Arthur is an 85-year-old retired groundskeeper who is mourning the recent loss of his beloved wife, Nola. He maintains a steadfast routine of taking the bus to the cemetery every day, bringing a folding chair and packed lunch to eat by her grave and converse with her about his day. He also regularly reads the inscriptions on other graves, imagining the lives of Nola's new cemetery neighbors. Loyal, loving, and gentle, he faces the loneliness of aging while maintaining an open, observant, and compassionate outlook on the world and the people around him.

Maddy is a 17-year-old high school student who feels profoundly isolated following the death of her mother, who passed away when Maddy was only two weeks old. Bright, introspective, and a talented photographer, she frequently retreats to the cemetery to escape the relentless bullying she faces at school, finding the atmosphere peaceful rather than morbid. She is eager for genuine affection and struggles to find reliable support, constructing emotional barriers against her emotionally distant father and seeking validation from her older boyfriend.

Lucille is an 83-year-old retired teacher who lives next door to Arthur and manages the loneliness of living alone in a large, empty house. Opinionated, highly structured, and generous, she often tries to connect with Arthur by offering him elaborate baked goods and insisting on conversation. She frequently pines for the life she thought she would have, and she eagerly pursues a second chance at romance when her high school sweetheart, who chose to marry someone else decades ago, sends her a letter.

Steven is Maddy's father, a man who emotionally retreated from his daughter following the tragic death of his wife in a car accident shortly after Maddy's birth. He struggles to be a loving, attentive parent, often letting his own unresolved grief create a tense, distant household environment. Though he makes awkward attempts to express care, such as waiting up for Maddy when she sneaks out, he frequently views his role as a parent as burdensome and keeps his daughter at arm's length.

Anderson is an older teenager who works at Walmart and serves as Maddy's boyfriend early in the story. Dismissive and unimaginative, he scoffs at Maddy's interest in the cemetery, calling it weird, and shows little regard for her emotional needs. He views relationships primarily as a source of physical pleasure and convenience, eventually dumping Maddy in a park because he meets another girl at work.

Frank is a recent widower living in San Diego who was Lucille's high school sweetheart many decades ago. He reaches out to Lucille while visiting his daughter in the Missouri town where Lucille lives, seeking to rekindle their past romance. He admits to having a difficult marriage with his late wife, Sue, confessing to past infidelities, and brings a sudden spark of excitement into Lucille's quiet routine.

Nola is Arthur's late wife, whose recent passing leaves him profoundly grieving. Though she is deceased before the events of the novel begin, her memory is a powerful, ongoing presence in Arthur's life, driving his daily routines and shaping his understanding of true love. She and Arthur shared a deeply affectionate, happy marriage for decades, frequently collecting small items like their cherished "Mr. and Mrs. Hamburger" figurine.

Maddy's mother passed away in a car accident when Maddy was an infant. Though she is not physically present, she serves as a powerful spiritual presence in Maddy's life. Maddy frequently looks for her in moments of distress, perceiving her comforting presence in the form of a doe or a warm mental glow in her mind.

Mr. Lyons is Maddy's high school English teacher and one of the few adults at her school who treats her with kindness and respect. He recognizes her creative talents, specifically praising her photography, and provides a supportive, encouraging presence when she faces severe bullying from her classmates and personal struggles at home.

Gordon is the pet cat that Arthur shared with his late wife, Nola. Following Nola's death, Gordon remains Arthur's quiet companion at home, providing a living connection to the domestic life Arthur and his wife built together during their long marriage. Arthur diligently cares for him between his daily trips to the cemetery.

Sandy is Frank Pearson's adult daughter, who lives in the Missouri town where the story takes place. She serves as the primary reason Frank returns to the area, giving him the geographical proximity to reconnect with his high school sweetheart, Lucille, during his visit.

Sue is Frank Pearson's late wife, whom he married instead of Lucille decades ago. Though deceased, her memory impacts the present action as Frank describes their marriage as difficult, claiming she was high-maintenance and impossible to please, which drives his desire to reconnect with Lucille.