Worsham College of Mortuary Science was founded by Professor Albert Worsham on March 17, 1911. Prior to founding the College, Professor Worsham attended the Barnes School of Anatomy & Embalming in Chicago. Upon graduation, he joined the faculty of Barnes College where he taught for nine years, before founding the Worsham College of Embalming. Worsham College remains one of the oldest colleges of mortuary science in existence today.

Throughout his life, Professor Worsham placed a great emphasis on practical experience supported by scientific training. After his death, his wife Laura made plans to have Worsham College continue in the hands of the faculty. Seven members of the staff, all physicians, purchased the College and changed its name to Worsham College of Mortuary Science.

Worsham College operated under the combined efforts of the new owners, all of whom were instructors.

In 1979, faculty member Bruno Bak became President of the College. Mr. Bak and his wife, Joan, moved the college to Wheeling, in the northern suburbs of Chicago. The College continues to be operated by instructors and emphasizes practical learning experiences.

Today, our mission is to ensure that Worsham College of Mortuary Science grows and evolves, meeting the ever-changing needs of the funeral service profession. By the use of modern technology, having a faculty that is largely practicing funeral directors, and the resources of national and local organizations, we are best equipped to train, educate and prepare funeral directors for both the funeral service and mortuary science aspects of the career.

The funeral industry is constantly evolving. Worsham prides itself on adapting to meet the needs of our learners, now and in the future. In 2019, the College began offering the first online Associate of Science degree in the country. In 2023, the College began breaking ground for a new state-of-the-art laboratory, to allow for hands-on experience with embalming, restorative art, and cremation.