<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.0.8</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>261</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>278</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>76</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>8</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>000100 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>010000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>020000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>030000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>040100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>050000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060100 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/NatureOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060200 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060300 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060400 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060500 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/Debt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060600 - Disclosure - Share Based Payments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/ShareBasedPayments</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Based Payments</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060700 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/EarningsPerShareAttributableToMatthewsShareholders</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060800 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>060900 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061000 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061200 - Disclosure - Acquisitions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/Acquisitions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>061300 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080300 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080400 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080500 - Disclosure - Debt (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/DebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080600 - Disclosure - Share Based Payments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Based Payments (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080700 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/EarningsPerShareAttributableToMatthewsShareholdersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080800 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>080900 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081000 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081100 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>081300 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090100 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/NatureOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090300 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090400 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/InventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090500 - Disclosure - Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/DebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090600 - Disclosure - Share Based Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share Based Payments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090700 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/EarningsPerShareAttributableToMatthewsShareholdersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090800 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>090900 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091000 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091100 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091200 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>091300 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://matw.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired had a mix of decimals attribute values: 1 3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstanding had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '090700 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews Shareholders (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '091200 - Disclosure - Acquisitions (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '091300 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 010000 - Statement - CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Jun. 30, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Sep. 30, 2012'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 020000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 030000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 040100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 050000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>matw-20140630.xml</File>
    <File>matw-20140630.xsd</File>
    <File>matw-20140630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>matw-20140630_def.xml</File>
    <File>matw-20140630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>matw-20140630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
