A telephone call from Lady Bestys-Good-Enough about her sad loss sends Holroyd and his staff rushing to her manor. When they arrive, they find that a test of skill lies before them—and not quite the kind they expected.
When apprentice Percy ignores the rules and sells the coffin, not the funeral, he places the firm in a grave situation.
Against his better judgement, Bulstrode becomes involved in the funeral of old Zephaniah Hodge. When he hears that Hodge was wealthy, his baser instincts come to the fore—even to the extent of having a band play ""The Last Post over the Grave.""
Even undertakers can fall in love, but Percy has chosen to fall for Rose, the daughter of a rival undertaker.
Business being slack, Bulstrode branches out into the wedding business. When Holroyd unexpectedly returns from holiday to hold a memorial service for one of his holiday party, he finds Bulstrode conducting a wedding service in the Chapel of Rest.
Basil takes more than just a cursory interest in the attractive and recently widowed Mrs Darling. His daydreams encompass a high class clientele and a luxurious funeral establishment, funded by Mrs Darling—who appears to take as much interest in funerals as he does.