The study was designed to ascertain the level of knowledge, opinions, and degree of preparedness of a group of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University faculty and staff concerning selected practices and regulations of the funeral industry. Questionnaires were returned by 226 respondents; this represented 75.00% of the sample. The Consumer Funeral Test was developed for this study and included a knowledge, opinion, and preparedness section.

Mean achievement score on the knowledge section was 4.00, representing 57.10% correct. Kuder-Richardson formula twenty reliability estimate equaled 0.14; an expected low figure given the small number of questions (seven).

The opinions expressed indicated that the respondents were "conventional" in their feelings; that is, there was a general tendency toward agreement with selected practices and regulations of the funeral industry, that was anticipated according to previous studies and responses by consumers. "Unconventional" would indicate a general tendency toward agreement with the status quo of selected practices and regulations of the funeral industry.

The preparedness scores reported by respondents indicated that the greater majority are unprepared for their own funerals. Of the five preparedness questions asked, four received a negative response by 79.80% or more of the respondents.

No statistically significant relationship existed between the knowledge, opinions, and preparedness scores. Also, age, education, income, sex, and religion were not related to the opinions and preparedness scores reported.

However, a significant relationship existed between the knowledge of selected practices and regulations of the funeral industry and the age, education, and sex of the respondents. Those who were older scored higher; the males scored significantly higher than the females on the knowledge section; and those with more education scored higher.