Open Casket | [s1e2]

Shirley’s profession is a direct response to her childhood trauma. She believes that by physically repairing a body, she can psychologically repair the survivors' trauma.

At her mother’s funeral, Shirley is terrified of seeing her deceased mother. However, the mortician "fixes" Olivia to look peaceful, which inspires Shirley’s future career path. Present Timeline: [S1E2] Open Casket

Shirley now owns a funeral home with her husband, Kevin. She is a perfectionist who views her work as a way to provide families with a "better picture" to replace scary memories of death. Shirley’s profession is a direct response to her

Shirley is often interpreted as representing Anger in the five stages of grief. Her anger manifests as a need for control and a literal "fixing" of the dead to mask the chaos of loss. However, the mortician "fixes" Olivia to look peaceful,