Liz is a fifteen-year-old girl who recently died in a traffic accident and wakes up on a ship headed to the afterlife. She possesses a stubborn intelligence and a strong affection for dogs. She struggles considerably with her new reality, holding tightly to her interrupted plans for adulthood, college, and independence on Earth. Over time, she observes her living family and attempts to understand her place in a world where everyone ages backward.

Betty is Liz's maternal grandmother who died before Liz was born. She currently appears as a woman in her thirties due to the reverse-aging process of her new home. She cultivates an unruly, blooming garden and works as a seamstress. She approaches her granddaughter with immense patience, seeking to build a family connection and alleviate her own long-standing loneliness.

Owen is a detective with the Bureau of Supernatural Crime and Contact. He died in his twenties while working as a firefighter in New York and currently appears as a teenager. Having struggled extensively to adjust to his own afterlife, he uses his position to monitor illegal communications and help others accept their situations.

Thandi is a pragmatic sixteen-year-old girl from Washington D.C. who shares a cabin with Liz during their journey. She accepts her death more readily than her peers and quickly establishes a routine. She possesses a straightforward attitude and values practical progress over dwelling on the past.

Curtis is a British musician and the former lead singer of Liz's favorite band. He carries a melancholy demeanor early on, marked by the struggles of addiction that ended his life. He eventually adopts a more peaceful lifestyle as a fisherman, offering philosophical perspectives to those around him.

Aldous is a cheerful, bald acclimation counselor who helps new arrivals find purpose. Despite having suffered his own tragic family losses on Earth, he maintains a remarkably positive attitude. He guides residents through the process of selecting an avocation to make their time meaningful.

Amadou is a recent immigrant, a night school student, and a father trying to support his family in Boston. He works as a taxi driver and harbors immense guilt over fleeing the scene of an accident. He lives under the constant weight of his mistake while caring tenderly for his sick son.

Alvy is Liz's seven-year-old younger brother on Earth. He is an observant child who continuously searches for signs of his missing sibling. He pays close attention to running water in his house, holding onto hope that he might hear her voice.

Emily is a bright, dedicated medical professional and Owen's childhood sweetheart. Following his death, she focuses her grief into becoming a burn specialist in his honor. She represents the enduring earthly bonds that hold spirits back from fully accepting their new reality.

Sadie is a blondish, medium-sized dog capable of speaking the Canine language. She acts as Liz's first official advisee at her new job. Affectionate and decisive, Sadie immediately bonds with her counselor and requests to go home with her.

Jen is a selective but enthusiastic golden retriever. She asks thorough questions to ensure she finds the right match for a companion. She values loyalty and expects attentive, consistent care from her human.

Zooey is a high school student on Earth experiencing the sudden absence of her best friend. She struggles deeply to process her grief and avoids attending formal mourning events. She continues to experience typical teenage milestones while carrying the weight of her loss.

Lucy is a pet pug on Earth who understands more about her environment than humans realize. She is a cynical but deeply loyal dog who dismisses comforting cliches about happy afterlives. She grieves heavily, finding little comfort from the other dogs at the local park.

Olivia is a grieving mother on Earth trying to maintain order for her young son. She struggles to process a sudden tragedy while managing a household. She harbors a long-standing estrangement from her own mother due to past family conflicts.

Shelly is Thandi's cousin who previously died of a drug overdose. She lives in Elsewhere and provides Thandi with a place to live upon her arrival.

Slim is Thandi's boyfriend from Washington D.C. He was present during the tragic event that ended Thandi's life, shouting her name in the moments before she lost consciousness.

Paco is a chihuahua who arrives in Elsewhere and requires placement. He eventually finds a permanent home when Thandi agrees to adopt him.

Rowena is Aldous Ghent's wife. She died alongside her husband in a plane crash, arriving in Elsewhere only to find that their previously deceased son had already returned to Earth.

Joseph is the son of Aldous and Rowena Ghent. He died young on Earth and completed his time in Elsewhere before his parents arrived, returning to Earth as a baby.