After receiving the news of Nell’s suicide, Shirley insists on preparing her sister’s body herself.
While Shirley tries to maintain a facade of perfection and control, her world is constantly undermined by the repressed horrors of Hill House and the messiness of her family’s shared grief. Key Details & Trivia [S1E2] Open Casket
In a flashback, young Luke catches a glimpse of a mysterious young girl in the distance at Hill House. After receiving the news of Nell’s suicide, Shirley
Shirley’s profession is a direct response to her childhood trauma. She believes that by physically repairing a body, she can psychologically repair the survivors' trauma. Shirley’s profession is a direct response to her
Young Shirley finds a litter of stray kittens. Despite her efforts to save them, they all die. This trauma, combined with the "broken" appearance of her mother’s body later, drives her obsession with "fixing" things.