Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors records

Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors records, 1930-1965

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Montana. Department of Labor and Industry. Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
Title: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors records
Dates: 1930-1965 (inclusive)
19301965
Quantity: 0.4 linear ft
Collection Number: RS 498 (Formerly RS 8)
Summary: This collection is a sub-subgroup (Board) of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry records, RS 498. The Board of Funeral Service (formerly Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors) operates within the Professional and Occupational Licensing Bureau, which falls under the Employment Standards Division of DLI. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Department of Labor and Industry records. These records of the Montana Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors consist of mortician licenses, arranged alphabetically. Each license contains information on the mortician, their workplace, education, and license applications and renewals.
Repository: Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions: Collection open for research.
Languages: English.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Montana Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors was created in 1941 and composed of five members appointed by the governor. Previously, this function of government had been overseen by the Montana State Board of Health. The Board was formed to oversee the examination and licensing of embalmers and funeral directors in Montana, all of whom had to have graduated from high school and attend an embalming college. Once granted a license, the applicant could practice as an intern or apprentice for the period of one year, at which point they could apply for a final license as an embalmer.

In 1963, the name of the board was changed to the State Board of Morticians and, in 1972, it was changed again to the Board of Morticians and administratively attached to the Department of Professional and Occupational Licensing. In 1981, DPOL dissolved and its duties were transferred to the Department of Labor and Industry. As of 2024, the Board is named the Board of Funeral Service.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

These records (1930-1965) of the Montana Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors consist of mortician licenses, arranged alphabetically. Each license contains information on the mortician, their workplace, education, and license applications and renewals.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives, Helena, Montana.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Mortician licenses are arranged alphabetically.

Location of Collection

17: 6-5

Processing Note

Processed at the collection level. No box-folder listing.

In 2024, the various collections of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry were integrated under one collection identifier, RS 498, in order to help facilitate access, reduce redundancy in the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives catalog, and to follow best archival practices.

Collections from Montana Department of Labor and Industry's various Divisions and Bureaus that were previously treated as separate entities are now integrated into this collection, RS 498. Rather than reprocessing over 20 linear feet of DLI materials, MTHS staff decided to keep the past arrangement of those collections/finding aids and provide access to them via links in the primary finding aid. This decision has allowed the MTHS archival staff to maintain intellectual control over the collection, while removing the need to reprocess it. It also keeps State Agency finding aids at manageable sizes. Please read the scope and content note carefully to determine if this subgroup/sub-subgroup pertains to your research needs.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Death care industry
Embalming
Undertakers and undertaking

Geographical Names

Montana

Archives West Finding Aid

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