Cake Toppers

'Pilot.' In the series premiere, Nate returns home for the holidays to the shattering news of his father's death.

After a pyramid scheme owner dies and leaves his wife and baby daughter with a load of debt, Nate (Peter Krause) offers to loan them a casket. Meanwhile, the Fisher family attend the reading of their father's will.

When a bakery owner is killed, it's up to Federico (Freddy Rodriguez) to put the pieces back together. The family considers selling the funeral business altogether to Kroehner.

After a gang member is killed, the Fishers find that his family's wishes for burial differ from those of his gang leader. Nate's girlfriend Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) makes an unfavorable impression during a family dinner.

Ruth is stunned by the visitors at a porn star's wake. Nate has a strange first meeting with Brenda's brother Billy (Jeremy Sisto) and Keith takes issue with David's desire to replace his father as deacon at the family church.

An ornery widower camps out in the Fisher Funeral Home; sparks fly between Claire and Billy. Ruth spurns Hiram and is later wooed by a Russian florist. David is pursued by a pushy parishioner while performing charity work. And an examination of the business's receipts uncovers some interesting secrets.

When a young Army vet dies of Gulf War Syndrome, his brother opts for a cremation and disposal of the body. Ruth has Hiram over to cook dinner and then takes a job with Nikolai. David's church involvement results in his casting a very important vote. And Billy interferes with Nate and Brenda's vacation plans.

In an effort to raise income, Nate and David decide to rent out a room in the funeral home. Claire struggles to grasp the lessons of her outreach hike in the mountains. Ruth attempts to reconcile her feelings about Hiram. Brenda's Aussie friend gets under Nate's skin. And David is buoyed by the news of extra funeral business.

A tragedy reunites Claire with a guy who sullied her reputation at school. David and his new boyfriend run into Keith and his new partner on the disco circuit. And Ruth has an eye-opening camping trip with Hiram.

In this episode directed by actress Kathy Bates, Nate (Peter Krause) and David hire an outspoken mortician (Illeana Douglas). Billy's photo gallery exhibit features one particularly surprising shot. And Claire frets over Gabe's inconsistent behavior.

Nate (Peter Krause), David (Michael C. Hall) and Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) take an interesting trip to Vegas for a funeral directors' conference. A baby's death from SIDS stuns the family. And Ruth (Frances Conroy) takes a floral-arrangement class.

A gay man's murder forces David to confont his own fears about his lifestyle; Brenda's parents and Nate consider getting help for the increasingly troubled Billy ... but Brenda isn't so sure that's the answer. Meanwhile, Ruth, Claire and David all share secrets with respective acquaintances.

In the first season's final episode, written and directed by series creator Alan Ball, the Fisher family experiences the control-freak side of Tracy Montrose Blaire. Brenda visits a remorseful Billy. David faces problems at his church. Gabe reverts to some bad habits. Rico finds reason to celebrate.