Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

LONG-TERM DEBT LONG-TERM DEBT - Narrative (Details)

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LONG-TERM DEBT LONG-TERM DEBT - Narrative (Details)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
GBP (£)
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
EUR (€)
Sep. 30, 2015
EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps, before tax   $ 5,834,000   $ 3,686,000    
Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps, after tax   3,559,000   $ 2,248,000    
Unrealized gain (loss) expected to be recognized over the next 12 months   906,000        
Revolving credit facilities            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Maximum amount of borrowings available $ 900,000,000          
Maximum available for issuance of trade and standby letters of credit   $ 35,000,000        
Revolving credit facilities | Domestic Credit Facility Amendment Agreement            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Maximum amount of borrowings available 1,150,000,000          
Debt issuance costs 2,318,000          
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings   2.59%   2.41% 2.59% 2.41%
Lines of Credit with Italian Banks            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Outstanding borrowings   $ 5,801,000   $ 5,166,000 € 5,200,000 € 4,600,000
Minimum | Revolving credit facilities            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Annual commitment fee range on unused portion   0.15% 0.15%      
Maximum | Revolving credit facilities            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Annual commitment fee range on unused portion   0.25% 0.25%      
Saueressig | Credit Facility With European Bank            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Outstanding borrowings   $ 286,000   $ 824,000 € 255,200 € 734,452
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings   4.06%   4.04% 4.06% 4.04%
Wetzel GmbH | Credit Facility With European Bank            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Outstanding borrowings   $ 931,000   $ 2,110,000 € 830,220,000 € 1,900,000
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings   6.22%   5.96% 6.22% 5.96%
Matthews International S.p.A            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings   1.80%   3.33% 1.80% 3.33%
Matthews International S.p.A | Lines of Credit with Italian Banks            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Maximum amount of borrowings available   $ 12,701,000     € 11,300,000  
Outstanding borrowings   $ 3,538,000   $ 4,772,000 € 3,200,000 € 4,300,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit facilities            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate on borrowings   1.75%     1.75%  
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit facilities | Domestic Credit Facility Amendment Agreement            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Maximum amount of borrowings available 900,000,000          
Outstanding borrowings   $ 608,000,000   857,425,000    
Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum | Revolving credit facilities | LIBOR            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio   0.75% 0.75%      
Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum | Revolving credit facilities | LIBOR            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio   2.00% 2.00%      
Senior secured term loan | Revolving credit facilities            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate on borrowings   1.75%     1.75%  
Senior secured term loan | Revolving credit facilities | Domestic Credit Facility Amendment Agreement            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Maximum amount of borrowings available $ 250,000,000          
Principal payment due in one year (as a percent)   5.00% 5.00%      
Principal payment in year two (as a percent)   7.50% 7.50%      
Principal payment years three through five (as a percent)   10.00% 10.00%      
Outstanding borrowings   $ 246,449,000        
Senior secured term loan | Minimum | Revolving credit facilities | LIBOR            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio   0.75% 0.75%      
Senior secured term loan | Maximum | Revolving credit facilities | LIBOR            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio   2.00% 2.00%      
Foreign Line of Credit | Credit Facility With European Bank            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Maximum amount of borrowings available   $ 39,237,000     € 35,000,000  
Outstanding borrowings   $ 0   $ 26,829,000   € 23,900,000
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings   1.75%   1.50% 1.75% 1.50%
Other current assets            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Contested letter of credit   $ 11,115,000 £ 8,570,000