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.
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.
Mortician licenses are arranged alphabetically.
Collection open for research.
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.
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
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives, Helena, Montana.
Acquisition information available upon request.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Montana Historical Society Research Center catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search under these terms.