Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

LONG-TERM DEBT - Narrative (Details)

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LONG-TERM DEBT - Narrative (Details)
£ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2018
GBP (£)
Sep. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2018
EUR (€)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2017
EUR (€)
Apr. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps, before tax $ 11,309,000   $ 3,959,000        
Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of interest rate swaps, after tax 8,538,000   2,415,000        
Unrealized gain (loss) expected to be recognized over the next 12 months 2,920,000            
Other debt 5,399,000   8,846,000        
Contested letter of credit     11,325,000        
Other current assets              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Contested letter of credit 11,170,000 £ 8,570          
Securitization facility              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Maximum amount of borrowings available 115,000,000            
Outstanding borrowings $ 102,250,000   $ 95,825,000        
Interest rate (as a percent) 3.01%   1.98% 3.01%   1.98%  
Securitization facility | LIBOR              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Variable interest rate (as a percent) 0.75% 0.75%          
Securitization facility | Minimum              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Commitment fee (as a percent) 0.25% 0.25%          
Securitization facility | Maximum              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Commitment fee (as a percent) 0.35% 0.35%          
Other Debt              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (as a percent) 2.21%   2.49% 2.21%   2.49%  
2025 Senior Notes              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Financing fees and costs         $ 4,127,000    
Debt issued         $ 300,000,000    
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)         5.25%    
2025 Senior Notes | Matthews Europe GmbH & Co. KG              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (as a percent) 1.40%     1.40%      
Debt issued $ 17,411,000     € 15,000,000      
Portion of debt bearing fixed interest | €       € 5,000,000      
Fixed interest rate (as a percent) 1.40%     1.40%      
Revolving credit facilities | Domestic Credit Facility Amendment Agreement              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (as a percent) 3.12%   3.01% 3.12%   3.01%  
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit facilities | LIBOR              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Interest rate on borrowings (as a percent) 1.50%     1.50%      
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit facilities | Minimum              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Annual commitment fee range on unused portion 0.15% 0.15%          
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit facilities | Minimum | LIBOR              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio 0.75% 0.75%          
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit facilities | Maximum              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Annual commitment fee range on unused portion 0.25% 0.25%          
Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit facilities | Maximum | LIBOR              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Interest rate on borrowings, based on leverage ratio 2.00% 2.00%          
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 $ 319,500,000   $ 525,000,000        
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 $ 212,086,000   232,479,000        
Standby Letters of Credit | Revolving credit facilities | Domestic Credit Facility Amendment Agreement              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Maximum amount of borrowings available 35,000,000            
Foreign Line of Credit | Credit Facility With European Bank              
Debt Instrument [Line Items]              
Maximum amount of borrowings available 40,626,000     € 35,000,000.0      
Outstanding borrowings $ 3,211,000   $ 26,126,000 € 2,800,000   € 22,100,000  
Weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (as a percent) 1.75%   1.75% 1.75%   1.75%