SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of principal businesses	2
Number of operating segments	3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	$ 898,821	$ 821,829	$ 780,908
Intersegment sales	6,362	5,346	4,778
Depreciation and amortization	27,661	27,322	30,292
Operating profit	118,516	116,581	101,011
Total assets	1,097,455	993,825	949,653
Capital expenditures	22,440	21,437	19,410
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	898,821	821,829	780,908
Long-lived assets	662,332	592,872	578,280
Bronze [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	224,773	224,247	215,934
Intersegment sales	251	272	192
Depreciation and amortization	2,955	2,442	4,136
Operating profit	52,474	56,167	57,598
Total assets	197,127	194,110	182,194
Capital expenditures	1,618	6,107	3,017
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	224,773	224,247	215,934
Casket [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	238,753	210,279	203,247
Intersegment sales	207	218	276
Depreciation and amortization	6,335	6,623	7,081
Operating profit	26,785	26,242	17,716
Total assets	310,862	290,123	253,012
Capital expenditures	3,840	1,117	2,648
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	238,753	210,279	203,247
Cremation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	43,816	39,356	30,909
Intersegment sales	5,616	4,558	4,182
Depreciation and amortization	280	246	251
Operating profit	5,733	4,910	5,036
Total assets	35,997	29,316	22,541
Capital expenditures	511	253	138
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	43,816	39,356	30,909
Graphics Imaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	268,975	239,957	234,966
Intersegment sales	177	1	64
Depreciation and amortization	13,580	13,234	14,677
Operating profit	22,427	21,077	19,217
Total assets	351,595	319,480	337,407
Capital expenditures	10,820	8,058	8,011
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	268,975	239,957	234,966
Marking Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	61,938	51,069	42,355
Intersegment sales	21	16	30
Depreciation and amortization	530	526	614
Operating profit	7,819	5,817	1,500
Total assets	67,193	36,740	39,569
Capital expenditures	295	450	251
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	61,938	51,069	42,355
Merchandising Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	60,566	56,921	53,497
Intersegment sales	90	281	34
Depreciation and amortization	1,949	1,850	2,088
Operating profit	3,278	2,368	(56)
Total assets	60,491	54,876	51,492
Capital expenditures	3,165	1,028	492
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	60,566	56,921	53,497
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	0	0	0
Intersegment sales	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	2,032	2,401	1,445
Operating profit	0	0	0
Total assets	74,190	69,180	63,438
Capital expenditures	2,191	4,424	4,853
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	0	0	0
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	559,362	520,083	498,782
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	559,362	520,083	498,782
Long-lived assets	380,059	334,471	303,342
Mexico [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	0	0	0
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	0	0	0
Long-lived assets	5,726	6,367	5,685
Canada [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	13,086	14,000	11,995
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	13,086	14,000	11,995
Long-lived assets	476	484	466
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	298,773	264,833	251,823
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	298,773	264,833	251,823
Long-lived assets	259,860	235,902	256,271
Australia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	13,437	11,160	9,647
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	13,437	11,160	9,647
Long-lived assets	6,752	6,957	3,987
Asia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	14,163	11,753	8,661
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	14,163	11,753	8,661
Long-lived assets	$ 9,459	$ 8,691	$ 8,529

The number of operating segments per business.

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The number of principal businesses.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

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Long-lived assets other than financial instruments, long-term customer relationships of a financial institution, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred tax assets.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

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Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity.

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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