Nathaniel Fisher, patriarch of a family that owns a Los Angeles mortuary, is killed when a bus hits a hearse, leaving his family to run the business.
Nate tries to help David run the business, which only creates more tension between them; unpleasant surprises are revealed at the reading of the will.
The family deals with increasing pressure to sell the family business; Claire finds an unusual way to punish her boyfriend for his big mouth.
Claire is suspected of arson when Kroehner Corp's new building is burned to the ground; David ends a feud with Keith.
Keith has a problem with David's wish to become a deacon; Nate has dinner with Brenda's parents and meets her brother Billy.
Claire meets Billy; two suitors pursue Ruth; a divorced parishioner wants to see David; Nate discovers some of his father's secrets.
Peter Krause
Nate Fisher Jr.
Michael C. Hall
David Fisher
Frances Conroy
Ruth Fisher
Lauren Ambrose
Claire Fisher
Rachel Griffiths
Brenda Chenowith