Violette is a cemetery keeper with a difficult past. Raised in the foster care system after being left for dead as an infant, she grows up with a severe fear of abandonment. She marries Philippe Toussaint and works diligently to support them both, taking jobs as an underage bartender and later as a railway crossing keeper. In her role at the cemetery, she acts as a confidante to mourners, meticulously maintains burial registers, and builds a supportive chosen family.

Philippe is Violette's husband. Raised by wealthy parents who shielded him from consequences, he grows into a handsome but selfish man who uses his charm to manipulate others. He enjoys riding his beloved motorbike alone and frequently leaves Violette to handle their shared duties at the railway crossing while he disappears for extended periods.

Julien is a police chief who travels several hours to Brancion-en-Chalon. He arrives at the cemetery with a specific task: to place his deceased mother's ashes on the grave of a man he does not know. He relies on his mother's diaries to uncover her hidden history, crossing paths with Violette in the process.

Léonine is Violette and Philippe's cherished daughter. She grows up at the railway crossing and excels at school. She is the center of Violette's universe and the reason Violette decides to secretly teach herself how to read.

Nono, Elvis, and Gaston make up the lively trio of gravediggers at the cemetery. Though each man possesses distinct quirks, together they function as a single unit, frequently gathering in Violette's kitchen to share stories, food, and laughter.

Sasha is the cemetery keeper who precedes Violette at Brancion-en-Chalon. He is a gentle man with a multiracial background and an extensive tea collection. Having experienced profound personal tragedy, he finds peace through cultivating a beautiful garden.

Irène is Julien's mother, a woman who cultivated roses and maintained a complex emotional life outside of her marriage. Through her diaries, she narrates her past experiences and reveals her deep connection to a lawyer named Gabriel Prudent.

Gabriel is a lawyer who meets Irène Fayolle at a trial. He is an observant and charming man who forms an immediate connection with Irène, leading to a profound relationship that spans many years.

Nono is one of the three gravediggers at the cemetery. Formerly a house painter, he took up gravedigging after being laid off. He is a cheerful single father who shares Violette's philosophy that happiness is a choice.

Elvis is one of the three cemetery gravediggers. He is a quiet man who has never been known to be in a relationship, preferring to focus his devotion entirely on his favorite musician.

Gaston is the third member of the gravedigging team. He is heavily defined by his extreme physical clumsiness, though his coworkers accept this trait with affectionate exasperation.

Father Cédric is the handsome village priest. Though Violette does not attend church, he frequently visits her kitchen to share meals, discuss theology, and joke with the cemetery staff.

Célia is a woman Violette meets when a train strike halts travel. Violette invites her into her home, sparking a fast and enduring friendship. Célia tries to encourage Violette to leave her unfulfilling life and move to Marseilles.

Mother Toussaint is Philippe's wealthy mother. She is highly involved in her son's life, ignoring his destructive flaws while acting dismissive and controlling toward Violette.

Father Toussaint is Philippe's father. He uses his resources and connections to find work for Philippe and Violette, keeping them tethered to the family's influence.

Françoise is a woman connected to Philippe's youth. Once married to his uncle, she represents a significant and complicated figure from Philippe's past.

Geneviève is a housekeeper at the hotel where Léonine vacations. She is a working-class woman who becomes entangled with Philippe, leading to a dark and abusive dynamic.

Nathan is Julien's young son. He occasionally visits the cemetery and is highly entertained by Violette's ghost stories.