CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 1,480,464	$ 1,426,068	$ 1,106,597
Cost of sales	(924,010)	(896,693)	(714,101)
Gross profit	556,454	529,375	392,496
Selling expense	(140,924)	(143,299)	(119,274)
Administrative expense	(296,715)	(281,053)	(191,700)
Operating profit	118,815	105,023	81,522
Investment income	2,061	175	2,063
Interest expense	(24,344)	(20,610)	(12,628)
Other income (deductions), net	(1,298)	5,064	(4,881)
Income before income taxes	95,234	89,652	66,076
Income taxes	(29,073)	(26,364)	(22,805)
Net income	66,161	63,288	43,271
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	588	161	(646)
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ 66,749	$ 63,449	$ 42,625
Earnings per share attributable to Matthews shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.04	$ 1.93	$ 1.51
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.03	$ 1.91	$ 1.49