The business of death: How Leili McMurrough is breaking barriers and redefining funeral directors of the future  

Leili McMurrough, licensed funeral director and president of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois, had planned on becoming a lawyer. But during law school, a nearby mortuary school intrigued her enough to double enroll with 5 days a week in law school and 2 days a week in mortuary school.  

Years later, she’s redefining what the future of funeral service looks like while helping to educate future generations of funeral directors, most of which are women, at one of the country’s oldest and largest mortuary schools.  

Leili was also selected to receive a BMO Celebrating Women grant in 2024. Along with $10,000 in grant funding, recipients receive coaching from a BMO business advisor, can attend exclusive seminars, and gain access to tailored resources developed to support their organization’s progress. Leili plans to use the money and resources to keep Worsham at the forefront of new technologies and create the most inclusive environment for small group learning. She hopes her passion for the field of mortuary science and modern education techniques will continue to transform the traditionally stoic field of funeral service education. 

The most recent graduating classes are made up of mostly women, even as high as 80% of the latest class often with job placement rates as high as 100%. 

She hopes that by sharing her experience and teaching a compassionate and service-driven curriculum she is helping to slowly change and reshape the entire funeral service experience for the future.   

Leili credits her relationship with BMO for not only inspiring her to apply for the grant but also for providing consistent support throughout her career. 

She uses BMO for a wide range of banking needs including accounts for a new non-profit she started in the past few years, sharing that the multi-level relationship contributes to BMO feeling like a true partner in helping her drive innovation and meaningful change. 

For Leili, the grant represents not just financial assistance but validation of the vital role women play in reshaping industries and creating lasting impact. 

Find out more about the BMO Celebrating Women grant and the application process.