Bernie Tiede is the gentle assistant funeral director in Carthage, Texas, who strikes up an unusual relationship with wealthy widow Marjorie Nugent. Marjorie's oft-unpleasant demeanour has ostracized her among the majority of Carthage's residents, but Bernie emerges as her most trusted confidant, accompanying Marjorie on vacations and handling personal affairs. But her venom curdles their union, and Marjorie ultimately turns up dead. Much to the surprise of the local district attorney, however, the town rallies behind Bernie, despite overwhelming evidence implicating him as Marjorie's killer.