Matthews International Corporation Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 decimal	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of principal businesses	2
Number of operating segments	3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	$ 217,213	$ 207,344
Operating profit	18,925	21,966
Memorialization [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	113,155	120,411
Operating profit	11,780	17,027
Cemetery Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	45,150	50,513
Operating profit	4,535	10,127
Funeral Home Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	58,571	61,657
Operating profit	6,488	6,371
Cremation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	9,434	8,241
Operating profit	757	529
Brand Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	104,058	86,933
Operating profit	7,145	4,939
Graphics Imaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	70,443	60,027
Operating profit	4,981	3,718
Marking Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	16,383	12,920
Operating profit	1,368	1,025
Merchandising Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	17,232	13,986
Operating profit	$ 796	$ 196