Boris Plotz, Director of the Plotz Funeral Home, dreamed of only two things as a young boy: dancing and Betty. Betty secretly loved Boris, but could not find her father's wishes, so she was married off to a gold digger. Boris gave up his dreams and took over the family's undertaking business in their small town. Everything has remained status quo in their lives until Betty's mother-in-law dies. Boris and Betty are thrust together again and as they discuss the funeral arrangements for Betty's mother-in-law, the old spark is re-kindled. Her funeral will be held at Plotz Funeral Homes, much to the chagrin of the funeral director, Frank Featherbed. An America, Featherbed is determined to revolutionize the undertaking business in Whales through the innovation of "theme" funerals. Betty and Boris discover that the only obstacle between their love for one another is Betty's marriage to the two-timing mayor. In a desperate Bid for Happiness, Boris and Betty decide to stage her death and run away together. Meanwhile Featherbed is holding his first funeral--done much to the surprise of the bereaved, in a Star Trek theme. During the service, Featherbed's assistant operates the special effects that produce smoke and music. However, when he pushed the switch that raises the coffin for the "beamed up" effect, the switch sticks and the coffin breaks through the roof! Boris pursues the plan for faking Betty's death by enlisting the help of the town doctor. But still, nothing goes as planned, and so the comedy begins.