EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]

Information Used to Compute Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews' Common Shareholders

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

	2014		2013		2012
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$	43,674	$	54,888	$	55,843
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities		121		583		861
Net income available to Matthews shareholders	$	43,553	$	54,305	$	54,982
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic shares		28,209		27,255		27,753
Effect of dilutive securities		274		168		86
Diluted shares		28,483		27,423		27,839