Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews' Shareholders (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders	$ 14,920	$ 14,357	$ 24,008	$ 18,971
Weighted-average shares outstanding [Abstract]
Basic shares (in shares)	32,283	33,005	32,247	32,970
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	286	197	333	250
Diluted shares (in shares)	32,569	33,202	32,580	33,220

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

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