EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (Registration Nos. 2-48760, 33-57793, 33-57795, 33-57797 and 333-83731) of Matthews International Corporation, of our report dated November 18, 1999 related to the consolidated financial statements which appear in this Form 10-K. PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania December 20, 1999