Grieving the recent death of his wife, Hasidic cantor Shmuel decides that, in order to move on, he must understand the science behind the decomposition process of his wife's body, despite the blasphemy inherent in any scientific inquiry. He seeks out Albert, a community-college biology professor who Shmuel enlists to teach informal science lessons. As their macabre misadventures and unlikely friendship grow, they prove they will stop at nothing to satiate their curiosity and find Shmuel the peace he seeks.