Imaging segment serves customers primarily in Europe, the United States and Asia.

Major raw materials for this segment's products include photopolymers, steel, copper, film and graphic art supplies.  All such materials are presently available in adequate supply from various industry sources.

The Graphics Imaging segment is one of several manufacturers of printing plates and cylinders and providers of pre-press services with an international presence.  The segment competes in a fragmented industry consisting of a few multi-plant regional printing form suppliers and a large number of local single-facility companies located across Europe and the United States.  The combination of the Company's Graphics Imaging business in Europe, the United States and Asia is an important part of Matthews’ strategy to become a worldwide leader in the graphics industry and service multinational customers on a global basis.  Competition is on the basis of product quality, timeliness of delivery and price.  The Company differentiates itself from the competition by consistently meeting these customer demands, its ability to service customers both nationally and globally, and its ability to provide value-added services.

7

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, (continued)

Marking and Fulfillment Systems:

The Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of equipment and related consumables used by manufacturers and suppliers to identify, track, and brand their products.  Marking products can range from a mechanical marking solution to microprocessor-based ink-jet printing systems that can integrate into the customer’s manufacturing, inventory tracking and material handling control systems.  The Company manufactures and markets products and systems that employ different marking technologies including contact printing, indenting, etching, laser, and ink-jet printing.  Customers will often use a combination of these methods in order to achieve an appropriate mark.  These methods apply product information required for identification and traceability as well as to facilitate inventory and quality control, regulatory compliance and brand name communication.

Fulfillment systems provided by the Company complement the tracking and distribution of customer’s products and include order fulfillment systems, motor-driven rollers and controls for material handling systems, and other innovative custom solutions that address specific customer requirements.  Some of the industries for which custom products are produced include oil exploration, material handling and security scanning.  Material handling industry customers include some of the largest automated assembly, distribution and mail sorting companies in the United States.

A significant portion of the revenue of the Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment is attributable to the sale of consumables and replacement parts in connection with the marking, coding and tracking hardware sold by the Company.  The Company develops inks, rubber and steel consumables in harmony with the marking equipment in which they are used, which is critical to assure ongoing equipment reliability and mark quality.  Many marking equipment customers also use the Company's inks, solvents and cleaners.

The principal customers for the Company's marking and fulfillment products are manufacturers of durable goods and building products, consumer goods manufacturers, including food and beverage processors and producers of pharmaceuticals.  The Company also serves a wide variety of industrial markets, including metal fabricators, manufacturers of woven and non-woven fabrics, plastic, rubber and automotive products.

A portion of the segment's sales are outside the United States and are distributed through the Company's subsidiaries in Canada, Sweden, Germany and China in addition to other international distributors.  Matthews owns a minority interest in distributors in Asia, Australia and Europe.

The marking and fulfillment products industries are diverse, with companies either offering limited product lines for well-defined specialty markets, or similar to the Company, offering a broad product line and competing in various product markets and countries.  In the United States, the Company has manufactured and sold marking products and related consumable items since 1850.

Major raw materials for this segment's products include precision components, electronics, printing components, tool steels, rubber and chemicals, all of which are presently available in adequate supply from various sources.

Competition for marking and fulfillment products is based on product performance, integration into the manufacturing process, service and price.  The Company normally competes with specialty companies in specific brand marking solutions and traceability applications.  The Company believes that, in general, it offers one of the broadest lines of products to address a wide variety of marking, coding and tracking applications.

8

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, (continued)

Merchandising Solutions:

The Merchandising Solutions segment provides merchandising, retail graphics and printing solutions for brand owners and retailers.  The segment designs, manufactures and installs merchandising and display systems, and provides total turnkey project management services.  The segment also provides creative merchandising and marketing solutions services.

The majority of the segment’s sales are derived from the design, engineering, manufacturing and execution of merchandising and display systems.  These systems include permanent and temporary displays, custom store fixtures, brand concept shops, interactive media, custom packaging, and screen and digitally printed promotional signage.  Design and engineering services include concept and model development, graphics design and prototyping.  Merchandising and display systems are manufactured to specifications developed by the segment in conjunction with the customer.  These products are marketed and sold primarily in the United States.

The segment operates in a fragmented industry consisting primarily of a number of small, locally operated companies.  Industry competition is intense and the segment competes on the basis of reliability, creativity and providing a broad array of merchandising products and services.  The segment is unique in its ability to provide in-depth marketing and merchandising services as well as design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities.  These capabilities allow the segment to deliver complete turnkey merchandising solutions quickly and cost effectively.

Major raw materials for the segment’s products include wood, particleboard, corrugated materials, structural steel, plastic, laminates, inks, film and graphic art supplies.  All of these raw materials are presently available in adequate supply from various sources.

PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES:

The Company holds a number of domestic and foreign patents and trademarks.  However, the Company believes the loss of any or a significant number of patents or trademarks would not have a material impact on consolidated operations or revenues.

BACKLOG:

Because the nature of the Company's Cemetery Products, Graphics Imaging and Merchandising Solutions businesses are primarily custom products made to order with short lead times, backlogs are not generally material except for mausoleums in the Cemetery Products segment. Backlogs vary in a range of approximately one year of sales for mausoleums. Backlogs for the Funeral Home Products segment and the cremation casket businesses are not material. Cremation equipment sales backlogs vary in a range of eight to ten months of sales.  Backlogs generally vary in a range of up to four weeks of sales in the Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment.  The Company’s backlog is expected to be substantially filled in fiscal 2013.

REGULATORY 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 the disposal of certain materials at various operating and non-operating sites.  The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate.  In addition, prior to its acquisition, The York Group, Inc. was identified, along with others, by the Environmental Protection Agency as a potentially responsible party for remediation of a landfill site in York, Pennsylvania.  At this time, the Company has not been joined in any lawsuit or administrative order related to the site or its clean-up.

9

ITEM 1. BUSINESS, (continued)

At September 30, 2012, an accrual of approximately $5.7 million had been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $781,000 was classified in other current liabilities), representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of the Company's known remediation obligations.  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.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

There are inherent risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s businesses that could adversely affect its operating performance and financial condition.  Set forth below are descriptions of those risks and uncertainties that the Company currently believes to be material.  Additional risks not currently known or deemed immaterial may also result in adverse effects on the Company.

Changes in Economic Conditions.  Generally, changes in domestic and international economic conditions affect the industries in which the Company and its customers and suppliers operate.  These changes include changes in the rate of consumption or use of the Company’s products due to economic downturns, volatility in currency exchange rates, and changes in raw material prices resulting from supply and/or demand conditions.

Uncertainty about current global economic conditions poses a risk, as consumers and businesses may continue to postpone or cancel spending.  Other factors that could influence customer spending include energy costs, conditions in the credit markets, consumer confidence and other factors affecting consumer spending behavior.  These and other economic factors could have an effect on demand for the Company’s products and services and negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates.Manufacturing and sales of a significant portion of the Company’s products are outside the United States, and accordingly, the Company holds assets, incurs liabilities, earns revenue and pays expenses in a variety of currencies.  The Company’s consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, and therefore, the Company must translate the reported values of its foreign assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses into U.S. dollars.  Increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies may negatively affect the value of these items in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, even though their value has not changed in local currency.

Increased Prices for Raw Materials.The Company’s profitability is affected by the prices of the raw materials used in the manufacture of its products.  These prices may fluctuate based on a number of factors, including changes in supply and demand, domestic and global economic conditions, and volatility in commodity markets, currency exchange rates, labor costs and fuel-related costs.  If suppliers increase the price of critical raw materials, alternative sources of supply, or an alternative material, may not exist.

The Company has standard selling price structures (i.e., list prices) in several of its segments, which are reviewed for adjustment generally on an annual basis.  In addition, the Company has established pricing terms with several of its customers through contracts or similar arrangements.  Based on competitive market conditions and to the extent that the Company has established pricing terms with customers, the Company’s ability to immediately increase the price of its products to offset the increased costs may be limited.  Significant raw material price increases that cannot be mitigated by selling price increases or productivity improvements will negatively affect the Company’s results of operations.

10

ITEM 1A.                      RISK FACTORS, (continued)

Changes in Mortality and Cremation Rates.Generally, life expectancy in the United States and other countries in which the Company’s Memorialization businesses operate has increased steadily for several decades and is expected to continue to do so in the future.  The increase in life expectancy is also expected to impact the number of deaths in the future.  Additionally, cremations have steadily grown as a percentage of total deaths in the United States since the 1960’s, and are expected to continue to increase in the future.  The Company expects that these trends will continue in the future, and the result may affect the volume of bronze and granite memorialization products and burial caskets sold in the United States.  However, sales of the Company’s Cremation segment may benefit from the growth in cremations.

Changes in Product Demand or Pricing. The Company’s businesses have and will continue to operate in competitive markets. Changes in product demand or pricing are affected by domestic and foreign competition and an increase in consolidated purchasing by large customers operating in both domestic and global markets. The Memorialization businesses generally operate in markets with ample supply capacity and demand which is correlated to death rates.  The Brand Solutions businesses serve global customers that are requiring their suppliers to be global in scope and price competitive.  Additionally, in recent years the Company has witnessed an increase in products manufactured offshore, primarily in China, and imported into the Company’s U.S. markets.  It is expected that these trends will continue and may affect the Company’s future results of operations.

Risks in Connection with Acquisitions.The Company has grown in part through acquisitions, and continues to evaluate acquisition opportunities that have the potential to support and strengthen its businesses.  There is no assurance however that future acquisition opportunities will arise, or that if they do, that they will be consummated.  In addition, acquisitions involve inherent risks that the businesses acquired will not perform in accordance with expectations, or that synergies expected from the integration of the acquisitions will not be achieved as rapidly as expected, if at all. Failure to effectively integrate acquired businesses could prevent the realization of expected rates of return on the acquisition investment and could have a negative effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Technological Factors Beyond the Company’s Control.The Company operates in certain markets in which technological product development contributes to its ability to compete effectively.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to develop new products, that new products can be manufactured and marketed profitably, or that new products will successfully meet the expectations of customers.

Changes in the Distribution of the Company’s Products or the Loss of a Large Customer.Although the Company does not have any customer that is considered individually significant to consolidated sales, it does have contracts with several large customers in both the Memorialization and Brand Solutions businesses.  While these contracts provide important access to large purchasers of the Company’s products, they can obligate the Company to sell products at contracted prices for extended periods of time.  Additionally, any significant divestiture of business properties or operations by current customers could result in a loss of business if the Company is not able to maintain the business with the subsequent owners of the properties.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

Not Applicable.

11

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.

Principal properties of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries as of October 31, 2012 were as follows (properties are owned by the Company except as noted):

Location	Description of Property
Cemetery Products:
Pittsburgh, PA	Manufacturing / Division Offices
Elberton, GA	Manufacturing
Kingwood, WV	Manufacturing
Melbourne, Australia	Manufacturing	(1)
Monterrey, Mexico Parma, Italy	Manufacturing Manufacturing / Warehouse	(1) (1)
Searcy, AR	Manufacturing
Whittier, CA	Manufacturing	(1)
Funeral Home Products (2):
Monterrey, Mexico	Manufacturing	(1)
Richmond, IN	Manufacturing	(1)
Richmond, IN	Manufacturing	(1)
Richmond, IN	Manufacturing / Metal Stamping
Richmond, IN	Injection Molding	(1)
York, PA	Manufacturing
Cremation:
Apopka, FL	Manufacturing / Division Offices
Manchester, England	Manufacturing	(1)
Manchester, England Udine, Italy	Manufacturing Manufacturing	(1) (1)
Graphics Imaging:
Pittsburgh, PA	Manufacturing / Division Offices
Julich, Germany	Manufacturing / Division Offices
Atlanta, GA	Manufacturing
Woburn, MA	Manufacturing	(1)
Bristol, England	Manufacturing
Goslar, Germany	Manufacturing	(1)
Leeds, England	Manufacturing	(1)
Monchengladbach, Germany	Manufacturing
Munich, Germany	Manufacturing	(1)
Nuremberg, Germany	Manufacturing	(1)
Oakland, CA	Manufacturing	(1)
Poznan, Poland	Manufacturing
St. Louis, MO	Manufacturing
Shenzhen, China	Manufacturing	(1)
Vienna, Austria	Manufacturing	(1)
Vreden, Germany	Manufacturing
Wan Chai, Hong Kong	Manufacturing	(1)
Izmir, Turkey	Manufacturing

12

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES, (continued)

Location	Description of Property
Marking and Fulfillment Systems:
Pittsburgh, PA	Manufacturing / Division Offices
Gothenburg, Sweden	Manufacturing / Distribution	(1)
Tualatin, OR	Manufacturing	(1)
Beijing, China	Manufacturing	(1)
Ixonia, WI	Manufacturing	(1)
Germantown, WI	Manufacturing	(1)
Merchandising Solutions:
East Butler, PA	Manufacturing / Division Offices
Portland, OR	Sales Office	(1)
Corporate Office:
Pittsburgh, PA	General Offices

(1) These properties are leased by the Company under operating lease arrangements. Rent expense incurred by the Company for all leased facilities was approximately $16.9 million in fiscal 2012.

(2) In addition to the properties listed, the Funeral Home Products segment leases warehouse facilities totaling approximately 1.0 million square feet in 27 states under operating leases.

All of the owned properties are unencumbered.  The Company believes its facilities are generally well suited for their respective uses and are of adequate size and design to provide the operating efficiencies necessary for the Company to be competitive.  The Company's facilities provide adequate space for meeting its near-term production requirements and have availability for additional capacity.  The Company intends to continue to expand and modernize its facilities as necessary to meet the demand for its products.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Matthews is subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business.  Management does not expect that the results of any of these legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on Matthews’ financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

13

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGISTRANT

The following information is furnished with respect to officers and executive management as of October 31, 2012:

Name	Age	Positions with Registrant
Joseph C. Bartolacci	52	President and Chief Executive Officer
David F. Beck	60	Vice President and Controller
Jennifer A. Ciccone	45	Vice President, Human Resources
Brian J. Dunn	55	Group President, Brand Solutions
Steven D. Gackenbach	49	Group President, Memorialization
Steven F. Nicola	52	Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
Paul F. Rahill	55	President, Cremation Division
Brian D. Walters	43	Vice President and General Counsel

Joseph C. Bartolacci was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2006.

David F. Beck was appointed Vice President and Controller effective February 18, 2010.  Prior thereto he had been Controller since September 15, 2003.

Jennifer A. Ciccone was appointed Vice President, Human Resources effective February 19, 2009.  Prior thereto, Ms. Ciccone had been Director, Corporate Human Resources since 2006.

Brian J. Dunn was appointed Group President, Brand Solutions effective February 18, 2010.  Prior thereto, he was appointed Group President, Graphics and Marking Products effective September 1, 2007 and had been President, Marking Products Division prior thereto.

Steven D. Gackenbach was appointed Group President, Memorialization effective October 31, 2011.  Prior thereto he had been Chief Commercial Officer, Memorialization since January 3, 2011 when he joined the Company.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Gackenbach served as the Senior Director of Strategy for Kraft Foods’ Cheese and Dairy Division from 2002 to 2010.

Steven F. Nicola was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer effective December 1, 2003.

Paul F. Rahill was appointed President, Cremation Division in October 2002.

Brian D. Walters was appointed Vice President and General Counsel effective February 19, 2009.  Mr. Walters joined the Company as Legal Counsel in 2005.

14

PART II

ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

Market Information:

The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 70,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $1 par value.  The Company's Class A Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol “MATW”.  The following table sets forth the high, low and closing prices as reported by NASDAQ for the periods indicated:

	High		Low		Close
Fiscal 2012:
Quarter ended:      September 30, 2012	$	32.90	$	27.88	$	29.82
June 30, 2012		32.63		28.95		32.49
March 31, 2012		34.36		30.00		31.64
December 31, 2011		37.65		28.59		31.43
Fiscal 2011:
Quarter ended:      September 30, 2011	$	41.08	$	28.57	$	30.73
June 30, 2011		40.49		35.60		40.17
March 31, 2011		38.65		33.56		38.55
December 31, 2010		36.00		31.62		34.98

The Company has a stock repurchase program.  Under the current authorization, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of a total of 2,500,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock under the program, of which 1,814,651 shares remain available for repurchase as of September 30, 2012.  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 of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.

All purchases of the Company’s common stock during fiscal 2012 were part of this repurchase program.

15

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, (continued)

The following table shows the monthly fiscal 2012 stock repurchase activity:

Period	Total number of shares purchased		Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of a publicly announced plan		Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plan
October 2011		10,000	$	29.58		10,000		320,530
November 2011		97,570		33.48		97,570		2,722,960
December 2011		118,248		31.51		118,248		2,604,712
January 2012		18,222		31.49		18,222		2,586,490
February 2012		30,000		31.20		30,000		2,556,490
March 2012		80,000		31.24		80,000		2,476,490
April 2012		83,259		29.92		83,259		2,393,291
May 2012		109,594		29.92		109,594		2,283,637
June 2012		61,141		30.11		61,141		2,222,496
July 2012		93,411		28.87		93,411		2,129,085
August 2012		168,830		29.54		168,830		1,960,255
September 2012		145,604		30.39		145,604		1,814,651
Total		1,015,879	$	30.53		1,015,879

Holders:

Based on records available to the Company, the number of registered holders of the Company's common stock was 498 at October 31, 2012.

Dividends:

A quarterly dividend of $.10 per share was paid for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to shareholders of record on November 26, 2012. The Company paid quarterly dividends of $.09 per share for the first three quarters of fiscal 2012 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.  The Company paid quarterly dividends of $.08 per share for the first three quarters of fiscal 2011 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.  The Company paid quarterly dividends of $.07 per share for the first three quarters of fiscal 2010 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

Cash dividends have been paid on common shares in every year for at least the past forty-five years.  It is the present intention of the Company to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on its common stock.  However, there is no assurance that dividends will be declared and paid as the declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company and is dependent upon the Company's financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans:

See Equity Compensation Plans in Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” on page 70 of this report.

16

ITEM 5.                       MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, (continued)

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE RETURN *

AMONG MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION,

S&P 500 INDEX, S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX AND S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX **

*  Total return assumes dividend reinvestment

** Fiscal year ended September 30

Note: Performance graph assumes $100 invested on October 1, 2007 in Matthews International Corporation Common Stock, Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index, S&P MidCap 400 Index and S&P SmallCap 600 Index.  The results are not necessarily indicative of future performance.

17

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

	Years Ended September 30,
	2012(1)		2011(2)		2010(3)		2009(4)		2008(5)
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	(Not Covered by Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm)
Net sales	$	900,317	$	898,821	$	821,829	$	780,908		$	818,623
Operating profit		93,577		118,516		116,581		101,011			132,952
Interest expense		11,476		8,241		7,419		12,053			10,405
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders		55,843		72,372		69,057		57,732			79,484
Earnings per common share:
Basic		$1.98		$2.47		$2.32		$1.91			$2.57
Diluted		1.98		2.46		2.31		1.90			2.55
Weighted-average common
shares outstanding:
Basic		27,753		28,775		29,656		30,245			30,928
Diluted		27,839		28,812		29,706		30,318			31,184
Cash dividends per share		$.370		$.330		$.290		$.265			$.245
Total assets	$	1,128,042	$	1,097,455	$	993,825	$	949,653		$	914,282
Long-term debt, non-current		298,148		299,170		225,256		237,530			219,124

(1) Fiscal 2012 included net unusual charges of approximately $7,850 (pre-tax), which primarily consisted of charges related to cost reduction initiatives and incremental costs related to an ERP implementation in the Cemetery Products segment.  In addition, fiscal 2012 included the favorable effect of an adjustment of $528 to income tax expense primarily related to changes in estimated tax accruals for open tax periods.

(2) Fiscal 2011 included the favorable effect of an adjustment of $606 to income tax expense primarily related to changes in estimated tax accruals for open tax periods.

(3) Fiscal 2010included the favorable effect of an adjustment of $838 to income tax expense primarily related to changes in estimated tax accruals for open tax periods.

(4) Fiscal 2009 included pre-tax unusual charges of approximately $16,500, which primarily consisted of severance and other costs related to the consolidation of certain production operations within the Company’s Cemetery Products segment, costs related to operational and systems improvements in several of the Company’s other businesses, and asset adjustments resulting from current market conditions.  In addition, fiscal 2009 earnings included the favorable effect of an adjustment of $1,255 to income tax expense primarily related to the Company’s ability to utilize a European tax loss carryover generated in prior years and changes in the estimated tax accruals for open tax periods.

(5) Fiscal 2008 included a reduction in income taxes of $1,882 to reflect the adjustment of net deferred tax liabilities resulting from the enactment of lower statutory income tax rates in certain European countries.

18

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Matthews International Corporation and related notes thereto.  In addition, see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" included in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

The following table sets forth sales and operating profit for the Company’s Memorialization and Brand Solutions businesses for each of the last three fiscal years.

	Years Ended September 30,
	2012		2011		2010
Sales:
Memorialization	$	492,867	$	507,342	$	473,882
Brand Solutions		407,450		391,479		347,947
	$	900,317	$	898,821	$	821,829
Operating Profit:
Memorialization	$	63,589	$	84,992	$	87,319
Brand Solutions		29,988		33,524		29,262
	$	93,577	$	118,516	$	116,581

Comparison of Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011:

In fiscal 2012, the Company changed the name of its Bronze, Casket and Marking Products segments to the Cemetery Products segment, Funeral Home Products segment and Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment, respectively.  Also effective October 1, 2011, the Company’s cremation casket operations, previously included in the Cremation segment, are included in the Funeral Home Products segment. Prior period financial information has been reclassified to reflect the current presentation.

Sales for the year ended September 30, 2012 were $900.3 million, compared to $898.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2011.  Fiscal 2012 included the impact of recent acquisitions, and higher sales in the Cremation, Marking and Fulfillment Systems and Merchandising Solutions segments. These increases were offset by lower sales in the Cemetery Products, Funeral Home Products and Graphics Imaging segments, and by the unfavorable impact of changes in the values of foreign currencies of approximately $18.4 million compared to fiscal 2011.  Sales in the Cemetery Products and Funeral Home Products segments were negatively impacted by a decline in the estimated number of casketed and in-ground burial (non-cremation) deaths.

In the Memorialization businesses, Cemetery Products segment sales for fiscal 2012 were $215.9 million compared to $224.8 million for fiscal 2011.  The decrease primarily reflected lower sales of memorial products in North America, a decrease in mausoleum sales and the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar.  These declines were partially offset by the acquisition of Everlasting Granite in May 2012.  Sales for the Funeral Home Products segment were $230.9 million for fiscal 2012 compared to $243.3 million for fiscal 2011, which principally resulted from a reduction in sales volume. Lower sales volume of bronze memorials and caskets reflected the impact of a decline in the estimated number of casketed deaths compared to the prior year.  Sales for the Cremation segment were $46.0 million for fiscal 2012 compared to $39.3 million a year ago.  The increase principally resulted from higher sales of cremation equipment, primarily in the U.S., partially offset by the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency values.  In the Company’s Brand Solutions businesses, sales for the Graphics Imaging segment in fiscal 2012 were $259.9 million, compared to $269.0 million a year ago.  The decrease resulted principally from lower sales in the European market, and the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar. These declines were partially offset by the impact of the acquisition of Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. (“Kroma”) which was purchased in July 2011.  Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment sales for the year ended September 30, 2012 were $74.6 million, compared to $61.9 million for fiscal 2011.  The increase was principally due to higher equipment sales and the full year impact of two small acquisitions completed in fiscal 2011, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency values.

19

ITEM 7.                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

Sales for the Merchandising Solutions segment were $73.0 million for fiscal 2012, compared to $60.6 million a year ago.  The improvement was attributable to an increase in sales to several large customers in fiscal 2012.

Gross profit for the year ended September 30, 2012 was $336.6 million, or 37.4% of sales, compared to $351.7 million, or 39.1% of sales, for fiscal 2011.  The decrease in fiscal 2012 consolidated gross profit compared to fiscal 2011 reflected lower sales, higher commodity costs, and unusual charges in several of the Company’s segments.  The unusual charges related primarily to severance costs in several of the Company’s businesses as a result of cost structure initiatives and incremental costs related to the Company’s ERP implementation in the Cemetery Products segment.

Selling and administrative expenses for the year ended September 30, 2012 were $243.0 million, or 27.0% of sales, compared to $233.1 million, or 25.9% of sales, for fiscal 2011.  The increase in selling and administrative expenses was attributable to higher sales in the Cremation, Marking and Fulfillment Systems and Merchandising Solutions segments, and the impact of acquisitions in the Cemetery Products and Marking and Fulfillment Systems segments.  In addition, fiscal 2012 selling and administrative expenses include net unusual charges in several segments.  Unusual charges primarily included severance costs, incremental costs related to the Company’s ERP implementation in the Cemetery Products segment, acquisition-related expenses and asset adjustments.  These charges were partially offset by unusual gains consisting of adjustments to contingent consideration liabilities, a favorable settlement on a claim related to the Company’s granite business and a gain on the sale of a business investment in China.

Operating profit for fiscal 2012 was $93.6 million, compared to $118.5 million for fiscal 2011.  The decrease in operating profit for fiscal 2012 reflected the impact of lower consolidated sales, higher commodity costs, a $2.1 million unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar and net unusual charges totaling approximately $7.8 million.

Cemetery Products segment operating profit for fiscal 2012 was $33.2 million, compared to $52.5 million for fiscal 2011.  The decrease in fiscal 2012 operating profit compared to fiscal 2011 reflected lower sales, higher bronze ingot costs, the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency values and net unusual charges of approximately $5.4 million related to severance and ERP implementation costs.  Operating profit for the Funeral Home products segment for fiscal 2012 was $26.5 million, compared to $29.0 million for fiscal 2011.  The decrease in Funeral Home Products segment operating profit for fiscal 2012 primarily reflected the impact of lower sales, higher commodity (primarily fuel) costs and unusual charges of approximately $1.7 million related to severance costs.  These declines were partially offset by the benefit of selling and distribution cost structure initiatives and an adjustment to the liability for contingent consideration.  Cremation segment operating profit for the year ended September 30, 2012 was $3.9 million, compared to $3.5 million a year ago.  Fiscal 2012 operating profit reflected higher sales in the U.S. market, partially offset by lower margins on sales in the European market.  Graphics Imaging segment operating profit for fiscal 2012 was $14.8 million, compared to $22.4 million for 2011.  The decrease in fiscal 2012 reflected lower sales, and unusual charges of approximately $5.1 million related to severance costs and the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency values.  The unusual charges related primarily to severance and acquisition-related costs.  The declines were partially offset by an adjustment to the liability for contingent consideration and a gain on the sale of a business investment in China.  Operating profit for the Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment for fiscal 2012 was $10.1 million, compared to $7.8 million a year ago.  The increase in Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment operating profit principally reflected the impact of acquisitions and higher sales. The Merchandising Solutions segment operating profit was $5.1 million for fiscal 2012, compared to $3.3 million for fiscal 2011.  The increase principally reflected the impact of higher sales.

Investment income for the year ended September 30, 2012 was $3.9 million, compared to $1.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2011.  The increase principally reflected increases in the market value of investments held in trust for certain of the Company’s benefit plans.  Interest expense for fiscal 2012 was $11.5 million, compared to $8.2 million last year.  The increase in interest expense reflected higher average debt levels.

Other income (deductions), net, for the year ended September 30, 2012 represented a decrease in pre-tax income of $2.1 million, compared to an increase in pre-tax income of $298,000 in 2011.  Other income and deductions generally include banking-related fees and the impact of currency gains or losses on certain intercompany debt.

20

ITEM 7.                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

The Company's effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 was 34.2%, compared to 34.4% for fiscal 2011. Fiscal 2012 and 2011 included the favorable impact of adjustments totaling $528,000 and $606,000, respectively, in income tax expense primarily related to changes in the estimated tax accruals for open tax periods.  Excluding these adjustments from both periods, the Company’s effective tax rate was 34.8% for fiscal year 2012 and 35.0% for fiscal year 2011. The decrease in the fiscal 2012 effective tax rate, compared to fiscal 2011 primarily reflected the impact of the Company’s European tax structure initiatives. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily reflected the impact of state taxes, offset by lower foreign income taxes.

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest was a loss of $639,000 for fiscal 2012, compared to net income of $1.1 million in fiscal 2011.  The decrease related principally to the Company’s acquisition of the remaining 22% interest in Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG (“Saueressig”) in April 2011 and a net loss recorded by the Company’s Turkish operation in fiscal 2012.

Comparison of Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010:

Sales for the year ended September 30, 2011 were $898.8 million, compared to $821.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2010.  The increase resulted principally from the impact of acquisitions, higher sales volume in the Company’s Brand Solutions businesses and changes in the values of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar, which had a favorable impact of approximately $11.4 million on the Company’s consolidated sales compared to fiscal 2010.

In the Memorialization businesses, Cemetery Products segment sales for fiscal 2011 were $224.8 million compared to $224.2 million for fiscal 2010.  The increase primarily reflected the December 2009 acquisition of United Memorial Products, Inc. (“UMP”) and the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar.  Excluding the impact of acquisitions and currency changes, fiscal 2011 Cemetery Products segment sales declined compared to fiscal 2010, reflecting lower sales volume of bronze memorial and architectural products and an unfavorable change in product mix.  Sales for the Funeral Home Products segment were $243.3 million for fiscal 2011 compared to $216.8 million for fiscal 2010.  The increase resulted principally from acquisitions.  Excluding the impact of acquisitions, fiscal 2011 Funeral Home Products segment sales declined, principally reflecting slightly lower unit volume and an unfavorable change in product mix.  Lower sales (excluding acquisitions) for both the Cemetery Products and Funeral Home Products segments reflected the impact of a decline in the estimated number of casketed deaths compared to the prior year.  Based on available published data, U.S. deaths for the year ended September 30, 2011 were estimated to have increased from fiscal 2010; however, casketed deaths (non-cremation) were estimated to have declined from the prior year.  Sales for the Cremation segment were $39.3 million for fiscal 2011 compared to $32.8 million for fiscal 2010.  The increase principally resulted from higher sales in all of the segment’s principal markets (U.S., U.K. and Europe) and the acquisition of a small manufacturer of cremation equipment in the U.K. in March 2010.  In the Company’s Brand Solutions businesses, sales for the Graphics Imaging segment in fiscal 2011 were $269.0 million, compared to $240.0 million for fiscal 2010.  The increase resulted principally from higher sales in all markets (Europe, U.S., U.K. and Asia), the July 2011 acquisition of Kroma and the favorable impact from changes in the values of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment sales for the year ended September 30, 2011 were $61.9 million, compared to $51.1 million for fiscal 2010.  The increase was principally due to higher sales of equipment and consumables in the U.S. and China, two small acquisitions in fiscal 2011 and the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency values.  Sales for the Merchandising Solutions segment were $60.6 million for fiscal 2011, compared to $56.9 million for fiscal 2010.  The improvement was attributable to an increase in project volume to several large global customers in fiscal 2011, compared to fiscal 2010.

Gross profit for the year ended September 30, 2011 was $351.7 million, or 39.1% of sales, compared to $323.4 million, or 39.3% of sales, for fiscal 2010.  The increase in fiscal 2011 consolidated gross profit compared to fiscal 2010 reflected higher sales in the Brand Solutions businesses and the benefit of cost structure initiatives.  The increases were partially offset by higher commodity costs, primarily in the Cemetery Products and Funeral Home Products segments.

Selling and administrative expenses for the year ended September 30, 2011 were $233.1 million, or 25.9% of sales, compared to $206.8 million, or 25.2% of sales, for fiscal 2010.  The increase primarily resulted from higher sales and the impact of acquisitions.

21

ITEM 7.                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

Operating profit for fiscal 2011 was $118.5 million, compared to $116.6 million for fiscal 2010.  The increase in operating profit for fiscal 2011 reflected the impact of acquisitions and a favorable impact of $1.4 million from changes in foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar.  These increases were partially offset by higher commodity costs, primarily in the Cemetery Products and Funeral Home Products segments.  Cemetery Products segment operating profit for fiscal 2011 was $52.5 million, compared to $56.2 million for fiscal 2010.  The decrease in fiscal 2011 operating profit compared to fiscal 2010 reflected lower sales, including an unfavorable shift in product mix, and a significant increase in bronze metal costs in fiscal 2011.  Operating profit for the Funeral Home Products segment for fiscal 2011 was $29.0 million, compared to $27.5 million for fiscal 2010.  The increase in Funeral Home Products segment operating profit for fiscal 2011 primarily reflected the benefit of acquisitions.  Excluding acquisitions, Funeral Home Products segment operating profit declined, primarily reflecting an unfavorable change in product mix and the impact of higher steel and fuel costs, partially offset by the benefit of recent cost structure initiatives.  Cremation segment operating profit for the year ended September 30, 2011 was $3.5 million, compared to $3.6 million a year ago.  Fiscal 2011 operating profit reflected the impact of higher equipment sales in the U.S. market and the March 2010 acquisition of a small cremation equipment manufacturer in the U.K., offset by lower margins on sales in the European market.  Graphics Imaging operating profit for fiscal 2011 was $22.4 million, compared to $21.1 million for 2010.  The increase in fiscal 2011 reflected higher sales, improvements in the segment’s U.S. cost structure, the acquisition of Kroma and the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency values, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs in the segment’s European gravure manufacturing operations.

Operating profit for the Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment for fiscal 2011 was $7.8 million, compared to $5.8 million a year ago.  The increase in Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment operating profit principally reflected the impact of acquisitions and higher sales in the U.S. and China. These increases were partially offset by an increase in research and development costs.  The Merchandising Solutions segment operating profit was $3.3 million for fiscal 2011, compared to $2.4 million for fiscal 2010.  The increase principally reflected the impact of higher sales.

Investment income for the year ended September 30, 2011 was $1.4 million, compared to $2.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2010.  The decrease principally reflected a decline in the market value of investments held in trust for certain of the Company’s benefit plans.  Interest expense for fiscal 2011 was $8.2 million, compared to $7.4 million last year.  The increase in interest expense reflected higher average debt levels resulting primarily from recent acquisitions.

Other income (deductions), net, for the year ended September 30, 2011 represented an increase in pre-tax income of $298,000, compared to a reduction in pre-tax income of $1.3 million in 2010.  The favorable impact on other income (deductions), net in fiscal 2011 primarily reflected a foreign currency exchange gain on the settlement of an intercompany loan.

The Company's effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 was 34.4%, compared to 35.0% for fiscal 2010. Fiscal 2011 and 2010 included the favorable impact of adjustments totaling $606,000 and $838,000, respectively, in income tax expense primarily related to changes in the estimated tax accruals for open tax periods.  Excluding these adjustments from both periods, the Company’s effective tax rate was 35.0% for fiscal year 2011 and 35.8% for fiscal year 2010. The decrease in the fiscal 2011 effective tax rate, compared to fiscal 2010 primarily reflected the impact of the Company’s European tax structure initiatives. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily reflected the impact of state taxes, offset by lower foreign income taxes.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest was $1.1 million for fiscal 2011, compared to $2.7 million in fiscal 2010.  The decrease related principally to the Company’s acquisition, effective as of the beginning of fiscal 2011, of the remaining 25% interest in one of its less than wholly-owned German graphics businesses and the acquisition of the remaining 22% interest in Saueressig in April 2011.

22

ITEM 7.                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

Net cash provided by operating activities was $82.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2012, compared to $95.6 million and $106.5 million for fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The decline in fiscal 2012 operating cash flow primarily reflected lower net income.  Operating cash flow for fiscal 2012 principally included net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, and an increase in deferred taxes, partially offset by an increase in working capital items (primarily accounts receivable and inventory) and a cash contribution of $5.0 million to the Company’s principal pension plan.  Operating cash flow for fiscal 2011 primarily reflected net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, and an increase in deferred taxes, partially offset by a net increase in working capital items.  In addition the Company made a cash contribution of $9.0 million to its principal pension plan.  Operating cash flow for fiscal 2010 primarily reflected net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, and an increase in deferred taxes, partially offset by a cash contribution of $9.0 million to the Company’s principal pension plan.

Cash used in investing activities was $45.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2012, compared to $106.8 million and $54.3 million for fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively. Investing activities for fiscal 2012 primarily reflected capital expenditures of $33.2 million and payments (net of cash acquired) of $12.5 million for acquisitions.  Investing activities for fiscal 2011 primarily reflected payments (net of cash acquired) of $84.4 million for acquisitions and capital expenditures of $22.4 million. Investing activities for fiscal 2010 primarily reflected payments (net of cash acquired) of $32.3 million for acquisitions, capital expenditures of $21.4 million.

Capital expenditures were $33.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2012, compared to $22.4 million and $21.4 million for fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in capital expenditures for fiscal 2012 primarily reflected new investments in gravure equipment in Germany and Turkey, and investments in ERP and e-commerce systems.  Capital expenditures in each of the last three fiscal years reflected reinvestment in the Company's business segments and were made primarily for the purchase of new manufacturing machinery, equipment and facilities designed to improve product quality, increase manufacturing efficiency, lower production costs and meet regulatory requirements.  Capital expenditures for the last three fiscal years were primarily financed through operating cash.

Capital spending for property, plant and equipment has averaged $25.7 million for the last three fiscal years.  Capital spending for fiscal 2013 is currently expected to be approximately $30.0 million.  The Company expects to generate sufficient cash from operations to fund all anticipated capital spending projects.

Cash used by financing activities for the year ended September 30, 2012 was $41.0 million, reflecting purchases of treasury stock of $31.0 million, and payment of dividends to the Company’s shareholders of $10.3 million ($0.37 per share).  Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended September 30, 2011 was $10.4 million, reflecting proceeds, net of repayments, on long-term debt of $68.9 million, purchases of treasury stock of $44.6 million, proceeds from the sale of treasury stock (stock option exercises) of $1.9 million, payment of dividends to the Company’s shareholders of $9.6 million ($0.33 per share) and distributions of $6.2 million to noncontrolling interests.  Cash used in financing activities for the year ended September 30, 2010 was $51.5 million, reflecting repayments, net of proceeds, on long-term debt of $8.8 million, purchases of treasury stock of $35.3 million, proceeds from the sale of treasury stock (stock option exercises) of $1.5 million, payment of dividends to the Company’s shareholders of $8.7 million ($0.29 per share) and distributions of $234,000 to noncontrolling interests.

The Company has a domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions.  In March 2012, the maximum amount of borrowings available under the facility was increased from $300.0 million to $400.0 million and the facility’s maturity was extended to March 2017.  Borrowings under the amended facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from 1.00% to 1.50% based on the Company’s leverage ratio.  The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).  The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .20% to .30% (based on the Company’s leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios.  A portion of the facility (not to exceed $25.0 million) is available for the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit. Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2012 and 2011 were $281.3 million and $250.0 million, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 2.83% and 2.59%, respectively.

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ITEM 7.                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date	Amount	Fixed Interest Rate	Interest Rate Spread at September 30, 2012	Maturity Date
May 2011	$25 million	1.37%	1.25%	May 2014
October 2011	25 million	1.67%	1.25%	October 2015
November 2011	25 million	2.13%	1.25%	November 2014
March 2012	25 million	2.44%	1.25%	March 2015
June 2012	40 million	1.88%	1.25%	June 2022
August 2012	35 million	1.74%	1.25%	June 2022
September 2012	25 million	3.03%	1.25%	December 2015
September 2012	25 million	1.24%	1.25%	March 2017
November 2012	25 million	1.33%	1.25%	November 2015

The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring.  Based on the Company’s assessment, all 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 of $9.1 million ($5.6 million after tax) at September 30, 2012 that is included in equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at September 30, 2012, approximately $1.7 million of the $5.6 million loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss is expected to be recognized in earnings as an adjustment to interest expense over the next twelve months.

The Company, through certain of its German subsidiaries, had a credit facility with a European bank that expired in September 2012. The maximum amount of borrowings available under this facility was 25.0 million Euros. Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 23.6 million Euros ($31.6 million) at September 30, 2011.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the facility at September 30, 2011 was 2.38%.

The Company, through its German subsidiary, Saueressig, has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 8.2 million Euros ($10.5 million) and 8.3 million Euros ($11.2 million) at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 6.10% and 6.05%, respectively.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Matthews International S.p.A., has several loans with various Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 6.3 million Euros ($8.1 million) and 8.7 million Euros ($11.6 million) at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Matthews International S.p.A. also has three lines of credit totaling 11.4 million Euros ($14.6 million) with the same Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 3.4 million Euros ($4.3 million) and 493,000 Euros ($661,000) at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 3.08% and 3.11%, respectively.

The Company has a stock repurchase program.  Under the current authorization, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of a total of 2,500,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock under the program, of which 1,814,651 shares remain available for repurchase as of September 30, 2012.  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 of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.

24

ITEM 7.                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

Consolidated working capital was $204.4 million at September 30, 2012, compared to $208.1 million and $187.5 million at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Working capital at September 30, 2012 reflected an increase in accounts receivable and inventory, and an increase in the current portion of estimated contingent consideration related to acquisitions.  Working capital at September 30, 2011 reflected an increase in accounts receivable and inventory in connection with recent acquisitions. Working capital at September 30, 2010 reflected an increase in accounts receivable and inventory in connection with recent acquisitions. Cash and cash equivalents were $58.3 million at September 30, 2012, compared to $61.7 million and $59.7 million at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The Company's current ratio was 2.1 at September 30, 2012 and 2.3 at September 30, 2011 and 2010.

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 the disposal of certain materials at various operating and non-operating sites.  The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate.  In addition, prior to its acquisition, The York Group, Inc. (“York”) was identified, along with others, by the Environmental Protection Agency as a potentially responsible party for remediation of a landfill site in York, Pennsylvania.  At this time, the Company has not been joined in any lawsuit or administrative order related to the site or its clean-up.

At September 30, 2012, an accrual of approximately $5.7 million had been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $781,000 was classified in other current liabilities), representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of the Company's known remediation obligations.  The accrual, which reflects previously established reserves assumed with the acquisition of York and additional reserves recorded as a purchase accounting adjustment, does not consider the effects of inflation and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.  Changes in the accrued environmental remediation obligation from the prior fiscal year reflect payments charged against the accrual.

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.

ACQUISITIONS:

Fiscal 2012:

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2012 totaled $12.5 million.  The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following:

In May 2012, the Company announced that it had acquired Everlasting Granite Memorial Co., Inc., a supplier of granite memorials, columbariums and private mausoleum estates. The transaction is intended to expand the Company’s presence and product breadth in the granite memorial business.

Fiscal 2011:

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2011 totaled $84.4 million.  The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following:

25

ITEM 7.                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

In August 2011, the Company acquired Lightning Pick Technologies, Inc. (“LPT”), a manufacturer that develops, installs and supports paperless order fulfillment solutions.  The transaction is intended to expand the Company’s presence and product breadth in the fulfillment systems industry.

In July 2011, the Company purchased a 61.5% interest in Kroma, a leading provider of pre-press services and roto-gravure printing cylinders in Turkey.  The acquisition is designed to further extend Matthews' presence as the leading provider of reprographic pre-press products and services to the European packaging and tobacco markets.  The Company also has an arrangement to acquire an additional 8.5% interest and an option agreement related to the remaining 30% interest in Kroma.

In April 2011, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 22% interest in Saueressig for 19.3 million Euros ($27.4 million), completing the option agreement in connection with the May 2008 acquisition of a 78% interest in Saueressig.

In March 2011, the Company acquired Innovative Picking Technologies, Inc. (“IPTI”), a manufacturer of paperless order fulfillment systems.  The transaction is intended to expand the Company’s presence into the fulfillment systems industry.

In October 2010, the Company acquired Freeman Metal Products, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Freeman”), a manufacturer and distributor of caskets.  The purchase price for the acquisition was $22.8 million, plus additional consideration up to $6.0 million contingent on operating performance over the next three years.  The transaction is intended to provide synergies in the manufacturing and distribution of caskets and expand the Company’s market presence in the Southeast and South Central regions of the United States.

In October 2010, the Company acquired the remaining 25% interest in Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG (“Reproflex”).  The Company acquired a 75% interest in Reproflex in 2001.

Fiscal 2010:

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2010 totaled $32.3 million. The acquisitions primarily included the following:

In August 2010, the Company acquired Newmark of Colorado and its affiliated companies (“Newmark”), a distributor of primarily York brand caskets in the West region of the United States.  The transaction was designed as an asset purchase and was intended to expand the Company’s casket distribution capabilities in the western United States.

In April 2010, the Company acquired Reynoldsville Casket Company (“Reynoldsville”), a manufacturer and distributor of caskets primarily in the Northeast region of the United States.  The acquisition was structured as an asset purchase and was intended to expand the Company’s casket distribution capabilities in the northeastern United States.

In March 2010, the Company acquired an 80% interest in Furnace Construction Cremators Limited (“FCC”), a manufacturer of cremation equipment located in the United Kingdom.  The acquisition was designed to expand the Company’s global presence in the European cremation markets.

 In February 2010, the Company acquired A.J. Distribution, Inc. (“A.J. Distribution”), a distributor of primarily York brand caskets in the Northwest region of the United States.  The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and was intended to expand the Company’s casket distribution capabilities in the northwestern United States.

In December 2009, the Company acquired UMP, primarily a supplier of granite memorial products and caskets in the West region of the United States. The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and was designed to extend Matthews’ presence in the broad granite market.

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ITEM 7.                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

Matthews has a three-pronged strategy to attain annual growth in earnings per share. This strategy consists of the following:  internal growth (which includes organic growth, cost structure and productivity improvements, new product development and the expansion into new markets with existing products), acquisitions and share repurchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources").

The Company’s results for fiscal 2012 were impacted by several significant factors, including:

·   the impact of the decline in U.S. deaths on sales of bronze memorial and casket products;

·   a slow-down in our European markets (including a recent further decline in the value of the Euro);

·   an ERP implementation in our Cemetery Products segment.

Many of these challenges are expected to continue in fiscal 2013.  As a result, the Company initiated more aggressive cost reduction programs and accelerated initiatives to resolve the remaining ERP implementation issues, which resulted in additional one-time costs in the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter.  These initiatives are progressing well but are still ongoing, which will result in further unusual costs during fiscal 2013.

However, demand for the products and services of our Merchandising Solutions and Marking and Fulfillment Systems businesses remained solid through fiscal 2012.  Cremation equipment sales volume also continued to grow domestically.  These trends are expected to continue.

Based on the aforementioned, excluding unusual costs, the Company is projecting growth in fiscal 2013 earnings per share over fiscal 2012.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

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 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.  Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment based on various assumptions and other factors such as historical experience, economic conditions, and in some cases, actuarial techniques.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.  A discussion of market risks affecting the Company can be found in Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company's significant accounting policies are included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables the Company to provide useful and reliable financial information about the Company's operating results and financial condition.  The following accounting policies involve significant estimates, which were considered critical to the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2012.

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 collectibility may be uncertain.  In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for all customers based on historical collection experience.

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ITEM 7.              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

Long-Lived Assets:

Property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets are carried at cost.  Depreciation on property, plant and equipment is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.  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.

Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to periodic review for impairment.  In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized.  For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows.  Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, unless such lives are considered to be indefinite.  A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.  The Company performed its annual impairment reviews in the second quarters of fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 and determined that no adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill or other intangibles with indefinite lives were necessary at those times.

Share-Based Payment:

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.

Pension and Postretirement Benefits:

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.

The Company's principal pension plan maintains a substantial portion of its assets in equity securities in accordance with the investment policy established by the Company’s pension board.  Based on an analysis of the historical 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 these assets at 8.0% at September 30, 2012 for purposes of determining pension cost and funded status.   The Company’s discount rate assumption used in determining the present value of the projected benefit obligation is based upon published indices as of September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011 for the fiscal year end valuation. The discount rate was 4.00%, 4.75% and 5.25% in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Environmental:

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.

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ITEM 7.              MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

Revenue Recognition:

Revenues are generally recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment.  For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer’s specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery.  A liability has been recorded for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery.  Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise.  Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer.  Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage.  At September 30, 2012, the Company held 328,870 memorials and 234,115 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program.

Construction revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost method.

The Company offers rebates to certain customers participating in volume purchase programs.  Rebates are estimated and recorded as a reduction in sales at the time the Company’s products are sold.

LONG-TERM CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS:

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations at September 30, 2012, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

	Payments due in fiscal year:
									After
	Total		2013		2014 to 2015		2016 to 2017		2017
Contractual Cash Obligations:	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Revolving credit facility	$	281,323	$	-	$	-	$	281,323	$	-
Notes payable to banks		26,626		15,905		9,457		1,089		175
Short-term borrowings		4,322		4,322		-		-		-
Capital lease obligations		9,486		1,586		2,471		891		4,538
Non-cancelable operating leases		24,826		9,993		10,557		3,851		425
Total contractual cash obligations	$	346,583	$	31,806	$	22,485	$	287,154	$	5,138

A significant portion of the loans included in the table above bear interest at variable rates. At September 30, 2012, the weighted-average interest rate was 2.83% on the Company’s domestic Revolving Credit Facility, 6.10% on bank loans to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Saueressig, and 3.08% on bank loans to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Matthews International S.p.A.

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 funded 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 2012, however, in fiscal 2012, the Company made a contribution of $5.0 million to its principal retirement plan. The Company is not required to make any significant cash contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal 2013.  The Company estimates that benefit payments to participants under its retirement plans (including its supplemental retirement plan) and postretirement benefit payments will be approximately $6.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, in fiscal 2013.  The amounts are expected to increase incrementally each year thereafter, to $7.9 million and $1.5 million in 2017.  The Company believes that its current liquidity sources, combined with its operating cash flow and borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to meet its capital needs for the foreseeable future.

In connection with several recent acquisitions, the Company has recorded contingent consideration of approximately $16.1 million.  The fair value of the contingent consideration expected to be settled in fiscal 2013 is approximately $13.3 million, with the remainder scheduled to be settled in fiscal 2014.

29

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, (continued)

In connection with its July 2011 acquisition of a 70% interest in Kroma, the Company entered into an option agreement related to the remaining 30% interest in Kroma.  The option agreement contains put and call provisions for the purchase of the remaining 30% interest in future years at a price to be determined by a formula based upon future operating results of Kroma.  The Company has recorded an estimate of $10.5 million in “Arrangement with noncontrolling interest” on the September 30, 2012 Consolidated Balance Sheet representing the current estimate of the future purchase price.  The timing of the exercise of the put and call provisions is not presently determinable.

Unrecognized tax benefits are positions taken, or expected to be taken, on an income tax return that may result in additional payments to tax authorities.  If a tax authority agrees with the tax position taken, or expected to be taken, or the applicable statute of limitations expires, then additional payments will not be necessary.  As of September 30, 2012, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits, excluding penalties and interest, of approximately $2.7 million.  The timing of potential future payments related to the unrecognized tax benefits is not presently determinable.

INFLATION:

Except for the volatility in the cost of bronze ingot, steel and fuel (see “Results of Operations”), inflation has not had a material impact on the Company over the past three years nor is it anticipated to have a material impact for the foreseeable future.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the guidance for goodwill and other intangibles. The amendment applies to the goodwill impairment test and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test.  The more likely than not threshold is defined as a likelihood of more than 50 percent. The amendment was effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  This amendment was adopted by the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  Adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to the guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income.  The amendment requires that comprehensive income be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In both choices, an entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement where the components of net income and other comprehensive income are presented. This amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  Adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to revise the wording used to describe many of the requirements for measuring fair value and disclosing information about fair value measurements.  This amendment clarifies the FASB’s intention about the application of fair value.  In addition, the amendment changes certain principles or requirements for measuring fair value and disclosure of such measurements.  The amendment was effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and was adopted by the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to the disclosure requirements for business combinations. This amendment specifies that if comparative financial statements are presented in connection with a business combination, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only.  The amendment also expands the disclosure requirement to include the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination. The amendment was effective for business combinations consummated on or before the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010, and early adoption is permitted.  This amendment was adopted by the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.  Adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

30

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

The following discussion about the Company's market risk involves forward-looking statements.  Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  The Company has market risk related to changes in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates.  The Company does not generally use derivative financial instruments in connection with these market risks, except as noted below.

Interest Rates - The Company’s most significant long-term debt instrument is the domestic Revolving Credit Facility, which bears interest at variable rates based on LIBOR.

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date	Amount	Fixed Interest Rate	Interest Rate Spread at September 30, 2012	Maturity Date
May 2011	$25 million	1.37%	1.25%	May 2014
October 2011	25 million	1.67%	1.25%	October 2015
November 2011	25 million	2.13%	1.25%	November 2014
March 2012	25 million	2.44%	1.25%	March 2015
June 2012	40 million	1.88%	1.25%	June 2022
August 2012	35 million	1.74%	1.25%	June 2022
September 2012	25 million	3.03%	1.25%	December 2015
September 2012	25 million	1.24%	1.25%	March 2017
November 2012	25 million	1.33%	1.25%	November 2015

The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring.  Based on the Company’s assessment, all 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 of $9.1 million ($5.6 million after tax) at September 30, 2012 that is included in equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  A decrease of 10% in market interest rates (e.g. a decrease from 5.0% to 4.5%) would result in an increase of approximately $1.0 million in the fair value liability of the interest rate swaps.

Commodity Price Risks - In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to commodity price fluctuations related to the purchases of certain materials and supplies (such as bronze ingot, steel, fuel and wood) used in its manufacturing operations. The Company obtains competitive prices for materials and supplies when available.  In addition, based on competitive market conditions and to the extent that the Company has established pricing terms with customers through contracts or similar arrangements, the Company’s ability to immediately increase the price of its products to offset the increased costs may be limited.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates - The Company is subject to changes in various foreign currency exchange rates, primarily including the Euro, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, Swedish Krona, Chinese Yuan, Hong Kong Dollar, Polish Zloty, Turkish Lira and Vietnamese Dong in the conversion from local currencies to the U.S. dollar of the reported financial position and operating results of its non-U.S. based subsidiaries.  An adverse change (strengthening dollar) of 10% in exchange rates would have resulted in a decrease in reported sales of $34.1 million and a decrease in reported operating income of $3.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2012.

31

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK, (continued)

Actuarial Assumptions - The most significant actuarial assumptions affecting pension expense and pension obligations include the valuation of retirement plan assets, the discount rate and the estimated return on plan assets.  The estimated return on plan assets is currently based upon projections provided by the Company’s independent investment advisor, considering the investment policy of the plan and the plan’s asset allocation.  The fair value of plan assets and discount rate are “point-in-time” measures, and the recent volatility of the debt and equity markets makes estimating future changes in fair value of plan assets and discount rates more challenging.  The following table summarizes the impact on the September 30, 2012 actuarial valuations of changes in the primary assumptions affecting the Company’s retirement plans and supplemental retirement plan.

	Impact of Changes in Actuarial Assumptions
	Change in Discount Rate					Change in Expected Return			Change in Market Value of Assets
		+1%		-1%			+1%	-1%		+5%	-5%
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Increase (decrease) in net benefit cost		$(2,747	)	$  3,339			$(1,056)	$1,056		$  (965)	$	$    965
Increase (decrease) in projected benefit obligation		(24,551	)	30,652			-	-		-		-
Increase (decrease) in funded status		24,551		(30,652	)		-	-		5,438		(5,438	)

32

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Description	Pages
Management’s Report to Shareholders	34
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	35
Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and 2011	36-37
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010	38
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010	39
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010	40
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	41-66
Supplementary Financial Information (unaudited)	67
Financial Statement Schedule – Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying
Accounts for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010	68

33

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

Matthews International Corporation:

Management’s Report on Financial Statements

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Matthews International Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) were prepared by management, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. The statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and include amounts that are based on management’s best judgments and estimates. The other financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is consistent with that in the financial statements.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting management has conducted an assessment using the criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). The Company’s internal controls over financial reporting include those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.  Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Based on its assessment, management has concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012, based on criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the COSO. The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

Management’s Certifications

The certifications of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have been included as Exhibits 31 and 32 in the Company’s Form 10-K.

34

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

   Matthews International Corporation:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Matthews International Corporation and its subsidiaries at September 30, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying indexpresents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

November 26, 2012

35

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September 30, 2012 and 2011

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

ASSETS	2012		2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	58,259	$	61,662
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,177 and $10,736, respectively		174,632		164,738
Inventories		130,690		125,567
Deferred income taxes		1,694		1,722
Other current assets		19,950		16,157
Total current assets		385,225		369,846
Investments		18,842		15,105
Property, plant and equipment, net		144,049		134,504
Deferred income taxes		32,647		33,818
Other assets		12,083		16,354
Goodwill		476,181		465,003
Other intangible assets, net		59,015		62,825
Total assets	$	1,128,042	$	1,097,455

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

36

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, continued

September 30, 2012 and 2011

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	2012			2011
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt, current maturities	$	21,566		$	18,014
Trade accounts payable		44,294			43,001
Accrued compensation		30,222			31,339
Accrued income taxes		7,632			10,272
Customer prepayments		15,883			14,320
Contingent consideration		13,298			-
Other current liabilities		47,978			44,795
Total current liabilities		180,873			161,741
Long-term debt		298,148			299,170
Accrued pension		78,563			66,714
Postretirement benefits		27,725			26,417
Deferred income taxes		18,624			17,007
Other liabilities		33,194			48,151
Total liabilities		637,127			619,200
Arrangement with noncontrolling interest		10,481			10,162
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		-			-
Additional paid-in capital		47,893			48,554
Retained earnings		727,176			681,658
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(65,083	)		(58,658	)
Treasury stock, 8,711,924 and 7,884,190 shares, respectively, at cost		(268,499	)		(243,246	)
Total shareholders' equity-Matthews		477,821			464,642
Noncontrolling interests		2,613			3,451
Total shareholders' equity		480,434			468,093
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,128,042		$	1,097,455

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

37

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

	2012			2011			2010
Sales	$	900,317		$	898,821		$	821,829
Cost of sales		(563,747	)		(547,161	)		(498,442	)
Gross profit		336,570			351,660			323,387
Selling expense		(103,659	)		(99,251	)		(91,215	)
Administrative expense		(139,334	)		(133,893	)		(115,591	)
Operating profit		93,577			118,516			116,581
Investment income		3,891			1,443			2,536
Interest expense		(11,476	)		(8,241	)		(7,419	)
Other income (deductions), net		(2,071	)		298			(1,285	)
Income before income taxes		83,921			112,016			110,413
Income taxes		(28,717	)		(38,556	)		(38,639	)
Net income		55,204			73,460			71,774
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		639			(1,088	)		(2,717	)
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	55,843		$	72,372		$	69,057
Earnings per share attributable to Matthews shareholders:
Basic		$1.98			$2.47			$2.32
Diluted		$1.98			$2.46			$2.31

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

38

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

									Accumulated
									Other
			Additional						Comprehensive						Non-
	Common		Paid-in			Retained			Income (Loss)			Treasury			controlling
	Stock		Capital			Earnings			(net of tax)			Stock			interests			Total
Balance, September 30, 2009	$	36,334	$	47,436		$	559,786		$	(29,884	)	$	(179,454	)	$	4,676		$	438,894
Net income		-		-			69,057			-			-			2,717			71,774
Minimum pension liability		-		-			-			3,929			-			-			3,929
Translation adjustment		-		-			-			(11,952	)		-			901			(11,051	)
Fair value of derivatives		-		-			-			771			-			-			771
Total comprehensive income																			65,423
Stock-based compensation		-		6,567			-			-			-			-			6,567
Purchase of 1,070,173 shares  treasury stock		-		-			-			-			(35,305	)		-			(35,305	)
Issuance of 246,178 shares  treasury stock		-		(5,709	)		-			-			7,289			-			1,580
Dividends, $.29 per share		-		-			(8,688	)		-			-			-			(8,688	)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests		-		-			-			-			-			(234	)		(234	)
Arrangement-noncontrolling interest		-		-			1,768			-			-			23,723			25,491
Balance, September 30, 2010		36,334		48,294			621,923			(37,136	)		(207,470	)		31,783			493,728
Net income		-		-			72,372			-			-			1,088			73,460
Minimum pension liability		-		-			-			(11,255	)		-			-			(11,255	)
Translation adjustment		-		-			-			(8,607	)		-			523			(8,084	)
Fair value of derivatives		-		-			-			(1,660	)		-			-			(1,660	)
Total comprehensive income																			52,461
Stock-based compensation		-		6,972			-			-			-			-			6,972
Purchase of 1,319,375 shares  treasury stock		-		-			-			-			(44,567	)		-			(44,567	)
Issuance of 290,854 shares  treasury stock		-		(6,712	)		-			-			8,791			-			2,079
Dividends, $.33 per share		-		-			(9,632	)		-			-			-			(9,632	)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests		-		-			-			-			-			(6,220	)		(6,220	)
Arrangement-noncontrolling interest		-		-			(3,005	)		-			-			(23,723	)		(26,728	)
Balance, September 30, 2011		36,334		48,554			681,658			(58,658	)		(243,246	)		3,451			468,093
Net income		-		-			55,843			-			-			(639	)		55,204
Minimum pension liability		-		-			-			(3,327	)		-			-			(3,327	)
Translation adjustment		-		-			-			(1,895	)		-			(29	)		(1,924	)
Fair value of derivatives		-		-			-			(1,203	)		-			-			(1,203	)
Total comprehensive income																			48,750
Stock-based compensation		-		5,472			-			-			-			-			5,472
Purchase of 1,015,879 shares  treasury stock		-		-			-			-			(31,017	)		-			(31,017	)
Issuance of 188,145 shares  treasury stock		-		(6,133	)		-			-			5,764			-			(369	)
Dividends, $.37 per share		-		-			(10,325	)		-			-			-			(10,325	)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests		-		-			-			-			-			(170	)		(170	)
Balance, September 30, 2012	$	36,334	$	47,893		$	727,176		$	(65,083	)	$	(268,499	)	$	2,613		$	480,434

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

39

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

	2012			2011			2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	55,204		$	73,460		$	71,774
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash   provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		28,821			27,661			27,322
Stock-based compensation expense		5,472			6,972			6,567
Increase in deferred taxes		6,050			9,481			4,299
Gain on sale of investments		(5,257	)		(2,832	)		(544	)
Changes in working capital items		(16,403	)		(23,093	)		(65	)
Decrease (increase) in other assets		4,456			4,787			(3,176	)
Decrease in other liabilities		(3,854	)		(2,007	)		(1,415	)
Increase in pension and postretirement    benefit obligations		7,634			1,135			1,725
Net cash provided by operating activities		82,123			95,564			106,487
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(33,236	)		(22,440	)		(21,437	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(12,541	)		(84,369	)		(32,323	)
Proceeds from dispositions of assets		1,461			1,463			196
Purchases of investment securities		(958	)		(1,639	)		(1,616	)
Proceeds from dispositions of investments		-			169			926
Net cash used in investing activities		(45,274	)		(106,816	)		(54,254	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt		53,330			117,107			58,465
Payments on long-term debt		(53,056	)		(48,214	)		(67,307	)
Purchases of treasury stock		(31,017	)		(44,567	)		(35,305	)
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock		267			1,929			1,580
Dividends		(10,325	)		(9,632	)		(8,688	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(170	)		(6,220	)		(234	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(40,971	)		10,403			(51,489	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		719			1,401			1,239
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(3,403	)		552			1,983
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		61,662			61,110			59,127
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	58,259		$	61,662		$	61,110
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	$	11,464		$	8,367		$	7,605
Income taxes		22,765			35,359			35,291
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Acquisition of equipment under capital lease	$	1,125		$	2,764		$	-

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

40

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS:

Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews" or the “Company”), founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions.  Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries.  Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, marking and fulfillment systems and merchandising solutions.  In fiscal 2012, the Company changed the name of its Bronze, Casket and Marking Products segments to the Cemetery Products segment, the Funeral Home Products segment and the Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment, respectively. Also effective October 1, 2011, the Company’s cremation casket operations, previously included in the Cremation segment, are included in the Funeral Home Products segment. The Company's products and operations are comprised of six business segments:  Cemetery Products, Funeral Home Products, Cremation, Graphics Imaging, Marking and Fulfillment Systems and Merchandising Solutions.  The Cemetery Products segment is a leading manufacturer of cast bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, cast and etched architectural products and is a leading builder of mausoleums in the United States.  The Funeral Home Products segment is a leading casket manufacturer and distributor in North America and produces a wide variety of wood, metal and cremation caskets.  The Cremation segment is a leading designer and manufacturer of cremation equipment in North America and Europe. The Graphics Imaging segment manufactures and provides brand management, printing plates, gravure cylinders, pre-press services and imaging services for the primary packaging and corrugated industries.  The Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking and coding equipment and consumables, industrial automation products and order fulfillment systems for identifying, tracking, picking and conveying consumer and industrial products.  The Merchandising Solutions segment designs and manufactures merchandising displays and systems and provides creative merchandising and marketing solutions services.

The Company has manufacturing, distribution and marketing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

2. 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.  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.

Foreign Currency:

The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is 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. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recorded in other income (deductions), net.

41

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, 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 collectibility may be uncertain.  In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for all customers based on historical collection experience.

Inventories:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost generally determined under the average cost method.

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 against income 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.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual review for impairment.  Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 20 years. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized.  For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique.  A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.

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.

42

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Treasury Stock:

Treasury stock is carried at cost.  The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method.

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 for U.S. tax purposes have not been provided on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely.  To the extent earnings are expected to be returned in the foreseeable future, the associated deferred tax liabilities are provided.

Revenue Recognition:

Revenues are generally recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment.  For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer’s specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery.  A liability has been recorded for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery.  Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise.  Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer.  Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage.

At September 30, 2012, the Company held 328,870 memorials and 234,115 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program.

Construction revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost method.

The Company offers rebates to certain customers participating in volume purchase programs.  Rebates are estimated and recorded as a reduction in sales at the time the Company’s products are sold.

Share-Based Payment:

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.

Derivatives and Hedging:

Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program.  All derivatives are straight forward and 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), 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.

43

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Research and Development Expenses:

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $2,220, $1,705 and $1,910 for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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.

Reclassifications:

Certain reclassifications have been made in these financial statements as a result of including the Company’s cremation casket operations, previously included in the Cremation segment, in the Funeral Home Products segment.  Also, certain reclassifications have been made in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for prior periods.  Prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

3.           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. It establishes a three level fair value hierarchy 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, 2012 and 2011, the fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were categorized as follows:

	September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Trading securities	$	16,265		-		-	$	16,265
Total assets at fair value	$	16,265		-		-	$	16,265
Liabilities:
Derivatives (1)		-	$	9,133		-	$	9,133
Total liabilities at fair value		-	$	9,133		-	$	9,133
(1)Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

44

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

3.           FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

	September 30, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Trading securities	$	13,426		-		-	$	13,426
Total assets at fair value	$	13,426		-		-	$	13,426
Liabilities:
Derivatives (1)		-	$	7,161		-	$	7,161
Total liabilities at fair value		-	$	7,161		-	$	7,161
(1)Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

4. INVENTORIES:

Inventories at September 30, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

	2012		2011
Raw materials	$	41,003	$	35,692
Work in process		22,772		21,461
Finished goods		66,915		68,414
	$	130,690	$	125,567

5. INVESTMENTS:

Investment securities are recorded at estimated market value at the consolidated balance sheet date and are classified as trading securities.  Short-term investments consisted principally of corporate obligations with purchased maturities of over three months but less than one year.  The cost of short-term investments approximated market value at September 30, 2012 and 2011.  Accrued interest on these investment securities was classified with short-term investments.  Investments classified as non-current and trading securities consisted of equity and fixed income mutual funds.

At September 30, 2012 and 2011, non-current investments were as follows:

	2012		2011
Trading securities:
Mutual funds	$	16,265	$	13,426
Equity and other investments		2,577		1,679
	$	18,842	$	15,105

Non-current investments classified as trading securities are recorded at market value.  At September 30, 2012, market exceeded cost by approximately $48.  At September 30, 2011, cost exceeded market by approximately $264.  Realized gains and losses are based on the specific identification method and are recorded in investment income.  Realized gains (losses) for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 were not material.

Equity investments primarily included ownership interests in various entities of less than 20%, which are recorded under the cost method of accounting.

45

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

Property, plant and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation at September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	2012			2011
Buildings	$	64,946		$	65,010
Machinery and equipment		261,857			241,147
		326,803			306,157
Less accumulated depreciation		(206,472	)		(196,391	)
		120,331			109,766
Land		9,207			9,114
Construction in progress		14,511			15,624
	$	144,049		$	134,504

7. LONG-TERM DEBT:

Long-term debt at September 30, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

	2012			2011
Revolving credit facilities	$	281,323		$	281,593
Notes payable to banks		26,626			31,193
Short-term borrowings		4,322			661
Capital lease obligations		7,443			3,737
		319,714			317,184
Less current maturities		(21,566	)		(18,014	)
	$	298,148		$	299,170

The Company has a domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions.  In March 2012, the maximum amount of borrowings available under the facility was increased from $300,000 to $400,000 and the facility’s maturity was extended to March 2017.  Borrowings under the amended facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from 1.00% to 1.50% based on the Company’s leverage ratio.  The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).  The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .20% to .30% (based on the Company’s leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios.  A portion of the facility (not to exceed $25,000) is available for the issuance of commercial and standby letters of credit.  Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2012 and 2011 were $281,323 and $250,000, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 2.83% and 2.59%, respectively.

46

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

7. LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date	Amount	Fixed Interest Rate	Interest Rate Spread at September 30, 2012	Maturity Date
May 2011	$25,000	1.37%	1.25%	May 2014
October 2011	25,000	1.67%	1.25%	October 2015
November 2011	25,000	2.13%	1.25%	November 2014
March 2012	25,000	2.44%	1.25%	March 2015
June 2012	40,000	1.88%	1.25%	June 2022
August 2012	35,000	1.74%	1.25%	June 2022
September 2012	25,000	3.03%	1.25%	December 2015
September 2012	25,000	1.24%	1.25%	March 2017
November 2012	25,000	1.33%	1.25%	November 2015

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 the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility 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 of $9,133 ($5,571 after tax) and $7,161 ($4,368 after tax) at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, that is included in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”).  Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at September 30, 2012, approximately $1,739 of the $5,571 loss included in AOCL is expected to be recognized in earnings as an adjustment to interest expense over the next twelve months.

At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected as a liability on the balance sheets.  The following derivatives are designated as hedging instruments:

Liability Derivatives
Balance Sheet Location:	2012		2011
Current liabilities:
Other current liabilities	$	2,851	$	2,061
Long-term liabilities:
Other liabilities		6,282		5,100
Total derivatives	$	9,133	$	7,161

47

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

7. LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:

	Location of	Amount of
Derivatives in	Loss	Loss
Cash Flow Hedging	Recognized in	Recognized in Income
Relationships	Income on Derivatives	on Derivatives
		2012	2011
Interest rate swaps	Interest expense	$(3,418)	$(2,600)

The Company recognized the following losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”):

					Location of Gain	Amount of Loss
					or (Loss)	Reclassified from
Derivatives in	Amount of Loss				Reclassified from	AOCL
Cash Flow	Recognized in				AOCL	into Income
Hedging	AOCL on Derivatives				into Income	(Effective Portion*)
Relationships	2012		2011		(Effective Portion*)	2012		2011
Interest rate swaps		$(3,288)		$(3,246)	Interest expense		$(2,085)		$(1,586)
*There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.

The Company, through certain of its German subsidiaries, had a credit facility with a European bank that expired in September 2012. The maximum amount of borrowings available under this facility was 25.0 million Euros.  Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 23.6 million Euros ($31,593) at September 30, 2011.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the facility at September 30, 2011 was 2.38%.

The Company, through its German subsidiary, Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG (“Saueressig”), has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 8.2 million Euros ($10,514) and 8.3 million Euros ($11,159) at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 6.10% and 6.05%, respectively.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Matthews International S.p.A., has several loans with various Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 6.3 million Euros ($8,080) and 8.7 million Euros ($11,611) at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Matthews International S.p.A. also has three lines of credit totaling 11.4 million Euros ($14,621) with the same Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 3.4 million Euros ($4,322) and 493,000 Euros ($661) at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 3.08% and 3.11%, respectively.

As of September 30, 2012 and 2011, 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.

48

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

7. LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt, including short-term borrowings and capital leases, follows:

2013	$	21,566
2014		9,687
2015		1,841
2016		950
2017		282,027
Thereafter		3,643
	$	319,714

8. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 70,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $1 par value.

The Company has a stock repurchase program.  As of September 30, 2011, the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of a total of 2,500,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock under the program, of which 2,169,470 shares had been repurchased.  In November 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the continuation of its stock repurchase program and increased the total authorization for stock repurchases by an additional 2,500,000 shares. As a result, as of September 30, 2012, the Company had a total available repurchase authorization of 1,814,651 shares.  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 of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.

Comprehensive income 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 minimum pension liability.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

	2012			2011
Cumulative foreign currency translation	$	(65	)	$	1,830
Fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $3,562 and $2,793, respectively		(5,571	)		(4,368	)
Minimum pension liability, net of tax of $37,777 and $35,650, respectively		(59,447	)		(56,120	)
	$	(65,083	)	$	(58,658	)

49

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

9. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS:

The Company maintains an equity incentive plan (the “2007 Equity Incentive Plan”) that provides for the grants of stock options, restricted shares, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock-based awards. Under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, which has a ten-year term, the maximum number of shares available for grants or awards is an aggregate of 2,200,000.  The Company also maintains a stock incentive plan (the “1992 Incentive Stock Plan”) that previously provided for grants of stock options, restricted shares and certain other types of stock-based awards.  There will be no further grants under the 1992 Incentive Stock Plan.  At September 30, 2012, there were 790,652 shares reserved for future issuance under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. Both plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

The option price for each stock option granted under either plan may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.  Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  In addition, options generally vest in one-third increments after three, four and five years, respectively, from the grant date (but, in any event, not until the attainment of the market value thresholds).  The options expire on the earlier of ten 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 generally settles employee stock option exercises with treasury shares.  With respect to outstanding restricted share grants, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant.  The remaining one-half 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 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.

For the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, stock-based compensation cost totaled $5,472, $6,972 and $6,567, respectively. The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $2,134, $2,719 and $2,561 for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $264, $1,859 and $1,502, for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In connection with these exercises, the tax benefits realized by the Company were $22, $278 and $264 for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The transactions for restricted stock for the year ended September 30, 2012 were as follows:

				Weighted-
				average
				grant-date
	Shares			fair value
Non-vested at September 30, 2011		541,613			$33.62
Granted		165,710			31.79
Vested		(148,003	)		35.52
Expired or forfeited		(7,931	)		33.69
Non-vested at September 30, 2012		551,389			32.56

As of September 30, 2012, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $3,455 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.

50

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

9. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

The transactions for shares under options for the year ended September 30, 2012 were as follows:

						Weighted-
				Weighted-		average		Aggregate
				average		remaining		intrinsic
	Shares			exercise price		contractual term		value
Outstanding, September 30, 2011		872,514		$	37.02
Granted		-			-
Exercised		(10,332	)		25.64
Expired or forfeited		(21,900	)		37.28
Outstanding, September 30, 2012		840,282			37.15		3.0	$	-
Exercisable, September 30, 2012		484,410			36.00		2.8	$	-

No shares were earned during the year ended September 30, 2012.  The fair value of option shares earned was $3,120 during the year ended September 30, 2011.  The intrinsic value of options (which is the amount by which the stock price exceeded the exercise price of the options on the date of exercise) exercised during the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $57, $743 and $747, respectively.

The transactions for non-vested option shares for the year ended September 30, 2012 were as follows:

				Weighted-
				average
				grant-date
	Shares			fair value
Non-vested at September 30, 2011		367,586		$	11.38
Granted		-			-
Vested		-			-
Expired or forfeited		(11,714	)		12.28
Non-vested at September 30, 2012		355,872			11.35

The fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial lattice valuation model.  The following table indicates the assumptions used in estimating fair value of restricted stock for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

	2012			2011			2010
Expected volatility		30.4	%		30.0	%		30.0	%
Dividend yield		1.0	%		1.0	%		0.8	%
Average risk-free interest rate		0.9	%		1.2	%		2.3	%
Average expected term (years)		2.0			2.0			2.2

51

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

9. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (continued)

The risk-free interest rate is based on United States Treasury yields at the date of grant. The dividend yield is based on the most recent dividend payment and average stock price over the 12 months prior to the grant date.  Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price.  The expected term for grants in the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010 represents an estimate of the average period of time for restricted shares to vest.

Under the Company’s Director Fee Plan, directors (except for the Chairman of the Board) who are not also officers of the Company each receive, as an annual retainer fee, either cash or shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock equivalent to $60.  The equivalent amount paid to a non-employee Chairman of the Board is $130. 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 value of deferred shares is recorded in other liabilities.  A total of 15,067 shares had been deferred under the Director Fee Plan at September 30, 2012.  Additionally, directors who are not also officers of the Company each receive an annual stock-based grant (non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted shares) with a value of $80.  A total of 22,300 stock options have been granted under the plan.  At September 30, 2012, 11,800 options were outstanding and vested. Additionally, 83,046 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the plan, 29,288 of which were unvested at September 30, 2012.  A total of 300,000 shares have been authorized to be issued under the Director Fee Plan.

10.           EARNINGS PER SHARE:

The information used to compute earnings per share attributable to Matthews’ common shareholders was as follows:

	2012		2011		2010
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	55,843	$	72,372	$	69,057
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		861		1,420		1,016
Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$	54,982	$	70,952	$	68,041
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic shares		27,753		28,775		29,656
Effect of dilutive securities		86		37		50
Diluted shares		27,839		28,812		29,706

Options to purchase 782,942, 289,502 and 802,189 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, because the inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive.

52

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

11. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS:

The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans to certain employees. 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, 2012 and 2011:

	Pension						Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	168,033		$	145,909		$	27,547		$	24,400
Service cost		5,852			5,016			730			632
Interest cost		7,842			7,510			1,283			1,254
Assumption changes		19,701			16,501			2,508			2,285
Actuarial loss (gain)		688			(887	)		(2,473	)		(226	)
Benefit payments		(6,256	)		(6,016	)		(764	)		(798	)
Benefit obligation, end of year		195,860			168,033			28,831			27,547
Change in plan assets:
Fair value, beginning of year		100,554			94,869			-			-
Actual return		16,000			1,300			-			-
Benefit payments		(6,256	)		(6,016	)		(764	)		(798	)
Employer contributions		6,279			10,401			764			798
Fair value, end of year		116,577			100,554			-			-
Funded status		(79,283	)		(67,480	)		(28,831	)		(27,547	)
Unrecognized actuarial loss		92,940			85,868			8,561			8,462
Unrecognized prior service cost		(2,142	)		(525	)		(1,774	)		(1,607	)
Net amount recognized	$	11,515		$	17,863		$	(22,044	)	$	(20,692	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Current liability	$	(720	)	$	(766	)	$	(1,106	)	$	(1,130	)
Noncurrent benefit liability		(78,563	)		(66,714	)		(27,725	)		(26,417	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		90,798			85,343			6,787			6,855
Net amount recognized	$	11,515		$	17,863		$	(22,044	)	$	(20,692	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated
other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial loss	$	92,940		$	85,868		$	8,561		$	8,462
Prior service cost		(2,142	)		(525	)		(1,774	)		(1,607	)
Net amount recognized	$	90,798		$	85,343		$	6,787		$	6,855

53

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

11. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (continued)

Based upon actuarial valuations performed as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, the accumulated benefit obligation for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was $172,142 and $149,846 at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and the projected benefit obligation for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was $195,860 and $168,033 at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following:

	Pension									Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010
Service cost	$	5,852		$	5,016		$	4,489		$	730		$	632		$	691
Interest cost		7,842			7,510			7,495			1,283			1,254			1,383
Expected return on plan assets		(7,836	)		(7,398	)		(6,982	)		-			-			-
Amortization:
Prior service cost		(45	)		26			24			(451	)		(476	)		(726	)
Net actuarial loss		6,814			5,364			5,395			535			407			521
Net benefit cost	$	12,627		$	10,518		$	10,421		$	2,097		$	1,817		$	1,869

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 2012. The Company is not required to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal 2013.

Contributions made in fiscal 2012 are as follows:

Contributions	Pension		Other Postretirement
Principal retirement plan	$	5,000	$	-
Supplemental retirement plan		728		-
Other postretirement plan		-		953

Amounts of AOCL expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2013 include:

				Other
	Pension			Postretirement
	Benefits			Benefits
Net actuarial loss	$	7,316		$	439
Prior service cost		(206	)		(272	)

54

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

11. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (continued)

The measurement date of annual actuarial valuations for the Company’s principal retirement and other postretirement benefit plans was September 30 for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010.  The weighted-average assumptions for those plans were:

	Pension									Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010
Discount rate		4.00	%		4.75	%		5.25	%		4.00	%		4.75	%		5.25	%
Return on plan assets		8.00			8.00			8.00			-			-			-
Compensation increase		3.50			3.50			3.50			-			-			-

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 primary defined benefit pension plan’s weighted-average asset allocation at September 30, 2012 and 2011 and weighted-average target allocation were as follows:

	Plan Assets at				Target
Asset Category	2012		2011		Allocation
Equity securities	$	63,186	$	50,147		50	%
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents		35,218		37,032		30	%
Other investments		18,173		13,375		20	%
	$	116,577	$	100,554		100	%

Plan assets in the fixed income, cash and cash equivalents category include cash of 4% and 9% of plan assets at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which reflects cash contributions to the Company’s principal pension plan immediately prior to the end of each fiscal year.

Based on an analysis of the historical 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 these assets at 8.0% in 2012 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 3 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.

Mutual funds are valued at the net asset values of shares held by the Plan at year end.  As such, these mutual fund investments are classified as Level 1.

55

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

11. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (continued)

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 is 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, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	September 30, 2012
Asset Category	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Equity securities - stocks	$	34,127	$	-	$	-	$	34,127
Equity securities - mutual funds		29,059		-		-		29,059
Fixed income securities		10,523		12,707		-		23,230
Cash and cash equivalents		11,988		-		-		11,988
Other investments		-		-		18,173		18,173
Total	$	85,697	$	12,707	$	18,173	$	116,577

	September 30, 2011
Asset Category	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Equity securities - stocks	$	23,954	$	-	$	-	$	23,954
Equity securities - mutual funds		26,193		-		-		26,193
Fixed income securities		7,197		14,421		-		21,618
Cash and cash equivalents		15,414		-		-		15,414
Other investments		-		-		13,375		13,375
Total	$	72,758	$	14,421	$	13,375	$	100,554

Changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets at September 30, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows:

	Fair Value,											Fair Value,
	Beginning of						Realized			Unrealized		End of
Asset Category	Period		Acquisitions		Dispositions		Gains (Losses)			Gains		Period
Otherinvestments:
Fiscal Year Ended:
September 30, 2012	$	13,375	$	3,800	$	-	$	766		$	232	$	18,173
September 30, 2011		12,212		-		-		(90	)		1,073		13,375

56

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

11. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (continued)

Benefit payments expected to be paid are as follows:

			Other
	Pension		Postretirement
Years ending September 30:	Benefits		Benefits
2013	$	6,307	$	1,106
2014		6,667		1,203
2015		6,981		1,284
2016		7,402		1,347
2017		7,879		1,478
2018-2022		47,811		9,394
	$	83,047	$	15,812

For measurement purposes, a rate of increase of 9.0% in the per capita cost of health care benefits was assumed for 2012; the rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5.0% for 2031 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, 2012 by $1,447 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by $122.  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, 2012 by $1,283 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year then ended by $107.

12. INCOME TAXES:

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:

	2012		2011		2010
Current:
Federal	$	14,060	$	15,306	$	20,898
State		2,483		3,004		3,191
Foreign		6,437		10,689		9,325
		22,980		28,999		33,414
Deferred		5,737		9,557		5,225
Total	$	28,717	$	38,556	$	38,639

The reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate was as follows:

	2012			2011			2010
Federal statutory tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction		2.1			2.5			2.6
Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate		(0.6	)		(1.3	)		(0.7	)
Other		(2.3	)		(1.8	)		(1.9	)
Effective tax rate		34.2	%		34.4	%		35.0	%

57

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

12.           INCOME TAXES (continued)

The Company's foreign subsidiaries had income before income taxes for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010 of approximately $24,654, $36,870 and $36,040, respectively.  At September 30, 2012, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which deferred U.S. income taxes have not been provided approximated $189,067.

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Postretirement benefits	$	11,244		$	10,743
Environmental reserve		2,217			2,430
Pension costs		30,145			25,524
Deferred compensation		281			1,037
Stock options		9,653			9,447
Other		24,370			22,790
		77,910			71,971
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation		(4,220	)		(3,503	)
Goodwill		(57,767	)		(48,494	)
Other		(206	)		(1,441	)
		(62,193	)		(53,438	)
Net deferred tax asset	$	15,717		$	18,533

Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) are as follows:

	2012			2011			2010
Balance, beginning of year	$	2,928		$	3,422		$	3,575
Increases for tax positions of prior years		742			-			437
Decreases for tax positions of prior years		(74	)		(96	)		(506	)
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year		137			202			355
Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities		(602	)		(38	)		(57	)
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation		(423	)		(562	)		(382	)
Balance, end of year	$	2,708		$	2,928		$	3,422

The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $2,708 and $2,928 at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, all of which, if recorded, would impact the annual effective tax rate.  It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could change by approximately $36 in the next 12 months primarily due to expiration of statutes related to specific tax positions.

The Company classifies interest and penalties on tax uncertainties as a component of the provision for income taxes. For fiscal 2012, the Company included a net increase of $29 in interest and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes. Total penalties and interest accrued were $1,871 and $1,842 at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  These accruals may potentially be applicable in the event of an unfavorable outcome of uncertain tax positions.

58

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

12.           INCOME TAXES (continued)

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, 2012, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are:

United States - Federal	2010 and forward
United States - State	2009 and forward
Canada	2008 and forward
Europe	2004 and forward
United Kingdom	2009 and forward
Australia	2008 and forward
Asia	2005 and forward

13. 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 $16,908, $16,323 and $15,030 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements for fiscal years 2013 through 2017 are $9,993, $6,483, $4,073, $2,793 and $1,058, 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 2013 and 2017.  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, 2012 was $12,077.

14. 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 the disposal of certain materials at various operating and non-operating sites.  The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate.  In addition, prior to its acquisition, The York Group, Inc. (“York”) was identified, along with others, by the Environmental Protection Agency as a potentially responsible party for remediation of a landfill site in York, Pennsylvania.  At this time, the Company has not been joined in any lawsuit or administrative order related to the site or its clean-up.

59

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

14. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS (continued)

At September 30, 2012, an accrual of $5,682 had been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $781 was classified in other current liabilities), representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of the Company's known remediation obligations.  The accrual, which reflects previously established reserves assumed with the acquisition of York and additional reserves recorded as a purchase accounting adjustment, 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.

15. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Changes in working capital items as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following:

	2012			2011			2010
Current assets:
Accounts receivable	$	(7,554	)	$	(5,560	)	$	(7,715	)
Inventories		(3,463	)		(13,627	)		(1,613	)
Other current assets		(4,655	)		(2,265	)		(1,630	)
		(15,672	)		(21,452	)		(10,958	)
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable		1,024			6,983			1,269
Accrued compensation		(1,476	)		(8,250	)		3,188
Accrued income taxes		(2,649	)		(3,167	)		4,863
Customer prepayments		1,162			2,028			6,354
Other current liabilities		1,208			765			(4,781	)
		(731	)		(1,641	)		10,893
Net change	$	(16,403	)	$	(23,093	)	$	(65	)

16. SEGMENT INFORMATION:

The Company's products and operations consist of two principal businesses that are comprised of three operating segments each, as described under Nature of Operations (Note 1):  Memorialization Products (Cemetery Products, Funeral Home Products, Cremation) and Brand Solutions (Graphics Imaging, Marking and Fulfillment Systems, Merchandising Solutions).  Management evaluates segment performance based on operating profit (before income taxes) and does not allocate non-operating items such as investment income, interest expense, other income (deductions), net and noncontrolling interests.

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.  Operating profit is total revenue less operating expenses.  Segment assets include those assets that are used in the Company's operations within each segment.  Assets classified under “Other” 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).

60

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

16. SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued)

Information about the Company's segments follows:

	Memorialization						Brand Solutions
									Marking and
	Cemetery		Funeral Home				Graphics		Fulfillment		Merchandising
	Products		Products		Cremation		Imaging		Systems		Solutions		Other		Consolidated
Sales to external customers:
2012	$	215,943	$	230,943	$	45,981	$	259,865	$	74,621	$	72,964	$	-	$	900,317
2011		224,773		243,291		39,278		268,975		61,938		60,566		-		898,821
2010		224,247		216,849		32,786		239,957		51,069		56,921		-		821,829
Intersegment sales:
2012		262		4		60		2		22		702		-		1,052
2011		251		-		52		177		21		90		-		591
2010		272		-		68		1		16		281		-		638
Depreciation and amortization:
2012		3,255		6,416		396		14,175		1,048		2,330		1,201		28,821
2011		2,955		6,371		244		13,580		530		1,949		2,032		27,661
2010		2,442		6,672		197		13,234		526		1,850		2,401		27,322
Operating profit:
2012		33,195		26,525		3,869		14,843		10,061		5,084		-		93,577
2011		52,474		29,039		3,479		22,427		7,819		3,278		-		118,516
2010		56,167		27,506		3,646		21,077		5,817		2,368		-		116,581
Total assets:
2012		211,205		299,248		41,099		356,458		75,217		66,170		78,645		1,128,042
2011		197,127		311,841		35,018		351,595		67,193		60,491		74,190		1,097,455
2010		194,110		291,216		28,223		319,480		36,740		54,876		69,180		993,825
Capital expenditures:
2012		3,811		2,540		396		18,693		2,513		1,496		3,787		33,236
2011		1,618		3,850		501		10,820		295		3,165		2,191		22,440
2010		6,107		1,129		241		8,058		450		1,028		4,424		21,437

Information about the Company's operations by geographic area follows:

	United States		Mexico		Canada		Europe		Australia		Asia		Consolidated
Sales to external customers:
2012	$	569,435	$	-	$	11,967	$	290,283	$	13,778	$	14,854	$	900,317
2011		559,362		-		13,086		298,773		13,437		14,163		898,821
2010		520,083		-		14,000		264,833		11,160		11,753		821,829
Long-lived assets:
2012		395,565		4,743		507		260,809		7,041		10,580		679,245
2011		380,059		5,726		476		259,860		6,752		9,459		662,332
2010		334,471		6,367		484		235,902		6,957		8,691		592,872

61

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

17. ACQUISITIONS:

Fiscal 2012:

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2012 totaled $12,541.  The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following:

In May 2012, the Company acquired Everlasting Granite Memorial Co., Inc., (“Everlasting”) a supplier of granite memorials, columbariums and private mausoleum estates.  The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and was designed to expand the Company’s presence and product breadth in the granite memorial business.

Fiscal 2011:

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2011 totaled $84,369.  The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following:

In August 2011, the Company acquired Lightning Pick Technologies, Inc. (“LPT”), a manufacturer that develops, installs and supports paperless order fulfillment solutions.  The transaction is intended to expand the Company’s presence and product breadth in the fulfillment systems industry.

In July 2011, the Company purchased a 61.5% interest in Kroma, a leading provider of pre-press services and roto-gravure printing cylinders in Turkey.  The acquisition is designed to further extend Matthews' presence as the leading provider of reprographic pre-press products and services to the European packaging and tobacco markets.  The Company also has an arrangement to acquire an additional 8.5% interest and an option agreement related to the remaining 30% interest in Kroma.  At September 30, 2012, the Company has recorded an estimate of $10,481 in “Arrangement with noncontrolling interest” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to the option agreement.

In April 2011, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 22% interest in Saueressig for 19.3 million Euros ($27,390), completing the option agreement in connection with the May 2008 acquisition of a 78% interest in Saueressig.

In March 2011, the Company acquired Innovative Picking Technologies, Inc. (“IPTI”), a manufacturer of paperless order fulfillment systems.  The transaction is intended to expand the Company’s presence into the fulfillment systems industry.

In October 2010, the Company acquired Freeman Metal Products, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Freeman”), a manufacturer and distributor of caskets.  The purchase price for the acquisition was $22,800, plus additional consideration up to $6,000 contingent on operating performance over the next three years.  The transaction is intended to provide synergies in the manufacturing and distribution of caskets and expand the Company’s market presence in the Southeast and South Central regions of the United States.

In October 2010, the Company acquired the remaining 25% interest in Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG (“Reproflex”).  The Company acquired a 75% interest in Reproflex in 2001.

62

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

17. ACQUISITIONS (continued)

Fiscal 2010:

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2010 totaled $32,323.  The acquisitions primarily included the following:

In August 2010, the Company acquired Newmark of Colorado and its affiliated companies (“Newmark”), a distributor of primarily York brand caskets in the West region of the United States.  The transaction was designed as an asset purchase and was intended to expand the Company’s casket distribution capabilities in the western United States.

In April 2010, the Company acquired Reynoldsville Casket Company (“Reynoldsville”), a manufacturer and distributor of caskets primarily in the Northeast region of the United States.  The acquisition was structured as an asset purchase and was intended to expand the Company’s casket distribution capabilities in the northeastern United States.

In March 2010, the Company acquired an 80% interest in Furnace Construction Cremators Limited (“FCC”), a manufacturer of cremation equipment located in the United Kingdom.  The acquisition was designed to expand the Company’s global presence in the European cremation markets.

      In February 2010, the Company acquired A.J. Distribution, Inc. (“A.J. Distribution”), a distributor of primarily York brand caskets in the Northwest region of the United States.  The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and was intended to expand the Company’s casket distribution capabilities in the northwestern United States.

In December 2009, the Company acquired United Memorial Products, Inc. (“UMP”), primarily a supplier of granite memorial products and caskets in the West region of the United States. The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and was designed to extend Matthews’ presence in the broad granite market.

18. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual review for impairment. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. For purposes of testing for impairment the Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless such lives are considered to be indefinite. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.

The Company performed its annual impairment reviews in the second quarters of fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 and determined that no adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill or other indefinite lived intangibles were necessary.  Changes to goodwill, net of accumulated amortization, during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, follow.

63

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

18. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

												Marking and
	Cemetery			Funeral Home					Graphics			Fulfillment		Merchandising
	Products			Products		Cremation			Imaging			Systems		Solutions		Consolidated
Goodwill	$	88,613		$	140,553	$	16,799		$	149,161		$	10,168	$	9,138	$	414,432
Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-		(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
Balance at September 30, 2010		88,201			140,553		11,799			145,321			10,168		9,138		405,180
Additions during period		-			22,266		-			22,521			19,227		-		64,014
Translation and other adjustments		(471	)		-		(64	)		(3,854	)		198		-		(4,191	)
Goodwill		88,142			162,819		16,735			167,828			29,593		9,138		474,255
Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-		(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
Balance at September 30, 2011		87,730			162,819		11,735			163,988			29,593		9,138		465,003
Additions during period		10,424			57		770			2,896			1,151		-		15,298
Translation and other adjustments		(783	)		-		53			(3,462	)		72		-		(4,120	)
Goodwill		97,783			162,876		17,558			167,262			30,816		9,138		485,433
Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-		(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	97,371		$	162,876	$	12,558		$	163,422		$	30,816	$	9,138	$	476,181

In 2012, the addition to Cemetery Products reflects the acquisition of Everlasting in May 2012.  The additions to Funeral Home Products and Marking and Fulfillment Systems goodwill primarily represents the effect of adjustments to purchase price; the addition to Cremation goodwill reflects the acquisition of a small cremation equipment manufacturer in Europe; and the addition to Graphics Imaging goodwill related primarily to additional consideration paid in accordance with the purchase agreement with Tact Group Limited and effect of adjustments to purchase price for Kroma.

In 2011, the addition to Funeral Home Products goodwill represents the acquisition of Freeman; the addition to Graphics Imaging goodwill represents the acquisition of Kroma and the remaining 25% interest in Reproflex; and the addition to Marking and Fulfillment Systems goodwill represents the acquisitions of IPTI and LPT.

The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

	Carrying		Accumulated
	Amount		Amortization			Net
September 30, 2012:
Trade names	$	24,488	$	-	*	$	24,488
Trade names		2,182		(1,571	)		611
Customer relationships		47,654		(15,689	)		31,965
Copyrights/patents/other		9,920		(7,969	)		1,951
	$	84,244	$	(25,229	)	$	59,015
September 30, 2011:
Trade names	$	24,266	$	-	*	$	24,266
Trade names		2,227		(1,147	)		1,080
Customer relationships		47,876		(13,228	)		34,648
Copyrights/patents/other		9,870		(7,039	)		2,831
	$	84,239	$	(21,414	)	$	62,825
*Not subject to amortization

64

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

18.           GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

The net change in intangible assets during fiscal 2012 included the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and additional amortization.  The net change in intangible assets during fiscal 2011 included an increase for the acquisitions of Freeman, Kroma and LPT offset by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and additional amortization.

Amortization expense on intangible assets was $3,886, $4,200, and $3,720 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.   Fiscal year amortization expense is estimated to be $3,521 in 2013, $3,316 in 2014, $3,058 in 2015, $2,768 in 2016 and $2,557 in 2017.

19. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the guidance for goodwill and other intangibles. The amendment applies to the goodwill impairment test and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test.  The more likely than not threshold is defined as a likelihood of more than 50 percent. The amendment was effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  This amendment was adopted by the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  Adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to the guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income.  The amendment requires that comprehensive income be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In both choices, an entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement where the components of net income and other comprehensive income are presented. This amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  Early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, this amendment is not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to revise the wording used to describe many of the requirements for measuring fair value and disclosing information about fair value measurements.  This amendment clarifies the FASB’s intention about the application of fair value.  In addition, the amendment changes certain principles or requirements for measuring fair value and disclosure of such measurements.  The amendment was effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and was adopted by the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. Adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to the disclosure requirements for business combinations. This amendment specifies that if comparative financial statements are presented in connection with a business combination, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only.  The amendment also expands the disclosure requirement to include the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination. The amendment was effective for business combinations consummated on or before the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010, and early adoption is permitted.  This amendment was adopted by the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.  Adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

65

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

On November 26, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Wetzel Holding AG, Wetzel GmbH and certain related affiliates (collectively “Wetzel”), a leading European provider of pre-press services and gravure printing forms.  The purchase price for Wetzel was approximately 42.5 million Euros ($55.0 million) on a cash-free, debt-free basis, plus potential additional consideration contingent on the future operating results of Wetzel.  The transaction is intended to further expand the Company’s products and services in the global graphics imaging market.

66

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 2012 and fiscal 2011.

	Quarter Ended
	December 31		March 31		June 30		September 30		Year Ended September 30
	(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
FISCAL YEAR 2012:
Sales	$	217,213	$	225,545	$	227,478	$	230,081	$	900,317
Gross profit		77,995		84,707		87,709		86,159		336,570
Operating profit		18,925		25,287		27,513		21,852		93,577
Net income attributable to  Matthews shareholders		11,285		15,258		16,325		12,975		55,843
Earnings per share		$.40		$.54		$.58		$.47		$1.98
FISCAL YEAR 2011:
Sales	$	207,344	$	220,151	$	231,511	$	239,815	$	898,821
Gross profit		79,745		88,113		91,944		91,858		351,660
Operating profit		21,966		28,485		35,081		32,984		118,516
Net income attributable to  Matthews shareholders		13,214		16,587		21,875		20,696		72,372
Earnings per share		$.45		$.56		$.74		$.71		$2.46

67

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

			Additions
	Balance at				Charged to
	beginning of		Charged to		other					Balance at
Description	period		expense		Accounts(1)		Deductions(2)			end of period
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
Fiscal Year Ended:
September 30, 2012	$	10,736	$	1,558	$	-	$	(1,117	)	$	11,177
September 30, 2011		11,261		533		580		(1,638	)		10,736
September 30, 2010		12,630		1,602		737		(3,708	)		11,261

(1) Amount comprised principally of acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments in connection with acquisitions.

(2) Amounts determined not to be collectible (including direct write-offs), net of recoveries.

68

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

There have been no changes in accountants or disagreements on accounting or financial disclosure between the Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s  reports filed under that Act (the “Exchange Act”), such as this Annual Report on Form 10-K, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These disclosure controls and procedures also are designed to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures in effect as of September 30, 2012. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2012, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and properly reported within the appropriate time period, relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be included in the Exchange Act reports, including this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(b) Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting is included in Management’s Report to Shareholders in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(c) Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on

Form 10-K.

(d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

69

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, OFFICERS and EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGISTRANT.

In addition to the information reported in Part I of this Form 10-K, under the caption “Officers and Executive Management of the Registrant”, the information required by this item as to the directors of the Company is hereby incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the captions “General Information Regarding Corporate Governance – Audit Committee”, “Proposal No. 1 – Elections of Directors” and “Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which involves the election of the directors and is to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

The Company’s Code of Ethics Applicable to Executive Management is set forth in Exhibit 14.1 hereto.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The information required by this item as to the compensation of directors and executive management of the Company is hereby incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the captions “Compensation of Directors” and “Executive Compensation and Retirement Benefits” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement which involves the election of directors and is to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.  The information contained in the “Compensation Committee Report” is specifically not incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

The information required by this item as to the ownership by management and others of securities of the Company is hereby incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the caption “Stock Ownership” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement which involves the election of directors and is to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

Equity Compensation Plans:

The Company maintains an equity incentive plan (the “2007 Equity Incentive Plan”) that provides for the grants of stock options, restricted shares, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock-based awards. Under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, which has a ten-year term, the maximum number of shares available for grants or awards is an aggregate of 2,200,000.  The Company also maintains a stock incentive plan (the “1992 Incentive Stock Plan”) that previously provided for grants of stock options, restricted shares and certain other types of stock-based awards.  There will be no further grants under the 1992 Incentive Stock Plan.  At September 30, 2012, there were 790,652 shares reserved for future issuance under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. Both plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

The option price for each stock option granted under either plan may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.  Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  In addition, options generally vest in one-third increments after three, four and five years, respectively, from the grant date (but, in any event, not until the attainment of the market value thresholds).  The options expire on the earlier of ten 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 generally settles employee stock option exercises with treasury shares.   With respect

70

ITEM 12.                      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT, continued

to outstanding restricted share grants, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant with the remaining one-half of the shares vesting 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 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.

Under the Company’s Director Fee Plan, directors (except for the Chairman of the Board) who are not also officers of the Company each receive, as an annual retainer fee, either cash or shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock equivalent to $60,000.  The equivalent amount paid to a non-employee Chairman of the Board is $130,000. 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 value of deferred shares is recorded in other liabilities.  A total of 15,067 shares had been deferred under the Director Fee Plan at September 30, 2012.  Additionally, directors who are not also officers of the Company each receive an annual stock-based grant (non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted shares) with a value of $80,000.  A total of 22,300 stock options have been granted under the plan.  At September 30, 2012, 11,800 options were outstanding and vested. Additionally, 83,046 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the plan, 29,288 of which were unvested at September 30, 2012.  A total of 300,000 shares have been authorized to be issued under the Director Fee Plan.

The following table provides information about grants under the Company's equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2012:

	Equity Compensation Plan Information
					Number of securities
					remaining available
					for future issuance
	Number of securities		Weighted-average		under equity
	to be issued upon		exercise price		compensation plans
	exercise of		of outstanding		(excluding
	outstanding options,		options, warrants		securities reflected
Plan category	warrants and rights		and rights		in column (a))
	(a)		(b)		(c)
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders:
1992 Stock Incentive Plan		840,282	$	37.15		-	(1)
2007 Equity Incentive Plan		-		-		790,652	(2)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan		-		-		1,628,508	(3)
Director Fee Plan		26,867		35.39		99,955	(4)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders	None		None		None
Total		867,149	$	37.13		2,519,115

(1) As a result of the approval of the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, no further grants or awards will be made under the 1992 Incentive Stock Plan.

(2) The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan was approved in February 2008.  The Plan provides for the grant or award of stock options, restricted shares, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock based awards, with a maximum of 2,200,000 shares available for grants or awards.

(3) Shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) are purchased in the open market by employees at the fair market value of the Company’s stock.  The Company provides a matching contribution of 10% of such purchases subject to certain limitations under the Plan.  As the Plan is an open market purchase plan, it does not have a dilutive effect.

(4) Shares of restricted stock may be issued under the Director Fee Plan.  The maximum number of shares authorized to be issued under the Director Fee Plan is 300,000 shares.

71

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

The information required by this item as to certain relationships and transactions with management and other related parties of the Company is hereby incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the captions “Proposal No. 1 – Election of Directors” and “Certain Transactions” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which involves the election of directors and is to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

The information required by this item as to the fees billed and the services provided by the principal accounting firm of the Company is hereby incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the caption “Relationship with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement, which involves the election of directors and is to be filed with the Commission pursuant to  the Exchange Act within 120 days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

72

PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a) 1.  Financial Statements:

The following items are included in Part II, Item 8:

	Pages
Management’s Report to Shareholders	34
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	35
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and 2011	36-37
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010	38
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010	39
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010	40
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	41-66
Supplementary Financial Information (unaudited)	67

2. Financial Statement Schedules:

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is included on page 68 in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

3. Exhibits Filed:

The index to exhibits is on pages 75-76.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

On July 20, 2012, Matthews filed a current report on Form 8-K under Item 2 in connection with a press release announcing its earnings for the third fiscal quarter of 2012.

73

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on November 27, 2012.

	MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
By	/s/ Joseph C. Bartolacci
	Joseph C. Bartolacci
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on November 27, 2012:

/s/ Joseph C. Bartolacci	/s/ Steven F. Nicola
Joseph C. Bartolacci	Steven F. Nicola
President and Chief Executive Officer	Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
(Principal Executive Officer)	and Treasurer (Principal Financial
	and Accounting Officer)
/s/ John D. Turner	/s/ Morgan K. O’Brien
John D. Turner, Chairman of the Board	Morgan K. O’Brien, Director
/s/ Gregory S. Babe	/s/ John P. O'Leary, Jr.
Gregory S. Babe, Director	John P. O'Leary, Jr., Director
/s/ Katherine E. Dietze	/s/ Jerry R. Whitaker
Katherine E. Dietze, Director	Jerry R. Whitaker, Director
/s/ Alvaro Garcia-Tunon
Alvaro Garcia-Tunon, Director

74

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

EXHIBITS

INDEX

__________

The following Exhibits to this report are filed herewith or, if marked with an asterisk (*), are incorporated by reference.  Exhibits marked with an "a" represent a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement required to be filed by Item 601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K.

Exhibit No.	Description	Prior Filing or Sequential Page Numbers Herein
3.1	Restated Articles of Incorporation*	Exhibit Number 3.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1994
3.2	Restated By-laws*	Exhibit Number 99.1 to Form 8-K dated October 18, 2007
4.1 a	Form of Revised Option Agreement of Repurchase (effective October 1, 1993)*	Exhibit Number 4.5 to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1993
4.2	Form of Share Certificate for Class A Common Stock*	Exhibit Number 4.9 to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1994
10.1	Revolving Credit Facility*	Exhibit Number 10.1 to Form 8-K dated December 28, 2010
10.2	First Amendment to Revolving Credit Facility*	Exhibit Number 10.1 to Form 10-Q
		for the quarter ended March 31, 2012
10.3 a	Supplemental Retirement Plan (as amended through April 23, 2009)*	Exhibit Number 10.5a to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010
10.4 a	Officers Retirement Restoration Plan (effective April 23, 2009)*	Exhibit Number 10.6 to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009
10.5 a	1992 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended through April 25, 2006)*	Exhibit Number 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006
10.6 a	Form of Stock Option Agreement*	Exhibit Number 10.7 to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008
10.7 a	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement*	Exhibit Number 10.8 to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008
10.8 a	1994 Director Fee Plan (as amended through November 13, 2008)*	Exhibit Number 10.9 to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008
10.9 a	1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan*	Exhibit Number 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995

75

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX, Continued

Exhibit No.	Description	Prior Filing or Sequential Page Numbers Herein
10.10 a	2007 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended through September 26, 2008)*	Exhibit Number 10.11 to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008
10.11 a	2010 Incentive Compensation Plan*	Exhibit A to 2011 Proxy Statement
14.1	Form of Code of Ethics Applicable to Executive Management *	Exhibit Number 14.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004
21	Subsidiaries of the Registrant	Filed Herewith
23	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	Filed Herewith
31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer for Joseph C. Bartolacci	Filed Herewith
31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer for Steven F. Nicola	Filed Herewith
32.1	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Joseph C. Bartolacci	Filed Herewith
32.2	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of Steven F. Nicola	Filed Herewith

Copies of any Exhibits will be furnished to shareholders upon written request.  Requests should be directed to Mr. Steven F. Nicola, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of the Registrant.

76

EX-21

                                                             EXHIBIT 21

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

(as of October 31, 2012)

Name	Percentage Ownership
Holjeron Corporation	100.0
IDL Worldwide, Inc.	100.0
Innovative Picking Technologies, Inc.	100.0
InTouch by Design, Inc.	100.0
Kenuohua Matthews Electronic (Beijing) Company, Ltd.	60.0
Matthews Canada Ltd.	100.0
Matthews Holding Company (U.K.) Ltd.	100.0
The InTouch Group plc	100.0
Furnace Construction Cremators Limited	80.0
TodaySure Matthews Limited	80.0
Matthews Industries	100.0
Matthews Bronze Pty. Ltd.	100.0
C. Morello, Pty. Ltd.	100.0
Matthews International Holdings (Europe) B.V.	100.0
Matthews International Netherlands B.V.	100.0
Kroma Baski Oncesi Hazirlik Sistemier Sanaji ve Tricarct Amonin Sirketi	61.5
Matthews International Brasil Servicos de Marketing e Branding Ltda	100.0
Matthews International Europe GmbH & Co. KG	100.0
5flow GmbH	100.0
S+T Reprotechnick GmbH	100.0
Reproservice Eurodigital GmbH	100.0
Repro Busek Druckvorstufentechnick GmbH & Co. KG	100.0
Rudolf Reproflex	100.0
IDL GmbH	100.0
Klischeewerkstatt Scholler GmbH	100.0
Tact Group Limited	80.0
Reproflex Vietnam Limited Company	60.0
Matthews International Holding Company GmbH	100.0
Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG	100.0
APEX Cylinders Ltd.	61.0
Saueressig ooo	100.0
Saueressig Design Studio GmbH	70.0
Saueressig Flexo GmbH	100.0
Saueressig Polska Sp. z.o.o.	100.0
Matthews International S.p.A.	100.0
Caggiati Espana S.A.	100.0
Caggiati France SARL	100.0
Gem Matthews International s.r.l.	80.0
Rottenecker-Caggiati GmbH	82.0
Matthews Packaging Graphics Asia Pte. Ltd.	100.0
Matthews Resources, Inc.	100.0
Matthews Swedot AB	100.0
Matthews Kodiersysteme GmbH	100.0
The York Group, Inc.	100.0
Milso Industries Corporation	100.0
York Casket Development Company, Inc.	100.0
Matthews Granite Company	100.0
Venetian Investment Corporation	100.0

EX-23

                                                                       Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-57793, 33-57795, 33-57797, 333-83731, 333-131496 and 333-157132) of Matthews International Corporation of our report dated November 26, 2012 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

November 26, 2012

EX-31.1

                                         Exhibit 31.1

                               CERTIFICATION

                          PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Joseph C. Bartolacci, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Matthews International Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 27, 2012

/s/Joseph C. Bartolacci

-------------------------

Joseph C. Bartolacci

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

                                           Exhibit 31.2

                               CERTIFICATION

                          PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Steven F. Nicola, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Matthews International Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 27, 2012

/s/Steven F. Nicola

-------------------------

Steven F. Nicola

Chief Financial Officer,

Secretary and Treasurer

EX-32.1

                                                                  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 ended September 30, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Joseph C. Bartolacci, 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.

/s/Joseph C. Bartolacci

-------------------------------------

Joseph C. Bartolacci,

President and Chief Executive Officer

November 27, 2012

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.

EX-32.2

                                                                   Exhibit 32.2

              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 ended September 30, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Steven F. Nicola, Chief Financial 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.

/s/Steven F. Nicola

-------------------------------------

Steven F. Nicola,

Chief Financial Officer

November 27, 2012

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.

XML

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets and Funded Status of Pension Plans

The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans to certain employees. 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, 2012 and 2011:

	Pension						Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$	168,033		$	145,909		$	27,547		$	24,400
Service cost		5,852			5,016			730			632
Interest cost		7,842			7,510			1,283			1,254
Assumption changes		19,701			16,501			2,508			2,285
Actuarial loss (gain)		688			(887	)		(2,473	)		(226	)
Benefit payments		(6,256	)		(6,016	)		(764	)		(798	)
Benefit obligation, end of year		195,860			168,033			28,831			27,547
Change in plan assets:
Fair value, beginning of year		100,554			94,869			-			-
Actual return		16,000			1,300			-			-
Benefit payments		(6,256	)		(6,016	)		(764	)		(798	)
Employer contributions		6,279			10,401			764			798
Fair value, end of year		116,577			100,554			-			-
Funded status		(79,283	)		(67,480	)		(28,831	)		(27,547	)
Unrecognized actuarial loss		92,940			85,868			8,561			8,462
Unrecognized prior service cost		(2,142	)		(525	)		(1,774	)		(1,607	)
Net amount recognized	$	11,515		$	17,863		$	(22,044	)	$	(20,692	)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Current liability	$	(720	)	$	(766	)	$	(1,106	)	$	(1,130	)
Noncurrent benefit liability		(78,563	)		(66,714	)		(27,725	)		(26,417	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		90,798			85,343			6,787			6,855
Net amount recognized	$	11,515		$	17,863		$	(22,044	)	$	(20,692	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated
other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial loss	$	92,940		$	85,868		$	8,561		$	8,462
Prior service cost		(2,142	)		(525	)		(1,774	)		(1,607	)
Net amount recognized	$	90,798		$	85,343		$	6,787		$	6,855

Net Periodic Pension and Other Postretirement Cost

Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following:

	Pension									Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010
Service cost	$	5,852		$	5,016		$	4,489		$	730		$	632		$	691
Interest cost		7,842			7,510			7,495			1,283			1,254			1,383
Expected return on plan assets		(7,836	)		(7,398	)		(6,982	)		-			-			-
Amortization:
Prior service cost		(45	)		26			24			(451	)		(476	)		(726	)
Net actuarial loss		6,814			5,364			5,395			535			407			521
Net benefit cost	$	12,627		$	10,518		$	10,421		$	2,097		$	1,817		$	1,869

Contributions During Fiscal Year

Contributions made in fiscal 2012 are as follows:

Contributions	Pension		Other Postretirement
Principal retirement plan	$	5,000	$	-
Supplemental retirement plan		728		-
Other postretirement plan		-		953

Amounts of AOCL Expected to be Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Costs

Amounts of AOCL expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs in fiscal 2013 include:

				Other
	Pension			Postretirement
	Benefits			Benefits
Net actuarial loss	$	7,316		$	439
Prior service cost		(206	)		(272	)

Weighted-Average Assumptions for Principal Retirement and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The measurement date of annual actuarial valuations for the Company's principal retirement and other postretirement benefit plans was September 30 for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010. The weighted-average assumptions for those plans were:

	Pension									Other Postretirement
	2012			2011			2010			2012			2011			2010
Discount rate		4.00	%		4.75	%		5.25	%		4.00	%		4.75	%		5.25	%
Return on plan assets		8.00			8.00			8.00			-			-			-
Compensation increase		3.50			3.50			3.50			-			-			-

Weighted Average Asset Allocation and Target Allocation

The Company's primary defined benefit pension plan's weighted-average asset allocation at September 30, 2012 and 2011 and weighted-average target allocation were as follows:

	Plan Assets at				Target
Asset Category	2012		2011		Allocation
Equity securities	$	63,186	$	50,147		50	%
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents		35,218		37,032		30	%
Other investments		18,173		13,375		20	%
	$	116,577	$	100,554		100	%

Fair Value Allocation of Plan Assets

The Company's defined benefit pension plans' asset categories at September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	September 30, 2012
AssetCategory	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Equity securities - stocks	$	34,127	$	-	$	-	$	34,127
Equity securities - mutual funds		29,059		-		-		29,059
Fixed income securities		10,523		12,707		-		23,230
Cash and cash equivalents		11,988		-		-		11,988
Other investments		-		-		18,173		18,173
Total	$	85,697	$	12,707	$	18,173	$	116,577

	September 30, 2011
AssetCategory	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Equity securities - stocks	$	23,954	$	-	$	-	$	23,954
Equity securities - mutual funds		26,193		-		-		26,193
Fixed income securities		7,197		14,421		-		21,618
Cash and cash equivalents		15,414		-		-		15,414
Other investments		-		-		13,375		13,375
Total	$	72,758	$	14,421	$	13,375	$	100,554

Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Plan Assets

Changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets at September 30, 2012 and 2011 are summarized as follows:

	Fair Value,											Fair Value,
	Beginning of						Realized			Unrealized		End of
AssetCategory	Period		Acquisitions		Dispositions		Gains (Losses)			Gains		Period
Otherinvestments:
Fiscal Year Ended:
September 30, 2012	$	13,375	$	3,800	$	-	$	766		$	232	$	18,173
September 30, 2011		12,212		-		-		(90	)		1,073		13,375

Benefit Payments Expected to be Paid

Benefit payments expected to be paid are as follows:

			Other
	Pension		Postretirement
Years ending September 30:	Benefits		Benefits
2013	$	6,307	$	1,106
2014		6,667		1,203
2015		6,981		1,284
2016		7,402		1,347
2017		7,879		1,478
2018-2022		47,811		9,394
	$	83,047	$	15,812

XML

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ 12,975	$ 16,325	$ 15,258	$ 11,285	$ 20,696	$ 21,875	$ 16,587	$ 13,214	$ 55,843	$ 72,372	$ 69,057
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities									861	1,420	1,016
Net income available to Matthews shareholders									$ 54,982	$ 70,952	$ 68,041
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic shares (in shares)									27,753,000	28,775,000	29,656,000
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									86,000	37,000	50,000
Diluted shares (in shares)									27,839,000	28,812,000	29,706,000
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)									782,942	289,502	802,189

XML

INVENTORIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Inventories, net [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 41,003	$ 35,692
Work in process	22,772	21,461
Finished goods	66,915	68,414
Inventories	$ 130,690	$ 125,567

XML

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended																																																	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Principal Retirement Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Supplemental Retirement Plan [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Pension Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Stocks [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Stocks [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Stocks [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Equity Securities - Mutual Funds [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Fixed Income Securities [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member] Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member] Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Pension Plans [Member] Other Plan Investments [Member] Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Postretirement Plans [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Other Postretirement Plans [Member]
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation, beginning of year			$ 168,033	$ 145,909																																																		$ 27,547	$ 24,400
Service cost			5,852	5,016	4,489																																																	730	632	691
Interest cost			7,842	7,510	7,495																																																	1,283	1,254	1,383
Assumption changes			19,701	16,501																																																		2,508	2,285
Actuarial gain			688	(887)																																																		(2,473)	(226)
Benefit payments			(6,256)	(6,016)																																																		(764)	(798)
Benefit obligation, end of year			195,860	168,033																																																		28,831	27,547
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year			100,554	94,869																																																13,375	12,212	0	0
Acquisitions																																																		3,800	0
Dispositions																																																		0	0
Realized Losses																																																		766	(90)
Unrealized Gains																																																		232	1,073
Actual return			16,000	1,300																																																		0	0
Benefit payments			(6,256)	(6,016)																																																		(764)	(798)
Employer contributions			6,279	10,401																																																		764	798
Fair value, end of year			116,577	100,554		85,697	72,758	12,707	14,421	18,173	13,375	34,127	23,954	34,127	23,954	0	0	0	0	29,059	26,193	29,059	26,193	0	0	0	0	23,230	21,618	10,523	7,197	12,707	14,421	0	0	11,988	15,414	11,988	15,414	0	0	0	0	18,173	13,375	0	0	0	0	18,173	13,375			0	0
Funded status			(79,283)	(67,480)																																																		(28,831)	(27,547)
Unrecognized actuarial loss			92,940	85,868																																																		8,561	8,462
Unrecognized prior service cost			(2,142)	(525)																																																		(1,774)	(1,607)
Net amount recognized			11,515	17,863																																																		(22,044)	(20,692)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
Current liability			(720)	(766)																																																		(1,106)	(1,130)
Noncurrent benefit liability			(78,563)	(66,714)																																																		(27,725)	(26,417)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			90,798	85,343																																																		6,787	6,855
Net amount recognized			11,515	17,863																																																		(22,044)	(20,692)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial loss			92,940	85,868																																																		8,561	8,462
Prior service cost			(2,142)	(525)																																																		(1,774)	(1,607)
Net amount recognized			90,798	85,343																																																		6,787	6,855
Accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets [Abstract]
Accumulated benefit obligation			172,142	149,846
Projected benefit obligation			195,860	168,033
Net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost			5,852	5,016	4,489																																																	730	632	691
Interest cost			7,842	7,510	7,495																																																	1,283	1,254	1,383
Expected return on plan assets			(7,836)	(7,398)	(6,982)																																																	0	0	0
Amortization:
Prior service cost			(45)	26	24																																																	(451)	(476)	(726)
Net actuarial loss			6,814	5,364	5,395																																																	535	407	521
Net benefit cost			12,627	10,518	10,421																																																	2,097	1,817	1,869
Contributions during fiscal 2012:
Pension contributions	5,000	728																																																				0
Other postretirement contributions	0	0																																																				953
Amounts of AOCL expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss			7,316																																																			439
Prior service cost			(206)																																																			(272)
Weighted-average assumptions [Abstract]
Discount rate (in hundredths)			4.00%	4.75%	5.25%																																																	4.00%	4.75%	5.25%
Return on plan assets (in hundredths)			8.00%	8.00%	8.00%																																																	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Compensation increase (in hundredths)			3.50%	3.50%	3.50%																																																	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average asset allocation [Abstract]
Equity securities			63,186	50,147
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents			35,218	37,032
Other investments			18,173	13,375
Fair value of plan assets			116,577	100,554		85,697	72,758	12,707	14,421	18,173	13,375	34,127	23,954	34,127	23,954	0	0	0	0	29,059	26,193	29,059	26,193	0	0	0	0	23,230	21,618	10,523	7,197	12,707	14,421	0	0	11,988	15,414	11,988	15,414	0	0	0	0	18,173	13,375	0	0	0	0	18,173	13,375			0	0
Target allocation [Abstract]
Equity securities (in hundredths)			50.00%
Fixed income, cash and cash equivalents (in hundredths)			30.00%
Other investments (in hundredths)			20.00%
Total target asset allocation (in hundredths)			100.00%
Cash included in plan assets (in hundredths)			4.00%	9.00%
Fair value of plan assets [Abstract]
Fair value of plan assets			116,577	100,554		85,697	72,758	12,707	14,421	18,173	13,375	34,127	23,954	34,127	23,954	0	0	0	0	29,059	26,193	29,059	26,193	0	0	0	0	23,230	21,618	10,523	7,197	12,707	14,421	0	0	11,988	15,414	11,988	15,414	0	0	0	0	18,173	13,375	0	0	0	0	18,173	13,375			0	0
Benefit payments expected to be paid [Abstract]
2013			6,307																																																			1,106
2014			6,667																																																			1,203
2015			6,981																																																			1,284
2016			7,402																																																			1,347
2017			7,879																																																			1,478
2018-2022			47,811																																																			9,394
Total benefits expected to be paid			83,047																																																			15,812
Assumed health care cost trend rates [Abstract]
Per capita cost of health care benefits assumed for next fiscal year (in hundredths)																																																						9.00%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate (in hundredths)																																																						5.00%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate																																																						2031
Effect of one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates [Abstract]
Effect of one percentage point increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation																																																						1,447
Effect of one percentage point increase on service and interest cost components																																																						122
Effect of one percentage point decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation																																																						1,283
Effect of one percentage point decrease on service and interest cost components																																																						$ 107

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Maximum maturity of investments considered to be cash equivalents	3 months
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]
Period past due for which a finance charge may be applied	30 days
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Useful lives of intangibles, minimum (in years)	2
Useful lives of intangibles, maximum (in years)	20
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Number of pre-need sales of memorials	328,870
Number of pre-need sales of vases	234,115
Research and Development Expenses [Abstract]
Research and development costs	$ 2,220	$ 1,705	$ 1,910
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets, minimum (in years)	10
Estimated useful lives of assets, maximum (in years)	45
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets, minimum (in years)	3
Estimated useful lives of assets, maximum (in years)	12

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INVESTMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

INVESTMENTS [Abstract]

Non-Current Investments

At September 30, 2012 and 2011, non-current investments were as follows:

	2012		2011
Trading securities:
Mutual funds	$	16,265	$	13,426
Equity and other investments		2,577		1,679
	$	18,842	$	15,105

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES [Abstract]
Annual rental expense under operating leases	$ 16,908	$ 16,323	$ 15,030
Future minimum rental commitments under operating leases [Abstract]
Fiscal year 2013	9,993
Fiscal year 2014	6,483
Fiscal year 2015	4,073
Fiscal year 2016	2,793
Fiscal year 2017	1,058
Employment Agreements [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Aggregate commitment amount for salaries	$ 12,077

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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

18. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual review for impairment. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. For purposes of testing for impairment the Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless such lives are considered to be indefinite. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.

The Company performed its annual impairment reviews in the second quarters of fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 and determined that no adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill or other indefinite lived intangibles were necessary. Changes to goodwill, net of accumulated amortization, during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, follow.

												Marking and
	Cemetery			Funeral Home					Graphics			Fulfillment		Merchandising
	Products			Products		Cremation			Imaging			Systems		Solutions		Consolidated
Goodwill	$	88,613		$	140,553	$	16,799		$	149,161		$	10,168	$	9,138	$	414,432
Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-		(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
Balance at September 30, 2010		88,201			140,553		11,799			145,321			10,168		9,138		405,180
Additions during period		-			22,266		-			22,521			19,227		-		64,014
Translation and other adjustments		(471	)		-		(64	)		(3,854	)		198		-		(4,191	)
Goodwill		88,142			162,819		16,735			167,828			29,593		9,138		474,255
Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-		(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
Balance at September 30, 2011		87,730			162,819		11,735			163,988			29,593		9,138		465,003
Additions during period		10,424			57		770			2,896			1,151		-		15,298
Translation and other adjustments		(783	)		-		53			(3,462	)		72		-		(4,120	)
Goodwill		97,783			162,876		17,558			167,262			30,816		9,138		485,433
Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-		(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	97,371		$	162,876	$	12,558		$	163,422		$	30,816	$	9,138	$	476,181

In 2012, the addition to Cemetery Products reflects the acquisition of Everlasting in May 2012. The additions to Funeral Home Products and Marking and Fulfillment Systems goodwill primarily represents the effect of adjustments to purchase price; the addition to Cremation goodwill reflects the acquisition of a small cremation equipment manufacturer in Europe; and the addition to Graphics Imaging goodwill related primarily to additional consideration paid in accordance with the purchase agreement with Tact Group Limited and effect of adjustments to purchase price for Kroma.

In 2011, the addition to Funeral Home Products goodwill represents the acquisition of Freeman; the addition to Graphics Imaging goodwill represents the acquisition of Kroma and the remaining 25% interest in Reproflex; and the addition to Marking and Fullfillment Systems goodwill represents the acquisitions of IPTI and LPT.

The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

	Carrying		Accumulated
	Amount		Amortization			Net
September 30, 2012:
Trade names	$	24,488	$	-	*	$	24,488
Trade names		2,182		(1,571	)		611
Customer relationships		47,654		(15,689	)		31,965
Copyrights/patents/other		9,920		(7,969	)		1,951
	$	84,244	$	(25,229	)	$	59,015
September 30, 2011:
Trade names	$	24,266	$	-	*	$	24,266
Trade names		2,227		(1,147	)		1,080
Customer relationships		47,876		(13,228	)		34,648
Copyrights/patents/other		9,870		(7,039	)		2,831
	$	84,239	$	(21,414	)	$	62,825
*Not subject to amortization

The net change in intangible assets during fiscal 2012 included the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and additional amortization. The net change in intangible assets during fiscal 2011 included an increase for the acquisitions of Freeman, Kroma and LPT offset by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and additional amortization.

Amortization expense on intangible assets was $3,886, $4,200, and $3,720 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Fiscal year amortization expense is estimated to be $3,521 in 2013, $3,316 in 2014, $3,058 in 2015, $2,768 in 2016 and $2,557 in 2017.

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$ 144,049	$ 134,504
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	64,946	65,010
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	261,857	241,147
Buildings, Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	326,803	306,157
Less accumulated depreciation	(206,472)	(196,391)
Total property, plant and equipment, net	120,331	109,766
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	9,207	9,114
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 14,511	$ 15,624

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SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Information about the Company's segments follows:

	Memorialization						Brand Solutions
									Marking and
	Cemetery		Funeral Home				Graphics		Fulfillment		Merchandising
	Products		Products		Cremation		Imaging		Systems		Solutions		Other		Consolidated
Sales to external customers:
2012	$	215,943	$	230,943	$	45,981	$	259,865	$	74,621	$	72,964	$	-	$	900,317
2011		224,773		243,291		39,278		268,975		61,938		60,566		-		898,821
2010		224,247		216,849		32,786		239,957		51,069		56,921		-		821,829
Intersegment sales:
2012		262		4		60		2		22		702		-		1,052
2011		251		-		52		177		21		90		-		591
2010		272		-		68		1		16		281		-		638
Depreciation and amortization:
2012		3,255		6,416		396		14,175		1,048		2,330		1,201		28,821
2011		2,955		6,371		244		13,580		530		1,949		2,032		27,661
2010		2,442		6,672		197		13,234		526		1,850		2,401		27,322
Operating profit:
2012		33,195		26,525		3,869		14,843		10,061		5,084		-		93,577
2011		52,474		29,039		3,479		22,427		7,819		3,278		-		118,516
2010		56,167		27,506		3,646		21,077		5,817		2,368		-		116,581
Total assets:
2012		211,205		299,248		41,099		356,458		75,217		66,170		78,645		1,128,042
2011		197,127		311,841		35,018		351,595		67,193		60,491		74,190		1,097,455
2010		194,110		291,216		28,223		319,480		36,740		54,876		69,180		993,825
Capital expenditures:
2012		3,811		2,540		396		18,693		2,513		1,496		3,787		33,236
2011		1,618		3,850		501		10,820		295		3,165		2,191		22,440
2010		6,107		1,129		241		8,058		450		1,028		4,424		21,437

Information about the Company's operations by geographic area follows:

	United States		Mexico		Canada		Europe		Australia		Asia		Consolidated
Sales to external customers:
2012	$	569,435	$	-	$	11,967	$	290,283	$	13,778	$	14,854	$	900,317
2011		559,362		-		13,086		298,773		13,437		14,163		898,821
2010		520,083		-		14,000		264,833		11,160		11,753		821,829
Long-lived assets:
2012		395,565		4,743		507		260,809		7,041		10,580		679,245
2011		380,059		5,726		476		259,860		6,752		9,459		662,332
2010		334,471		6,367		484		235,902		6,957		8,691		592,872

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SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS [Abstract]

Restricted Stock Activity

The transactions for restricted stock for the year ended September 30, 2012 were as follows:

				Weighted-
				average
				grant-date
	Shares			fair value
Non-vested at September 30, 2011		541,613			$33.62
Granted		165,710			31.79
Vested		(148,003	)		35.52
Expired or forfeited		(7,931	)		33.69
Non-vested at September 30, 2012		551,389			32.56

Stock Option Activity

The transactions for shares under options for the year ended September 30, 2012 were as follows:

						Weighted-
				Weighted-		average		Aggregate
				average		remaining		intrinsic
	Shares			exercise price		contractual term		value
Outstanding, September 30, 2011		872,514		$	37.02
Granted		-			-
Exercised		(10,332	)		25.64
Expired or forfeited		(21,900	)		37.28
Outstanding, September 30, 2012		840,282			37.15		3.0	$	-
Exercisable, September 30, 2012		484,410			36.00		2.8	$	-

Non-vested Options Activity

The transactions for non-vested option shares for the year ended September 30, 2012 were as follows:

				Weighted-
				average
				grant-date
	Shares			fair value
Non-vested at September 30, 2011		367,586		$	11.38
Granted		-			-
Vested		-			-
Expired or forfeited		(11,714	)		12.28
Non-vested at September 30, 2012		355,872			11.35

Assumptions Used in Estimating Fair Value

The fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial lattice valuation model. The following table indicates the assumptions used in estimating fair value of restricted stock for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

	2012			2011			2010
Expected volatility		30.4	%		30.0	%		30.0	%
Dividend yield		1.0	%		1.0	%		0.8	%
Average risk-free interest rate		0.9	%		1.2	%		2.3	%
Average expected term (years)		2.0			2.0			2.2

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]
Cumulative foreign currency translation	$ (65)	$ 1,830
Fair value of derivatives, net of tax	(5,571)	(4,368)
Minimum pension liability, net of tax	(59,447)	(56,120)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	(65,083)	(58,658)
Tax expense (benefit) on fair value of derivatives	3,562	2,793
Tax expense (benefit) on minimum pension liability	$ 37,777	$ 35,650
Class A common stock [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)	2,500,000	2,500,000
Shares repurchased (in shares)	1,814,651	2,169,470
Class A common stock [Member]
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)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00

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ACQUISITIONS (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2011 Saueressig [Member] USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2011 Saueressig [Member] EUR (€)	May 31, 2008 Saueressig [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Freeman Metal Products, Inc. [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Furnace Construction Cremators Limited [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. [Member] USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2011 Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired	$ 12,541	$ 84,369	$ 32,323
Interest acquired (in hundredths)				22.00%	22.00%			25.00%	25.00%	80.00%		61.50%
Interest to be acquired in next fiscal year (in hundredths)												8.50%
Option agreement to purchase remaining ownership interest (in hundredths)												30.00%
Noncontrolling interests	2,613	3,451									10,481
Purchase price of acquisition				27,390	19,300		22,800
Interest owned in subsidiary prior to additional acquisition (in hundredths)						78.00%			75.00%
Contingent consideration for acquisition							$ 6,000
Operating performance period (in years)							3Y

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Assets:
Trading securities	$ 16,265		$ 13,426
Total assets at fair value	16,265		13,426
Liabilities:
Derivatives	9,133	[1]	7,161	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	9,133		7,161
Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Trading securities	16,265		13,426
Total assets at fair value	16,265		13,426
Liabilities:
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	0		0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Trading securities	0		0
Total assets at fair value	0		0
Liabilities:
Derivatives	9,133	[1]	7,161	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	9,133		7,161
Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Trading securities	0		0
Total assets at fair value	0		0
Liabilities:
Derivatives	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total liabilities at fair value	$ 0		$ 0

[1] Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2. 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. 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.

Foreign Currency:

The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is 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. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recorded in other income (deductions), net.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, 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 collectibility may be uncertain. In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for all customers based on historical collection experience.

Inventories:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost generally determined under the average cost method.

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 against income 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.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual review for impairment. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 20 years. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.

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.

Treasury Stock:

Treasury stock is carried at cost. The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method.

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 for U.S. tax purposes have not been provided on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. To the extent earnings are expected to be returned in the foreseeable future, the associated deferred tax liabilities are provided.

Revenue Recognition:

Revenues are generally recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment. For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer's specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery. A liability has been recorded for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery. Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise. Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer. Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage.

At September 30, 2012, the Company held 328,870 memorials and 234,115 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program.

Construction revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost method.

The Company offers rebates to certain customers participating in volume purchase programs. Rebates are estimated and recorded as a reduction in sales at the time the Company's products are sold.

Share-Based Payment:

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.

Derivatives and Hedging:

Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program. All derivatives are straight forward and 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), 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.

Research and Development Expenses:

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $2,220, $1,705 and $1,910 for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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.

Reclassifications:

Certain reclassifications have been made in these financial statements as a result of including the Company's cremation casket operations, previously included in the Cremation segment, in the Funeral Home Products segment. Also, certain reclassifications have been made in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for prior periods. Prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended															12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012 Trade names not subject to amortization [Member]		Sep. 30, 2011 Trade names not subject to amortization [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Trade names [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Trade names [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Customer relationships [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Customer relationships [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Copyrights/patents/other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Copyrights/patents/other [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Cemetery Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cemetery Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Funeral Home Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Funeral Home Products [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Cremation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Cremation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Graphics Imaging [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Graphics Imaging [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Marking and Fulfillment Systems [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Marking and Fulfillment Systems [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Merchandising Solutions [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Merchandising Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, gross	$ 474,255	$ 414,432														$ 88,142	$ 88,613	$ 162,819	$ 140,553	$ 16,735	$ 16,799	$ 167,828	$ 149,161	$ 29,593	$ 10,168	$ 9,138	$ 9,138
Accumulated impairment losses	(9,252)	(9,252)														(412)	(412)	0	0	(5,000)	(5,000)	(3,840)	(3,840)	0	0	0	0
Goodwill	465,003	405,180														87,730	88,201	162,819	140,553	11,735	11,799	163,988	145,321	29,593	10,168	9,138	9,138
Additions during period	15,298	64,014														10,424	0	57	22,266	770	0	2,896	22,521	1,151	19,227	0	0
Translation and other adjustments	(4,120)	(4,191)														(783)	(471)	0	0	53	(64)	(3,462)	(3,854)	72	198	0	0
Goodwill, gross	485,433	474,255	414,432													97,783	88,142	162,876	162,819	17,558	16,735	167,262	167,828	30,816	29,593	9,138	9,138
Accumulated impairment losses	(9,252)	(9,252)	(9,252)													(412)	(412)	0	0	(5,000)	(5,000)	(3,840)	(3,840)	0	0	0	0
Goodwill	476,181	465,003	405,180													97,371	87,730	162,876	162,819	12,558	11,735	163,422	163,988	30,816	29,593	9,138	9,138
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Remaining ownership interest acquired (in hundredths)														25.00%	25.00%
Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Carrying amount	84,244	84,239		24,488		24,266		2,182	2,227	47,654	47,876	9,920	9,870
Accumulated amortization	(25,229)	(21,414)		0	[1]	0	[1]	(1,571)	(1,147)	(15,689)	(13,228)	(7,969)	(7,039)
Net	59,015	62,825		24,488		24,266		611	1,080	31,965	34,648	1,951	2,831
Amortization expense on intangible assets	3,886	4,200	3,720
Future amortization expense [Abstract]
Future amortization expense 2013	3,521
Future amortization expense 2014	3,316
Future amortization expense 2015	3,058
Future amortization expense 2016	2,768
Future amortization expense 2017	$ 2,557

[1] *Not subject to amortization

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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]

Goodwill Attributable to Each Segment

The Company performed its annual impairment reviews in the second quarters of fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 and determined that no adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill or other indefinite lived intangibles were necessary. Changes to goodwill, net of accumulated amortization, during the years ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, follow.

												Marking and
	Cemetery			Funeral Home					Graphics			Fulfillment		Merchandising
	Products			Products		Cremation			Imaging			Systems		Solutions		Consolidated
Goodwill	$	88,613		$	140,553	$	16,799		$	149,161		$	10,168	$	9,138	$	414,432
Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-		(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
Balance at September 30, 2010		88,201			140,553		11,799			145,321			10,168		9,138		405,180
Additions during period		-			22,266		-			22,521			19,227		-		64,014
Translation and other adjustments		(471	)		-		(64	)		(3,854	)		198		-		(4,191	)
Goodwill		88,142			162,819		16,735			167,828			29,593		9,138		474,255
Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-		(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
Balance at September 30, 2011		87,730			162,819		11,735			163,988			29,593		9,138		465,003
Additions during period		10,424			57		770			2,896			1,151		-		15,298
Translation and other adjustments		(783	)		-		53			(3,462	)		72		-		(4,120	)
Goodwill		97,783			162,876		17,558			167,262			30,816		9,138		485,433
Accumulated impairment losses		(412	)		-		(5,000	)		(3,840	)		-		-		(9,252	)
Balance at September 30, 2012	$	97,371		$	162,876	$	12,558		$	163,422		$	30,816	$	9,138	$	476,181

Other Intangible Assets

The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

	Carrying		Accumulated
	Amount		Amortization			Net
September 30, 2012:
Trade names	$	24,488	$	-	*	$	24,488
Trade names		2,182		(1,571	)		611
Customer relationships		47,654		(15,689	)		31,965
Copyrights/patents/other		9,920		(7,969	)		1,951
	$	84,244	$	(25,229	)	$	59,015
September 30, 2011:
Trade names	$	24,266	$	-	*	$	24,266
Trade names		2,227		(1,147	)		1,080
Customer relationships		47,876		(13,228	)		34,648
Copyrights/patents/other		9,870		(7,039	)		2,831
	$	84,239	$	(21,414	)	$	62,825
*Not subject to amortization

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SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS [Abstract]

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

		Additions
	Balance at			Charged to
	beginning of		Charged to	other		Balance at
Description	period		expense	Accounts(1)	Deductions(2)	end of period
	(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
Fiscal Year Ended:
September 30, 2012	$10,736		$ 1,558	$ -	$(1,117)	$11,177
September 30, 2011	11,261		533	580	(1,638)	10,736
September 30, 2010	12,630		1,602	737	(3,708)	11,261

(1) Amount comprised principally of acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments in connection with acquisitions.

(2) Amounts determined not to be collectible (including direct write-offs), net of recoveries.

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SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Abstract]

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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 2012 and fiscal 2011.

	Quarter Ended
	December 31	March 31	June 30	September 30	Year Ended September 30
	(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
FISCAL YEAR 2012:
Sales	$217,213	$225,545	$227,478	$230,081	$900,317
Gross profit	77,995	84,707	87,709	86,159	336,570
Operating profit	18,925	25,287	27,513	21,852	93,577
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	11,285	15,258	16,325	12,975	55,843
Earnings per share	$.40	$.54	$.58	$.47	$1.98
FISCAL YEAR 2011:
Sales	$207,344	$220,151	$231,511	$239,815	$898,821
Gross profit	79,745	88,113	91,944	91,858	351,660
Operating profit	21,966	28,485	35,081	32,984	118,516
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	13,214	16,587	21,875	20,696	72,372
Earnings per share	$.45	$.56	$.74	$.71	$2.46

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INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Current [Abstract]
Federal	$ 14,060	$ 15,306	$ 20,898
State	2,483	3,004	3,191
Foreign	6,437	10,689	9,325
Total provision for income taxes, current	22,980	28,999	33,414
Deferred	5,737	9,557	5,225
Total	28,717	38,556	38,639
Reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the consolidated effective tax rate [Abstract]
Federal statutory tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction (in hundredths)	2.10%	2.50%	2.60%
Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate (in hundredths)	(0.60%)	(1.30%)	(0.70%)
Other (in hundredths)	(2.30%)	(1.80%)	(1.90%)
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	34.20%	34.40%	35.00%
Foreign subsidiaries income before income taxes	24,654	36,870	36,040
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]
Postretirement benefits	11,244	10,743
Environmental reserve	2,217	2,430
Pension costs	30,145	25,524
Deferred compensation	281	1,037
Stock options	9,653	9,447
Other	24,370	22,790
Deferred tax assets	77,910	71,971
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation	(4,220)	(3,503)
Goodwill	(57,767)	(48,494)
Other	(206)	(1,441)
Deferred tax liabilities	(62,193)	(53,438)
Net deferred tax asset	15,717	18,533
Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	2,928	3,422	3,575
Increases for tax positions of prior years	742	0	437
Decreases for tax positions of prior years	(74)	(96)	(506)
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year	137	202	355
Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities	(602)	(38)	(57)
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation	(423)	(562)	(382)
Balance, end of year	2,708	2,928	3,422
Unrecognized tax benefits that could be recognized in the next 12 months	36
Increase (decrease) in interest and penalties on tax uncertainties	29
Total penalties and interest accrued	1,871	1,842
United States - Federal [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2010 and forward
United States - State [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2009 and forward
Canada [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2008 and forward
Europe [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2004 and forward
United Kingdom [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2009 and forward
Australia [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2008 and forward
Asia [Member]
Open Tax Years By Jurisdiction [Line Items]
Years subject to examination	2005 and forward
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]
Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized [Line Items]
Gross amount on which deferred tax liability is not recognized	$ 189,067

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SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION [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 2012 and fiscal 2011.

	Quarter Ended
	December 31	March 31	June 30	September 30	Year Ended September 30
	(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
FISCAL YEAR 2012:
Sales	$217,213	$225,545	$227,478	$230,081	$900,317
Gross profit	77,995	84,707	87,709	86,159	336,570
Operating profit	18,925	25,287	27,513	21,852	93,577
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	11,285	15,258	16,325	12,975	55,843
Earnings per share	$.40	$.54	$.58	$.47	$1.98
FISCAL YEAR 2011:
Sales	$207,344	$220,151	$231,511	$239,815	$898,821
Gross profit	79,745	88,113	91,944	91,858	351,660
Operating profit	21,966	28,485	35,081	32,984	118,516
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	13,214	16,587	21,875	20,696	72,372
Earnings per share	$.45	$.56	$.74	$.71	$2.46

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT 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. 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.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency:

The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is 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. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recorded in other income (deductions), net.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, 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 collectibility may be uncertain. In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for all customers based on historical collection experience.

Inventories

Inventories:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost generally determined under the average cost method.

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 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 against income 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.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual review for impairment. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 20 years. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.

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.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock:

Treasury stock is carried at cost. The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method.

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 for U.S. tax purposes have not been provided on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, as such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. To the extent earnings are expected to be returned in the foreseeable future, the associated deferred tax liabilities are provided.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition:

Revenues are generally recognized when title and risk of loss pass to the customer, which is typically at the time of product shipment. For pre-need sales of memorials and vases, revenue is recognized when the memorial has been manufactured to the customer's specifications (e.g., name and birth date), title has been transferred to the customer and the memorial and vase are placed in storage for future delivery. A liability has been recorded for the estimated costs of finishing pre-need bronze memorials and vases that have been manufactured and placed in storage prior to July 1, 2003 for future delivery. Beginning July 1, 2003, revenue is deferred by the Company on the portion of pre-need sales attributable to the final finishing and storage of the pre-need merchandise. Deferred revenue for final finishing is recognized at the time the pre-need merchandise is finished and shipped to the customer. Deferred revenue related to storage is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated average time that pre-need merchandise is held in storage.

At September 30, 2012, the Company held 328,870 memorials and 234,115 vases in its storage facilities under the pre-need sales program.

Construction revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting using the cost-to-cost method.

The Company offers rebates to certain customers participating in volume purchase programs. Rebates are estimated and recorded as a reduction in sales at the time the Company's products are sold.

Share-Based Payment

Share-Based Payment:

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.

Derivatives and Hedging

Derivatives and Hedging:

Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program. All derivatives are straight forward and 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), 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.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and Development Expenses:

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $2,220, $1,705 and $1,910 for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications:

Certain reclassifications have been made in these financial statements as a result of including the Company's cremation casket operations, previously included in the Cremation segment, in the Funeral Home Products segment. Also, certain reclassifications have been made in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for prior periods. Prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

As of September 30, 2012 and 2011, the fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis were categorized as follows:

	September 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Trading securities	$	16,265		-		-	$	16,265
Total assets at fair value	$	16,265		-		-	$	16,265
Liabilities:
Derivatives (1)		-	$	9,133		-	$	9,133
Total liabilities at fair value		-	$	9,133		-	$	9,133
(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, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Trading securities	$	13,426		-		-	$	13,426
Total assets at fair value	$	13,426		-		-	$	13,426
Liabilities:
Derivatives (1)		-	$	7,161		-	$	7,161
Total liabilities at fair value		-	$	7,161		-	$	7,161
(1)Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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NATURE OF OPERATIONS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

NATURE OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS:

Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews" or the "Company"), founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions. Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries. Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, marking and fulfillment systems and merchandising solutions. In fiscal 2012, the Company changed the name of its Bronze, Casket and Marking Products segments to the Cemetery Products segment, the Funeral Home Products segment and the Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment, respectively. Also effective October 1, 2011, the Company's cremation casket operations, previously included in the Cremation segment, are included in the Funeral Home Products segment. The Company's products and operations are comprised of six business segments: Cemetery Products, Funeral Home Products, Cremation, Graphics Imaging, Marking and Fulfillment Systems and Merchandising Solutions. The Cemetery Products segment is a leading manufacturer of cast bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, cast and etched architectural products and is a leading builder of mausoleums in the United States. The Funeral Home Products segment is a leading casket manufacturer and distributor in North America and produces a wide variety of wood, metal and cremation caskets. The Cremation segment is a leading designer and manufacturer of cremation equipment in North America and Europe. The Graphics Imaging segment manufactures and provides brand management, printing plates, gravure cylinders, pre-press services and imaging services for the primary packaging and corrugated industries. The Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking and coding equipment and consumables, industrial automation products and order fulfillment systems for identifying, tracking, picking and conveying consumer and industrial products. The Merchandising Solutions segment designs and manufactures merchandising displays and systems and provides creative merchandising and marketing solutions services.

The Company has manufacturing, distribution and marketing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

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INVENTORIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

INVENTORIES [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories at September 30, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

	2012		2011
Raw materials	$	41,003	$	35,692
Work in process		22,772		21,461
Finished goods		66,915		68,414
	$	130,690	$	125,567

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INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

INCOME TAXES [Abstract]

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:

	2012		2011		2010
Current:
Federal	$	14,060	$	15,306	$	20,898
State		2,483		3,004		3,191
Foreign		6,437		10,689		9,325
		22,980		28,999		33,414
Deferred		5,737		9,557		5,225
Total	$	28,717	$	38,556	$	38,639

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:

	2012			2011			2010
Federal statutory tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal deduction		2.1			2.5			2.6
Foreign taxes less than federal statutory rate		(0.6	)		(1.3	)		(0.7	)
Other		(2.3	)		(1.8	)		(1.9	)
Effective tax rate		34.2	%		34.4	%		35.0	%

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at September 30, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

	2012			2011
Deferred tax assets:
Postretirement benefits	$	11,244		$	10,743
Environmental reserve		2,217			2,430
Pension costs		30,145			25,524
Deferred compensation		281			1,037
Stock options		9,653			9,447
Other		24,370			22,790
		77,910			71,971
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation		(4,220	)		(3,503	)
Goodwill		(57,767	)		(48,494	)
Other		(206	)		(1,441	)
		(62,193	)		(53,438	)
Net deferred tax asset	$	15,717		$	18,533

Changes in Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits

Changes in the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) are as follows:

	2012			2011			2010
Balance, beginning of year	$	2,928		$	3,422		$	3,575
Increases for tax positions of prior years		742			-			437
Decreases for tax positions of prior years		(74	)		(96	)		(506	)
Increases based on tax positions related to the current year		137			202			355
Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities		(602	)		(38	)		(57	)
Decreases due to lapse of statute of limitation		(423	)		(562	)		(382	)
Balance, end of year	$	2,708		$	2,928		$	3,422

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies

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, 2012, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are:

United States - Federal	2010 and forward
United States - State	2009 and forward
Canada	2008 and forward
Europe	2004 and forward
United Kingdom	2009 and forward
Australia	2008 and forward
Asia	2005 and forward

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SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Total stock-based compensation cost	$ 5,472	$ 6,972	$ 6,567
Future income tax benefit from compensation expense recognized	2,134	2,719	2,561
Cash received from stock options exercised	264	1,859	1,502
Tax benefit realized from options exercised	22	278	264
2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Term of plan (in years)	10 years
Maximum number of shares available for grants or awards (in shares)	2,200,000
Shares reserved for future issuance under award plan (in shares)	790,652
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting rights	With respect to outstanding restricted share grants, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant. The remaining one-half 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 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.
Award expiration	Unvested restricted shares generally expire on the earlier of 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.
Restricted stock activity [Roll Forward]
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares)	541,613
Granted (in shares)	165,710
Vested (in shares)	(148,003)
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(7,931)
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	551,389	541,613
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 33.62
Granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 31.79
Vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 35.52
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 33.69
Non-vested weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 32.56	$ 33.62
Unrecognized compensation cost [Abstract]
Unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards	3,455
Weighted average period of recognition of unrecognized compensation cost on non-vested awards (in years)	1.6
Non-vested options activity [Roll Forward]
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(7,931)
Fair value assumptions [Abstract]
Expected volatility (in hundredths)	30.40%	30.00%	30.00%
Dividend yield (in hundredths)	1.00%	1.00%	0.80%
Average risk free interest rate (in hundredths)	0.90%	1.20%	2.30%
Weighted average expected term (in years)	2.0	2.0	2.2
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Exercisable rights	Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company's Class A Common Stock
Restricted stock activity [Roll Forward]
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(11,714)
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	872,514
Granted (in shares)	0
Exercised (in shares)	(10,332)
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(21,900)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	840,282	872,514
Exercisable (in shares)	484,410
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 37.02
Granted, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 25.64
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 37.28
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 37.15	$ 37.02
Exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 36.00
Outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	3.0
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	0
Exercisable, weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years)	2.8
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	0
Fair value of shares earned	0	3,120
Intrinsic value of options exercised	57	743	747
Non-vested options activity [Roll Forward]
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares)	367,586
Granted (in shares)	0
Vested (in shares)	0
Expired or forfeited (in shares)	(11,714)
Non-vested at end of period (in shares)	355,872	367,586
Non-vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 11.38
Granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Expired or forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 12.28
Non-vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 11.35	$ 11.38
Director Fee Plan [Member]
Share-based compensation, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Maximum number of shares available for grants or awards (in shares)	300,000
Director Fee Plan, aggregate disclosures [Abstract]
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee directors	60
Annual retainer fee paid to non-employee Chairman of the Board	130
Shares deferred under the Director Fee Plan (in shares)	15,067
Value of annual stock-based grant	$ 80
Total stock options granted to date (in shares)	22,300
Option awards outstanding and vested (in shares)	11,800
Total restricted stock awards granted to date (in shares)	83,046
Restricted stock awards unvested (in shares)	29,288

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 58,259	$ 61,662
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,177 and $10,736, respectively	174,632	164,738
Inventories	130,690	125,567
Deferred income taxes	1,694	1,722
Other current assets	19,950	16,157
Total current assets	385,225	369,846
Investments	18,842	15,105
Property, plant and equipment, net	144,049	134,504
Deferred income taxes	32,647	33,818
Other assets	12,083	16,354
Goodwill	476,181	465,003
Other intangible assets, net	59,015	62,825
Total assets	1,128,042	1,097,455
Current liabilities:
Long-term debt, current maturities	21,566	18,014
Trade accounts payable	44,294	43,001
Accrued compensation	30,222	31,339
Accrued income taxes	7,632	10,272
Customer prepayments	15,883	14,320
Contingent consideration	13,298	0
Other current liabilities	47,978	44,795
Total current liabilities	180,873	161,741
Long-term debt	298,148	299,170
Accrued pension	78,563	66,714
Postretirement benefits	27,725	26,417
Deferred income taxes	18,624	17,007
Other liabilities	33,194	48,151
Total liabilities	637,127	619,200
Arrangement with noncontrolling interest	10,481	10,162
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:
Preferred stock, $100 par value, authorized 10,000 shares, none issued	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	47,893	48,554
Retained earnings	727,176	681,658
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(65,083)	(58,658)
Treasury stock, 8,711,924 and 7,884,190 shares, respectively, at cost	(268,499)	(243,246)
Total shareholders' equity-Matthews	477,821	464,642
Noncontrolling interests	2,613	3,451
Total shareholders' equity	480,434	468,093
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,128,042	1,097,455
Class A common stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:
Common stock, $1.00 par value; authorized 70,000,000 shares; 36,333,992 shares issued	$ 36,334	$ 36,334

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NATURE OF OPERATIONS (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
NATURE OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Number of business segments	6

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Purchase of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	1,015,879	1,319,375	1,070,173
Issuance of treasury stock, shares (in shares)	188,145	290,854	246,178
Dividends, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.37	$ 0.33	$ 0.29

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SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Current assets:
Accounts receivable	$ (7,554)	$ (5,560)	$ (7,715)
Inventories	(3,463)	(13,627)	(1,613)
Other current assets	(4,655)	(2,265)	(1,630)
Total change in current assets	(15,672)	(21,452)	(10,958)
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	1,024	6,983	1,269
Accrued compensation	(1,476)	(8,250)	3,188
Accrued income taxes	(2,649)	(3,167)	4,863
Customer prepayments	1,162	2,028	6,354
Other current liabilities	1,208	765	(4,781)
Total change in current liabilities	(731)	(1,641)	10,893
Net change	$ (16,403)	$ (23,093)	$ (65)

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LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

LONG-TERM DEBT [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt at September 30, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

	2012			2011
Revolving credit facilities	$	281,323		$	281,593
Notes payable to banks		26,626			31,193
Short-term borrowings		4,322			661
Capital lease obligations		7,443			3,737
		319,714			317,184
Less current maturities		(21,566	)		(18,014	)
	$	298,148		$	299,170

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date	Amount	Fixed Interest Rate	Interest Rate Spread at September 30, 2012	Maturity Date
May 2011	$25,000	1.37%	1.25%	May 2014
October 2011	25,000	1.67%	1.25%	October 2015
November 2011	25,000	2.13%	1.25%	November 2014
March 2012	25,000	2.44%	1.25%	March 2015
June 2012	40,000	1.88%	1.25%	June 2022
August 2012	35,000	1.74%	1.25%	June 2022
September 2012	25,000	3.03%	1.25%	December 2015
September 2012	25,000	1.24%	1.25%	March 2017
November 2012	25,000	1.33%	1.25%	November 2015

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

At September 30, 2012 and 2011, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected as a liability on the balance sheets. The following derivatives are designated as hedging instruments:

Liability Derivatives
Balance Sheet Location:	2012		2011
Current liabilities:
Other current liabilities	$	2,851	$	2,061
Long-term liabilities:
Other liabilities		6,282		5,100
Total derivatives	$	9,133	$	7,161

Gain (Loss) Recognized on Derivatives

The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:

	Location of	Amount of
Derivatives in	Loss	Loss
Cash Flow Hedging	Recognized in	Recognized in Income
Relationships	Income on Derivatives	on Derivatives
		2012	2011
Interest rate swaps	Interest expense	$(3,418)	$(2,600)

The Company recognized the following losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL"):

							Location of Gain	Amount of Loss
							or (Loss)	Reclassified from
Derivatives in	Amount of Loss						Reclassified from	AOCL
Cash Flow	Recognized in						AOCL	into Income
Hedging	AOCL on Derivatives						into Income	(Effective Portion*)
Relationships	2012			2011			(Effective Portion*)	2012			2011
Interest rate swaps	$	(3,288	)	$	(3,246	)	Interest expense	$	(2,085	)	$	(1,586	)
*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, follows:

2013	$	21,566
2014		9,687
2015		1,841
2016		950
2017		282,027
Thereafter		3,643
	$	319,714

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SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and qualifying accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 10,736		$ 11,261		$ 12,630
Additions charged to expense	1,558		533		1,602
Additions charged to other Accounts	0	[1]	580	[1]	737	[1]
Deductions	(1,117)	[2]	(1,638)	[2]	(3,708)	[2]
Balance at end of period	$ 11,177		$ 10,736		$ 11,261

[1] Amount comprised principally of acquisitions and purchase accounting adjustments in connection with acquisitions.

[2] Amounts determined not to be collectible (including direct write-offs), net of recoveries.

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SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

15. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Changes in working capital items as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows consisted of the following:

	2012			2011			2010
Current assets:
Accounts receivable	$	(7,554	)	$	(5,560	)	$	(7,715	)
Inventories		(3,463	)		(13,627	)		(1,613	)
Other current assets		(4,655	)		(2,265	)		(1,630	)
		(15,672	)		(21,452	)		(10,958	)
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable		1,024			6,983			1,269
Accrued compensation		(1,476	)		(8,250	)		3,188
Accrued income taxes		(2,649	)		(3,167	)		4,863
Customer prepayments		1,162			2,028			6,354
Other current liabilities		1,208			765			(4,781	)
		(731	)		(1,641	)		10,893
Net change	$	(16,403	)	$	(23,093	)	$	(65	)

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following:

	2012			2011
Cumulative foreign currency translation	$	(65	)	$	1,830
Fair value of derivatives, net of tax of $3,562 and $2,793, respectively		(5,571	)		(4,368	)
Minimum pension liability, net of tax of $37,777 and $35,650, respectively		(59,447	)		(56,120	)
	$	(65,083	)	$	(58,658	)

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ACQUISITIONS

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

ACQUISITIONS [Abstract]

ACQUISITIONS

17. ACQUISITIONS:

Fiscal 2012:

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2012 totaled $12,541. The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following:

In May 2012, the Company acquired Everlasting Granite Memorial Co., Inc., ("Everlasting") a supplier of granite memorials, columbariums and private mausoleum estates. The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and was designed to expand the Company's presence and product breadth in the granite memorial business.

Fiscal 2011:

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2011 totaled $84,369. The acquisitions were not individually material to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations, and primarily included the following:

In August 2011, the Company acquired Lightning Pick Technologies, Inc. ("LPT"), a manufacturer that develops, installs and supports paperless order fulfillment solutions. The transaction is intended to expand the Company's presence and product breadth in the fulfillment systems industry.

In July 2011, the Company purchased a 61.5% interest in Kroma, a leading provider of pre-press services and roto-gravure printing cylinders in Turkey. The acquisition is designed to further extend Matthews' presence as the leading provider of reprographic pre-press products and services to the European packaging and tobacco markets. The Company also has an arrangement to acquire an additional 8.5% interest and an option agreement related to the remaining 30% interest in Kroma. At September 30, 2012, the Company has recorded an estimate of $10,481 in "Arrangement with noncontrolling interest" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to the option agreement.

In April 2011, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 22% interest in Saueressig for 19.3 million Euros ($27,390), completing the option agreement in connection with the May 2008 acquisition of a 78% interest in Saueressig.

In March 2011, the Company acquired Innovative Picking Technologies, Inc. ("IPTI"), a manufacturer of paperless order fulfillment systems. The transaction is intended to expand the Company's presence into the fulfillment systems industry.

In October 2010, the Company acquired Freeman Metal Products, Inc. and its affiliated companies ("Freeman"), a manufacturer and distributor of caskets. The purchase price for the acquisition was $22,800, plus additional consideration up to $6,000 contingent on operating performance over the next three years. The transaction is intended to provide synergies in the manufacturing and distribution of caskets and expand the Company's market presence in the Southeast and South Central regions of the United States.

In October 2010, the Company acquired the remaining 25% interest in Rudolf Reproflex GmbH & Co. KG ("Reproflex"). The Company acquired a 75% interest in Reproflex in 2001.

Fiscal 2010:

Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired, during the year ended September 30, 2010 totaled $32,323. The acquisitions primarily included the following:

In August 2010, the Company acquired Newmark of Colorado and its affiliated companies ("Newmark"), a distributor of primarily York brand caskets in the West region of the United States. The transaction was designed as an asset purchase and was intended to expand the Company's casket distribution capabilities in the western United States.

In April 2010, the Company acquired Reynoldsville Casket Company ("Reynoldsville"), a manufacturer and distributor of caskets primarily in the Northeast region of the United States. The acquisition was structured as an asset purchase and was intended to expand the Company's casket distribution capabilities in the northeastern United States.

In March 2010, the Company acquired an 80% interest in Furnace Construction Cremators Limited ("FCC"), a manufacturer of cremation equipment located in the United Kingdom. The acquisition was designed to expand the Company's global presence in the European cremation markets.

In February 2010, the Company acquired A.J. Distribution, Inc. ("A.J. Distribution"), a distributor of primarily York brand caskets in the Northwest region of the United States. The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and was intended to expand the Company's casket distribution capabilities in the northwestern United States.

In December 2009, the Company acquired United Memorial Products, Inc. ("UMP"), primarily a supplier of granite memorial products and caskets in the West region of the United States. The transaction was structured as an asset purchase and was designed to extend Matthews' presence in the broad granite market.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 55,204	$ 73,460	$ 71,774
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	28,821	27,661	27,322
Stock-based compensation expense	5,472	6,972	6,567
Increase in deferred taxes	6,050	9,481	4,299
Gain on sale of investments	(5,257)	(2,832)	(544)
Changes in working capital items	(16,403)	(23,093)	(65)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	4,456	4,787	(3,176)
Decrease in other liabilities	(3,854)	(2,007)	(1,415)
Increase in pension and postretirement benefit obligations	7,634	1,135	1,725
Net cash provided by operating activities	82,123	95,564	106,487
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(33,236)	(22,440)	(21,437)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(12,541)	(84,369)	(32,323)
Proceeds from dispositions of assets	1,461	1,463	196
Purchases of investment securities	(958)	(1,639)	(1,616)
Proceeds from dispositions of investments	0	169	926
Net cash used in investing activities	(45,274)	(106,816)	(54,254)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	53,330	117,107	58,465
Payments on long-term debt	(53,056)	(48,214)	(67,307)
Purchases of treasury stock	(31,017)	(44,567)	(35,305)
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock	267	1,929	1,580
Dividends	(10,325)	(9,632)	(8,688)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(170)	(6,220)	(234)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(40,971)	10,403	(51,489)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	719	1,401	1,239
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(3,403)	552	1,983
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	61,662	61,110	59,127
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	58,259	61,662	61,110
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	11,464	8,367	7,605
Income taxes	22,765	35,359	35,291
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Acquisition of equipment under capital lease	$ 1,125	$ 2,764	$ 0

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 11,177	$ 10,736
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)	8,711,924	7,884,190
Class A common stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 1.00
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	70,000,000	70,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	36,333,992	36,333,992

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EARNINGS PER SHARE

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE

10.           EARNINGS PER SHARE:

The information used to compute earnings per share attributable to Matthews' common shareholders was as follows:

	2012		2011		2010
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	55,843	$	72,372	$	69,057
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		861		1,420		1,016
Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$	54,982	$	70,952	$	68,041
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic shares		27,753		28,775		29,656
Effect of dilutive securities		86		37		50
Diluted shares		27,839		28,812		29,706

Options to purchase 782,942, 289,502 and 802,189 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended September 30, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, because the inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive.

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Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000063296
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 874
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		27,498,968
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012