Bud is a 44-year-old obituary writer for a major wire service. He lives in Brooklyn and struggles with a profound sense of emotional detachment following his divorce two years ago. His career is in jeopardy due to a string of factual errors in his reporting and a drunken mistake where he accidentally publishes his own fake obituary online. He relies heavily on sarcasm as a defense mechanism to mask his loneliness and perceived failures.

Tim is Bud's landlord and close friend who lives in the apartment directly below him. A former Sotheby's employee who survived a severe traffic accident, he uses a wheelchair due to paraplegia. He hosts regular salons for local artists and runs a wheelchair theater company called Remain Seated. He approaches life with a resilience and curiosity that directly challenges Bud's apathy.

Clara is a woman who attends the wakes and funerals of strangers as a hobby. She previously worked in finance but now seeks out these services to feel connected to the present moment. She is observant and direct, easily seeing through Bud's sarcastic exterior. Her unorthodox approach to grief pushes Bud out of his comfort zone.

Tuan shares an office with Bud at the wire service. He maintains a polished demeanor that contrasts with Bud's disheveled state, but the two share a similar dry wit. He regularly mocks Bud's misfortunes, particularly after the obituary incident, but this caustic exterior hides a genuine loyalty and concern for his coworker's well-being.

Howard is the gruff, demanding editor at the news wire service where Bud works. He holds strong convictions about the moral duty of journalism and the importance of factual accuracy. Though he frequently yells at his staff and threatens termination, he also cares deeply about his employees and worries about Bud's loss of passion for life.

Leo is Bud's seven-year-old neighbor. He has absent parents and spends most of his time with his nanny. He is highly observant and copes with his own anxieties by counting objects and memorizing random scientific facts. He treats Bud with an unfiltered honesty that offers Bud a refreshing break from adult complications.

Jen is Bud's ex-wife who works at Sotheby's. Their marriage dissolved two years ago after she resumed an affair with her former boss. Her sudden communication regarding her mother's death triggers Bud's downward spiral and the drafting of his fake obituary.

Gerry is Bud's older brother. He lives abroad in China and later London, maintaining physical and emotional distance from his family. He and Bud share a brief moment of connection while attempting to scatter their father's ashes, but they largely lead separate lives.

Gerald is Bud's father, a former insurance agent from West Hartford. He is emotionally distant from his children, preferring simple routines like yard work over deep conversations. After his first wife's passing, he moves to Florida and pursues a series of new romantic relationships.

Louise is Bud's late mother who passed away when he was twelve. Her brief, seventy-four-word obituary deeply angered young Bud and ultimately inspired his career choice. Her absence leaves a lasting mark on her family.

Judith is a therapist in her seventies with distinctive silver hair. She does not tolerate Bud's sarcasm or deflections, forcing him to directly state his regrets and wishes. She challenges him to recognize how he uses humor to hide from genuine pain.

Megan is a human resources representative at Bud's company. She handles the initial suspension meeting after the obituary incident. She represents the rigid, bureaucratic logic of the corporate world that Bud finds increasingly absurd.

Beth is a senior human resources representative who manages the confusing technical glitch regarding Bud's employment status. She explains the paradox that the company cannot fire a legally deceased employee.

Buckley is a young human resources employee who speaks entirely in earnest corporate jargon. His sincere attempts to explain the absurdity of needing Bud to declare himself alive so they can fire him highlight the sterile environment of the office.

Esther is Tim's housekeeper. She provides both practical assistance and strong emotional support for Tim. She is fiercely protective of her employer and contributes to the lively, communal atmosphere in his home.

Louisa is Tim's sister. She lives on the West Coast but maintains a close bond with her brother, having supported him heavily during his recovery from his accident.

Kyle is a new, young intern at the wire service. He is inexperienced and uses inappropriate language at work, causing headaches for his coworkers and managers.

Julia is a retired music teacher who lives in Bud and Tim's building. She is a fixture in their local community, frequently attending Tim's salons and offering unsolicited life advice to her neighbors.

Murray is an eccentric neighbor and independent filmmaker. He attends community gatherings at Tim's apartment, where he shares his existential anxieties and his academic fascination with profanity.

Diane is a woman set up on a blind date with Bud by Tuan. She shows up only to inform Bud that she is reconciling with her ex-boyfriend, kicking off Bud's spiral into despair.

Ben is Jen's former boss and current husband. Their affair led to the dissolution of Bud's marriage, making Ben a source of deep insecurity for Bud.

Judy is Jen's mother and Bud's former mother-in-law. Her death and subsequent wake force Bud to interact with his ex-wife's new family configuration.

Aldo is a professional and compassionate funeral director. He treats his work with deep reverence, viewing the preparation of the deceased as a sacred act that requires care and respect.