[s1e2] Open Casket -

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.

Like other siblings' specific rooms, Shirley’s "Red Room" (her office/workplace in the house) contains subtle red elements, a recurring motif throughout the series. Open Casket | The Haunting of Bly Manor Wiki | Fandom [S1E2] Open Casket

At her mother’s funeral, Shirley is terrified of seeing her deceased mother. However, the mortician "fixes" Olivia to look peaceful, which inspires Shirley’s future career path. Present Timeline: Shirley’s profession is a direct response to her

Shirley now owns a funeral home with her husband, Kevin. She is a perfectionist who views her work as a way to provide families with a "better picture" to replace scary memories of death. Open Casket | The Haunting of Bly Manor

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.

After receiving the news of Nell’s suicide, Shirley insists on preparing her sister’s body herself.