New York State Board of Embalming Examiners Index to Registers of Embalmers' and Undertakers' Licenses

Chapter 555 of the Laws of 1898 established the State Board of Embalming Examiners and rendered it a misdemeanor to engage in the business of embalming without a license. The law required persons previously engaged in the business of embalming to register with said board in order to receive a license. The act required persons interested in entering the business of embalming to submit a written application to the board and complete an examination demonstrating their qualifications in order to receive a license.

Chapter 498 of the Laws of 1904 extended the board's regulating power to include the business of undertaking. Licensed embalmers previously engaged in undertaking, or persons engaged in the undertaking business along with a license embalmer, were required to register with the board in order to receive a license to continue practicing undertaking. Any person interested in entering the business of undertaking was required to be a license embalmer and to have been employed as an assistant to a licensed undertaker for at least three years. The act also changed the corporate name of the board to the Board of Embalming Examiners of the State of New York.

Chapter 691 of the Laws of 1927 discontinued the State Board of Embalming Examiners and replaced it with a supervisor of embalming and undertaking, to be appointed by the State Commissioner of Health.

This series consists of two index volumes, the first of which lists license numbers of embalmers licensed to practice in New York State, and the second of which lists the same information for licensed undertakers. Both volumes are arranged alphabetically by first letter of surname, with names entered in order by ascending license number. In the index to licensed embalmers, names are occasionally annotated as "Deceased" and date of death is provided. Such annotations are not present in the index to licensed undertakers. Neither volume provides any further information regarding licensees.

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