Nathaniel Fisher, owner of the Fisher & Sons Funeral Home, is killed on Christmas Eve when a municipal bus broadsides his new hearse, and the tragedy casts a pall on the holiday homecoming of son Nate.

Nate offers a solution when the inventor of a pyramid scheme dies, leaving his widow with a mountain of debts and no money for a proper funeral. Later, the reading of Mr. Fisher's will divides the family spoils.

A bakery owner meets an unsavoury demise and it's up to Federico to put the pieces back together. Nate decides not to sell to Kroehner, and Claire finds a way to pay back Gabe for blabbing about her toe-sucking exploits.

A Mexican-American gang member is killed and the Fishers find the family's wishes for burial are at odds with those of the gang's leader. Also, Nate, David and Ruth wonder if Claire had something to do with the fire.

The death of a porno queen shocks Ruth, who isn't prepared for the crush of co-stars who arrive to eulogise the fallen star. Keith takes issue with David's desire to replace his father as deacon at the family church.

A grieving widower camps out in the Fisher Funeral Home after the death of his wife of 56 years, and Nate discovers some of his father's secrets, including a mysterious room he bartered in exchange for a funeral.

When a young Army veteran dies of Gulf War syndrome, his embittered brother decides to shun a military funeral in favour of a simple cremation and disposal. Plus, Nate and Brenda plan to spend their first weekend away.

With a lull in business at Fisher's, Nate and David decide to rent out a room at the funeral home to make some extra income, and Rico is tempted to take on some extra work at Kroehner's.

When Gabriel's 6-year-old brother dies of a gunshot wound, Claire finds herself softening towards her ex. David hits the dance clubs with his new lover and discovers the joys of ecstasy - as does his mother Ruth.

The Fishers need to replace Rico and they hire the outstanding, but unfortunately outspoken embalmer, Angela. Nate tracks Rico down who informs him that Kroehner are not through with their take-down of Fisher & Sons.

David, Nate and Brenda attend a funeral directors' conference in Las Vegas where David successfully speaks on the role of the independents as he faced the "suits" from Kroehner.

The homophobic killing of a young man forces David to re-examine his lifestyle and his family relationships. Nate goes to pick up a body, when in reality Billy lured him there to threaten him with a knife.

Tracy Blair arranges a funeral for her aunt. Federico holds a christening party for his son Augusto at the Fisher residence, and Brenda visits her brother Billy in the mental hospital.