Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)

v2.3.0.15
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2010
Current assets:    
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 10,736 $ 11,261
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) 7,884,190 6,855,669
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