상조서비스 이용실태와 소비자 인식

As social and economical circumstances are changed, the number of consumers who purchase the industry-type funeral service is constantly increasing. However, a detailed study on the knowledge and attitude of consumers' regarding industry-type funeral service has been rare. The purpose of this study is to analyze the current status of industry-type funeral service and consumers' perception with the social-demographic variables using data acquired from consumers who have purchased industry-type funeral service. The results showed that most favored contract costs 2 to 4 million won, and most customers purchase 1 account for their parents and being served once. General knowledge index of consumers related with industry-type funeral service was relatively low as 33.7%. Significant differences were found according to customer's gender, age, average monthly income, and religion, while no meaningful difference was concluded according to their education levels and occupations. The group with religion showed high negative perception towards the attitude of a funeral service company than the group without religion. Although consumers seem to have both affirmative and negative perception simultaneously, the overall evaluation of industry-type funeral service was more correlated with consumers' affirmative perception. The results of this study will provide funeral industry staffs as well as consumers with information regarding contract conditions, service satisfaction, customers' attitude about the industry-type funeral service, which will help them to build a management strategy and to enhance their viability in this market.