Matthews International Corporation Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS - Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	$ 151,864
Fair value, end of year	155,634	$ 151,864
Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	12,816
Fair value, end of year	9,480	12,816
Other investments
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	20,520
Fair value, end of year	29,381	20,520
Other investments \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	12,816
Fair value, end of year	9,480	12,816
Pension
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	151,864	142,225
Fair value, end of year	155,634	151,864
Pension \| Other investments \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, beginning of year	12,816	13,982
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions	(3,286)	(941)
Realized Gains	418	449
Unrealized Gains (Losses)	(468)	(674)
Fair value, end of year	$ 9,480	$ 12,816